OLIVIA’S POV
The moment I stepped into the banquet hall with James on my arm, I felt it.
The whispers.
The hush that rippled through the crowd.
Dozens of eyes slid in our direction, and then the murmuring began like a poisonous wind snaking its way through a garden of
wolves.
“Isn’t that Olivia? I thought she was hiding in shame somewhere…”
“Doesn’t she know she is losing her Luna title?”
“She still has the audacity to show her face here? Shameless…”
“She’s just clinging to the Beta’s family now. Pathetic.”
“What else can she do now? She has no leg to stand on, so she is using her family.”
Each word pricked at the fragile parts of my heart like tiny needles. In the past, I would’ve flinched. I would’ve lowered my gaze and pretended I didn’t hear a thing. But not anymore. Not after everything I had endured. Not after deciding I would leave this place behind one day–with my child, my dignity, and nothing else. I didn’t care about their words or their judgements, so I tuned them out.
I raised my chin, letting the whispers wash over me without blinking. They couldn’t touch me anymore.
James leaned in, sensing the tension radiating from me. “Ignore them,” he said calmly, squeezing my hand. “Lowborn minds will always chatter. Their bark is worse than their bite.”
I smirked. “Let them talk. I’ve endured far worse than petty gossip. And I don’t need to walk on eggshells anymore. These people are cowards–only brave enough to whisper behind others‘ backs.”
That must’ve been louder than I thought, because suddenly, the murmuring died down. Eyes darted away. Some looked away in guilt. Some in shock. I even caught a glimpse of Luna Marsha from Frostfall Pack pretending to sip her wine a little too quickly.
And then I felt it–that familiar weight of a stare pressing down on me.
Dominic.
I didn’t even have to turn to know his eyes were on me. Watching me. Probably with that unreadable expression he wore so well.
But I didn’t care. So what if he was watching me now?
He didn’t own me anymore. Not my body, not my choices, and certainly not my presence.
James suddenly turned to me. “I have to go greet someone. My friend’s arrived. Can I leave you for a moment?”
“Of course,” I said, giving him a nod. “Take your time.”
He smiled and gently brushed a hand over my arm before stepping away into the crowd.
As I wandered toward the refreshment table, I felt a ripple of unease. Someone was approaching and I didn’t need to guess who.
“Olivia.”
I turned.
Chapter 42 CLASH OF LUNAS
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Evelyn.
Of course.
She looked… smug. And she had every reason to be, considering she was wearing the exact same dress as me.
My mouth twitched.
Of all the dresses.
She stood beside me as if she hadn’t just committed one of the most childish, passive–aggressive moves known to she–wolves.
Wearing the exact same dress as me.
It wasn’t just similar in color or style–it was an exact replica. The same neckline. The same embroidery. The same trailing silk at the back. Except hers didn’t hug a round, growing belly. Because it wasn’t meant to.
I should’ve been angry. Humiliated, even. But I wasn’t.
I was… amused.
Evelyn tilted her head, her voice laced with honeyed malice. “Oh, what a coincidence! We’re wearing the same dress.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t even flinch.
She didn’t deserve a reaction.
Noticing my silence, she pressed further, her eyes scanning my figure. “Yours looks a bit tight around the waist, though, doesn’t it?” Her gaze dropped to my belly, then flicked back to my face. “I suppose that’s the downside of… pregnancy.”
I finally smiled, cool and sharp as frost. “No, no. It’s actually the plus side. But you wouldn’t understand.” I turned slightly, letting the soft silk sway with my movement. “After all, your version doesn’t look quite so… functional.”
Her lips parted for a retort, but before she could get a word out, a high–pitched voice cut through the air like a polished dagger.
“Well, well, isn’t this charming.”
I didn’t even need to turn to know who it was.
Luna Sarah of the Moon River Pack–her reputation for stirring drama preceded her. She approached with the grace of a queen and the venom of a snake. Her eyes sparkled with amusement–amusement that clearly came at my expense.
“Evelyn, darling,” she said, leaning in to place a kiss on Evelyn’s cheek, “you’re positively glowing tonight. That Luna glow suits you.” Then she turned her gaze toward me, and her lips curled into something that couldn’t quite be called a smile.
“Oh–and Olivia. I didn’t expect to see you here. I thought you’d have more… shame.”
I raised an eyebrow, blinking slowly. “Shame? But why?”
Sarah blinked in surprise at my nonchalance. “I mean… you just lost your title. You know what I mean, right? Most women would step back gracefully after such a… humiliating fall.”
I let out a laugh–short and genuine. The sound startled both her and Evelyn.
“Lost my title?” I repeated, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “I think you’re mistaken I haven’t signed anything yet, nor has the Alpha officially stripped me of my role. So I suppose… I’m still Luna” I let my smile grow. “Are you sure it’s me who should be
ashamed?”
Sarah’s lips thinned, but she maintained her poise.
“I just thought you’d… understand the importance of stepping aside. Instead of clinging to the attention of others.”
Chapter 42 CLASH OF LUNAS
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“Interesting,” I said, glancing around the room. “Because from what I can tell… I’m the one being watched. Not the one gasping for attention.”
Sarah’s painted smile faltered.
Then she reached for the one thing she thought would rattle me–my dress.
“Oh dear,” she said, with a fake gasp. “You… copied Evelyn’s gown?”
I tilted my head and let out a soft, almost pitying laugh. “This dress?” I ran my hand down the fitted silk. “This gown was custom–designed by a boutique specializing in maternity wear. Special seams, reinforced panels for support, and breathable fabric–all to keep both the mother and pup comfortable.”
I took a step closer, lowering my voice just enough to be sharp but polite.
“So unless Evelyn’s hiding something…” I let the implication hang in the air. “You tell me who copied who?”
Evelyn stiffened. Sarah blinked. The tension around us grew thick and suffocating.
“I’d be careful, Luna Sarah,” I said softly, “about jumping to conclusions in a room full of leaders. Especially when you’re trying to embarrass someone who still holds the Luna title of this pack.”
I gave them both a pleasant smile, turned, and walked away–my heels clicking confidently against the polished marble floor.
And behind me, the whispers shifted.
Not the whispers of shame or scorn this time.
That little taste of victory? It was divine.
When James returned, he looked at me with a wide smile.
“You’re glowing,” he said, looping my arm through his. “That’s what happens when you stop dimming your light for people who never deserved your warmth.”
I couldn’t help the soft laugh that bubbled up. “Thanks. You’re still the best brother I could’ve asked for.”
“Damn right I am,” he said proudly. “Now… ready to meet someone?”
I blinked. “Wait, you’re actually going to-”
He gently guided me toward a tall man standing by the side wall. The crowd seemed to part for him. His posture screamed power, but his gaze was calm. Observant. Intelligent. His suit was sharp, his dark hair neatly slicked back. He turned as we approached, his eyes meeting mine–piercing gray, stormy and commanding, but oddly warm.
“Olivia,” James said with a grin. “Meet Derek. Alpha of the Silver Shadow Pack.”
I opened my mouth, but no sound came out.
Derek gave me a small, knowing smile. “Long time no see.”
Long time?
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
