Chapter 63
Olivia's POV
I was immersed in my work, the hum of Lunera Beauty’s lab soothing the chaos in my mind. Rows of test tubes lined the counter, each one containing a variation of my latest formula.
The idea of adapting it for medical diagnostics had taken root, and I was determined to make progress. My phone buzzed with messages, but I ignored it, too focused on the delicate balance of ingredients.
The faint click of heels on the tile floor broke my concentration. I looked up, surprised to see Isabella standing in the doorway. Her perfectly polished appearance contrasted sharply with the sterile surroundings of the lab.
“How did you get in here?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.
Her lips curved into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes, pointedly ignoring my question. “I thought it was time we talked.”
I set down the glass tube in my hand, crossing my arms. “I’m busy. If this is about Ethan –”
“Of course it’s about Ethan,” she interrupted, stepping further into the room. “It’s always about Ethan, isn’t it?”
I clenched my jaw, willing myself to stay calm. “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Her gaze swept over the lab, as if cataloguing and weighing the worthiness of my work. “I wanted to see for myself the woman who thinks she can stand between Fated Mates.”
Her words were a slap across my face, but I refused to flinch. “Ethan isn’t your Mate anymore,” I said firmly. “Whatever bond you had is in the past.”
Isabella laughed softly, the sound grating against my nerves. “You really believe that don’t you? That you can replace me? Our bond isn’t broken, Livvie. It’s still there, no matter how much he denies it.”
My heart clenched, but I forced myself to meet her gaze. “Ethan made his choice.”
She took another step closer, her eyes narrowing. “Has he? Or are you just a distraction? A placeholder for something real?”
I felt the words like a dagger to my chest, but I shoved down my doubt. “You’re wasting your time, Isabella. If Ethan wanted you, he wouldn’t have rejected you.”
Her expression hardened, the mask of polite civility slipping. “You think you know him, but you don’t. You don’t understand the depth of our bond, the history we share. You can’t compete with that.”
“I’m not trying to compete,” I shot back, my voice rising. “Ethan and I are building something together. You walked away from him.”
She smirked, her confidence unnerving. “Building? Is that what you call it? Tell me, Livvie-bean, has he marked you yet? Has he truly claimed you? Or is he still holding back, waiting for someone better? Like me.”
Her words cut deep. I felt the threat of tears but blinked them away. “You don’t know anything about us.”
“Don’t I?” she pressed, her voice softening to a mockery of sympathy. “Ask yourself why he hasn’t completed the bond. Maybe then you’ll see the truth.”
My wolf’s hackles rose inside me. “You know, women should stick together, support each other, not fight over men. It’s pathetic that you’re still trying.”
Rather than respond, she pulled a folded piece of paper from her bag and placed it on the counter. “Chloe invited me to stay at Stone Haven Pack,” she said with a saccharine smile. “It seems not everyone is as confident in your position as you are.”
I stared at the paper, my hands trembling with barely restrained anger. “Get out,” I said through gritted teeth.
She gave a small shrug, as if my anger was amusing. “I’ll see you around. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
As Isabella walked out, I paced the room, her words echoing in my mind. Everything she’d said threatened to unravel the fragile progress Ethan and I had made.
I glanced at the formula I’d been working on, its clarity mocking the murky feelings within me.
Isabella’s presence had stirred something I couldn’t ignore—a question I didn’t want to ask. Did I really think our relationship could stand up against his Fated Mate?
The heavy door to the holding cell creaked open, revealing Aiden slouched on a metal bench, his hands shackled in front of him. Despite his disheveled state, he smirked at me, his arrogance intact.
“Well, well,” he drawled, leaning forward slightly. “To what do I owe the pleasure, sweetheart?”
I refused to let his smugness rattle me. Stepping inside, I let the door clang shut behind me, the sound reverberating in the small, dimly lit room. “Cut the act, Aiden. Why are you attacking my Pack?”
His smirk widened, but there was a flicker of unease. “Attacking? Such a harsh word. I prefer… testing the waters. I need to know my Pack has strong warriors.”
“Don’t play games with me,” I snapped, my voice sharp. “You’ve been targeting my Pack with Rogues, trying to take everything I’ve worked for. Why are you doing this, Aiden? You can’t even build your own Pack, why would mine accept you now?”
His eyes darkened at the jab, but he quickly recovered, leaning back against the wall. “You underestimate me. I may not have Ethan’s brute strength or your… appeal, but desperation makes people creative.”
“Desperation?” I crossed my arms, holding his gaze. “Is that what this is? A last-ditch effort because you know you can’t win a challenge with Ethan?”
For a moment, the smirk faltered, replaced by a flicker of anger. “Careful, Olivia,” he said, his voice low and venomous. “You might think you’re untouchable with Ethan protecting you, but alliances shift. Not everyone sees you as the rightful Luna.”
I bristled at his tone but held my ground. “Cut the shit, Aiden, please. The Council will see through you and your Rogue allies aren’t loyal. They’re Rogues for a reason.”
He chuckled, the sound hollow. “You think Ethan has it all figured out, don’t you? That he’s this noble Alpha fighting for justice and love?” His eyes gleamed with malice. “What about Isabella, hmm? Has he told you everything? I doubt it.”
“Isabella has nothing to do with us,” I said firmly, though my voice felt strained.
Aiden tilted his head, his grin widening. “Keep telling yourself that. I saw the way they looked at each other at the Council Vote. Old bonds don’t die. But if you’re so secure in your place, why hasn’t he completed the bond yet?”
“Enough,” I snapped, taking a step closer. “You’re a coward hiding behind his mommy because you know you’ll never be strong enough to face Ethan.”
His smirk returned, infuriatingly confident. “Maybe. But let me give you a little piece of advice, sweetheart. I won’t be in here for long. And when I’m free, you’d better hope you’ve figured out that bond. Because we have unfinished Mating business.”
I turned on my heel, forcing myself to walk away, slamming the cell door behind me.
