Chapter 0004

Olivia

“You look exquisite, love.” I turned to find Arthur standing at my bedroom door with a smile on his face.

“Why, thank you, Alpha Walters, but I think it’s rude to appear in a lady’s room without knocking.” I replied, trying to hide the smile forming on my face.

“Where are my manners? I apologise, I am a bit rusty these days, princess.” He said, taking a dramatic bow, and I couldn’t stop myself from chuckling at our playful banter. Oh Goddess! It feels so good to be back home.

“It’s so good to have you back, Olivia.” Arthur smiled. His voice was soft and his eyes sparkled with happiness.

“It’s honestly good to be back, Arthur. I cannot begin to explain how much I missed you and dad.” I smiled back at him. His eyes showed a conflicting emotion, and it was gone before I could make sense of what was going through his mind. It was as though he wanted to say something, but he stopped himself.

“Is everything alright?” I asked, concerned, but he just waved it off.

“Did I tell you how gorgeous you look?” He questioned, trying to change the subject. I decided to let it go because I knew he would tell me when he was ready.

“Maybe once or twice.” I chuckled, and he laughed with me in response. “You look very handsome too, and hey, we match.” I added, and he smirked playfully.

“Good thing I decided to wear my blue suit.” He replied, and I smiled, shaking my head, knowing he was already aware of the colour of my dress.

“Are you ready?” He asked, and I nervously rubbed my hands on the beautiful blue gown I was wearing.

“As ready as I can be.” I replied, taking a deep breath to calm my nerves.

“I will be with you every step of the way, my princess.” Arthur said, giving my shoulder a comforting squeeze. “Let’s get this party started.” He said, with a wide smile playing on his lips. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.” He whispered, walking out of my room. I turned to take one last look at myself, trying to calm my nerves before making my way to the ballroom.

Standing near the stairs, I could feel my anxiety kick in at the thought of being amongst so many people. The ballroom was filled with werewolf packs from all around the country. Knowing I have to be facing all of them was nerve-racking.

Though I was a Lycan Princess, I was not officially introduced, so no one knew me. Dad thought it was better to keep my identity hidden for the sake of my security, especially after mom’s death. It was difficult to blindly trust each other in our world. Mostly because there are countless power-hungry people out there who want to take over the throne.

‘It’ll be alright Olivia.’ I heard the gentle whisper of my Lycan, Eira. ‘Olivia comes to you from your name. You’re born with it. Just be yourself and you’ll be fine. I am here with you.’ Her words of reassurance made me feel at ease.

Taking a deep breath, I walked down the stairs and suddenly everything went silent. I could feel their eyes on me and being used to the attention only made me feel more anxious. Though finding Arthur at the end of the stairs was a massive relief, knowing I would not be here on my own.

Trying my best to ignore the stares, I continued to walk down the stairs with a smile on my face. Half way through my eyes found Marcus in the crowd with his arm wrapped around Emma. Seeing him here, I realised I felt nothing other than anger for him.

He immediately let go of Emma, looking at me somewhat mesmerised. I couldn’t help but scoff internally. It was so easy to get his attention with just outer beauty. He didn’t care about how the person actually was on the inside.

Resisting the urge to roll my eyes, I turned my attention to Arthur, who was looking at me with a gentle smile on his face. I smiled back in response and when I reached the bottom of the stairs; he extended his hand. Smiling, I placed my hand on his and he placed a kiss on my knuckles before wrapping his arm around my waist.

“You look gorgeous, love.” Arthur complimented me once again, and I smiled at him appreciatively. He then turned to face the crowd. “Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to my beautiful girlfriend, Olivia.” He announced, and the crowd erupted in whispers. I could see the confusion cloud on Marcus’s face, but he clearly didn’t recognise me still.

“She’s the Alpha King’s girlfriend. Is she his mate, too?” One of the women whispered.

“She’s so gorgeous. Why didn’t I find her first?” I heard one of the men say, and Arthur’s hold on me tightened. I smiled at how protective he was of me.

“She is such a beauty and so Oliviaful. Definitely fit to be our Queen.” Another said.

“Look at her dress. It’s so pretty. She looks like a princess from a fairytale.” I couldn’t stop myself from giggling softly at that comment. I mean, I know I look alright, but I think they are just exaggerating.

“You look absolutely stunning, Miss Olivia.” After a round of introductions and greetings to the visiting Alphas and Lunas, I was currently stuck with this unmated Alpha from the neighbouring pack. I had to fight the urge to roll my eyes at the flirty looks he was giving me.

“She is, isn’t she?” Arthur said in a deep, cold voice, wrapping his arm around me. The Alpha in front of me paled, looking at him and took a step back.

“Alpha Arthur, I was here to just say my greetings.” He gulped. “It was nice meeting you, Miss Olivia. Please excuse me.” He said, already walking away from us.

“Was that really necessary?” I chuckled, shaking my head. It was funny how Arthur could scare away an Alpha from a well-known pack.

