Olivia’s POV
I walked into the living room and was uneasy as the eyes followed my every move.
“… She is so beautiful.”
“I love her dress.”
“She has lovely eyes.”
The comments were wonderful and uplifting, but I wouldn’t say I liked all the eyes staring at me. It especially made my plans crumble. How would I look, telling all these people that I was Andre’s mate when my mother had all introduced me to them as her daughter and, hence, Andre’s stepdaughter?
I immediately began to have cold feet. None of this was what I had in mind. It was all ruined.
My mother took me by the arms, and we walked around the room, greeting guests. My cheeks hurt terribly from keeping a fake smile when there was nothing to smile about.
I met many of her friends and a few council members, and they talked about how beautiful I looked and how lucky Andre was to have me as his stepdaughter.
I managed to slip my arm out of my mother’s while she was conversing about something unrelated to the business and disappeared into the crowd.
“I have to get away from… Ouch!”
I bumped into someone, and I looked and saw that it was Jaxon.
He smiled at me warmly, and I smiled back at him.
“What are you doing here?” I asked, apparently surprised.
“Well, my dad is on the council and insisted that I accompany him tonight. I’m not a big fan of parties, but what can I do.”
I giggled, and he winked at me.
“Now, what exactly are you doing, creeping around all stealthy like a ninja.”
I groaned and threw my head back.
“Was it that obvious?” I asked, quite embarrassed.
“You tell me. You are in a bright red dress. I could spot you a mile away.”
My cheeks went red, and he laughed lightly. I didn’t want to be here, but at least I had a friend to talk to.
“I have a question. Hope you don’t mind.”
“Sure. Ask away,” I said as I took a drink from a tray a waiter passed me.
“You look nothing like your mother. I don’t know what everyone else sees, but it is quite obvious.”
I blushed. It was true, but I didn’t mind. Why on earth would I want to look like her? I would kill myself for having to stare in the mirror.
“I looked more like my dad,” I said lightly. That was a lie. I looked nothing like my parents, but my dad has always insisted that I was a complete copy of his late sister.
“Good point.”
He took a sip of his drink, and we continued to talk.
Soon, I heard voices begin to hush, and I saw Andre take centre stage.
“Oh no.”
I couldn’t let him see me. My plans were all messed up.
I downed the contents of my drink, and when Jaxon wasn’t looking, I slipped away and went outside.
I ran as fast as possible in my tight-fitting dress, and soon, I was well away from the mansion.
I looked up at the sky and saw the moon shining brightly. I closed my eyes and took in a deep breath. The crispy evening air filled my lungs, and suddenly, a loud howl pierced the night. I felt my heart skip several beats. I couldn’t see who it was but knew it was Andre’s howl.
I felt my eyes cloud up with tears. His howl was beautiful.
It was deep and resonant, and it felt like he was calling out to me, but I couldn’t go to him.
A lighter howl pierced the big sky, and I knew it was Nicole’s. But it didn’t mask the effect of Andre’s howl on me.
My mate was calling out to me, but I couldn’t go to him. I couldn’t tell him that I wanted to be his forever, all because of my stupid mother.
I looked to the moon and felt its light strengthen me. My body began to twitch, and I felt my wolf burst forth.
My fur began to glow as it was filled with the moon’s light, and my paws felt the softness of the grass. My white fur whipped in the wind, and I stood majestically in the moon’s tender beam.
I turned back and glanced at the mansion before I began to venture deeper into the forest.
The moon guided me, and I followed its light to a rocky ledge.
I climbed it, raised my head once more, and felt my lungs filling with air.
“Hooooowwwwwwlllllll!”
My voice filled the night, and it was a howl of sadness. I couldn’t be with the one that my heart wanted.
I howled again, and finally, I stopped. The moon disappeared behind the clouds, and I returned to my human form.
I sat on the rock, and a tear rolled down my face. What had my mother done. She had destroyed my chances of being with my mate. My heart was heavy, and I was wondering if maybe it was best that I let go of him. Perhaps it was best that I leave him.
I closed my eyes, and my mind was suddenly filled with Andre. All the times he had made me blush and kissed me and made me feel unfathomable pleasure rolled by in my mind’s eye. I had grown to love him. He was my mate; I couldn’t just leave him. He was the one that the Moon Goddess gave me.
I had tried to push him away before, but it only hurt me as well as it hurt him.
I put my clothes back on, grabbed my things, and headed inside. I stood at the door and spied the hall. The hall was quieter, and it seemed that everyone had gone home.
Before I could take another step, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket.
I took it out and saw a text message from a hidden number on the screen.
“I know what you are doing, vixen.”