Chapter 461

Olivia

I let out a muffled, yet satisfied moan into the plush pillows, entirely spent and my legs quivering from Nathan’s determined focus to prove that no concubine could ever compete with me. His fingers lazily trailed shapes up and down my bare back as I melted further into the silky sheets.

For several minutes we just lay there, entirely focused on steadying our breathing. The cool night breeze from the open balcony door pleasantly blew across our hot skin.

I think I really needed this after a night of having to stand with my back straight and a smile plastered across my face while I rubbed elbows with people who I didn’t know nor like. To let loose with my husband, in the comfort of our own home… it was all I could have asked for.

Eventually, I propped myself up onto an elbow and met Nathan’s husky gaze with a self-satisfied smile. “Your point is noted,” I teased. “I’ll have to consult with the council, however, on the matter of your fidelity.”

Nathan scowled, but there was a smile in his eyes. “What else could I possibly do to prove that you’re the only one for me, Liv?” he asked, rolling closer to me. He began peppering kisses across my jaw as his hand slipped beneath the sheets to stroke my thigh.

I swatted his shoulder playfully before settling myself contentedly back against his sturdy frame. “Just kidding,” I said softly. “You’ve proven yourself. I believe you now.”

Nathan rolled his eyes. “Oh, good,” he said. “And how silly of me to have thought that the ring on your finger was enough of a promise already.”

We allowed ourselves to bask in the peaceful afterglow for a while longer, only our mingled breaths mingling with the distant crash of ocean waves filling the moonlit room.

The house was quiet; the twins had already been fast asleep in their cribs by the time we had gotten home. They were finally sleeping through the night, although the days of nightmares and little voices crying out “Can I sleep with you, mommy?” were just around the corner.

As much as I tried focusing solely on Nathan’s warm body, though, my thoughts kept wandering—back to the strange undercurrents shrouding the extravagant party. It wasn’t just the concubines; it was Clarissa.

And more importantly, it was what Nathan had said about her. About us.

“You know, I can’t stop thinking about your observation about Clarissa after dinner,” I murmured contemplatively. “I just don’t see much of a resemblance between us. You think it’s really that uncanny?”

I felt Nathan shrug from behind me. “You really don’t see it?” he asked.

I shook my head. “I really don’t.”

“You both have those fiery honey gold locks, although hers are a bit more gray with age,” he said softly. “Striking hazel eyes, too, like… like whisky in sunlight.” His fingers idly twirled a lock of my hair around his index finger as he spoke.

“Wow, how very poetic of you,” I teased.

Nathan smirked. “What?” he asked. “It’s true. I mean, she could be an older reflection of you, I swear. Although with infinitely more smile lines etched around her mouth.”

My lips pursed skeptically. “Our skin tones are completely different,” I said, holding up my arm in the lamplight. “Mine is more… olive-toned.”

“Okay, sure. Maybe she was more pale than you. But pretty much everything else was almost the same. Maybe she’s a long-lost aunt or something. It’s not like you haven’t come across those before; let’s not forget about Freya.”

I blushed a bit at the mention of my long-lost aunt. I wondered, often, what had become of her. Hopefully she had found refuge in another pack, although I wouldn’t have been surprised if she had peacefully shifted into her wolf form and lived in the forest. She seemed like the type.

“Probably just coincidence, having some overlapping features,” I said, rolling over and shutting off the light.

And yet, even as I dismissed the ridiculous idea, something about it nagged strangely at me… like a long-buried memory struggling to surface through the fog.

But before it fully formed, sleep’s heavy embrace finally pulled me under to hazy dreams of faceless family phantoms.

…

“A little to the left! No, my left. That’s perfect!”

I stepped back to look up at the silky crimson banners that were now concealing the stark gymnasium walls of the school in romantic Valentine hues.

Soon, candlelight would transform the space further into an intimate atmosphere for our good cause: funding for the school. With the Valentine’s charity gala just a week away and excitement from the auction still buzzing, it was certain to be a success.

Just then, the soft clearing of a throat interrupted my inspection. Turning, I spied Joshua hovering nearby while holding a clipboard. “Luna, the orchestra needs to be approved,” he said, holding the clipboard out. “Just need your signature.”

“Please, it’s just Olivia, Joshua.” I took the clipboard and signed without hesitation. “And by the way, thanks so much for handling the music coordination. It’s been super helpful.”

Joshua nodded. “Of course,” he replied. “Oh, and by the way, you’ve got a visitor.”

I quirked an eyebrow. Anyone like Angelaor Clint would have just walked in; they wouldn’t have bothered with making an appointment. “Who is it?”

“She says her name is Clarissa.”

My eyes widened at the mention of that name. Why would Alpha Dan’s wife, of all people, arrive without notice? I haven’t even seen her in three weeks since the dinner party.

A million worries swirled madly as I quickly granted her access. Soon, a woman wearing a long baby blue coat with delicate fur around the sleeves swept into the room. Her honey golden hair, streaked with gray in one stripe next to the face, was pulled back into a tidy bun. She was holding bags.

Several bags.

“Clarissa! What a surprise,” I said, stepping away from the playpen where the twins were spending the afternoon while I worked so I could greet her.

Clarissa smiled as she approached. “I heard you’ve been arranging another charity gala, this time for the school,” she said, looking around. “It looks lovely so far.”

I smiled as I followed her gaze, taking in the half-decorated gymnasium. It didn’t look like much now, but I had high hopes. “It’s going to be great for the community,” I said. “For the kids and the adults alike.”

“That’s why I brought these.” Clarissa held the bags forward. I took them hesitantly, eyeing her warily. “Just some odds and ends,” she explained. “I was out shopping this afternoon and couldn’t help myself.”

My eyebrows raised all on their own. I set the bags down, peering inside to see colorful pink and red streamers, plates and cups, and little knick knacks: cupids, hearts, that sort of thing.

“Clarissa, this is too sweet of you,” I said. “You really didn’t—”

When I looked up, however, Clarissa was no longer there; in fact, she was crouching next to the playpen. And the twins were both giggling as she reached in, pinching their soft little cheeks while she cooed to them.

Even Elliot, the more cautious out of the two, was reaching his grubby little hands out to grab the fur on her coat.

“Wow,” I thought to myself as I watched the scene in front of me. “She’s really good with them.”