I left the training ground, ignoring the calls of Anita, and made my way to the mansion. I reached my room and slammed the door. I made my way toward the minibar stand in my and took out a bottle of whiskey.
I didn’t even bother with a glass. room
I twisted the cap off the whiskey bottle and drank straight from it, the burn doing nothing to dull the fury clawing at my chest. My hands were trembling, not from fear. My jaw-locked so tight I could hear it creak. I could still see them. Her flushed cheeks. Her legs around him. The way she arched for him like he was the only one who mattered. Like I wasn’t right here, dying every time she smiled at someone else.
The door slammed open behind me.
I didn’t turn.
Didn’t need to.
Only two persons had the balls to walk into my room without knocking.
“Get the hell out, Levi, 1 growled, voice low and shaking.
He didn’t answer right away. I heard his footsteps, heavy and unhurried, like he hadn’t just been grinding into our mate in the middle of the field like a fucking animal.
“You are angry?” he asked finally.
I turned then, slowly, my vision dark around the edges. “Angry? I saw you rutting against her like a goddamn dog in heat”
Levi’s jaw tightened. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Really?” I snapped, stalking toward him, chest heaving. “Because from where I was standing, it looked exactly like that. You were on her, Levi. She was letting you-
I cut myself off, dragging a hand through my hair as I paced away.
“We said we hated her, I hissed. “We were supposed to hate her.”
Then Levi muttered, “It’s the mate bond.”
I spun, eyes narrowing. “Don’t feed me that bullshit.”
His mouth twitched. Guilt. He looked away.
I stepped closer. “I know you, Levi. You don’t move like that for a bond. You looked at her like she was yours. You touched her like she was more than just a mate. Like you wanted her.
“I do want her,” he said finally, voice rough. “We all do. You’re just too stubborn to admit it.” I shoved him.
Hard.
He staggered back but didn’t retaliate.
“She broke me,” I spat. “She tore me apart, Levi.” 2
“And you think she didn’t hurt me too?” he shouted, finally snapping.
He was breathing hard, fists clenched. “But she is our mate. We are mated to her. She bears our mark. And whatever else she’s done, whatever she is-we’re still hers. Whether we fucking like it or not.”
I didn’t speak
I couldn’t.
Because I hated that he was right.
But I also hated him for saying it.
Levi exhaled, softer now. “You don’t hate her either.”
“I do, I whispered. “I have to.
He gave me a look that said he wasn’t buying it.
And he was right.
Because the truth was twisting in my chest.
I didn’t hate her.
I hated that I couldn’t
And I hated even more that Levi wasn’t fighting it anymore.
He turned toward the door, hand on the knob. “You can stay angry, Louis. Pretend you don’t feel it. But one day, you’ll stop lying to yourself.”
And with that, he left.
I stood there in the silence, bottle dangling in my hand, heart in my throat.
I wasn’t just jealous.
I was terrified.
Terrified of wanting her too.
Olivia’s POV
“That should never happen again. It should not happen again.”
Those were the words I kept repeating to myself all day. I hated how my body reacted to their touch. It wasn’t right-it should never feel like that again.
“But you know we can’t control that, my wolf whispered gently. “Your body will always respond to their touch. That’s the power of the mate bond.”
Her voice only fueled my frustration.
“Fuck the mate bond,” I snapped.
My wolf, sensing that I’m already pissed, decided not to talk more, leaving me to vanger
“Luna, it’s time for the race. Are you joining?” Lolita and Nora asked as they stepped into my chamber.
I sighed, feeling drained. I didn’t have the energy for the night race, but maybe it would help clear my mind.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
I left the room, Nora and Lolita following behind. As we walked through the mansion, staff bowed their heads respectfully. Some did it naturally, having grown used to acknowledging my presence. Others? They were clearly forcing it.
I ignored them and kept walking until we reached the yard-already packed with excited pack members. Tonight was Race Night. A male and female would pair up and sprint through the woods. The first to return would be crowned the winner.
When I was younger, I used to run these races with one of the triplets. They always let me win. But all of that ended the day my father was accused of stealing. Ever since then, I didn’t join in any of the pack activities.
My gaze swept across the crowd, and I spotted Anita standing beside the triplets. She wore tight black leggings and a cropped blue top that left most of her stomach exposed. She was smiling-laughing even-at something one of them said.
I frowned. Not because she was with them-hell, I didn’t care about that-but because she looked too happy. Too light. Too energetic for someone who had just lost a pregnancy a few days ago. I expected her to be mourning. Grieving. But Anita didn’t look like a woman who had just lost a pup.
“Maybe she was never pregnant, my wolf muttered darkly,
All The RacO
I shook my head. The healer confirmed it. There had been blood. Still, something felt… off.
I tried not to let my emotions show as I stepped closer to the crowd, but my jaw clenched when Anita threw her head back and laughed at something Louis said. My chest tightened-not with Jealousy, I told myself-but with disbelief. Was she really so quick to move on? Or w this all some act?
“Luna Olivia,” one of the warriors bowed slightly as he approached, snapping me out of my thoughts. “Would you like to choose your partner for the race?”
I blinked, startled. “Partner?”:
“Yes. Since it’s your first race as Luna, tradition states that you get the privilege to choose first.”
I felt a dozen eyes lock on me. Some curious. Some judgmental. And of course, the triplets were watching too. Anita had her hand wrapped around Louis’ arm now, like she belonged there. Like she wasn’t lying, scheming, manipulating everyone.
I scanned the crowd until my eyes landed on a familiar face.
“I’ll choose Jerek, I said.
Jerek stepped forward with a warm, easy smile. “I won’t go easy on you,” he teased.
I chuckled. “That’s how I like it. But don’t worry-I’ll beat you, just like old times.”
He laughed and rolled his eyes. “Come on, Olivia. We were kids then. You can’t compare it to now.
“Let’s see about that.
The breeze picked up slightly, rustling the trees at the edge of the woods and sending a shiver through my skin, though it wasn’t from the cold. The atmosphere was electric, buzzing with anticipation. All around me, pack members began pairing up, laughing, whispering, some throwing curious glances in my direction.
I could feel eyes on me, more than just the usual. I turned slightly-and there he was.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.