Chapter 10
Olivia's POV
Ethan’s voice slammed into my mind. “Play your part.”
I wanted to roll my eyes, cursing his hypocrisy. He could be the most arrogant wolf in the room. For now, I had no choice but to obey. I wrapped my arms around him, pressing close, and allowed a bashful smile to spread across my face.
“You know how it is,” I said sweetly, turning to Kaylee and her group. “Fated Mates are irresistible.”
But Kaylee wasn’t backing down. Her eyes gleamed with hostility. “Alpha Ethan, Olivia was Aiden’s fiancée, how could she possibly be your mate?”
The crowd quieted and everyone’s attention sharpened on us the challenge. I felt all eyes turn out way, tension hanging in the air.
Ethan’s icy gaze shifted toward Kaylee, his presence commanding.
“Are you questioning the Moon Goddess’ choice?” His voice was dangerously calm.
Kaylee paled, immediately dropping her gaze. She wasn’t bold enough to cross Ethan in front of everyone. At least she had that going for her.
The whispers that had sprung up at her question died down, replaced by uneasy silence. No one would be stupid enough to cross the Moon Goddess. Since we weren’t actually Fated Mates, there was no harm done. But nobody knew that.
Just then, Beta Marlus approached. His eyes flickered briefly to Ethan, clearly having a private communication through their mind link. Whatever it was, it seemed important.
I caught the shift in Ethan’s demeanor right away. His grip on my waist tightened for a second before he leaned down and whispered in my ear, “I have to attend a meeting with the other Alphas. Stay out of trouble.”
Before I could respond with a snarky comment and forget myself, Ethan kissed me.
It wasn’t just any kiss. It was deliberately slow and lingering, sending a clear message of claiming to anyone watching. I was his, and he wanted everyone to know it.
The crowd’s attitude changed in that instant; their curiosity turned into acceptance as Ethan walked away with his Beta. And left me staring dumbly after him.
Kaylee and her lackeys slunk off quietly, clearly no longer bold enough to continue their taunts. I barely noticed them, more focused on the phantom sensation of Ethan’s lips moving gently against mine.
“Luna Olivia!” a young woman exclaimed, approaching me. I recognized her from a small Pack west of here, but I couldn’t remember her name. “Does your perfume change scents? Earlier it smelled like bellflowers, but now it’s more like roses!”
Her question snapped me out my thoughts and I felt the familiar pride of sharing my work with someone new.
“It’s a new perfume from my brand, Lunera Beauty. It should launch soon. The formula adapts to the mood of the wearer and the fabrics it comes in contact with.”
A group nearby overhead and gathered around me, intrigued. Their sudden interest gave me the perfect opening to promote LB’s products. “If you leave me your names and Packs, I’ll make sure to send you all exclusive samples of upcoming beauty releases.”
As they murmured their excitement, I allowed myself a small, private smile. At least one thing tonight was going my way.
After what felt like an endless stream of small talk, I finally escaped to the buffet. The mini crab cakes looked too tempting to resist, and my stomach grumbled.
I guess Oscar-worthy acting in the part of fated mate makes one hungry. I carefully filled my plate, hoping to enjoy a moment of peace.
“Olivia.” Aiden’s voice shattered that short-lived peace. As he approached, his eyes filled with a strange mixture of concern and something darker.
I’d been keeping my empathy power on lock-down tonight, so I couldn’t tell what he was feeling.
I kept my expression cold and unbothered. “Aiden. Whatever it is, I’m not interested.”
“It’s not too late,” he said, his tone low, almost pleading. “You can still get out of this before the wedding. You’ll regret going through with it.”
I scoffed, unimpressed with his false concern. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
He took a step closer, lowering his voice. “The marks of a Fated Mate and a Chosen Mate are different. You can’t fake them, Olivia. Ethan’s lying to you.”
My grip on the plate tightened, but I kept my voice steady. “You should be more worried about Amelia and your child, not me.”
Aiden shifted with agitation. “Do you know why Ethan’s first Mate rejected him? It’s because –”
“Because what?” A deep voice interrupted, smooth but edged with danger. Ethan appeared beside me. His expression unreadable as he pulled me to his side.
Ethan’s arm slipped around my waist before I could react, and he kissed me, thoroughly silencing whatever Aiden was about to say. I didn’t care what Aiden had to say anyway.
“What are you two talking about?” Ethan’s question was deceptively casual, but his posture was tense.
“Nothing,” I replied, my voice sharp. “I was just leaving.”
I stepped back, but Aiden reached out, his hand almost touching me before Ethan stepped between us.
“Remember your place,” Ethan growled, his eyes sparking with anger at Aiden. “And tell Chloe she’ll pay for what happened back then. That’s a promise.”
Aiden’s face turned red, his mouth gaping as if to respond, but nothing came out. He just stood there, and I could feel the tension rolling off Ethan like a storm.
I set my plate down on the buffet table. Whatever appetite I had was soured anyway. My heart pounded, not only from Aiden’s words, but from Ethan’s growing control over me.
Without another word, I turned and walked away from both of them.
As the limo pulled up in front of the house, I immediately reached for the door handle, desperate to put some distance between me and Ethan. Tension had been building all evening and it reached suffocating on the drive home from the gala.
The click of the locks echoed in the car and sent a shiver down my spine.
I turned toward Ethan, my brow furrowed in confusion. He sat still, his face barely visible in the dim glow from the moonlight.
"Olivia," Ethan said, his voice smooth but edged with warning, "if you ever have any questions, ask me directly. Don’t go snooping around, especially not with Aiden."
My stomach knotted. The way he leaned in closer, crowding my space, I couldn’t ignore how small I suddenly felt. But no way would I be intimidated. Especially not by my mate, real or not.
“I wasn’t –” I started, but the sharp look in his eyes stopped me mid-sentence. His gaze held a warning that made my pulse quicken.
“I mean it,” he said, his voice lowering to a near whisper.
The locks clicked open and broke the tense silence of the limo. Without saying another word, I pushed open the door and stepped out. The cool air hit me like a slap.
I could feel Ethan’s eyes on me, his warning ringing in my ears as I walked toward the house.
