Chapter 17
Olivia's POV
With all eyes, and cameras, on us, I had to push aside my feelings and focus on radiating joy. I wanted to confront Ethan, but that would have to wait until we were alone.
My mind raced, trying to sort my thoughts into something I could say to sound rational. It was in the contract that we had to mark each other, and he’d hesitated. I wanted to know why.
I needed to know why.
We didn’t have a reception, that was for Chosen Mates. Fated Mates typically couldn’t wait to be alone after a mating ceremony, so at least we didn’t have to deal with that right now.
We’d driven back to Ethan’s home, each lost in our own thoughts. I practiced my speech while Ethan focused on the road. We were only inches away, but it felt like we were miles apart.
“I’m going to shower. Make yourself at home.” Ethan left me standing in the middle of his bedroom, unsure what to do.
This wasn’t about love. I wasn’t foolish enough to believe we could be more than allies. The mark was just business. Necessary. But neither of us had one.
When Ethan finally emerged from the bathroom, he was fully dressed and the coldness in his demeanor was firmly back in place.
Right. No private mating for us. “Ethan, I need to know –”
His phone rang, cutting me off. He glanced at it, then answered with grunt. It was only a moment before he grunted again and hung up.
“There’s an emergency in the pack. We’ll talk later.”
Before I could respond, he was already slipping out the door.
I stood there, disappointment curling through my chest. Maybe Ethan wasn’t avoiding the mark because of me. Maybe he also didn’t want to encourage whatever feelings, if any, he had.
It didn’t make this entire situation any less sharp.
I spent the next few days buried in the lab, trying to shake off the irritation that had been gnawing at me since Ethan walked out. Focusing on my research was the only thing that seemed to calm my mind, at least temporarily.
Mia, in best friend style, wasn’t about to let me avoid the world forever.
“Olivia! We can’t afford to lose any high-end custom clients,” she pleaded, hurrying to catch up with me as I moved between workstations.
I sighed, setting down the vial I had been examining. “I smell a trap in this deal, Mia. The client insists on anonymous communication, and they picked an extremely secluded location. It feels… off.”
The last time I’d met with an anonymous client, it was Grace ambushing me about Ethan. I wasn’t interested in repeating the experience.
Mia was always practical, and she wasn’t going to let this go. We really did need the influx of cash.
“You know how some clients are,” she reasoned. “Privacy is everything to them, especially when it comes to signature scents. This could be our ticket into the high-end market. And don’t forget, they’ve already paid half the deposit.”
I frowned, still unconvinced. It wasn’t just the secrecy, something about the whole set up felt like... well, a set up. But Mia wasn’t wrong either. This kind of client could be a game changer for us.
“If you’re really worried, ask Ethan to send someone for protection” she added, her tone softening.
Ethan. His name sent a fresh wave of irritation through me, bubbling up from the frustration I’d been trying to bury. The last thing I wanted was to rely on him for anything right now.
“No, I’ll handle it my way.”
I checked the time again. An hour had passed, and there was no sign of the client. Mia, fidgeting beside me, tried calling again.
"Ugh, there’s no signal," she muttered, anxiety creeping into her voice.
My senses went on high alert, my wolf agitated. Something was off. I sniffed the air, scenting something faint but unmistakable.
Rogues.
“We need to go. Now.” I hissed, grabbing Mia’s arm and pulling her toward the car. Panic flashed in her eyes, but she didn’t argue.
Just as we reached the car, a truck roared in front of us, skidding to a stop and blocking our path. The doors flew open, and several large men rushed out to surround us.
Two of them pulled out bats and smashed out car windows. Glass exploded, and they dragged us out.
I steadied myself, my mind racing. I knew better than to show fear. “Do you know who I am?” I asked, my voice steady. “I’m the Luna of Thorne Ridge and Storm Haven Packs. If you hurt us, Alpha Ethan will end you.”
The leader, a feral man with a cruel smile, stepped forward. He sneered. “Not even the Alpha King scares us, sweetheart.”
A cloth suddenly covered my mouth and nose. I struggled, but the overpowering scent of chemicals made my vision blur.
Everything went dark.
I woke to a splash of ice-cold water on my face. Gasping, I blinked against the stinging cold, my body sluggish. My wrists were tied to a chair, my strength sapped.
Wolfsbane. I had been drugged.
As my vision cleared, Amelia’s face leaned down to meet my eyes. Her mouth twisted and her eyes shone with madness. “Long time no see, Olivia. Or should I say Luna Olivia now?”
My heart pounded in my chest. Amelia was barely recognizable, wild and unhinged. I struggled against the ropes, but the wolfsbane left me too weak.
“What are you doing, Amelia?” My voice came out hoarse. And where is Mia?
Her laughter was sharp and bitter. “What am I doing? I’m taking back what should’ve been mine. You always manage to land on top, don’t you? You, Alpha’s daughter, the perfect fiancée. And now, Ethan’s wife?” She spat the word like it tasted foul.
“It all should have been mine. Aiden. The title of Luna. The company. Everything.”
“You were my friend,” I reminded her, anger and another betrayal twisting in my gut. “I defended you, protected you from being pushed too far. And this is how you repay me?”
Her face darkened. “Friend? You were my jailer! I was always the Omega, always beneath you. No matter how much you ‘protected’ me, you always had the power, the status.”
Her voice cracked, and she pulled out a silver knife. The blade gleamed in the dim light.
I forced myself to stay calm, despite the terror pulsing through my veins. “You’re not thinking clearly, Amelia. Hurting me isn’t the way to rise in the Pack.”
She smirked, stepping closer, and traced the cold blade along the side of my face. “Oh, I’m thinking very clearly. No Alpha will want a scarred woman as his Luna. Ready to be abandoned again, Olivia?”
My blood ran cold, but I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of seeing my fear. “I’m not scared of you, Amelia.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You should be.”
The blade pressed harder against my skin, and I wondered if I’d make it out of here alive.
