Chapter 130

Violet’s POV

I was grateful that Dahlia was able to stay for a few days in Darkmoon not only for her and Kincaid’s benefit but because it gave me time to come up with the next steps to my plan. I was used to preparing and plotting my plans diligently ahead of time. This was definitely the most on-the-fly plan I’d ever had to create.

I was not a fan.

But I also had no other options, so I kept gritting my teeth and trusting myself to figure it out as I went.

For example, I had not anticipated Dahlia’s visit or my brilliant mate having the foresight to clue Sophia in on our ruse. I didn’t know how much she knew but having her made available to me would be a game changer. Yet even without the heads up on either accounts, I had managed to use both new pieces of information to my advantage in the time allotted.

I hugged Dahlia in the foyer as she said her goodbyes, letting her know she was welcome back any time and that I would work with Kincaid to get him some vacation days to come see her, too.

“And before you go,” I said, “would you mind bringing this with you back to Midnight?” I handed her a new cell phone in a box. “I promised Sophia I would get her a new phone for work calls, and I refuse to go back on my word even if those work calls will no longer be with me.”

Dahlia smiled, believing the lie. Because of course that’s what it was.

There was no promise to Sophia. This was a burner phone for her to stay connected with me secretly. I had already programmed my new burner phone’s number into her contacts under the name “Mom”.

I was relying on Sophia to put it together quickly enough not to look surprised when Dahlia delivered it to her. My faith in her was complete.

Dahlia promised to pass it along and offered me another hug. As she did, she whispered in my ear. “This is the first time in my life I’ve questioned the Goddess’ direction.”

I was truly honored by the implication that she believed Theodore and I belonged together. I gave her one more squeeze and thanked her before we pulled out of the hug.

Kincaid was going to drive Dahlia to the border of Midnight where a carriage would be waiting to take her the rest of the way home. I smiled as they fought good-naturedly over who would carry her bags to the car.

As they finally strutted – because they did both strut by nature – down the walkway, Dahlia having conceded one of her two bags to Kincaid, someone else walked toward us.

The last time I saw Olivia Bronson was at the party where Theodore had challenged Rylan Blackwell – before we had all witnessed his death by the separation from his wolf’s spirit. Kincaid paused as Olivia passed him, looking back to me for direction.

Olivia was self-serving to say the least, but she wasn’t a threat. “Enjoy your drive, Kincaid,” I called, encouraging him to continue on his way. He hesitated but finally nodded, following Dahlia to his car.

“Olivia,” I greeted, standing firmly in the doorway to my home, obviously not letting her in. “What an unexpected pleasure.”

Olivia was a bloodhound when it came to sniffing out secrets. I had to be careful with such big ones looming in my every breath.

“Violet,” she smirked. “After the rude interruption by that sniveling Blackwell at your party, you and I never really got a chance to catch up.”

I kept my face neutral and my tone even. “You mean the party where you spent every available second attempting to flirt with my husband?"

Her smirk only grew. "Don’t you mean your ex-husband?”

Damn it. I had to do better than this. “Regardless, he was very much my husband and my mate the night you were shamelessly flirting with him.”

Olivia giggled, but it was somehow full of venom. “I’d tease you about being jealous, but it turns out you had something to worry about after all. What’s your ex-husband’s new mate’s name again – Eva, is it?”

I leaned against the threshold of the door, feigning casualty, when in reality I was bracing myself against a wave of dizziness. “What do you want, Olivia?”

Her smile fell, and I clocked how her eyes darted side to side, as if nervous about being overheard. Then she plastered on a smug smile that I realized was fake as she asked, “So flirting with your ex-husband kicked me off the list of guests who get invited in?”

Her nervousness intrigued me enough that I let her in, but I led her to the living room instead of my study. I still intended to keep her at arm’s length.

“You have my attention,” I said as we sat across from each other, her on an elegant settee, and me in a cozy armchair. I suppose we had chosen the furniture that matched our personalities. I was grateful to sit as the dizziness was worsening.

Olivia looked around again, the wariness more obvious on her face. “You just saw my Beta leave,” I reassured her, “and I’m in the middle of cleaning house after the disappointingly long list of my staff and citizens who became traitorous supporters of Lucas during our court cases. It’s just you and me here.”

Seemingly satisfied by my claim, Olivia slid into her well-known smirk. “I admit that Theodore has always been a delicious temptation and that flirting with him is never a chore.” Good Goddess, I hoped she wasn’t wasting my time.

Then her smirk fell. “But that night at Midnight’s Castle, my intent was to get close to you, to talk to you. I had to adjust my plans when my brother and father decided last minute to join me.”

I waited for her to explain. And she did.

“They’re old-fashioned and never expect anything of me, except to use my feminine wiles to manipulate men. If they saw me talking to you instead of Theodore, they would have pulled me aside and yelled at me to be more useful.”

I scowled at this story. It was painful – and too familiar.

Or maybe the pain was coming from my cramping stomach. I subtly adjusted myself in the armchair, willing my body to keep my breakfast down.

“In reality, I attended so that I could tell you I want to partner with you.”

“Partner with me?” I couldn’t hide my shock.

Olivia sighed. “No matter who you are or what I think of you, the entire country saw what Lucas did to you. No werewolf should be pardoned for such crimes.”

This was certainly an unexpected turn of events. I breathed through my nose to temper both my surprise and my rising nausea. “And what is it you want to partner with me to do?” I inquired.

Olivia didn’t blink or balk as she said, “To take down the sick excuse of a king who lets unforgivable things happen to those who don’t deserve it.”

I didn’t have time to reveal my shock that Olivia was openly suggesting treason before I fell to the trashcan beside me and watched my breakfast come back up.