17. Chapter 17
Chapter 17
Celeste
I’d been put on the spot before, but not like this. Pack Lockwood had orchestrated this entire interview not just to clear their name, but also to drop this bombshell in one of the most anticipated interviews the public could ask for. And now, next to them, my organization would look archaic, out of touch, and greedy.
The designation rights doctrine was a landmark ruling that launched the Western Province into a peaceful and prosperous time. I’d often admired that they worked to treat all designations with respect, codifying it into law. But it seemed like a pipe dream here. The Eastern Province was not about to lay down a blanket law like that when the people in charge benefitted from things being the way they were. An individual organization could implement it, sure.
But I was an omega, and even with all my money and my family name, I was still struggling with being overruled by men in my own family business. I’d floated the idea of taking steps toward designation rights, but so often I’d been vetoed, told it was never going to happen, and to take things one step at a time.
“Tides turn slowly, Celeste. It takes decades even for a small change to be approved by the public. ” My uncle used to say.
“But that’s precisely why they stay the same! I have the chance to make a big change!” I’d argued, and he’d waved me away.
“It will never get past the board. Now focus on something you can change. Like our new product launch. ” He said as he dismissed me. I knew why the men in charge didn’t want to fight for designation rights. It would make it harder for them to overrule me - it would take away the power they craved.
“Miss Harringday?” The journalist's voice brought me back to the present moment.
I looked at her, trying to keep my focus on her slight frown as she waited for my response. I swallowed. The pack had intended for me to look this way, to highlight the unfair practices that Harringday Industries used compared to Manticore Tech
“It’s absolutely something that I’m working on.” I said with a tight smile. “I’m a huge supporter of designation rights. It’s part of the reason I rolled out the parental leave process.” My words sounded stale and unimpressive compared to the pack’s new announcement. And I couldn’t promise anything - I already knew the board would be livid that I was even talking about this. And I couldn’t afford to lose support from any of them.
The interview eventually moved to a few other topics, and I kept my face plastered into a smile while I mentally felt myself float far away. Like a robot, I let out canned responses that I’d practiced with my team, wondering how badly the headlines would look now that Pack Lockwood would be made out to be designation heroes, and Harringday stuck in the past.
“Well, I believe that’s all we have time for today.” The journalist’s voice finally drew me back into myself as she stood, thanking us for our time.
The moment the cameras shut off and the journalist and crew exited, I stood, smoothing my dress even as my hands shook with anger. The door clicked shut, sealing us in, and I turned on the pack, my blood boiling as they watched me with smug looks.
“You set me up,” I seethed, my voice low but sharp enough to cut glass. “You knew exactly what you were doing when you dropped that announcement, and you made sure I had no notice to counter it. You’re playing dirty!”
Vigo leaned back against the table, arms crossed over his chest, an infuriating smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "We didn’t make you look bad, Celeste. We just told the truth about our plans. And you did too. So what are you mad about?"
My nails dug into my palms as I clenched my fists. "Don’t act like this was some noble cause for you. You don’t care about designation rights. All you care about is making me look weak."
Dante suddenly stepped forward, his eyes dark and indignant. “Don’t you ever question our commitment to designation rights! Just because you can’t fathom doing something without there being a financial benefit, doesn’t mean that everyone thinks that way.” He said with a sharp tone.
I stepped back, stunned at his words. He was being honest. I could tell that he felt deeply about their proposed plans, even if they used the announcement to hurt me and Harringday at the same time.
I felt the rage simmer under my skin.
I wanted to implement designation protections. I wanted to push for fair wages, safer conditions, better policies for everyone under my employ. But every time I even whispered about change, I was met with patronizing smiles and dismissive waves. I had money, I had influence, but in the grand scheme of things, my last name only gave me so much leverage when the people holding the real power refused to let me use it, or only let me take one tiny, insignificant step at a time.
I felt a pang of jealousy at how easy it must be for them to make bold, industry-changing decisions on a whim. I had the board and centuries of tradition I was up against, along with the perception of me as a weak omega to contend with. They just decided to do something, and it was done. No pushback.
I shook my head in frustration. “Why are you so dead set against me? Ultimately, I want the same things that you do. I have been fighting for change in our province. It means more to me than you can imagine. Omegas, out of every designation, face so much threat and discrimination that alphas cannot even fathom. Why do you think we’re in a competition on this?” I asked, trying not to let their combined scent in the small room muddle with my brain.
Dante stepped closer, his voice dropping to a tone meant just for me. "You want to prove us wrong? Do it. Get the policy passed. Change the system. Or admit you’re just another wealthy nepo-hire, dressed up in expensive clothes, pretending you care when you don’t." He was so close to me that I could smell his smokey oud and pepper scent radiating off of him, his tall alpha stature making him look dangerous and forbidden.
I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to rip that satisfied look off his face. But more than that, I wanted to prove him wrong.
I took a slow breath, schooling my features, my voice steady when I finally spoke. "I will get it passed. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but I will - and I won’t need to pull underhanded tactics to do it."
Dante’s eyes narrowed, the corner of his mouth barely turning upward as he assessed me. "Then I look forward to watching you try."
I turned on my heel and strode out of the room, my pulse roaring in my ears.
Because now, it wasn’t just about proving myself to the board.
It was about proving them all wrong. Mates be damned.