13

Livia POV

“The Alpha asked us to wait for fifteen minutes,” Silvia said softly, ducking her head nervously. “We should stay right outside the door.”

“Wait what?” I scoffed, crossing my arms. I was on my phone so I wasn’t paying attention. “He asked us to wait for fifteen minutes! I suppose I can just walk back to my room and return on my own, considering I know the way to his suite now.”

“But... but the Queen Mother said I must escort you, Luna,” Silvia stammered, wringing her hands. “Your room is quite a distance from here, and the Alpha will be furious if you are even a minute late. He is extremely conscious of time.”

I rolled my eyes. For a man who acted like I didn’t exist throughout our entire wedding, would my timely appearance really make a damn difference? Besides, I desperately needed these fifteen minutes to think of a million ways to escape that man’s bed without raising dusts or any suspicions.

“I am not standing out here in the corridor for fifteen whole minutes,” I said firmly. “I’ve been standing all day at the reception and my feet are killing me. Take me somewhere I can sit and wait.”

“We can use the private lobby right this way,” Silvia offered quickly, visibly relieved.

She led me down a short side corridor and opened the door to a quiet, velvet-furnished lobby. Silvia stood outside, shutting the doors behind me.

Left alone, I took a slow breath and looked around, blown away by the sheer beauty of the space. At least the interior decorations were not as abysmal as the Queen Mother’s fashion taste.

I wandered into the adjoined bathroom and stared at my reflection in the massive arched mirror. The sight of myself in the burgundy curtain-dress made me groan aloud.

If tonight were my actual wedding night, I would be wearing a hot, scandalous set of lace lingerie—something with a snatched corset to push up my breasts, salaciously whispering, “I’m all yours, big daddy,” to the absolute love of my life. Sadly, I was stuck playing the boring, dutiful wife to my sister’s insufferable husband. This was such a horrible life decision.

My phone suddenly buzzed. I snatched it up—an incoming call from Livyana!

“Good gracious, Moon Goddess, finally!” I answered, dropping my voice to an urgent whisper. “What the hell, Livy?! I’ve been trying to call you for hours! I’m about to be taken to the abattoir to be slaughtered!”

“Slow down! Breathe, It’s Livia now,” Livyana’s voice came through the speaker, correcting me instantly. “Use my name! What if someone hears you calling me Livyana?!”

“Nobody is here,” I hissed. “Where have you been?!”

“I’m so sorry, my battery died and I just managed to find a charger,” she apologized hastily. “Wait, what do you mean slaughtered? What’s happening?”

“I am about to be served like a nicely prepared five-course dinner to the Alpha King, and I am completely freaking out!”

“Calm down,” Livyana soothed. “What is the villa like? Are you okay?”

The mention of the estate made me pause. I completely forgot about the impending doom of Alpha Tarian for a second, a grin breaking across my face.

“Girl... I am about to live the softest life imaginable for the next three months,” I gushed, leaning against the marble counter. “There is nothing but pure luxury here! I have an army of maids at my beck and call. Do you realize I won’t have to do a single house chore for ninety days? I’m so relieved!”

“What?” Livyana sounded bewildered. “You know I actually like doing chores, right?”

“Are you insane?” I laughed under my breath. “There is no damn way you’re asking me to sweep and mop in a mansion this big. Absolutely not.”

“Okay, okay, but you still have to help around you know” Livyana cut in, her tone turning gentle. “How is the Alpha? Is he treating you well?”

I smirked, my excitement evaporating as Tarian’s grumpy face flashed in my mind. “He is insufferable. You basically saw his countenance throughout the wedding. The man is a total bore.”

“Aww,” Livyana cooed. “He’s obviously just an introvert like me! It can’t be that bad.”

I was deeply tempted to whack her through the phone with a few spicy words, but I held back. In truth, life here was going to be incredibly easy—soft life only. I really didn’t mind playing placeholder for the next three months as long as I got to enjoy the absolute peak of royal luxury.

“Be careful so you don’t blow our cover,” Livyana warned softly. “And stop badmouthing my husband!”

“He is terrible inside and out, Livy,” I scoffed. “I wish I had a single positive thing to say about him, but I don’t.”

“But his mother told me—”

“She told you exactly what she wanted you to hear!” I interrupted. “It is painfully obvious the Alpha King is not interested in this marriage, but it’s already done.”

Knock, knock.

A sharp wrap on the lobby door signaled the end of my fifteen minutes.

“I have to go,” I whispered hastily into the mic. “Stay online on HiWolf messenger! I’ll be updating you on everything that happens.”

“Okay, be safe, I love—”

I hung up, slipped the phone into my dress pocket, and smoothed down my itchy dress. Opening the lobby door, I met Silvia’s anxious gaze and nodded.

“Time to go,” I said calmly, following behind her.