Chapter 187

Theodore’s POV

Violet was going to kill me.

That damn dress she was wearing paired with the knowledge that she wore nothing beneath it threatened to bring me to my knees. I was already aching for her with the distance and the teasing of her voice in my head for weeks now.

Eva had disappeared somewhere with Olivia which worried me, though it also gave me a break from my fake mate.

Are we worried enough about whatever Olivia is up to that I should go find Eva and separate them? I asked my true mate through our magical bond.

Not yet. Her response was only so comforting. Any reports from Dahlia about what they did last night while you were out?

I snatched two glasses of champagne from a passing tray and handed one to Bennett at my side. Apparently, they just giggled all night in the sitting room where Dahlia would easily see and hear them.

No response came through, and I risked a glance around. Violet was chatting with an Alpha from another territory, and as they shook hands cordially, his gaze raked down her body dripping with desire.

My nostrils flared.

“Easy.”

I turned to look at Bennett. Despite his warning, a jovial smile was plastered on his face, his hand amicably on my bicep – likely ready to pull me away if need be.

“She doesn’t have a good track record at weddings,” I gritted out lowly to Bennett, remembering how I’d found Lucas on top of my mate’s unconscious body on our wedding day.

Bennett’s hand tightened around my bicep as if he were afraid of what I was about to do. Still, he looked toward his cousin, considering my words.

“Kincaid will be at her side all night,” he reminded me, “but I’ll keep her in my sights just in case.” He raised his eyebrows at me, inviting me to calm down. Urging me to.

The Alpha reached for Violet’s waist, and she elegantly sidestepped him, linking her arm with Kincaid and pulling him closer as a shield. I reminded myself of how capable and even tactful she was, that Lucas got the better of her only because he had drugged her.

Still, one Alpha had already been pardoned for using an illegal drug with malicious intent. Why wouldn’t another Alpha expect to get away with the same thing?

Alari… I clenched my teeth, unsure what to say. Knowing only that it was killing me not to be at her side. Desperate to have her the only way I could right now: in my mind.

I’m fine; don’t react. It was amazing how stark the difference was in her tone and her facial expression. She looked unbothered, but I could hear how disgusted she truly was.

I inhaled, trying to calm myself when I caught sight of the glass in Violet’s hand. The glass was nearly empty, but enough liquid remained to identify the contents.

Are you drinking champagne? I asked in a panic. Had she forgotten she was carrying our child?

Kincaid is. Happy to hear it looks like I’m drinking though. That was the idea.

To avoid people suspecting she was pregnant.

I exhaled, muscles finally loosening enough that Bennett let go of my arm. My mate was brilliant, and I needed to trust her. Though I was relieved to know Kincaid and Bennett had her back when I couldn’t.

When I finally returned my gaze to Bennett, he looked like he was having the time of his life. “How do you do that?” I blurted.

He raised his eyebrows at me, not following my question.

“You look like you’re not feeling any of the things you must be feeling,” I explained lowly so only he would hear.

He matched my volume, his infectious, puppy-like smile never faltering. “I will smile until my cheeks break if that’s what it takes to keep my family safe.”

A pang of guilt spread through my chest. When I broke character, when my mask slipped – was I prioritizing my comfort over the safety of those I cared for most?

“That,” Bennett added, “and it helps that I have to do this for no more than twelve hours instead of every minute of every day. I’d be afraid of losing myself if I had to do that.”

As if realizing what he’d just said, what I had to do for the foreseeable future, Bennett’s gaze snapped to mine in sympathy and concern.

It was immensely validating.

I sighed out Dahlia’s words that had become my mantra. “It will be worth it.” Then I nodded at Bennett as if that would make the statement more true.

I glanced over at Violet as she hugged Seraphine and Dorian Vainthott. I noticed Kincaid holding both of their glasses of champagne and draining the one I knew to be hers.

Everything was going to be okay. It would all be worth it in the end.

Blaring trumpets sounded by the entrance, pulling everyone’s attention. I rolled my eyes at the fanfare for what was likely Lucas and Nora’s entrance. Even with my fake rejection of Violet, no one in their right mind would expect me to have any positive feelings toward her ex.

My disdain for him was thankfully something I didn’t have to hide today.

But when the doors opened dramatically, a royal, red rug suddenly appearing at the entrance, it wasn’t Lucas or Nora who filled the doorway. Instead, my half-brother beamed in his formal, royal uniform, his wife trailing a few steps behind him.

Eva appeared at my side out of nowhere, forcing her arm to link with mine. “Let’s go say hi!” she hissed as the entire room, including us, bowed to the king. The crowd was still lifting their heads out of the bow as Eva dragged me between people toward Owen descending the stairs into the venue.

I wished often Owen wasn’t my brother, but in that moment, I wished it for the mere opportunity to scoff at Eva’s audacity for so boldly approaching the king. But we were family – technically – so it wasn’t such a bold move after all.

With a glance behind me, I noticed Bennett cowardly staying behind – though I was relieved to see his eyes on Violet, still watching her.

“Brother,” Owen boomed with forced glee for all to hear, “how kind of you to welcome me to this joyous occasion.”

I let Bennett’s words ring in my mind, preparing to smile until my cheeks broke. Whatever it took.

Then an idea hit me.

I shook Owen’s hand heartily. “Of course! We’re just so happy you would grace us with your magnanimous presence at my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s wedding.”

I feigned excited realization as Owen’s brows drew together. “I suppose that makes Nora your soon-to-be sister-in-law, too! Once I finally marry her sister, of course.”

Then I wrapped my arm around Eva, making it clear as day that I knew Nora and Eva were sisters – even if I pretended not to know Owen had schemed to make this all happen. I wanted to push him just to see what he might let slip.

But then Owen stared at Eva, gaze dancing between the two of us, his face draining of color before he did something I could now recognize from experience: he slipped on his own mask. “I always make time for family!” he boomed, a fat, fake smile taking over his face.

And I realized that, until that moment, Owen had no idea Eva and Nora were sisters.