Chapter 343

Olivia

I strolled into the Council building the next morning, my mind running through the laundry list of tasks to handle for the upcoming banquet. Angela walked beside me, a clipboard in her hand and a determined look on her face.

“You've got that ‘Luna-in-control’ look going on,” she teased. “It’s a good look on you.”

I grinned. “Yeah, right. I’m just hoping I can pull this off. A banquet is no small feat, and there isn’t much time.”

But as we entered the hall, I blinked in surprise. Members of our pack were buzzing around like busy bees, setting up tables, stringing up lights, and arranging floral centerpieces. Nathan had already hired people to handle the bulk of the preparations, it seemed.

“Well, would you look at this,” Angela said, nudging me with her elbow. “Seems like your Alpha took the liberty of putting the pack to work after all. And to think when I came to meet you at the villa twenty minutes ago, you were practically bursting with anxiety.”

I stared around, still absorbing the unexpected help. “I was bracing myself to handle most of this, to be honest. He didn’t mention that he’d hire all these people.”

Angela raised an eyebrow. “You do remember that you’re the Luna, right? You’re not expected to do everything yourself.”

I chuckled, my cheeks turning a slight shade of red. “I guess I forget sometimes. Being Luna still feels...new.” My fingers grazed the engagement ring on my left hand, the ornate stone catching the light.

“So, speaking of rings,” Angela prodded, “when’s the big day?”

I hesitated. “We haven’t really talked about it yet. I mean, between pack matters, the witch, the new pregnancy, therapy, and now… unexpected family reunions, it’s been crazy.”

Before Angela could respond, her eyes widened. Following her gaze, I spotted Levi walking by. He was carrying two heavy chairs on his shoulders, his muscles practically bulging out of his shirt. He didn’t notice us, always the type to fully focus on his work and nothing else.

“Wow,” Angela breathed, her eyes fixed on her boyfriend. “That’s my man.”

“You think he’ll be carrying you over the threshold next?” I teased.

She blushed. “I’m waiting for him to pop the question, but I have a feeling it might be soon.”

“You know, I’m so happy for you,” I said, genuinely thrilled. “And you had better make me your maid of honor.”

“I wouldn’t dream of doing it without you,” she assured me. “Besides, you’re my closest friend.”

“You had friends before me,” I said with a shrug.

Angela shrugged in response. “Emphasis on had. As in, ‘do not have them anymore.’ I don’t talk to those girls now. They’re a bunch of bitches.”

Her words almost made me snort. “Angela, as if you’re not one of the biggest social butterflies in town.”

“Yeah,” she said, prodding at a nearby centerpiece and rearranging the flowers ever so slightly. “But I don’t consider everyone in town a close friend, you know? You’re the only person—aside from Levi—who I talk to. I mean really talk to.”

“Wow,” I replied, meeting Angela’s warm gaze. “That’s sweet, Angela.”

She smiled. “No. You’re sweet.”

With a shared laugh, we returned our focus to the task at hand. Grabbing bundles of flowers and vases, we started arranging centerpieces for the tables.

Just then, the door swung open, and Nathan strode in. He was in a form-fitting suit that looked like it was made for him, and a tie that perfectly matched his eyes. Our eyes met, and he shot me a grin and a wink as he walked past. He had this new light about him ever since Edward had returned, and I was happy to see it.

Angela let out a low whistle. “You won the lottery with that one.”

I felt my cheeks warm. “I think we both did,” I said, glancing at Levi who had now joined some other pack members in setting up a stage at the far end of the hall.

“But seriously, Liv.” Angela turned to me as we finished another centerpiece. “You two have something special. And I don’t think this banquet is just to celebrate his long-lost uncle, either. I think it’s about time that the two of you have an event to show off your beautiful relationship to the world, or at least to the pack.”

I looked around, taking in the bustling activity of our pack members, all coming together for this special occasion. “Maybe you’re right,” I admitted, my eyes lingering on Nathan who was now talking to one of his Betas. “I’m lucky, in more ways than one.”

…

The banquet hall was buzzing with energy. Members of the pack mingled, sipping on champagne and nibbling hors d'oeuvres. The room looked stunning, with golden fairy lights casting a warm glow, and the floral centerpieces we had painstakingly arranged earlier filling the air with their sweet scent.

I wore a soft sage green dress, a silky material that hugged my curves. I let my golden hair cascade down my shoulders in delicate waves, and I wore simple jewelry and makeup. For the first time in a while, I felt like my sexy self again, and not a mom who wore sneakers and leggings.

Nathan was in his element, shaking hands, and sharing laughs with pack members and guests alike. Edward was standing beside him, and it was clear that Nathan was putting in an effort to keep Edward involved in the conversation, to make him feel welcome. Seeing how they laughed and smiled together, like old friends, made my heart feel warm.

