Chapter 11
Olivia's POV
Ethan and I sat outside the restaurant, wrapping up the final details of our wedding announcement.
It surprised me we were on the same page with a lot of things and could agree on things pretty quickly. Our conversation had been quick and efficient, all business.
“That should cover everything,” I said, trying to keep my voice light. Ethan nodded, his gaze lingering a little too long.
As we stood near the entrance, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows, I couldn’t stop thinking about Aiden’s words. His first mate rejected him for a reason.
A part of me wanted to ask Ethan about it right there, like he had asked. I started to, but what would that accomplish? Our relationship was nothing more than a contract. Digging into his past, especially about something so personal, would only complicate things.
Just when I thought we’d part ways, he leaned in slightly. “Anything else on your mind?” His tone was casual, but there was an intensity beneath it that made me pause.
Ethan sensed my hesitation. “Anything else on your mind, Olivia?” His voice was smooth but firm. “You’re my Luna. Honesty is the foundation for our cooperation.”
Cooperation. That word stung. Ethan didn’t care about me; he clearly saw me as just a pawn in his plan. I swallowed hard, forcing a smile.
“No. I trust you’ll tell me what I need to know.”
He stood and offered me his hand, helping me to my feet. Stepping closer, he lightly brushed his knuckles across my cheek.
“The pleasure was mine,” he murmured, and pressed his lips to mine.
Just as I began to lose myself into his kiss, Ethan abruptly pulled away. “They’re gone.”
“What?” I asked, a little breathless and confused who he was talking about.
“There were paparazzi down the street.” His tone was casual, as if it was no big deal. “Looks like they got what they wanted; free publicity for our wedding announcement.”
My stomach dropped. I felt the sting of humiliation, as if I’d just been used as part of some cheap PR stunt.
Aiden was right, Ethan was an opportunist and only ever did things for his own benefit.
The evening was cool as I left the lab at Lunera Beauty, the long hours helping me drown out my constant thoughts about Ethan. I had thrown myself into work as an escape, as my sanctuary.
Just as I was about to unlock my car, the sound of a honking horn made me jump. The sleekest, luxury car I’d ever seen pulled up beside me.
The driver’s side window lowered, and I couldn’t hide my surprise. It was Chole, Aiden’s mother and Luna of the Jasper Pack.
She gave me a knowing smile. “Olivia, care to join me for coffee?”
Every part of me wanted to say no, but something in her tone made me pause. If I played nice, I might be able to find out what she was up to.
“Sure, I’ll meet you there.”
As soon as we sat down, Chole wasted no time. “I wanted to apologize for the chaos at the wedding,” she began, her voice dripping with insincerity. “But let me be clear, I’ll never accept an Omega as Aiden’s future Luna.”
Her words stung, but I didn’t flinch. I reminded her calmly, “Amelia’s pregnant.”
Chole waved it off with a scoff. “So what? Alphas have mistresses and illegitimate children all the time. You think us Luna’s don’t too? That’s not the issue. As future Alpha, Aiden’s heir will not be born of an Omega.”
The casual cruelty in her tone made my skin crawl. Omegas weren’t powerful wolves, but everyone had an important place in the Pack.
Chloe’s arrogance, the way she spoke as if people were pawns to be moved for her convenience, sent a chill down my spine.
Then, to my surprise, she pulled out a checkbook, scribbling something down before sliding the paper toward me.
“This should cover any losses you’ve faced because of Aiden’s impulsiveness. Consider it a gesture of goodwill. But I expect you to reconcile with him. For the sake of the pack.”
I stared at the check with far too many zeros, my mind reeling. “Werewolves can’t betray their Fated Mates,” I said, shaking my head, trying to keep my voice steady.
Chloe leaned in slightly, her expression almost pitying. “Olivia don’t be naive. You’re being taken advantage of. Fix things with Aiden or you might miss your real Fated Mate, especially given what happened …”
Her words were cut short by a voice colder than the ice in my drink. “I don’t want you testing my limits again.”
Ethan’s presence felt like a force. I looked up to see him standing over us, his expression unreadable, but his voice hard as steel.
Chloe didn’t seem surprised by his sudden appearance. “You arrived faster than I expected,” she remarked, calm as ever.
Ethan didn’t acknowledge her. Instead, he pulled me up from the table, placing himself between us as if he could physically shield me from her influence.
“Chloe,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, “You and my Luna don’t have the kind of relationship that involves casual coffee dates.”
Chloe smiled, completely unbothered. “Ethan, always so protective. But this is just a friendly chat, nothing more.”
“Don’t mistake this for friendship,” Ethan shot back, his grip tightening slightly on my arm, though not painfully. “Stay out of our affairs.”
With that, he turned, leading me away from the café and away from Chloe.
Ethan’s silence in the car felt like a ticking time bomb. When he finally spoke, his voice was cold and cutting. “Chole is behind all of it, she’s been plotting this from the start.”
I crossed my arms, smirking despite the tension. “I can make my own decisions, Ethan. I don’t need you dictating who I can or can’t have coffee with. You both just want to use me.”
His eyes flashed with anger, sharp enough to cut. “She had paparazzi set up in that café. Everything you said since walking through that door was recorded.”
My heart stopped, a wave of panic tightening my chest. I replayed the conversation in my head, trying to remember if I’d said anything that could blow everything up.
Had I slipped? I could feel the heat rising in my face as doubt crept in.
“I… I’m sorry. I thought I could figure out what she wanted.”
Ethan didn’t respond at first. He just stared at me. Then, in a tone that was almost mocking, he said, “Can I interpret your earlier reaction as you complaining that I don’t love you?”
My throat tightened, words failing me. I knew he didn’t love me, and that was the problem with the entire arrangement. Our entire relationship was transactional.
It felt like we were playing a game of emotional chess, but I wasn’t sure I knew all the rules.
Did he really think I cared about love? Or was he just testing me, waiting to see how I’d react?
