Chapter 28

Olivia’s POV

The musty scent of old tomes swirled around me as I settled into my favorite spot in the library's far corner. I spread my notes across the worn oak table, determined to lose myself in the investigation and escape the whirlwind of emotions Elroy had stirred up.

It was the way Elroy defended me, voice firm, with a fire in his eyes. The way he turned to me afterwords with a genuine, almost childlike joy, like a little boy on Christmas morning. His smile had all but split his face in half.

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair. "Why does he have to be so...infuriating?" she whispered to my wolf. One moment he was cold and distant, the next a staunch ally.

I craved clarity, and space to sort through this tangle of feelings. I wasn’t going to get either one, but at least I could throw myself into my work. I needed the distraction almost as much as I needed to prove myself to the council.

Some hours later, the soft padding of footsteps made me look up. Jordan appeared between the stacks, her hands full with a tea caddy. I smiled up at her.

"Miss Olivia? I brought you coffee. And I hope I’m not interrupting, but Master Elroy requests your presence for dinner this evening. In his private chambers."

My heart skipped. I wasn’t ready to see him. "Oh. I see."

I paused, mind racing for an excuse, any excuse. But none came. "Very well. Please tell him I'll be there."

As soon as Jordan had disappeared, leaving behind fresh coffee, I slumped in my chair. So much for avoiding Elroy. I’d have to face him sooner than I’d expected.

Then again, that seemed to be a theme lately.

Later that evening, I found myself seated across from Elroy in the small, private dining room we technically shared. I sat down nervously. It looked like he’d had a few savory dishes prepared for us, ones I enjoyed, so he couldn’t be too angry with me, right?

Or at the very least he was giving me something to ease the lecture I was sure was coming. I really should have told him about that interview.

Instead, Elroy's deep voice was tinged with something unfamiliar. "Olivia, I owe you an apology."

I blinked, taken aback. "You...do?"

"Yes. Your performance at the council meeting was exemplary. I was deeply impressed by your composure and articulation under such immense pressure."

Warmth bloomed in my chest, warring with my ever-present caution. "Thank you," I managed. "But I thought surely you'd be upset with how outspoken I was."

Elroy's lips quirked in a rare smile. "On the contrary. Your passion and insight are precisely why I brought you to Eclipse. Never apologize for speaking your mind, Olivia. It's one of your greatest strengths."

Our eyes met across the table, and I felt that familiar pull towards him, like we were magnets destined to come together. I took a sip of water and tried to crush that thought, willing my racing heart to slow. We were in a contract marriage. He only wants me for the prophecy.

But Elroy continued, his voice softening, "I fear our earlier disagreement may have caused some distance. I want you to know, Olivia, that I don't share the council's views on so-called 'low-priority' members.”

I blinked. Was that what this dinner was about? He’d seen that I was putting up walls, and he’d misinterpreted our argument as the reason why.

Of course he did; he had no idea Rita had told me about the prophecy.

“I know I didn’t make it very clear,” Elroy said, “especially after I pulled you from your conversation with the laundress. It’s not that I think she’s below us, or somehow undeserving of her place in our pack, but I just… You saw how the council is. I got worried they were going to cause you more problems if they knew you were familiar with the working classes.

“I know Omegas are just as capable as Alphas, and so are Betas. I mean, you’ve met my mother. How could I think of Omegas as weak housewives when I was raised by the Apothecary Iris?”

“So you were being protective,” I put together. Elroy looked down, a little ashamed, but nodded.

“I know you can fight for yourself—you did so today—but you’re still my Mate and my wolf wants nothing more than to keep you away from all harm,” he said. Internally, my wolf preened. “And the council tends to be the definition of harm.”

“I noticed,” I quipped. "I... thank you, Elroy. That means a great deal to me."

And it did. It mattered to me that he wasn’t like them, wasn’t some knothead chasing his own tail. It mattered that he stood up.

When dinner concluded, Elroy offered to escort me back to the Pearl room. It felt a little silly since we lived right across the hall from each other, but it was nice. It was…chivalrous.

As we walked through the lamp-lit corridor, there was a heady mix of emotions swirling around in my chest. The rich meal, the intimate conversation, and my own long-suppressed desires blended together in front of my eyes.

Outside my door, I turned to face him. "Elroy, I—"

Words were failing me, so I closed the distance between us with a kiss we both melted into with more ease than I wanted to admit.

Pulling away felt like resisting a magnet, but it was worth it to see the way he kept his eyes closed for an extra moment. He looked like he wanted to chase my mouth, and when his eyes opened they were dark with arousal. My breath shuddered against his lips.

The flickering, flame-look candles cast dancing shadows across Elroy's face, accentuating the sharp planes of his cheekbones and the intensity in his eyes. For a moment, I feared I'd overstepped, that I'd misread the signals between us. But then his hand found mine, fingers intertwining with a gentle squeeze that sent electricity coursing through my skin.

I could see it in his eyes, that he understood what I wasn’t saying. I nodded, not trusting my voice, and fumbled free hand for the door handle behind me as he kissed me again.

The familiar scent of old books and parchment from my room wafted out, grounding me in the moment. I took a step backward, tugging gently on Elroy's hand.

"Follow me in?" I whispered, my voice trembling with a mixture of desire and nervousness.

He didn’t make me ask twice.