9. Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Celeste
I didn’t even want to look at my phone. The moment I’d posted the announcement about the new “relationship” between myself and Pack Lockwood, I knew I’d be flooded with notifications. I’d barely had time to let my PR team know about the development. They were going to be fielding media inquiries all week, and they didn’t even know how to respond. I’d simply told them to give no comment, and that all would be explained later.
It would be hard to talk to the media about how I had been mistaken about Pack Lockwood being behind the kidnapping of Bella, and even harder to explain how I became so close to them, much less that I agreed to let them officially court me. But I’d find a way.
For now, I just wanted to pretend it all wasn’t happening. I lay back on the pillows in the strange bed that didn’t belong to me, trying hard to ignore the fact that my scent matches were somewhere on the property with me. That was a whole other issue I needed to eventually contend with.
I was already feeling homesick, alone, needy, and frustrated. I took one long breath at a time, trying desperately not to overthink just how much my world had been upended in one day.
My phone buzzed and I exhaled, reaching for it and opening my eyes. I only had a few people on my contact list that could bypass the do not disturb mode, and one of them was Bella Carter, the omega who’d been in my room the night of the kidnapping. She’d been taken instead of me in a case of mistaken identity, and she’d been the one to tip me off that Pack Lockwood was behind everything. She and I had grown somewhat close after everything had gone down. I saw her name flash on the screen as she called, and answered it.
“Hi Bella.” I said, hoping I didn’t sound too defeated.
“Celeste?” Bella’s voice was timid as she spoke. “What’s going on?” I knew she would be worried about me. She knew who her kidnappers were, and knew that Pack Lockwood had hired them.
“It’s complicated. I can’t really explain it, but you have to trust that I know what I’m doing.” I sighed as I shut my eyes.
“You don’t really believe they are innocent, do you?” I could tell from her voice that she knew something was up.
“No. I don’t. I still trust what you told me, and I trust my instinct.” I admitted. Even if Bella hadn’t told me about them, something inside my gut knew Pack Lockwood had been behind it. They had the motive, and eventually I would find proof.
“Are you safe?” She asked, and I smiled despite my situation. Bella cared about me. It was nice to have someone on my side, especially another omega.
“I am for now. But I am technically in a courtship with Pack Lockwood.” I said, cringing at the words.
“Do you need help? I know people who can get you away from them safely,” she offered, her voice low but firm. And I believed her. I had a feeling she was connected to the kind of people who didn’t operate within official channels - the kind who got things done quietly, efficiently, and without leaving a trail. It wasn’t just a coincidence that she’d reappeared safe and sound, then ended up bonded to a powerful pack from the Eastern Province soon after.
“No, thank you though. I have to see this through. My whole career rides on it.” I admitted.
“Why can’t you get out of it? You’re much more powerful than them!” She said, and I hated that despite what everyone thought, I really didn’t have that much power.
“Well, I'm the CEO. But I'm a bit limited in my power.” I said, trying my best to explain it to Bella. “After my parents died, the company was supposed to go to the next male in my family. But even though my uncle agreed to let me have the inherited position, the board put in place to keep an eye on the company is so restrictive that they practically micromanage every decision.” I sighed.
“What? That’s ridiculous!” She said in outrage.
“It’s how we do things in the Eastern Province, unfortunately. I’m working on getting it changed. But since the board can vote me out, I have to balance making the changes I want with keeping their old-school traditions.” I explained, and Bella let out a noise of frustration.
“Are you sure you don’t need help? My pack has connections.” She asked.
“No, truthfully I’ll be okay. I just need to get through the next few months.” I told her in a voice that sounded more confident than I felt. “I appreciate the call though. And I will find out more about them. I always come out on top.” I said, and tried to believe my own words. “But, if worse comes to worse, I might take you up on your offer.” I admitted.
“Please, let me know. I can help more than you think.” She said, and I smiled at her sincerity.
“Let me try to tackle this one on my own first.” I said. I didn’t know exactly what kind of contacts she had, but I was sure I could manage a few months here.
“Alright. Take care.” She said with concern.
“You too, Bella.”
I hung up the phone and took a moment to glance at the flood of notifications lighting up my screen. Missed calls, voicemails, and an endless stream of texts poured in, but one message caught my eye. It was from Owen, a member of Pack Valence- the pack I had broken up with just months ago.
I opened it, a small wave of relief washing over me as I read his words:
“Hey, I heard the news. Are you okay? Call me if you need anything.”
Owen and his pack were some of the few people I still trusted. I’d spent over six months living with them during our courtship, and many had assumed we would bond. It had shocked everyone when we decided to part ways. My uncle, in particular, had been disappointed - he hoped I would settle down with them and bond.
Even though we didn’t continue to court, Pack Valence and I were still great friends, and I appreciated Owen checking in. I quickly typed out a reply:
“I’m good. It’s a long story. I’ll tell you about it when I see you next.”
His response came almost immediately.
“If you need anything, tell me. You know I’ll be there in a heartbeat.”
I smiled faintly, grateful to have someone in my corner. For now, that small bit of support was enough to steady me.
But I knew the real storm was just beginning. My stomach tightened as I opened the news app on my phone. As I feared, the top headlines featured a picture of me side by side with Pack Lockwood, the captions teasing scandal and drama.
“Breaking: Controversial heiress claims the men thought to be behind her kidnapping plot are innocent!””
“Mama she’s in love with… criminals?”
“Notorious party girl and CEO Celeste is reportedly cavorting and courting with up and coming industry leaders Pack Lockwood.”
I shut down the app. I knew the articles would only start questioning my decision making, and I really didn’t want to think about that right now. In fact, the only thing I should be focusing on was finding some real, hard evidence of the kidnapping plot, and also finding out how the pack got a hold of the paperwork surrounding the Tedena incident.
But that would have to come later. For now, I needed to rest. I made sure the door was locked, checked in with my uncle with a quick text, and distracted myself with applying my skin care and pampering myself as I got ready for bed. No matter how bad things were, I would survive. This I knew for certain.
Pack Lockwood may have won the battle, but I would win the war.