11

Livia POV

"boundaries, my child—always maintain boundaries," the Queen Mother had said, her voice dripping softly as she stood near the edge of my bed.

After what felt like an absolute eternity soaking in that warm milk-and-rose bath, I was thoroughly scrubbed, nicely oiled, and massaged with sweet body mists from head to toe. My skin was burning from the heat, and honestly, all I wanted was a freezing cold shower and twelve hours of undisturbed sleep. 

Instead, the Queen Mother had dismissed the maids, locking the two of us in my lavish new quarters for a mandatory mother-in-law pep talk.

"You may be wondering why the maids were so completely shocked when you adjusted that Omega girl's uniform earlier," she continued, her posture immaculate.

I wasn't wondering a damn thing, I thought, my mind wildly spiraling. I was too busy freaking out over the looming horror of this 'conjugal night.' 

The mere thought of Alpha Tarian putting his giant, cold hands anywhere near my body made my stomach do violent flips. 

But I forced my face to remain placid, nodding like a dutiful little doll.

"Now, I am not saying what you did was inherently wrong," the Queen Mother said softly, stepping closer. "Your heart is kind, Livyana. But as Luna, you must keep the staff at a strict distance. Do not get too familiar, and do not get friendly. There must always be clear boundaries. Familiarity, as they say, breeds contempt."

"I understand, Queen Mother," I chirped in Livyana's sweetest, most submissive voice.

Inside, my inner wolf was rolling her eyes so hard they were practically detached. Rich people were so exhausting. Coming from a struggling family myself, I had experienced firsthand what it felt like to serve wealthy, arrogant elites. 

But as the obedient, soft-spoken Livyana, I simply bowed my head and swallowed my tongue.

"I have had the staff stock your closet," she added, gesturing toward a pair of massive, carved doors in the corner. "You will find designer shoes, makeup, and rare perfumes straight from Arabia. I do hope they suit your taste. The pieces we selected at the boutique yesterday are what you will wear for courtesy visits and royal appearances across the pack, but whatever else you desire is right in there. Just enjoy your new life, my dear. Be happy. And if you ever need anything more, do not hesitate to ask me."

"Thank you so much, Queen Mother," I replied, forcing a shy, overwhelmed blush.

Oh, I am going to enjoy this life, I made a silent vow right then and there. 

I couldn't care less about the clothes in that closet—I already knew they were going to be hideous, grandmaternal disasters that I wouldn't be caught dead in at a public function—but I was going to milk every single drop of luxury out of this estate while I could.

The Queen Mother reached into a velvet box resting on the vanity, pulling out a folded piece of sheer fabric. 

A proud smile touched her lips. "I brought you this. It is a burgundy coloured nightdress." She held it up, admiring it in the soft light. 

"Burgundy is my son's absolute favorite color on a woman. There is something so wildly alluring and electrifying about it, wouldn't you agree?"

I stared at the garment, and my soul nearly left my body.

What in the name of the Moon Goddess is that travesty?! I screamed internally.

Calling it a nightdress was a generous compliment. 

It looked like a cross between a Victorian table runner and a curtain pull from an abandoned opera house. 

It had high, itchy-looking lace going all the way up to the collarbone, stiff puffed sleeves that belonged in the eighteenth century, and a hemline so long and shapeless it could double as a parachute. 

It wasn't alluring; it was an absolute crime against fashion! If Tarian found this 'electrifying,' the man had the aesthetic taste of a blind hedgehog.

Because who wears that in 2025?

Who?

Wonders, they say, shall never end.

"Wear this tonight," the Queen Mother instructed, handing the burgundy monstrosity to me. "And do not forget to apply perfume to your pulse points. I strongly recommend you use the Omani Woman bottle over on the vanity. My son is completely obsessed with that scent."

She should have married her son instead, because what’s all this my son likes this and that?

I did not give a hoot’s eye.

"I will, Queen Mother," I smiled, holding the hideous dress against my chest as if it were precious. "Thank you for being so thoughtful."

"Good," she patted my cheek gently, heading toward the door. "Do not keep your husband waiting."

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, the fake smile melted right off my face. "Ugh! Over my dead body!" I gasped, tossing the burgundy curtain-dress onto the velvet armchair.

I bolted across the room to the bedside nightstand, snatched up the landline receiver, and frantically dialed Livyana's cell phone. 

I held my breath as it rang... once, twice...

"The number you are trying to reach is currently switched off," a recorded voice chimed in my ear.

"Damn it, Livy!" I slammed the receiver down, pacing the floor like a caged animal as I called our landline. "Pick up the damn call! How am I supposed to get out of this?!"

I turned back and glared at the burgundy nightdress resting on the chair. My time was running out. 

I glanced out the tall glass window—the night sky was already making way for the glowing silver sliver of the full moon rising over the treeline.

Knock. Knock.

The sudden sound made me jump an inch off the carpet.

"Who is it?" I called out, my voice tight.

"It’s me, Silvia, Luna," the young maid's voice echoed. "The Queen Mother requested that I escort you to the Alpha’s private chambers now."

"I... I am coming! Give me two minutes!" I shouted back.

I turned to the tall, gold-framed mirror, holding the nightdress up against my body again. 

Everything about it was utterly repulsive.

"Livia, pull yourself together," I whispered to my reflection, squeezing my eyes shut. "This is not your actual wedding. You just need to figure out a way to wriggle out of this sticky situation without getting yourself executed for treason."

Knock, knock, knock.

"Luna? The Alpha is expecting you," Silvia reminded gently from the hallway.

"I'm coming right now!" I shouted back.

I sucked in a deep breath, yanked the  burgundy nightdress over my head, and smoothed down the stiff lace. I marched over to the vanity table, scanning the dozens of crystal perfume bottles lined up in neat rows. I spotted the Omani Woman bottle.

He likes this scent, huh? I smirked. Not tonight, Your Highness.

I deliberately passed over the bottle and grabbed a dark obsidian bottle. It was loud, aggressive, and completely uninviting for a first night. I sprayed it liberally over my neck, wrists, and collarbones until the sharp scent filled the air around me.

There was no way in hell I was going in there smelling like a sweet, inviting bride for Alpha Tarian Kai-Edwards. Gathering the itchy skirts of my nightmare dress, I unlocked the door and stepped out into the hallway.