Chapter 150

Agnes

My stomach dropped as I stared at the photo on my screen.

“Can’t wait to wear my new pieces for the big day… With a dress to match!”

I read the caption three times, each word digging into my skin like tiny daggers. How did she get the same jewelry? Had she been watching us at the store yesterday? And what did she mean by “the big day” and “a dress to match”?

The coffee turned sour in my stomach. I set my mug down with trembling fingers, my mind racing. This didn’t make any sense. It had to have been some strange coincidence, and yet…

Was anything ever just a coincidence with Olivia?

Taking a deep breath, I glanced at the clock. It was still early, but the store should be okay. Without giving myself time to reconsider, I got dressed then grabbed my purse and car keys, sending a quick text to James to let him know that I was heading to work.

But I didn’t head straight to work. I had a pit stop to make first.

By the time I pushed through the front doors to the jewelry store, my heart was hammering against my ribs. The same saleswoman from yesterday greeted me with a smile that quickly faded when she saw my expression.

“Luna Agnes, is everything alright?” she asked. “Your purchases aren’t ready yet. They’re still with the engraver.”

“Actually, I had a question. Did Olivia come in after I left yesterday?”

The saleswoman’s smile faltered slightly. “Alpha Elijah’s ex-wife?” she asked. When I nodded, she said, “Oh, yes. She came in shortly after you departed.”

My chest tightened. “And did she… purchase anything?”

The woman hesitated. “She did select a few pieces. Is there a concern?”

“Did she buy the same locket and earrings that I did?”

A flicker of discomfort crossed the saleswoman’s face. “Well, yes. She said she admired your taste and wanted the same set. I hope that’s not a problem?”

I felt like I was going to be sick. If I knew one thing about Olivia, it was that she certainly didn’t pick out the same jewelry as me to mirror my “good taste”. She must have had some kind of ulterior motive. “Did she say what they were for?” I asked.

“She mentioned something about an upcoming event,” the saleswoman said carefully, furrowing her brow. Then, lowering her voice slightly, she added, “Actually, she was quite specific. She said they were for a wedding.”

The words hit me like a slap to the face. I started to reel, and had to grip the edge of the counter to keep myself upright as I choked out, “A wedding?”

The saleswoman nodded, clearly uncomfortable now. “Yes. She was quite excited about it. Said someone was making her a custom wedding gown, with a miniature matching one for her daughter.”

My knees went weak. A wedding gown? With a matching one for Thea?

“Are you alright, Luna Agnes?” The saleswoman’s concern seemed genuine, but I couldn’t focus on her words.

“Fine,” I managed. “I’m fine. Thank you for the information.”

Before she could say anything else, I stumbled out of the store, my vision blurring slightly at the edges. A wedding…

Their wedding?

No.

This couldn’t be right. Elijah had been with me just the other night. We’d made love, held each other. He’d washed me in the tub and made me come on his fingers.

He wouldn’t—couldn’t—be planning to marry Olivia behind my back.

But then again… Elijah had never actually told me what the gala was for. He’d said it was a formal event, important enough that he wanted custom attire. I’d assumed it was a Luna gathering, but what if…?

No. I shook my head as I got back into my car. I was being paranoid. The dress I was making was for me, not Olivia. The champagne color had been Thea’s choice, and she’d picked it out for me to wear. And Elijah had sent me to buy jewelry to match my dress, not Olivia’s.

But what if he’d known Olivia would follow me? What if he’d sent me as a decoy, knowing Olivia would copy whatever I chose?

I pressed my forehead against the steering wheel, trying to make sense of it all. I needed to talk to Elijah. He would explain everything, clear up this misunderstanding, and we could laugh about Olivia’s desperate attempt to cause trouble. I trusted him.

We were partners. Equals. He would never do something like this to me.

Never.

With shaking hands, I started the car and headed toward the pack headquarters. The streets passed in a blur as my mind conjured increasingly painful scenarios, each one harder to push away than the last. By the time I pulled into the parking lot, I was a mess, but I managed to pull myself together enough to look presentable.

I hurried inside, bypassing the reception desk with a quick nod. The elevator ride to Elijah’s office felt unending. When I finally reached his floor, I strode quickly down the hallway, ignoring strange looks from passersby.

But when I reached his office, the door was open, and his secretary was sorting through papers on her desk.

“Luna Agnes,” she said, looking up in surprise. “I wasn’t expecting you today.”

“I need to speak with Elijah,” I said, hoping she couldn’t sense the desperation in my voice. “It’s important.”

The receptionist’s expression shifted to one of apology. “I’m sorry, but Alpha Elijah isn’t here. He left early this morning for a meeting with a neighboring Alpha. He said he likely won’t be back until late tonight.”

My heart sank. “Did he say where exactly he was going? It’s urgent that I speak with him.”

She shook her head. “He didn’t specify, just that it was confidential pack business and not to expect him back until after dinner in case you asked.”

Confidential pack business. Or a secret rendezvous with Olivia to finalize wedding plans?

I thanked the receptionist and retreated to the design department, my mind spinning. What was I supposed to do now? I couldn’t confront Olivia directly—that would be walking right into whatever trap she may have set. And I couldn’t reach Elijah to demand answers.

Perhaps immersing myself in work would help clear my head, give me some perspective. By the time I reached my office, I’d convinced myself that Olivia was simply trying to cause trouble, to make me doubt Elijah and our relationship. I wouldn’t let her succeed.

I settled at my desk, pulling out the sketches for Thea’s dress, hoping the familiar motions of work would soothe my frayed nerves. But as I traced the lines of the little gold gown, all I could think about was Olivia parading around in matching outfits with Thea…

I stared down at the sketch, the elegant lines now seeming to mock me. Was it true? Had I been making a wedding gown for Olivia all along?

My mind raced back through the past weeks, recalling little comments, odd behaviors, the way Elijah had been so secretive about the gala details. Had he been planning to remarry Olivia this whole time? Making me design a gown he knew I would never be the one to wear?

But then why make love to me the other night? Why continue this charade, letting me believe we had a future together?

Unless…

Unless that night had been a goodbye. A final moment together before he returned to his true mate.

Just like Mason warned me about.