Pride and Pretense

(Vivian's POV)

Emma's question about Sylvan challenging William for Alpha heir position caught me completely off guard. I nearly choked on my drink, the fruity cocktail burning my throat.

"What? Where did you hear that?" I asked, setting my glass down with more force than intended.

Emma leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "It's all over the pack forums. Think about it, Viv. Why else would he suddenly return after three years? He's built this whole empire with Blood Moon. He doesn't need the Thorne Pack... unless he wants to lead it."

I shook my head. "That's ridiculous. William has been groomed as heir his entire life."

"Exactly! And Sylvan was always second best in their parents' eyes," Emma countered, taking a generous sip of her drink. "Maybe he's tired of being the spare and wants to be the heir."

The music pounded around us, wolves and humans alike dancing under the pulsing lights.

"If that's true," Emma continued, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "you should definitely keep that mating bond intact. Imagine if he succeeds - you'd be Luna!"

I let out a humorless laugh. "Is that supposed to be my dream come true?"

"It would certainly put Elizabeth in her place," Emma said with a mischievous grin.

"Emma, there are clear provisions in pack law for dissolving mateships," I explained, stirring my drink absently. "If Sylvan is determined to end our bond, there's nothing I can do to stop it."

Phoebe whimpered in my mind at the thought, but I pushed her protest aside.

"Besides," I continued, "I highly doubt he's back to challenge William. That's just gossip. More likely he's here to finalize our separation."

The words stung as I said them, but I kept my expression neutral. Years of practice.

"Vivian—" Emma started, but suddenly stopped, her eyes fixed on something over my shoulder.

I turned to see Lucas Hayes, Sylvan's imposing right-hand man, passing by our table. His usual confident stride faltered when he spotted us, his eyes widening slightly in what appeared to be... nervousness? That was unusual for the typically unflappable Blood Moon enforcer.

Lucas nodded stiffly in acknowledgment before hurrying toward the back of the bar, disappearing up a staircase marked "Private - Pack Members Only."

Emma and I exchanged curious glances, our conversation momentarily forgotten.

"That was weird," she murmured. "I've never seen Lucas look rattled before."

I nodded, equally puzzled. "Something's definitely going on."

Emma drained her glass and stood abruptly. "Bathroom break. Be right back."

I watched her weave through the crowd, noticing she wasn't heading toward the restrooms but rather in the direction Lucas had gone. Typical Emma - always curious to a fault.

I sipped my drink slowly, mentally preparing for another workday tomorrow at the medical center. A group of young wolves nearby were laughing loudly, celebrating someone's birthday. Their carefree joy felt like it belonged to another world entirely.

Five minutes passed, then ten. Just as I was beginning to worry, Emma reappeared, her face flushed and eyes blazing with anger.

"He's here," she hissed, sliding back into our booth.

"Who's here?"

"Sylvan!" Emma's voice was a harsh whisper. "He's upstairs in the private area with his Blood Moon buddies and several she-wolves!"

My stomach dropped, but I kept my expression carefully blank. "And how exactly do you know this?"

"I smelled him," Emma admitted. "I followed Lucas up the stairs - just to the landing, I swear! - and caught Sylvan's scent. It's unmistakable."

She was right about that. Sylvan's scent of rain-soaked forest was distinctive. My wolf Phoebe should have been howling with rage or despair at the thought of other females near him, but she remained eerily quiet.

"So my mate is upstairs entertaining other wolves," I said flatly. "And?"

Emma gaped at me. "And? Are you serious right now? Your mate is practically on a date while Elizabeth is running around telling everyone you're breaking your bond!"

I shrugged, projecting a calm I didn't feel. "What would you like me to do about it, Em? Storm upstairs and make a scene?"

"Yes!" she exclaimed. "That's exactly what you should do! Goddess, Vivian, sometimes I don't understand you at all. Where's your pride?"

Pride. What a luxury that would be. But I'd learned long ago that pride only led to more pain.

"Emma, it's fine. Let's just enjoy our drinks and—"

"I need to use the bathroom. The real bathroom this time," Emma cut me off, standing again.

I grabbed her wrist. "Emma, don't."

"Don't what?" she asked innocently, though her eyes gleamed with rebellious intent.

"Whatever you're thinking of doing, don't."

She patted my hand reassuringly. "I just need to pee, Viv. Promise."

I released her, knowing full well she was lying. Emma had never been able to stand by when she perceived an injustice, especially when it involved someone she cared about.

Sure enough, less than three minutes later, a commotion erupted from the direction of the private pack area. Raised voices and the distinctive sound of a glass shattering.

