Page 7 of Knot in Their Wildest Dreams: Part 1

“I don't like the way you said that.” I replied, wondering what he was delaying telling me.

“You won’t like it. But you need to consider it. It’s the only way we can save the company, and your reputation, from this PR mess.” His words were heavy, just like the weight in my stomach.

“What is it? Tell me.” I pleaded, stopping to face him.

“Pack Lockwood has come to us with a proposal. They have proof of the Tedena incident, but they also have their own issues to deal with.” My uncle said, his arms crossed as he watched me. “They have been, how can I put it,unsuccessfulin their endeavors to find an omega since the Darlington Ball.” My uncle tried to be as diplomatic as possible, but he was putting it lightly. They had been practically radioactive since I’d outed them for their attempted kidnapping of me. Since then, no omega, or anyone else, would go near them. Despite the tension in the room, I almost smiled to myself at the thought of them suffering. They deserved every second of it.

“And? What do they want?” I asked, trying not to let panic take over.

“They want to fix their reputation. They are very serious - and they want you to agree to several terms. The first is that you withdraw your claim that they were behind the attempted kidnapping.” My uncle’s words almost made me want to laugh. How could I lie about something I knew they were behind? “That’s the first part of the request. The other part is that you agree to court them, publicly, for image only. Not in reality.” He quickly added. My jaw dropped open at his words.

“Courtthem? You have to be kidding me!” I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air. “They were behind the plot to kidnap me and ruin my chances at being CEO! They almost cost me the family legacy!” I cried, sweat beading down my back as I thought about what they were asking. How could I eat my words publicly, and make a realistic effort at pretending I would ever date this awful pack?

“Celeste, consider it. It would be a fake courtship. It benefits both sides. Think of it as any other business deal. If you were to date them, it completely clears their reputation and makes them one of the most desirable packs in the world. And they will keep your secret.” My uncle pleaded as I ran my hands through my hair.

“What makes you think they would keep their side of the deal? If they have proof that the Tedena incident was under my watch, they could always release it later once their reputation is clear!” I said, disgusted at the idea of having to go through with such a charade. My uncle crossed his arms and looked at me, his face stone cold serious.

“Mutually assured destruction. They have already written out a contract. We’d each get a copy with signatures if you choose to go forward with this. Once the terms are completed, they would clear their reputation, and you would keep your name out of the Tedena scandal. If they were to come forward and expose you, we could take the contract public and everyone would know they forced your hand in it.” I circled the desk, and in the corner of my eye I saw Sterling, still as a statue.

“Some privacy please, uncle.” I said in a low voice.

“Leave us, Sterling.” My uncle dismissed his assistant, who nodded and turned to exit the office. I waited until he was gone before continuing.

“Uncle, you know they could slip the papers to someone else as soon as the deal is over. Then someone else could simply show proof of the Tedena incident, ruining my reputation as soon as theirs is clear.” I said, gritting my teeth.

“Already thought of that. There’s a clause for that exact situation - they are willing to put millions on the line to assure that their evidence would never get into another person’s hands. They must be absolutely sure that however they procured it, they have the only copy. Otherwise it would be crazy to put their money on the line.” He said as I paced, my mind thinking of all the possibilities.

“No. I want it negotiated so that if that were to happen, I’d have a stake in their company. A rather large one.” I stepped back, and my uncle looked at me in surprise.

“I’ll ask them to amend the contract.” He seemed pleased that I was considering it. “But Celeste, there’s one more thing.” He said as I sighed.

“What, uncle?” I said with barely restrained frustration.

“Part of the contract stipulates that during the duration of the courtship - three months, by the way - is that you live with them on their compound.” He watched me as I processed the last part, my mind whirring in disbelief for moments before I finally responded.

“Absolutely not!” I yelled, almost ready to flip the desk in my frustration. “No way would I ever want to live with them! Who knows what they would do to me! I would have to be insane to agree to such ridiculous demands!” I cried, my body shaking with anger.

“They only ask because you’ve always been known to live with the packs you courted before.” He replied apologetically.

It was true - in my other major courtships, I had always moved in with the pack to see how our life would be if we lived together. It was clear from my social media posts that I always lived with a pack during a serious courtship. Well, the few that I’d had, anyway.

“Celeste, hear me out. I think it’s an opportunity. You can gain their trust, and find out more about how they work. Bring your knowledge back with you.” He said.

“So, you’re talking about corporate espionage? You know they will be doing the exact same thing to me.” I said as I shook my head in frustration.

“They have an attached wing where you would stay. You wouldn’t have to see them in the house at all if you didn’t want to. You just have to make it look real to the press.” He was pleading for this to go through. “Celeste, they’ve given you until the end of the day to consider, or they will go public.” My heart raced. One day to throw this on me? I had to hand it to them, they knew how to play dirty. It was hard to make a decision or think clearly when you were panicked and under pressure.

“Celeste, I need to know now what you are thinking. If you are against it, we need to prepare for the fallout - the board will certainly use it against you. But please think about it. Your name, your legacy, it’s all on the line. You know the Tedena incident incriminates you, even if you and I know you had nothing to do with it.” My uncle's words filled the room as I paced more, trying to think.

I couldn't let the Tedena incident get out. The board could vote me out if I tanked the company’s reputation, of that I was sure. But could I stand living with that despicable pack? Who knew what they would do to me? They had already tried to set up my kidnapping.

“I need assurances in place if I go through with it. We need regular check-ins, and I want the media releases to go through me. I can’t have them pulling anything tricky.” I said, and my uncle looked slightly relieved that I was considering the abominable deal. I couldn’t help but feel anger at his desire that I go through with this. He didn’t want any bad press for Harringday either. But he wasn’t the one who would have to live with a nasty pack of alphas.

“We can get all that sorted. But we need to work quickly.” He replied. I thought over any addendums I needed in the contract.

“Also, we need them to pick a time to sign the contract, if they have only given me a day to respond. We need a time and a place, and trusted witnesses.” I said. My uncle looked at the desk. “What? What is it?” I asked.

“The other thing I need to mention to you is that they only told me about all of this, including their offer, today. They are already here, in the North Wing, waiting for your decision.”

---