As I approached, however, my heels clicking on the parquet floor, Nathan’s eyes lifted and met mine.

“Wow, Olivia,” Nathan breathed as I walked up to him. He extended his arms and took my hands, his eyes wandering up and down my body in a way that made me feel like the sexiest woman alive. “You look…”

“Stunning,” Edward finished for him. He walked up to me and took my hand, planting a kiss on my knuckle. “Really.”

I couldn’t help but blush. “Thank you,” I murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I guess I clean up pretty well.”

Nathan shot me a warm look and pulled me close, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Not that any cleaning up was necessary.”

My blush deepened. As Nathan pulled me closer, I could feel his scent envelop me, an intoxicating blend of grapefruit salt and the natural musk that only I could smell. Without entirely thinking about it, I tilted my head back and lowered my eyelids, allowing Nathan to plant a warm kiss on my lips.

“Ah, my drink is empty,” Edward said, as though sensing the electricity between Nathan and I. “I’ll go and mingle.”

Edward slipped away, and Nathan swayed slightly with me to the music, a grin on his face as he gazed down at me.

“You seem so happy today,” I murmured as I rested my head on his chest. “I missed seeing you like this, you know.”

Nathan shrugged. “Things are looking up. A new baby on the way, my uncle is alive… And Liv, I talked to him about the witch—”

My eyes widened and I pulled away. “You told him?” I whispered.

He nodded. “I did. Is that alright?”

I blanched. It was a sensitive subject, one that I wasn’t entirely keen on sharing so easily with other people, blood relatives or not. “I… It’s just…”

“Listen, Liv,” Nathan said, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear. “Edward is exactly the sort of wise older person that I needed. He said he can help us. Like… really help us, you know? Don’t you think that could be a good thing?”

I paused for a moment, still unsure, but nodded. “What’s done is done,” I said quietly. “But if he can help, I guess I’m willing to give it a shot.”

Nathan smiled slightly. “I promise, Liv, it’ll all turn out okay. We have family here now. Family who wants to help us.”

For a moment, I almost considered saying what was really on my mind: that we already had family here, in our friends, our neighbors, our children. But I couldn’t say that now, not with Nathan being so excited. Instead, I just smiled and nodded.

“Yes,” I said softly, standing up in my heels to plant another kiss on Nathan’s lips. “Just what we needed.”

As the evening progressed, the dancing and mingling subsided, and the food was brought out. An array of delectable dishes was laid out on the massive banquet table, filling the room with the scent of grilled meat, fresh bread, and fragrant spices.

Glasses were filled, and we took our seats. Nathan and I sat at the head of the table, a position that I wasn’t familiar with taking yet.

The feeling of the entire pack’s eyes being on us filled me with a dizzying combination of excitement and nervousness, and suddenly I felt like I was back at our first festival together, back when our relationship was still fake. It filled me with a sense of pride and nostalgia all at once.

Before we began to eat, though, the sound of a knife being tapped against the side of a glass filled the room. Edward, who was sitting on the other side of Nathan, stood up. The room quieted down as he cleared his throat.

“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone for making me feel so welcome,” he began, his voice steady. “It’s not every day that a long-lost family has the chance to come together after so long. I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am to Olivia and Nathan for inviting me into their lives so openly.”

There was polite applause, but I caught that look in Edward’s eyes again—a strange intensity that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I shook my head, dismissing the thought. After everything that had happened, maybe I was just being overly cautious of newcomers.

Edward continued, “Life is a circle of hellos and goodbyes, and I’m honored to be saying ‘hello’ to each of you today. Thank you.”

He sat back down, and the applause was louder this time. Nathan turned to me and squeezed my hand, but I still couldn’t shake that unpleasant feeling in my stomach.

Why was I feeling this way?

Later, as the banquet began to wind down, Nathan took it upon himself to make his own announcement.

“Before we call it a night, I have something I’d like to offer,” he said, gesturing for Edward to stand beside him. “Edward, you’ve been staying at the hotel since you arrived. Olivia and I would like to extend an invitation for you to stay with us at the villa until you’re settled.”

The room went silent. Edward’s eyes were wide. “Nathan, I… I couldn’t—”

“I insist,” Nathan interrupted, clapping his uncle on the back. “Family is family. Welcome home, uncle.”

The two men hugged, and it was just as emotional and heartfelt as their first meeting. But as the room erupted into applause and whistles, all I could feel was my stomach tightening. It was a generous offer, but the idea unsettled me.

Nathan hadn’t mentioned this to me before… why announce it now, in front of everyone? Why not consult me first? And why did I feel so apprehensive about having Edward in our home?

As the guests resumed their conversations, I pulled Nathan aside. “Can I talk to you for a second?” I asked.

“Of course,” he said, leading me to a quieter corner of the room. “What’s on your mind?”

I swallowed. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”