Chapter 31
Olivia's POV
I paced back and forth in my office, chewing my bottom lip. I needed to focus on work but couldn’t focus on anything except the nagging feeling that Ethan’s refusal to complete the Mating Bond was a giant neon sign of personal rejection.
No matter how many times I tried to shake it off, a hollow ache gnawed at me, whispering that maybe I wasn’t good enough.
I kept replaying moments from the past few weeks. Ethan had been possessive, protective even. But whenever the possibility of completing the bond surfaced, there was always hesitation, as if he couldn’t bring himself to take that step.
I’d been so caught up in the chaos, in our plans, that I’d barely allowed myself to question it until now.
I sank down onto the edge of my desk, sighing. My thoughts spiraled, the worst ones bubbling up from places I’d worked hard to ignore.
He married me out of necessity, I know that. I’m nothing more than a convenient partner in all this. But does he regret it? Does he think I’m not worthy to complete the Mating bond?
I glanced at the door, half-hoping he’d walk in and give me some reassurance, but it remained closed.
Ugh, fuck that. I’m more than good enough.
I couldn’t keep these thoughts bottled up any longer. I needed to get them out, to talk to someone who’d let me vent without judgment. My thumb hovered over the phone before I finally tapped on Mia’s number.
“Liv!” she answered after the second ring, her cheerful voice a small relief. “What’s up?”
“Mia,” I exhaled, hoping I didn’t sound too desperate. “Do you have a minute? I really need to… well, I really need a scream into the void, but I’d rather hang with my best friend.”
“Always,” she replied, the hint of concern threading into her voice. “Want me to grab coffee on the way?”
I nodded, then realized she couldn’t see me. “Yeah, thanks.”
Fifteen minutes later, Mia breezed into the room, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern. She immediately wrapped me in a tight hug, and the simple gesture nearly broke the last of my restraint.
“So,” she said, pulling back to study me. “Spill. What’s got you all void-yelling?”
I took a shaky breath, trying to find the right words. “It’s… Ethan. Things have been so confusing between us, and it’s like every time I think I have him figured out, he does something completely unexpected that makes me question everything.”
Mia settled beside me, nodding quietly. “And by ‘everything,’ I’m guessing you mean the whole ‘Mating bond’ situation?”
I huffed in frustration and nodded. “Yep. He refuses to complete it. I thought… I thought maybe he’d just want privacy when he didn’t mark me at the wedding, but it’s starting to feel like he’s avoiding it on purpose.”
The words hung heavy in the air; saying my insecurities out loud made me cringe.
Mia’s brows furrowed, and she placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. “Liv, you’re the Luna of his Pack. His Pack sees you that way, and they adore you for it.”
She sipped her coffee and scrunched her nose in thought. “Have you considered that maybe Ethan doesn’t actually want to take away your hope of finding a Fated Mate?”
Her words softened the sting, but my doubts still simmered. “Maybe. But what if… what if refusing to bond is another strategy for him? What if he regrets it?”
Mia squeezed my hand. “Luna Olivia Hartwyn, you’re not just anyone. You’re strong, loyal, and smart as hell. Even if you chose to Mate for practicality, he’d be a fool not to want more with you.”
A tiny smile broke through. “Thanks, Mia. I just… I don’t want to keep wondering what I did wrong.”
“Babe, you didn’t do anything wrong,” she replied firmly. “Remember that. And whatever happens, I’ve got your back. Pack has your back too – shit, you’re doing this for us.”
I nodded, feeling lighter with her support. But beneath it all, the doubts lingered, and I knew I’d need more than kind words to shake them off.
As I walked up the winding path leading to Ethan’s Pack house, I noticed a warm glow beyond the trees. The faint scent of woodsmoke drifted on the breeze, and the sound of laughter grew louder as I neared the clearing.
A bonfire crackled in the center, flames licking high into the night sky. Pack members were gathered around, laughing, sharing food, and leaning close to ward off the evening chill.
I paused at the edge of the firelight, hesitating, wondering if I should join them or slip away unnoticed.
“Luna!” a familiar voice called, and I turned to see a smiling couple approaching. I remembered their faces, a mated pair who’d been with the Pack for years.
“Uh, hi. Phoebe and Carter, right?” I said, offering them a tentative smile.
“Yes!” Phoebe said, pulling me in for a hug. “You should join us. All work and no play and all that! Take a load off.”
I glanced around, realizing I’d been spotted by others. A few friendly waves and nods reassured me, so I followed Phoebe to a spot by the fire.
Two other Pack members I hadn’t met yet, shifted over to make room. “I’m Jade, and this is my sister Jazz.” They introduced themselves.
Carter handed me a mug of something hot, steam curling into the chilly air.
“It’s nice to see you here, Luna,” Carter said, his smile easy. “I know you’ve been busy with work and everything, but we’re glad you’re part of the Pack.”
“Thank you,” I replied, feeling a strange warmth settle in my chest. They accepted me here at face value. It wasn’t something I’d expected, and I nodded in thanks.
Jade leaned in; her eyes bright with curiosity. “So, what’s it like being Mated to the Alpha?” she asked, teasing but curiosity clear in her voice.
I hesitated, caught off guard, but Phoebe nudged me playfully. “Don’t scare her, Jade! Ethan’s a handful sometimes, I’m sure, but we all know he’s loyal to the bone.”
“He’s more than that,” Carter added, glancing over the fire toward Ethan, who was helping a young pack member set up a grill. “He always puts everyone else before himself. Probably the only Alpha I know who’d rather laugh with us than lord over us.”
I looked across the bonfire and caught sight of Ethan. His face was lit up by the glowing flames, his expression warm as he shared a joke with a few Pack members. The sight of him, relaxed and happy, was a side I hadn’t seen.
As if sensing my gaze, he looked up, and our eyes locked across the fire.
For a moment, the chatter around me faded and all I could feel was the warmth spreading up my neck as I took him in. The way the firelight danced across his face, the strong lines of his jaw and the heat in his eyes, it made my breath catch.
His gaze held mine, steady and intense, and a shiver ran through me.
I broke the moment by looking away, my heart thudding as I sipped from the mug, feeling the warmth of the Pack around me.
I could feel his eyes still on me, and a deep sense of guilt settled in my heart that I didn’t truly belong here.
