Chapter 136 Unexpected Encounters
Briar's POV
I approached the Emerald City Convention Center, the glass facade reflecting the overcast sky. The Silverwind jewelry exhibition promised to be exactly what Rowan had described: exclusive, political, and filled with connections that could either elevate or destroy a business.
Rowan met me at the VIP entrance, her presence commanding immediate deference from the staff. "Miss Ashford, Miss Vance," an attendant acknowledged with a slight bow, guiding us through the private corridor.
"I've already arranged for you to meet Maya," Rowan said, checking her phone. "But I need to handle some pack business first. You'll be fine on your own for a bit, right?"
I managed a slight smile. "I'll do my best."
She squeezed my arm once before disappearing into the crowd. I scanned the layout with strategic assessment, then spotted my target. Felix Wilson from Meridian BioMed stood near one of the consultation areas, examining a display with focused attention.
I approached with measured confidence. "Mr. Wilson? Briar Vance from Vance Botanicals. I wanted to discuss a potential collaboration opportunity."
He accepted my handshake, his grip firm. "Miss Vance. I've heard good things about your international expansion efforts."
"Thank you. I'm establishing an International Werewolf Lifestyle Brand Alliance—a cooperative network where smaller companies support each other's growth while maintaining individual identities. I believe Meridian would be an excellent founding member." I handed him my business card. "My COO, Owen, will reach out next week with specifics. I just wanted to make the initial introduction personally."
"I appreciate that. I'll look forward to hearing from him."
As I stepped away, I couldn't help reflecting on the contrast. Several months ago, I'd been desperately scrambling for funding, begging for meetings, constantly facing rejection. Now I was initiating strategic alliances and setting the terms of engagement.
The entrance chimes rang softly, and a familiar scent drifted through the air. Cedar and winter rain, subtle but unmistakable. My wolf stirred restlessly, recognizing Lucian's presence before my conscious mind fully processed it. I forced myself not to turn around, focusing instead on the distinctive rhythm of his footsteps and the way other attendees unconsciously shifted to give him space as he passed.
I took a slow breath and moved deliberately toward the second-floor VIP section.
The upper level was quieter, with more elaborate displays. Maya Castellan stood near a case of South Sea pearls, her midnight blue qipao embroidered with silver phoenixes. Beside her, a woman in an emerald green dress with carefully styled waves laughed at something Maya had said.
I approached casually, pretending to examine neighboring sapphire jewelry while positioning myself to overhear their conversation. Maya's voice carried a cultured accent.
Before the woman in green could respond, a commotion erupted near the champagne tower. An exhibitor stumbled backward, his elbow catching the crystal structure. Time slowed as the tower began to tilt, glasses cascading in a glittering avalanche.
My wolf's reflexes activated instantly. I lunged forward, grabbing both Maya and the woman in green by their arms and yanking them back while shielding them with my body. The crash was spectacular, champagne and shattered crystal exploding across the marble floor.
My coat and dress were soaked through, the cold liquid making me shiver. Maya steadied me with surprising strength. "Are you alright? That was incredibly fast thinking."
"I'm fine. Just wet."
"Come with me." Maya pulled out her phone. "Uncle Oscar? Could you have your secretary bring the white box from my office to the VIP lounge? The spare qipao. Thank you." She guided me toward the private lounge. "I'm Maya Castellan. And before you apologize, I know you were planning to network with me."
I blinked at her directness. "I appreciate the honesty. Yes, I was hoping to make a connection."
"Much better when we're both straightforward." She pushed open the lounge door. "Go rinse off. I'll wait for the clothes."
I was just wrapping myself in a robe when Maya called out, "Come in!"
Assuming she meant whoever was delivering the clothes, I opened the bathroom door. "That was fast—"
The words died as I found myself face to face with a man in charcoal gray, his amber eyes widening behind wire-rimmed glasses as our gazes locked. He was holding a white box, frozen mid-motion.
He quickly averted his gaze, ears turning pink as he set the box down and backed toward the door, making the opening smaller. "My apologies. I didn't realize—I should have knocked."
"Uncle Oscar!" Maya's voice carried exasperation. "I thought you were sending your secretary."
"She wasn't feeling well. I was passing by anyway." His face angled carefully away. "Again, my sincere apologies for the intrusion, Miss Vance."
The door clicked shut with careful precision. Maya appeared beside me, torn between amusement and embarrassment. "Well, that's one way to meet my uncle."
The champagne gold qipao with silver embroidery fit perfectly. When I emerged, Maya linked her arm through mine. "Much better. Now let's make sure everyone sees you in something other than champagne-soaked clothes."
Our entrance drew attention as we walked through the corridor. We fell into easy conversation about brand management, and I found myself genuinely enjoying her company. When we passed an elaborate display, I stopped automatically, not wanting to monopolize her time.
"Would you like me to introduce you to Uncle Oscar properly?" Maya asked.
I met her gaze directly. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm not here to pursue your uncle, Maya. I genuinely wanted to connect with you as a potential friend and ally."
Her smile widened with genuine pleasure. "Most people would have jumped at that offer. I appreciate your honesty, Briar. Though you'll probably end up meeting him anyway. Seattle's werewolf community isn't that large." We exchanged contact information. "I'll send an invitation for next week's networking event."
As Maya moved off, I examined a tourmaline display when a familiar laugh cut through the ambient conversation. I glanced up and immediately regretted it.
The woman in emerald green was leaning against a display case twenty feet away, her body angled toward Lucian as he examined a blue topaz brooch. Another woman stood on his opposite side.
The mate bond flared painfully in my chest. My fingers tightened on the product information sheet I'd been holding, the paper crinkling audibly in my grip. I forced myself to look away, but she leaned closer to Lucian, laughing again. My eyebrow twitched with the effort of maintaining a neutral expression as the sheet practically compressed into a ball in my hand.
I couldn't even focus on the jewelry anymore.
"You know," a warm voice said beside me with a soft laugh, "that particular piece looks much better when you're not trying to strangle the information card."
I turned to find Oscar standing at a respectful distance. He'd removed his glasses, and I found myself following the line of his charcoal suit upward past the perfectly knotted tie until I met those amber eyes again.
His smile was gentle, genuinely warm as he tucked the glasses into his breast pocket. "Miss Vance," he said quietly, his voice carrying that same refined quality from earlier. "I'm very sorry about what happened before."