Page 191 of Wisteria and Cloves
I turned in Julian's arms. "What does that mean?"
"It means," Miles said, his expression hardening, "we don't wait for them to control the narrative. We expose Karen's betrayal of confidentiality first. We make it clear she violated professional ethics by recording private conversations."
"And we demonstrate what we all know to be true," Christopher added, his hand finding my shoulder. "That you chose us. That you're happy. That this relationship is nothing like what your mother tried to force on you."
I felt a flicker of hope at their words, but the practical part of my mind immediately began raising objections. "How do we prove that? It's not like we have recordings of our own to counter hers."
"We don't need recordings," Nicolaus said, his blue eyes intense. "We have something better. We have witnesses to your transformation. People who've seen you grow from the terrified omega who first arrived here to the confident woman you are now."
Miles nodded, pulling up something on his tablet. "Dr. Chen, for one. She's been treating you since you arrived and can speak to your mental health improvements. I’m sure Lydia would speak up, especially given what she went through in choosing her own pack.."
The thought that others had noticed my growth—had seen me becoming more myself—sent a strange flutter through my chest. I'd been so focused on my internal journey that I hadn't considered how visible those changes might be to outsiders.
"There's more we can do," Nicolaus continued, his tactical mind clearly mapping out scenarios. "We can issue a statement first. Acknowledging rumors and giving the information we want first.”
"What kind of statement?" I asked, though part of me already dreaded the answer. The thought of putting our private life on display, even on our own terms, made my skin crawl.
"Something that frames the narrative correctly from the beginning," Nicolaus explained, his voice taking on that measured tone he used when presenting complex strategies. "We acknowledge that you left with an arranged mating situation. We are courting you but we emphasize that you came to us through proper channels—pack to pack negotiations, with full consent and legal documentation."
Miles pulled up a document on his tablet. "I've already drafted something preliminary. It focuses on the professional nature of how we met, the time we gave you to adjust, and the organic development of our relationship."
I walked over to read over his shoulder, Julian's hand remaining on my lower back as I moved. The words were clinical, professional—nothing like the messy, beautiful reality of how we'd actually fallen in love.
I took a deep breath, “Fine. I don’t want to know the comments or anything though. I don’t…” I trailed off, trying to figure out the right words I was feeling about this whole situation.
"I don't want to see how people judge me," I finished quietly, my voice barely audible. "I know there will be comments about me being weak, or gold-digging, or..." I swallowed hard. "Or worse."
Christopher's hand tightened on my shoulder. "You won't see any of it. We'll handle all media monitoring."
"Promise me," I said, turning to face all of them. "Promise me you won't tell me what people are saying unless it's absolutely necessary."
"We promise," Julian said without hesitation, his arms tightening around me. "Your mental health is more important than any of this noise."
Miles nodded, closing the tablet. "I'll coordinate with our PR team. The statement will go out tomorrow morning before any potential story can break."
"What about Karen?" I asked, the betrayal still stinging.
Nicolaus's expression hardened. "Leave Karen to me. Her breach of confidentiality violates several laws—not to mention professional ethics standards. We'll make sure she faces consequences."
"And your mother," Julian added, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my omega instincts both wary and thrilled, "will learn that she's picked a fight with the wrong alphas."
I shivered slightly at his tone. "I don't want revenge. I just want her to leave us alone."
"Sometimes," Christopher said gently, "those two things require the same action." He brushed a strand of hair from my face. "We won't do anything you're uncomfortable with, but we can't allow her to continue these attacks."
I nodded slowly, understanding the truth in his words. My mother wouldn't stop unless forced to. She saw my happiness as a personal affront, my independence as rebellion.
“Can I go lay down in the nest in the living room?” I asked, stepping away from Julian with a small smile, “I think I just want to curl up and maybe listen to some music or read.”
"Of course," Christopher said immediately, his voice softening. "Do you want company, or would you prefer some time alone?"
I considered for a moment, part of me wanting to retreat completely, but the larger part knowing that isolation would only make my anxiety worse. "Maybe just... quiet company? You don't have to talk to me, just..."
"We understand," Miles assured me, gesturing to the kitchen table where their laptops and papers were spread out. "Working on damage control, but close enough if you need anything."
I made my way to the living room, where the large nest we'd built together. It was a mixture of all our scents now—a perfect blend that immediately began to calm my frayed nerves as I settled into the soft blankets and pillows.
Chapter Sixty-Six
