Chapter 59: Dangerous Deception
Chapter 59: Dangerous Deception
(Olivia’s POV)
My phone felt heavy in my hand as Matriarch Evelyn’s voice continued through the speaker.
“Alpha Blackwood is waiting for you downstairs, dear,” she said, her tone warm but leaving no room for argument. “A fine young Alpha from a respected bloodline. Tve arranged everything”
I closed my eyes, fighting the wave of frustration that threatened to overwhelm me “Grandmother, I appreciate your concern, but I’m not interested in dating right now”
“Nonsense,” she replied briskly. “You need protection, Olivia. Someone to stand against Ethan and that woman. Alpha Blackwood comes from a powerful family with connections throughout the Northern
Territories”
Her voice softened. “Give him a chance. For me.”
I sighed, knowing resistance was futile. The Matriarch rarely took no for an answer, especially when she believed she was acting in someone’s best interest.
“Fine,” I conceded reluctantly. “One dinner.”
“Excellent!” Her satisfaction was palpable even through the phone. “He’s waiting in the black Rolls–Royce Ghost at the main entrance. Don’t keep him waiting.”
After ending the call, I gathered my
belongings and headed for the elevator. My reflection in the polished doors showed a woman I barely recognized–thinner, more haunted, but somehow stronger than before. The emerald eyes staring back at me held a wariness that hadn’t been there before Lily’s death.
As the elevator descended, I straightened my posture. Whatever this dinner entailed, I would maintain my
dignity.
the glass The lobby was nearly empty as I crossed it, my heels clicking against the marble floor. Through doors, I could see several vehicles parked outside, including a sleek black Rolls–Royce Ghost that must belong to Alpha Blackwood.
But my attention was immediately captured by another vehicle–Ethan’s distinctive black Rolls–Royce parked prominently near the entrance. My steps faltered as I recognized it.
Why was he here? Had he come to continue our argument from this morning?
As I watched, Victoria Frost emerged from the building, her perfect makeup and designer clothes a stark contrast to my more modest appearance. Without hesitation, she walked directly to Ethan’s car and slipped
inside.
Even from this distance, I could see her lean across the seat and press her lips against Ethan’s in a lingering kiss. The sight sent a sharp pain through my chest despite everything that had happened between us
Several of my colleagues who were leaving for the day noticed the scene, their whispered comments carrying clearly in the quiet lobby.
“They don’t even try to hide it anymore.”
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Chapter 59 Dangerous De
“Poor Olivia. Everyone knows he’s with Victoria now.”
1 heard he locked her in a basement with rats. Can you imagine?”
I forced myself to keep walking, my chin held high despite the humiliation burning through me. Let them talk. Let them see Victoria kissing my mate while I was being set up with someone else. The truth of our broken relationship was becoming impossible to hide.
As I approached the entrance, a tall man stepped out of the black Rolls–Royce Ghost. Alpha Blackwood was undeniably handsome, with sharp features and an air of confidence that spoke of his status. His tailored suit probably cost more than my monthly salary, and his shoes gleamed in the late afternoon sunlight.
“Olivia Winters,” he greeted me with a respectful bow, his voice deep and cultured. “It’s an honor to meet you.
I’m Miles Blackwood.”
I nodded politely, acutely aware of Ethan’s gaze burning into my back from his car, Without turning. I knew he was watching my every
move.
“Alpha Blackwood,” I replied, keeping my voice neutral. “Thank you for the invitation.”
He opened the passenger door for me with a flourish. “Please, call me Miles.”
As I prepared to enter his car, my phone buzzed with a text message. I glanced at it briefly.
Ethan: Get out of the car.
The commanding tone of the message made my blood boil. After everything he’d done–after id just witnessed him with Victoria–he had the audacity to order me around?
I deliberately slipped my phone back into my purse without responding, my chin lifting slightly in defiance. Let him watch as I got into another man’s car. Let him feel a fraction of what I’d been feeling for years.
Miles closed the door behind me and walked around to the driver’s side. Through the window, I caught a glimpse of Ethan’s face, dark with barely controlled rage. Victoria was speaking to him, her expression one of feigned innocence as she pretended not to understand what had upset him.
