Chapter 456

Olivia & Nathan

Olivia

“Nathan, are you drunk?”

Nathan blinked at me dazedly for several beats too long before dissolving into unexpected breathy giggles.

His eyes crinkled delightedly like one might upon overhearing a hilarious joke. I fought the illogical bubble of laughter rising in my own chest as I stood there, watching an Alpha, of all people, being reduced to such uncharacteristic giddiness because…

He was utterly intoxicated.

“I may… I may be a little drunk,” he confessed between residual snickers. “But it was rather necessary for cementing alliances, as I’ve learned.”

I rolled my eyes. “You dog,” I teased. “On a scale of one to ten, how drunk are you?”

He smirked. “Eight? No… Nine.”

My brow furrowed as I instinctively guided my husband’s swaying form into the living room. He needed to hydrate and steady himself immediately.

“So, what happened?” I asked, trying to stifle a laugh as he nearly stumbled into a wall. “Must have been an exciting meeting if booze was involved.”

“The meeting?” Nathan said with a slight scoff. “It was fascinating, don’t get me wrong. I learned a lot. But, Liv, there’s an entirely different world once the meetings are over. I never expected Dan and the other Alphas to be… well, I’ll put it this way: they’re quite the partiers.”

Chuckling, I carefully lowered him onto the couch and knelt down to remove his shoes for him. “Oh?” I asked. “How so?”

“Dan invited me out for drinks afterwards,” he said. “I figured it was just for socializing, but…”

As Nathan began going into detail on the specifics, I found myself thrust into a world I had never expected.

…

Nathan

A haze of pungent cigar smoke enveloped the dark paneled room as raucous male laughter echoed amongst the sound of clinking glasses.

I sipped my second—or maybe it was my third—scotch, still struggling to process how this exclusive gambling lounge related to administrative governance. However, the casual camaraderie revealed through bets and cards proved to be oddly enlightening as the men boasted and taunted each other like old friends, all while settling business deals.

I committed every detail to memory. This was no mere hangout spot. It was, as Dan had said, a place where deals were made.

Dan threw several colorful chips on top of the growing pile in the middle of the table and leaned back in his chair, assessing the sizable pile my contributions had made thus far.

“Careful, youngling,” he cautioned around his cigar, his eyes gleaming. “You might leave tonight without the jacket on your pack.”

“A little risk often reveals high reward, as you said yourself not five minutes ago,” I said, laying my cards down. “Royal flush.”

A few of the other Alphas guffawed, slapping me on the shoulder good-naturedly. Dan watched with those same gleaming eyes as I took the pile of chips that had been placed in the middle of the table and added them to my own pile.

“The whelp’s cut out to be quite the hustler yet,” one of the Alphas mused, throwing his cards down. “I fold. That’s all for me tonight, gentlemen.”

Meanwhile, Dan just rolled his cigar between his fingers, eyeing me with a knowing look from across the table.

With the game finished and my pockets a little heavier, I waited at the bar for another scotch refill. Suddenly, Dan appeared beside me, exhaling slowly with a puff of smoke. His expression turned oddly solemn as he scanned the raucous scene around us.

“There are.. .far greater secrets known only to this inner circle, Nathan,” he confessed eventually, his words slightly slurred. “Entire worlds operating behind the scenes. In time, perhaps I could show you.”

I blinked, attempting to focus through the fuzzy haze enveloping my senses. “Secrets?” I asked. “Beyond territorial disputes and legislation?”

Dan watched me intently for several moments, as though he was gauging my readiness to handle said classified knowledge.

“You demonstrated an ambition worth noting during that rousing speech you made at the auction,” he said quietly. “And your dedication to protecting your pack shows courage. With the right tutor, you could unlock exceptional power.”

I considered his words slowly, understanding the implications he was making. My mind raced, imagining what he could possibly mean... Security, stability, wealth for my pack?

Oblivious to my speechless shock, Dan raised his glass between us. “Come to my home this weekend,” he said. “For a dinner party. Perhaps there, we can talk more.”

I swallowed, a bit taken aback by this sudden invitation. “Of course,” I said a moment later, once I had gathered myself. “I’d be honored.”

Dan smiled then, his gaze sharp and assessing. “Don’t squander this opportunity, Nathan,” he warned as our glasses clinked together. “It’s not everyday that a youngling such as yourself is invited to my home.”

…

Olivia

“So the association conducts informal networking while gambling?” My nose wrinkled disdainfully. “Doesn’t seem terribly professional…”

“I know it doesn’t,” Nathan said with a soft sigh, “But this is where loyalties are won and lost, alliances forged.”

I nodded slowly, pursing my lips thoughtfully. Nathan was right, but…

“This weekend, though?” I asked. “I’m not exactly prepared for a dinner party so soon after our honeymoon. I was sort of hoping to spend the weekend at home, with the twins.”

Nathan sighed slightly and covered his hand with mine. “It’s only a few hours, Liv. I really need you by my side. Besides, there will be other Lunas there. Maybe you’ll make some connections of your own.”

His words made me pause. He was right; I was a part of this game now, too. Maybe talking to some other Lunas could help broaden the horizons for our pack in the same way that Nathan’s little drinking and gambling party did.

“Alright,” I finally said. “I’ll go.”

…

I turned in the mirror, assessing the elegant midnight blue gown that Nathan insisted on having custom made to my measurements. He had said that he wanted me to fit in, and I was sure that I would in this gown. The rich fabric, draped in a figure flattering silhouette, hung over my five-month bump that had finally popped outward decisively in the recent weeks.

My fingers traced over my belly. The silk felt cool and smooth, and draped elegantly over my rounded stomach. I couldn’t help but smile a bit as I looked at myself. I loved this stage of pregnancy, right when I was showing and before I got too big to stand comfortably.

I hadn’t noticed Nathan standing in the doorway, observing me quietly, until familiarly strong hands gently encircled my middle from behind. He pressed up against me, caressing where our child was nestled deep inside of me.

“Have I mentioned you look breathtaking yet?” Nathan’s husky murmur sent delightful shivers dancing down my spine. I leaned into his solid chest, smiling softly as his lips found the joint of where my neck met my shoulder.

“Only, like, a thousand times,” I teased.

“Oh. Well make this a thousand and one.”

The intimate moment stretched sweetly for a few moments until Nathan spun me around to face him, his expression full of love and tenderness.

“I still can’t believe we’ve created this stunning life together Liv,” he admitted under his breath. “What do you hope for? A boy or a girl?”

His words made me blush. “I don’t really have a preference,” I muttered. “So long as it’s healthy.”

Nathan smirked. “Come on. I know you want another little girl.”

I paused for a moment, chewing my lip, before I shook my head. “A boy would be nice,” I found myself saying. “Someone to roughhouse with Elliot.”

“Ha!” Nathan scoffed. “As if any girls you produce wouldn’t have the same scrappy spirit that you did as a kid.”

“Yeah,” I said with a laugh, remembering my days of overalls and scraped knees. “I guess you’re right.”

There was a soft silence then, and in that moment, everything felt calm and quiet. But it was short-lived, as the clock downstairs chimed. It was time to leave for the dinner party.

“Well?” Nathan asked, holding his arm out for mine. “Ready to go network with some old snobs?”

I laughed and took his arm. “So long as I’ve got you by my side.”