Page 100 of Pack Plus Three

That was a straight face lie. I was bluffing. If we went the proper legal route, Cole wouldn’t have to pay a single penny because legally, Jeremy and Devon would be recognized as the fathers of the babies since they were my bonded alphas.

Mr. Hanover cleared his throat. “What is this counter offer of yours?”

“I wish for you to release the patent of one of your lower performing medications,” I declared.

Confusion clouded both of their features. It was a rather odd request, but I had my reasons.

Reasons that could save my pack.

“The patents for our medications can be worth millions,” Mr. Hanover said in a condescending tone.

“I’m aware. I’m not asking for one of those big medications. I do not wish to own the patent, I simply wish for you to release the patent for the medication SK1994. You only sell a few dozen units a month at most.”

“I fail to see how releasing a patent will benefit you. It won’t give you any financial gain.”

“My reasons are my own. I want it released to the public so it can be recreated by any company who is willing to charge less than you. Now you can frame this however you want. For all I care, you can say you’re feeling charitable and you want the medication to be free out there. It would be brilliant PR for your company, and it’ll also give you what you want.” I shrugged. “Or if you would rather, we can go ahead with the legal route where I seek 50% of Cole’s trust.”

Mr. Hanover appeared to be mulling over his options. “I think we can agree to that,” he said. “In return, you will let Cole sign over any parental rights and he will have nothing to do with the children.”

“I will happily sign any paperwork you send my way as soon as you release the patent. So do we have an agreement?”

“We do.”

“Good. Your child can start over, and hundreds of people will be helped by your charitable actions.” I smiled primly at him.

“I will have my lawyer send over the papers by the end of day.”

“Excellent. I think we can all agree that it will be a good idea to get this mess behind us.”

With a nod, they both stood up. There was nothing else to say. Both Jeremy and Mrs. Hanover had stayed staunchly silent throughout the entire meeting, which only lasted a few minutes in the end.

When the front door closed behind them, Jeremy turned to me, a look of sheer confusion on his face.

“Duckie, you’re going to have to explain to me what that move was, because while I trust you, that was confusing as fuck.”

“When a patent is released to the public, it ultimately means that many more pharmaceutical companies will be making it, and usually at a reduced cost. That medication I mentioned is commonly used to treat severing sickness.” I turned to him with a smirk on my face.

“You played them! Holy fuck, Duckie. Wait, what does this mean for Nate?”

“It means that in the next few months his medication will become a lot cheaper, and he won’t need a packmate doing a job that he despises in order to keep affording it.”

The idea had come to me not long after I had decided to look into Hanover Pharmaceuticals. After bonding with my pack, I knew that Cole didn’t have any parental rights, but I could use his actions as leverage over his parents.

I felt no guilt over lying to them.

It was the least they could do, considering their son was basically the human equivalent of pond scum.

Large, strong hands gripped my neck, pulling me in for a blistering kiss. After a moment of surprise, I melted into his embrace.

“I fucking love you, Daisy Monroe,” he chuckled against my lips.

We hadn’t actually discussed whose last name I was taking, but in the moment, I decided it really didn’t matter. The only thing that was important was kissing my alpha like I was starving and he was a picnic feast.

Chapter 41

Nate

Something wasn’t right with Daisy. That much was obvious.

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