Chapter 34
Olivia's POV
“The bouncy house can go over there, between the snack bar and the cornhole…” Marlus stood with his arms crossed, deep in contemplation.
Mia snorted. “Ew, no. The bouncy house shouldn’t go next to the food. That’s just asking for a mess.”
She had a point there. Our second event preparations were in full swing, and I found myself elbow deep in decorations. Tonight’s carnival was on Thorne Ridge Pack land.
I had spent less time here than I wanted to recently, and it was good to be home. I was also thankful for the distraction and the promise of a little fun.
Just as I was hanging the last string light over the dining area, my phone buzzed. I glanced down, seeing Matthew’s name flash across the screen, and my heart clenched.
The unexpected call made my stomach churn with dread.
“Excuse me,” I murmured to Marlus, stepping away from the impending debate between Mia and Marlus to answer.
“Matthew, hi.” I braced myself for bad news.
His voice was steady but tinged with concern. “Olivia, I wanted to give you an update. Your mother’s responding to the treatment, but not as well as I’d hoped. We may need to consider alternative options soon.”
I took a sharp breath, my fingers gripping the phone tightly. “Is she stable, at least?”
“For now, but we’ll have to monitor her closely. I’ll be here to keep an eye on things, and I’ll let you know if anything changes.”
“Thank you, Matthew.” I said, feeling a swell of gratitude. And a stab of frustration at my helplessness.
I ended the call, lost in thought, processing his words when I felt a presence nearby.
I looked up to find Ethan standing close, his expression tight, his eyes simmering with tension.
“What’s going on with Matthew?” he asked, his voice laced with barely contained irritation.
I bristled at his tone. “He was updating me on my mother’s condition. She’s… she not doing well.” I choked on the words.
Ethan’s expression softened for a moment, “I’m sorry.” The tension remained, sharpening around his eyes as he said “I know you’re worried about her. But be careful around Matthew.”
I narrowed my eyes, confused and a little taken aback. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
He crossed his arms, his gaze darkening. “I said we should get a new doctor, and I meant it. Matthew’s interest in you is personal. I’ve seen the way he undresses you with his eyes.”
“Ethan, he’s just being supportive, and you’re being paranoid.” I replied, trying to brush off his insinuation, but a flicker of doubt wormed its way into my mind.
Matthew’s attention had seemed more personal at times, but I hadn’t thought much of it even after Mia pointed out the same thing.
Ethan stepped closer, his voice lowering. “Just… be cautious. This isn’t just about his bedside manner. People like Matthew don’t see boundaries when they want something.”
I stared at him, dumbstruck by his intensity. “Are you… jealous?” The words slipped out before I could stop myself.
His jaw clenched, but he didn’t answer, instead glancing away as if catching himself. “Just… don’t let your guard down, Olivia. We have enough to deal with as it is without another media shitstorm against us.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but he was already stepping away, his shoulders tense as he went back to setting up.
I was left standing there, my heart racing, wondering just how deep Ethan’s jealousy went and what it was about Matthew that triggered it.
Because there was no way Ethan’s jealousy was over me, the convenient mate.
By the time the small carnival began, I had managed to shake off the conversation with Ethan about Matthew, throwing myself into the sights and sounds of the event.
The Pack and Council members were gathered under strings of colorful lights and the evening breeze carried the mingled scents of sweet treats and fresh popcorn. Booths were set up along a winding pathway with games, and the excitement was palpable.
Everyone seemed charmed by the festive atmosphere, and for a moment, I allowed myself to feel optimistic about Ethan’s chances. This event was turning out to be a hit.
A shift in the energy around me pulled me from my thoughts. The crowd seemed to part slightly, and there, standing tall and serious, was Derek, watching the gathering with an assessing eye.
I felt an immediate tightening in my chest. His presence always brought an unsettling sense of pressure, a reminder of how much power he held and how delicate this entire situation was.
“Olivia,” he greeted, his voice even and low as he approached me, his gaze settling on the scene around us. “Quite the pleasant affair you’ve put together.”
“Thank you,” I replied, masking my unease. “We wanted to create a memorable evening and a bit of a stress relief for everyone.”
Derek gave a nod, a faint trace of a smile crossing his face before he let his gaze sweep the scene. “Where is that Mate of yours?”
My heart skipped. I was unsure of his intentions, but I gestured towards the far end of the grounds where Ethan was letting a line of kids beat him at a ring toss game. “Over there.”
Without another word, Derek began moving in that direction. Curiosity and worry twisted together in my chest, and my feet developed a mind of their own.
I followed him from a short distance, grabbing a corndog along the way. I needed to know what he was planning.
Ethan’s posture tensed as soon as he saw Derek approaching, and he moved away from the group of kids.
Derek and Ethan exchanged words, but their voices were too low, and I strained to catch snippets of their conversation. My heart pounded as I edged closer, desperate to hear their exchange.
“You’ve made an impression on the Council, son,” Derek began, his tone deceptively calm. “But if you want my support, you’re going to have to do more than charm your way through these events.”
Ethan’s expression hardened, and I could see his hands clench. “What exactly are you implying, Derek?”
He didn’t miss a beat, his voice dropping to a pointed whisper. “You know exactly what I’m saying, Ethan. Solidify your bond with Olivia. Complete the Traditional Mating Bite. Show the Council you’re committed to this alliance in every sense of the word.”
A chill slid down my spine. Derek wasn’t just asking Ethan to solidify our marriage; he was demanding we fully bond together. He demanded our wolves mate too.
My stomach twisted, caught between disbelief and a strange pang of a deeper longing. My wolf perked up at the thought.
Ethan’s jaw tightened, his eyes sharp as he replied. His voice just as low and simmering with anger. “This is your idea of support. Turning my bond with Olivia into a political bargaining chip?”
Derek didn’t waver. “This is reality, Ethan. The Council is about alliances, and alliances require trust. You need to prove you’re in this with both feet, and nothing says that like a completed bond.”
Ethan’s fists clenched, his jaw tight as he spoke, his tone barely controlled. “This is your way of helping me, by pushing me into something so you can use it as leverage? You’re no better than Aiden.”
Derek’s gaze remained steely. “Think of it however you wish. But consider it preparation, Ethan. An Alpha who can’t make the hard decisions won’t survive on the Council. I’m offering you a reality check.”
With a final look, Derek turned and walked away, leaving Ethan seething. I watched Ethan, his shoulders tense, his face a mixture of frustration and anger.
When he finally met my gaze, a flicker of something vulnerable crossed his face before he masked it with cold resolve.
The weight of Derek’s ultimatum hung heavily in the air between us, and I felt the ground shift beneath my feet.
With a sense of inevitability.
