Olivia’s POV
I woke up full of energy. I had waited the entire week, and today was finally the day that I was starting college.
I finally settled on the simple dress and twirled in the mirror to check it out one final time. It was perfect.
I grabbed my bag and headed downstairs to the dining table. I saw Nicole sitting down, all by herself, probably waiting for Andre.
“I suppose that you are starting school today,” she said flatly. “You had better behave yourself in school. The last thing I need is for you to do something embarrassing and shame this family. Remember that you are the daughter of the Luna, and all eyes will be on you, and I will not have an ungrateful brat like you soil my reputation.”
I rolled my eyes and took a seat at the table.
“Well, guess what? I do not plan on telling anybody that you are my mother. It would give me a bad reputation anyway. I have no intention of being associated with a gold-digging mother.”
Nicole glared at me angrily and slammed the table.
“You ungrateful brat! You should thank your lucky stars that you are still living in this house, and I have not had you kicked out yet. Everything that you are enjoying here today is because of me. You should be on your knees, grovelling, thanking me because you deserve none of this, and yes, you have it.”
I rolled my eyes again and scoffed.
“Oh please, save me the unnecessary speech. Keep it for when you win a Grammy or something. I was doing just fine in my old pack. Dad and I were getting on just fine without you.”
“How dare you?! I will…”
At that moment, Andre walked in. Nicole immediately kept quiet, jumped to her feet, and began to rearrange her appearance. I looked at her and shook my head in pity.
She was pathetic.
“Alpha Andre, good morning, you’re here. It is so nice of you to join us here this morning.”
However, he walked right by her without batting an eyelid and turned to me.
“Olivia, Pierre told me that you are resuming school today. I hope you’re excited.”
I smiled gently and nodded.
“Yes. I really can’t wait.”
Andre nodded calmly.
“Well, I am glad to hear that.”
He looked at his watch and turned back to me.
“I am running a bit late for a meeting, but I wouldn’t mind dropping you off on my way to the meeting. Finish your breakfast and meet me in the car.”
I saw my mother’s anxious look as she quickly readjusted her hair and dress, then beamed politely at Andre.
“My Alpha, if you are running late for a meeting, I believe that you should go. I am sure Olivia can get to school on her own. Plus, I believe that you dropping her off at school would attract unnecessary attention to her, and I don’t think that she needs that on her first day of school.”
I looked at my mother in shock. What was her problem?
“Well, Nicole, I don’t think Olivia needs me dropping her off to draw people’s attention. She does that already by just being herself.”
I felt my cheeks flush, and when I turned to my mother, she pursed her lips angrily together.
She shook her surprise off her face and turned to him again. Her persistence was worthy of a nomination, and it stunned me.
“Well, in that case,” she said lightly. “How about we all go together? We would look like one big happy family.”
She smiled at Andre, but he rolled his eyes in annoyance.
“If I remember correctly, didn’t the council ask you to make a report on the situation at the south-side border? Also, you have yet to give me a report on the progress of the construction of the new hotel on the west side of the pack.”
I couldn’t help it anymore, and the giggle that I had been stifling slipped out. Nicole stared daggers at me.
“What insolence! How dare…”
Immediately, Pierre cut her off as he walked into the room.
“I am very sorry to barge in on this lovely breakfast, but Alpha, the car is ready to go, and we are almost late for your 10:00 a. m. meeting. We really can’t afford to miss it.”
My mother kept shut immediately and slinked away.
“I will get started on that report,” she said meekly, storming out of the room.
I hurriedly rushed my food, and in a few minutes, I was done. I followed Andre and Pierre downstairs to the car, and when we got to the parking lot, I noticed that they were both heading to different cars.
Instinctively, I followed Andre to the car that he was getting and stood outside the door, a little confused.
“Isn’t this a little weird? Why are we in different cars? I thought that Pierre was going to drive.”
He flashed a smile at me, and I felt a lump in my throat.
“Is wanting to be alone with my mate weird?”
I opened my mouth to say something, but it clamped shut immediately. Andre always had this way of getting me all worked up.
I shook my head and got into the car with him.