“How else would people believe you’re the Alpha King’s girlfriend? The Alphas are supposed to be possessive of their girlfriends, mates and wives.” He smirked, making me roll my eyes at him. “Besides, everyone has been talking about how beautiful, smart and intelligent you are; not only the Alphas, even the Lunas and the elders are impressed with you and many are envious that I have you.” He added.

“I know. They aren’t actually subtle about it.” I sighed. All I have heard since I have been introduced are the whispers amongst wolves. They should know their conversation is being heard because come on, we all have supernatural hearing.

“My mate won’t stop talking about her. Everyone is so mesmerised by her beauty and intelligence.” Arthur and I chuckled at the whisper.

“I think they are jealous.” He whispered in my ears.

“I am so jealous. I wish my mate would talk about me like that. He looked so wishful.” As if hearing Arthur’s words, another added with a sad frown.

“But you must admit, she really is beautiful and smart. Fit to be a queen. If she is mated to the Alpha King, then we won’t have to worry about our mates. It’s a win-win for us.” I bit my lip to stop myself from laughing out loud. I know they are worried, but they shouldn’t be.

Their mates might talk about me, but that means nothing because they still have a bond with them. None of the mated males have tried to hit on me. They did compliment me way too much, but it was clear that they loved their mates a lot. It was another reminder of my unfaithful mate.

As soon as the thought passed through my head, I saw him trying to make conversations with the other visiting Alphas. He was not at least a bit fazed by the fact that his mate rejected him, but the bastard still hadn’t accepted my rejection. Just the sight of him made me want to hurl.

It was clear that not many Alphas wanted to talk to him. He is the Alpha of one of the smallest packs in the country, and a very few people knew him. I now know what Arthur meant when he said Marcus didn’t have a good reputation around.

“Are you alright, love?” Arthur asked, pulling me out of my thoughts as he looked at me with concern. I smiled at him reassuringly.

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?” I replied confidently. It was true. I really wasn’t bothered by the fact that Marcus was here with Emma. The only thing I was bothered about was him not accepting my rejection. I wanted to break every last thread of bond I shared with him.

“Do you want to go say hi?” Arthur asked with a smirk.

“Now is not the time. Why don’t you go talk to the Alphas? I will be fine here.” I said, already pushing him to go.

“Alright, alright, I am going.” He sighed in defeat. “I am over there. Just call me when you need me, okay?” He said, kissing my forehead and walking away.

I spent the next few minutes talking to the visiting Lunas and getting to know them. A few minutes later, I felt eyes on me and I turned to find Marcus looking at me. Emma was clinging to him, glaring daggers at me. She didn’t like me, and looking at their expressions, they still didn’t recognise me.

I am really grateful that I have the ability to mask not only my royal aura, but also my scent. I couldn’t help but smirk internally. I am sure they could never realise who I was. They would never expect a nobody who they can walk all over to be present in a Lycan King’s party.

However, as time passed, I was getting uncomfortable with Marcus’s gaze. It was an irony that he was mesmerised by my beauty now. I can’t believe what a mate bond can do to you. I was so affected by the mate bond that I couldn’t see what kind of person Marcus really was. How did I end up being mates with him? How could the Moon Goddess have paired me with a man like Marcus? It was ridiculous how a simple mate bond can make you irrational.

‘Are you ready, sweetheart?’ I heard dad’s voice in my head.

‘I am,’ I replied with confidence and determination, trying to keep my anxiety aside.

He smiled, a proud look marring his face before he excused himself from the group making his way towards the makeshift stage. That seemed to have caught everyone’s attention and people started gathering around, ready to hear what the Lycan King had to say.

“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.” Dad cleared his throat and started. His loud voice boomed throughout the entire ballroom. “I am really grateful to have you all present here today. It’s now time for me to announce my successor and satisfy your curiosity.” There were a few chuckles heard from the old Alphas present at his words.

“I would like for all of you to meet my daughter, and the next in line to be the Lycan Queen. I present to you Princess Olivia Evans, my beloved daughter, my successor to the throne.” He announced with a proud smile on his face.

I slowly made my way up to the makeshift stage. Dad extended his hand to help me up, and I could already see a few shocked faces in the audience. Two in particular I was interested in. I couldn’t help but smirk as realisation dawned on their faces.

Marcus’s eyes were as wide as saucers. His face morphed from shocked to happy. I could only imagine what was going through his mind. He looked as if he had won a lottery. A look of arrogance took over his features as he looked at the other attending Alphas in mockery.

I was surrounded by people coming to talk to me and congratulate me on being announced the next in line Queen. Some Lunas thought it was cool that I will be both a Lycan Queen and the Luna Queen. Their words certainly brought back the unsettling feeling from earlier.

I took a deep breath and shook the thoughts away. My eyes found Arthur’s, and he was looking at me with a serious expression on his face, as if trying to figure out what I was thinking. I looked away from his intense stare and excused myself from the group of women that surrounded me. Just when I was trying to get away, I heard a voice calling me.

“Olivia, baby, here you are. I was wondering when you were going to come back to me. You left me alone at the party.” I heard Marcus say, and all I wanted to do was throw up. I turned to find him walking in my direction. He had probably abandoned Emma, but she was still following him like a lost puppy.