"Damn it, Emma," I muttered, hastily placing money on our table and rushing toward the disturbance.

The security wolf at the bottom of the stairs was distracted by another altercation near the bar, allowing me to slip past and hurry upstairs. The pack-only area was more luxurious than the main floor - plush carpeting, leather furniture, and subtle lighting that wouldn't strain sensitive wolf eyes.

I followed the sound of Emma's voice, growing increasingly loud and angry, to a room at the end of the hallway. The door was partially open, and I could see Emma standing in the center, her stance aggressive as she faced Lucas Hayes.

"—think you're so special with your Blood Moon connections," Emma was saying, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "While your boss plays around behind his mate's back. Real honorable wolves you are!"

Lucas's face was thunderous, his massive frame practically vibrating with rage. "You need to leave. NOW."

"Or what?" Emma challenged, taking a step closer. "You'll attack me? In front of witnesses? That would look great for Blood Moon's reputation, wouldn't it?"

I could sense Lucas's wolf rising dangerously close to the surface. Emma had pushed him too far, and she didn't seem to realize just how volatile his temper could be, even among Blood Moon members.

As Lucas moved toward Emma, his hands curling into fists, I acted without thinking. I pushed past two startled wolves in the doorway and stepped directly between them, positioning Emma behind me.

"That's enough," I said quietly, meeting Lucas's furious gaze.

Recognition flashed in his eyes, and he stopped short. No matter how angry he was, he wouldn't attack Sylvan's mate - the bond mark on my neck guaranteed that much protection, at least.

The atmosphere in the room shifted perceptibly with my arrival. Several pairs of eyes turned toward me, conversation dying away to awkward silence.

I scanned the room quickly, taking in the luxurious private lounge. Blood Moon members were scattered around, drinks in hand. And there, on a leather couch in the corner, sat Sylvan.

He looked relaxed, one arm stretched along the back of the couch, the other holding a crystal glass of amber liquid. Pressed against his side was a beautiful she-wolf with flowing blonde hair and a dress that seemed painted on her curvaceous figure. I didn't recognize her, but her body language made her intentions toward my mate crystal clear.

My heart stuttered painfully, but I kept my face expressionless. "How nice of you to join the living, Sylvan. I was beginning to think you'd died."

His eyebrows rose slightly. "Vivian. What an unexpected pleasure."

"Is it?" I asked coolly. "I've been trying to reach you for days. But you've been busy with Blood Moon business, right?"

To his credit, Sylvan didn't flinch at my obvious reference to Marcus's excuses. "I have been. As you can see."

He gestured vaguely around the room, as if entertaining she-wolves in a bar constituted official business.

"I see," I replied. "And are you done being busy, or should I continue to wait until you're free?"

Emma made a small sound of outrage behind me, but I ignored her.

Sylvan's eyes narrowed slightly. "Are you monitoring my activities now, Vivian?"

"Merely inquiring about my mate's whereabouts," I countered smoothly. "It seems common courtesy to let one's mate know where they're staying."

The she-wolf beside him shifted uncomfortably, her perfectly manicured fingers resting possessively on his arm.

"I've been at the Blood Moon compound," Sylvan replied, his tone bored. "As I'm sure Martha has informed you."

I smiled thinly. "Actually, no one has informed me of anything. Not even my mate."

"Well, now you know," Sylvan said dismissively, turning slightly toward the she-wolf beside him.

Taking a deep breath, I moved to an empty chair nearby and sat down. "Then I'll wait until you're free."

Sylvan's head snapped back toward me, surprise evident in his features before he masked it.

I crossed my legs casually and reached for a bowl of nuts on the nearby table. "Don't mind me. Continue your... business meeting."

Emma, recovering from her shock, moved to stand beside me. "Nice place you've got here," she commented loudly. "Very fancy. Those leather couches must have cost a fortune. And is that real gold on those fixtures?"

I bit back a smile at her deliberate attempt to create awkwardness. Emma had never been one for subtlety.

"Why don't you order us some drinks, Em?" I suggested, popping a cashew into my mouth. "I'm sure the Blood Moon can afford it."

Sylvan's jaw tightened, but he remained silent. The blonde beside him leaned closer, whispering something in his ear while shooting venomous glances in my direction.

He shook his head slightly, then stood. "I'm afraid I'm rather tired. It's been a long day."

The she-wolf pouted prettily. "But the night's just beginning, Sylvan."

"Another time, perhaps," he replied, not looking at her as he set his glass down.