As Miles’s car pulled away from the curb, I kept my gaze fixed straight ahead, refusing to look back at my mate and the woman he clearly preferred over me.
“I understand this arrangement came as a surprise,” Miles said once we were on the main road, his eyes briefly meeting mine in the rearview mirror. “Matriarch Evelyn can be quite… determined when she sets her
mind to something.”
I appreciated his directness. “Alpha Blackwood–Miles–I should be clear from the start. I’m not interested in pursuing a relationship right now.”
Instead of being offended, he nodded understandingly. “I suspected as much. The Matriarch mentioned your situation is… complicated.”
His tactful reference to my disastrous marriage made me relax slightly. At least he wasn’t delusional about
our circumstances.
“However,” he continued smoothly, “I think we should still have dinner together. It would please the Matriarch, and appearances matter in our world.”
His logic was sound. Refusing the dinner now would only lead to more questions and potentially upset
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Matriarch Evelyn, who had been my strongest ally recently.
“That seems reasonable,” I conceded. “One dinner to maintain appearances.”
Miles smiled, revealing perfect teeth. “Excellent. I’ve made reservations at the Moonstone Dining Hall. I hope that’s acceptable?”
The Moonstone Dining Hall was one of the most prestigious restaurants in Silvercrest territory, frequented by the pack’s elite. The choice was strategic–visible enough to be noticed, but not so public that it would cause
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“That’s fine,” I replied, settling back into the luxurious leather seat.
At the restaurant, Miles behaved impeccably. He held doors open, pulled out my chair, and engaged in pleasant conversation about neutral topics. If I hadn’t been so preoccupied with my complicated life, I might have found him charming
“Wine?” he offered, signaling the waiter.
“No, thank you,” I declined. “I don’t drink alcohol.”
Not since Lily’s death. The memory of my daughter made my chest tighten painfully.
“Of course,” Miles nodded, ordering venison for both of us. “Perhaps some moonberry tea instead? It’s their specialty.”
“That would be nice,” I agreed, grateful for his understanding.
The waiter returned promptly with Miles’s wine and a steaming cup of fragrant tea for me. The rich, berry aroma was comforting, and I took a grateful sip.
As our meal progressed, I began feeling increasingly strange. My vision blurred slightly around the edges, and sounds seemed to come from farther away than they should. My limbs felt heavy, unresponsive.
With growing horror, I realized what was happening. The tea had been drugged.
I tried to focus on Miles’s face across the table, but his features seemed to shift and waver. The pleasant expression he’d maintained all evening was transforming before my eyes, revealing something predatory and calculating.
“Not feeling well, Olivia?” he asked, his voice no longer cultured but cold and mocking. “The tea should be taking full effect soon,”
He moved from his seat to the one beside me, sliding closer until his thigh pressed against mine. His hand reached for my arm, his fingers digging in painfully.
“Matriarch Evelyn isn’t the only one who arranged our meeting, he whispered, his breath hot against my ear. “There are others who would pay handsomely to have the Luna of Silvercrest Pack in a… compromising
position.”
My mind raced despite the fog of sedatives. Who would want to harm me this way? Victoria? Ethan himself? Or was this part of some larger pack politics I didn’t understand?
Miles’s hand moved to my thigh, squeezing painfully. “Don’t fight it, Olivia. Just let the sedative work. It will be easier for both of us.”
Panic surged through me, temporarily cutting through the drug’s effects. I wasn’t going to become a victim
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again. Not after everything I’d survived.
With every ounce of strength I could muster, I grabbed the silver–plated steak knife from the table and slashed wildly at his reaching arm. The blade connected, drawing a line of red across his skin.
Miles howled in pain, the silver causing his werewolf healing to slow. The momentary distraction was all I
needed
I lurched to my feet, knocking over my chair in the process. The room spun alarmingly, but I forced myself to move toward the door, my legs threatening to buckle with each step.
mel
“Help” I called out, my voice rising in desperate panic that echoed through the dining hall. “Someone help
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