Chapter 5.

OLIVIA

A loud gasp echoed over my shoulder. Widened eyes stared at me when I turned, and the older gentleman was looking around as though to catch someone he could snitch to as he clutched his damn pearls. What a child.

Nathaniel shot his hand out, resting it on the man’s chest.

”Just a joke,” he turned to me. ”Isn’t that right, Olivia?”

If I were killed here tonight for offending the man-child Alpha, my mother would stand no chance. She would be next, pay the price for my thoughtless actions.

”Of course,” I said, quite believably, if I may say so.

The older man hurried away with his date, but not before drilling a hole into my head with his piercing gaze.

Looking around the room, I caught Charity’s glance, wary as she tried to make conversation with the man in front of her. Fuck…

”Natha-”

”You hate me,” Nathaniel turned, leaning over me as the tabletop pressed into my back. ”Why?”

Huh?

Did he seriously ask that?

It was clear that the Lockhearts had no remorse or any shred of humanity, but at the very least, I thought they would have a few more brain cells.

”Tell me about yourself,” I said when I felt the heated glances from those around us. There were eyes and ears everywhere. One slip-up would cost me my life.

”I’m a monster,” stating the obvious, I see.

Just as he parted his lips to say another word, someone else came up to our table.

”I believe it’s my turn with the lady. I’ve heard far too many lovely things about Olivia Sav not to make an appearance.” Somewhat shorter than the others, this one had a smile that softened the waves crashing inside of me.

With hair the color of sand, it fell in front of his eyes— curly and thick.

”It’s a pleasure to meet you,” I said through a smile.

Looking past him as we shook hands, Charity raised her glass in a salute, sending me a wink as she stood by her empty table. She sent me her suitor.

Nathaniel didn’t make a motion to leave us, but as luck would have it, a pair of crystal blue eyes looked up at him, a hand on his shoulder, eyelashes batting behind the mask.

”May I have a moment, Alpha Lockheart?” a warm, sweet voice. Even I almost melted.

Turning with a proud grin, Nathaniel averted his attention from me to her. Had I not had any self-restraint; I would’ve kissed her.

The man in front of me introduced himself as Olaf, a prestigious doctor. I recognized his name, but I couldn’t put my finger on it.

”It’s killing me, not seeing you without the mask. Judging by your eyes, you’re breathtaking.” Oh, stop it, you. All these compliments were inflating my ego, kickstarting my heart in a way that had never happened before this ball.

Champagne flowed, glasses raised, and loud laughs filled the many conversations.

”Ladies and gentlemen, and of course our Red Sparrows, may I have your attention, please!” Lady Lockheart stood tall, straight as a tree, as though she had a stick tied along her spine, clutching her fingers softly around the crystal glass in her hands.

Behind her, an elder stood with a gavel-looking thing in his hand. After the passing silence, three loud gongs rang out over their heads.

”It is now time to make a choice that might lead to forever happiness,” she said.

One after the other, the males were asked to approach the one they wished to wed. One after the other, the girls squealed in joy. The sixth girl got no offers; my heart broke for her at first. But then a bloke in the back stepped forth, hand slightly shaking, sweat forming on his temples when he trapsed up to her.

The girl was shaking like a leaf, but when asked the question, she fell into his arms. Soft. Loving. They smiled.

That’s what it should be like.

”Now, this one is special to me, as I’m sure you can all understand,” I gulped, dreading the next words about to be spoken. ”Nathaniel Lockheart, son, who will be the woman leading alongside you? Who will be the Luna of the country's largest pack and cherished addition to our family?”