The Price of Victory

The Price of Victory
\-Matilda-

My heart pounded wild as words left my lips after I finished the presentation, "I am Matilda Lawson!" silence thick, every gaze drilling into me sharp, breaths held tight across the room.

What just happened? Did I stumble? Ruby's work, all those nights, wasted in one slip? Panic clawed quick, eyes dropping to floor, avoiding stares heavy. No. I nailed it.

Confidence surged hot, chin lifting slow, smile blooming bright, genuine. Then applause exploded loud, cheers crashing waves, hands clapping fierce.

Ruby rushed me, arms wrapping tight, joy bursting from her laugh. "You did it!" she squealed, squeezing hard.

I glanced quick at Sofia and Tyson, far end, faces twisted sour, envy burning clear in glares pissed. They hate this. Good.

"Settle down!" Director Quinn boomed, voice cutting through noise. Quiet fell instant, me and Ruby stepping close to judges' table, hearts racing still.

"Good presentation, but concerns linger," Quinn said, smile fake, not touching eyes.

"What concerns, sir?" I asked, voice steady, firm.

"We are planning to rewrite SCN's story. Top notch presentation weekly. Do you think you are ready for that?" His question probed deep.

"Very ready, sir. I will definitely give more," I replied, calm confidence shining, gaze locked.

Blake sat composed, gentle smile playing soft on lips. Rooting for me.

"Alright, McAllister, what's your thoughts?" Quinn turned, tone clipped.

Blake paused long, eyes straight into Quinn's, voice clear. "In media years, never seen this great. Out long, expected rusty, but sharp as blade.

Imagine doing it on a regular, tremendous. You both get my vote. Rooting full!" Excitement lit his face, words warm, true. My chest swelled, gratitude mixing pride.Fighting for us.

"Return to seats!" Quinn said quick.

Step not taken, Blake cut in firm. "Sir, stakes were set before her presentation. Verdict now." His tone left no room, Quinn shifting uncomfortable, but Blake ignored, eyes steady.

"Oh, that. Done. Your project flags SCN reality shows. We will announce others too." Quinn forced smile, reluctant clear.

Sofia and Tyson's named second, another third. Presentation ended, Sofia storming out angry, no word, heels clicking sharp.

Blake followed calmly to his office, I guessed. Me and Ruby glowed, congrats pouring from everyone, hands shaking ours, smiles wide.

Back to newsroom, Zara blocked our path, sly grin masking jealousy. "Think you're real deal now?" Her voice dripped venom. I turned, big smile only, silent.

"You know you're SCN's biggest loser!" Ruby fired back, fire sparking. I loved this.

"Called me a loser?" Zara snapped, glare hard on Ruby.

"Dictionary lacks words for useless, worthless individual like you. Stay in your lane and stay humiliated!" I leaned close, words loud for us three, smile never fading.

She spun to me, met grin annoying deep. "Watch your backs!" Zara spat, storming off furious.

Laughter bubbled me and Ruby, heading back to our desks, sitting down light. Thoughts drifted to Blake, standing firm, voice strong for us.

I felt I need to thank him proper. I stood quick, steps toward his office, hallway quiet, but angry voice drifted from corner sharp.

I sneaked close, heart jumping, then I peeked, Quinn on the phone, tone low, apologetic.

"Sorry sir, situation got out of control. A girl got the slot, her program flags all." Influence dripped from call, power pulling SCN strings clear.

Who? Mind spun wild, lost deep, when a hand touched my shoulder sudden from behind. I froze stiff, breath caught, as i turned slowly and met an unexpected face stared back.

★★★

\-Blake-

Mind steadied calm as I stepped into my office, door clicking shut soft behind me, exhaustion settling deep in my bones from the presentation just wrappedup.

every word placed perfect, every glance calculated to lift Matilda's project high.

I took a deep breath slow, chest rising full, fingers reaching for my laptop on the desk, screen flickering alive as I settled into my chair, posture tall, ready to dive into sponsor deals stacking high.

Why her alone? Hunter blood ties prophecy tight, binds her eternal, but here she shields pack secrets under bright lights, Harrison's eyes drawn elsewhere.

Fingers tapped keys light, pulling up contracts, when my phone buzzed sharp on the desk, screen lighting Jaxon's name. He never calls empty.

I picked up quick, voice even. "What's the latest, Jaxon?" Silence brief, then his tone low, alert.

"I followed Harrison this morning. Went straight to forensics. Checking fingerprints." My pause hung deliberate, letting him spill more. Why forensics now?

"He's trying to tie you to rogue attacks. Digging deeper too." Jaxon's words confirmed gut, heart pulsing steady. Good for him. Nothing links.

"He won't find traces. Don't worry my prints. Keep tailing. Uncover his real aim." My order flowed calm, Alpha authority wrapping each word firm.

"Yes, Alpha. On it." Call ended crisp, my mind shifting fast.

Harrison stalks close, but rogues thin nightly under my hand, no exposure, no cracks in our world.

Fingers returned to keys, scrolling deals, when knock sounded soft on door. Who now? "Come in," I called, head raising slow, gaze sharp.

Sofia entered, face smooth but eyes fishy, steps light across floor. Why smile now? She should rage over second place.

"Brought lunch. You work too hard, skip meals." Her voice sweet, placing meal box gentle on my desk, steam rising faint.

Her father's hand clear, play nice, probe deep. She's furious inside, mask thin. My smile bloomed cheerful, wide, playing along perfect.

"Thank you so much. So thoughtful." Charm dripped easy, eyes locking hers warm, arrogant grace hiding steel.

"Plans after work?" she asked, leaning close slight, testing waters.

My pause brief, fingers closing laptop slow. "None set. But I will sure be working late though. Why?" Reply casual, question bouncing back smooth.

"Dinner together. Been too long." Her words hung hopeful, but envy flickered deep.

Trap set. I take it, turn tables. "Great idea. I will speed up work. By five, I will call you, to tell you if I make it or not." Calm smile stayed, voice light, sealing bait.

Her face lit pleased, eyes softening false, turning slow to exit, smile mirroring mine.

Door clicked shut, my heart surged cold triumph. She's up to games, Hartman scheme bold after our clash.

Won't miss this, play along full, draw out every move, crush from inside. Why dinner perfect?

Public eyes see united front, rumors die quiet, while I probe her whispers, Hartman's next strike.