The Luna and her Quadruplet Pups by Jane Above Story

Part of me wants to call Ethan, but I know how he’ll respond. He’ll promise to take care of it and tell me

not to worry, even though I can’t do anything but worry. I’m already so confused about his motivations

that I don’t think I can

handle adding another layer of complexity to our situation, so I resist the urge to reach out.

However, that determination only lasts as long as the morning, for when I step out of the atelier to go to

lunch, I find a

crazed horde of reporters waiting for me. At first I stop in the doorway looking like a deer in the

headlights as the cameras flash around me, my mind incapable of deciphering one question from

another as

the various microphone wielding correspondents shout in my direction.

When I finally regain my senses, I fight my way through the crowd, keeping my sunglasses lowered over

my eyes, and muttering “No comment” until I’m blue

in the face.

It’s not until an unfamiliar woman steps up and blocks my path, that I finally stop. “Jane, what do you

have to say to NightFang customers who are advocating boycotting your perfume in light of the

allegations against you?”

This actually gives me pause. The NightFang pack is the most prosperous on the continent, which

means it has the wealthiest citizens and comprises the largest income revenue for my business. If they

boycott me, I could lose an inordinate amount of money and risk the future of the company.

Taking a deep breath, I turn towards her and carefully choose my words. “La Louve is my creation, but its

products stand on their own. Our customers do not wear our fragrances because they support our

politics or enterprises, they wear La louve because it is the height of elegance and prestige. Our

competitors cannot come close to matching our exclusive scents, and any woman of taste knows that

her perfume choice is not merely a fashion statement, but a reflection of her identity.”

Staring straight into the camera, I continue. “I dare the woman of the NightFang pack to find a fragrance

as enigmatic, luxurious and scintillating as our signature, or as nuanced as some of our other lines.

Every woman is unique and complex, and we’ve created our perfumes to match those indefinable

qualities upon which we all pride ourselves.”

“So you’re saying that CEOs like yourself should have no accountability if their products are good?” The

reporter demands.

“I’m saying that corporations have the

utmost responsibility to conduct their business ethically, and the accusations against me have nothing to

do with my business. They are of a personal nature.” I amend, knowing that while the reporter might

have a point and our customers would be well within their rights to boycott, high fashion has a long

history of trumping morality. “Five years ago I ran away from a bad marriage, and I did what I felt was

necessary to protect myself. But I never harmed Petra or Eve Mechant, and anyone who says otherwise

is either misinformed or pursuing their

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own agenda.” I conclude.

Pushing past them, I decide to forgo lunch and head straight for Ethan’s office. I don’t know if my

pandering to our wealthy clients’egos or cravings for exclusivity was sufficient to undo the damage this

article has done. I can’t stand the thought of losing everything I’ve worked so hard for over the last few

years, especially not due to another one of Eve’s schemes.

Charging into the pack headquarters, I walk straight into Ethan’s office, bypassing his assistant even as

she races after me, insisting I can’t go in. When I open the doors, I find Ethan seated behind his desk

and his Beta, Matthew, sitting across from him. One of the pack elders is on Matthew’s left, looking very

grim indeed. Ethan rises immediately when he sees me, and the other two turn

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around in surprise.

“Jane.” Ethan greets me, striding around his desk. “Are you okay?”

“No.” I whisper shakily, glancing at Matthew and the elder.

“Can you give us a moment?” Ethan requests of the men. They nod and depart, leaving us alone. “I saw

the Gazette.” Ethan tells me, clearly not needing any explanation for my sudden appearance. “I’ve

already contacted them about printing a restriction, but I’m afraid the damage has been done.

“People are talking about boycotting La Louve,” I share, pressing my palm to my temple, “there are

reporters camped outside my office and yours, they’re probably at the Penthouse too. I don’t know what

to do.”

Ethan pulls me into a hug, and I for once I

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don’t fight him. He rubs my back and purrs gently, making me relax even though I don’t want to be

soothed. “That isn’t fair.” I mutter into his chest, breathing in his rich, Alpha scent.

“What isn’t?” He croons, kissing my hair.

“This is very serious.” I tell him,” Nightfang she-wolves are my biggest customers, if I lose them I could

lose my business. I can’t afford to let my guard down.”

“You can.” He insists, “because I’m here to watch your back while you take a breath. That’s what

partners do.”

“We’re not partners.” I answer with a pout.

“I meant in business, Janey.” He teases,” I might not be your main contact anymore, but I’m still board

president.”

“Oh.” I breathe, “right. So, what do you think I should do?”

“Let me deal with the press.” Ethan suggests, “And the police. I don’t care much for the investigator on

my Mother’s case, but I might be able to knock some sense into him yet.”

My mind reels, and I feel so tempted to let him take care of everything for me, but I’ve taken that path

before, and it didn’t turn out well. As much as he comforts me, I simply don’t trust him when it comes to

my freedom. “No.” I object, pulling away from him. I look up into his dark eyes, gathering my courage as

his brow furrows with displeasure. “Thank you, Ethan, but I think I have to do this myself.”