She hesitated, then laughed under her breath, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
"There’s a party tonight," she admitted. "Calvin and I are going. Just sothing small—music, people, laughter. A chance to breathe again."
I stared at her.
"A party?"
"Yes," she said gently. "You’ve been drowning in pain for too long, Olivia. You need one night where you don’t think about your mates... or the bond... or the break. Just one night where you feel like yourself again."
I looked down at my hands.
"I don’t know if I’m in the mood to smile."
"You don’t have to," she said softly. "Just co. Let the noise and the lights and the people remind you that the world is bigger than heartbreak."
Her eyes t mine.
"Co with us."
For the first ti since I arrived, sothing inside shifted.
Maybe... just maybe... one night away from the pain wouldn’t hurt.
"Okay," I whispered.
Nora smiled wider.
"Good. I’ll help you get ready."
Nora clapped her hands softly. "Alright. Let’s get you ready."
She pulled to my feet, led to her room, and opened the wardrobe. Dresses, shoes, and jewelry filled the space. For a mont, I just stood there, staring.
"I don’t even know what to wear," I murmured.
Nora laughed gently. "That’s why I’m here."
She chose a simple but elegant dress that hugged just right—not too bold, not too dull. She helped fix my hair, added a little makeup, and when she was done, she stepped back and smiled.
"There," she said softly. "You still look like you."
I looked at my reflection.
Tired eyes.
A sad heart.
But still... .
Calvin knocked softly and peeked into the room.
"You ladies ready?"
Nora grabbed her purse from the table, smiling as she turned to .
"We are."
We stepped out together, and as we walked toward the door, sothing in my chest shifted.
For the first ti in hours—maybe even days—I felt a tiny bit lighter. Not healed. Not okay. But... not drowning either.
Calvin slipped his arm around Nora’s waist, pulling her close as they walked. He whispered sothing to her that made her laugh, and she playfully nudged him with her elbow. Their easy warmth, their quiet teasing, their natural closeness—it all felt so real.
They didn’t look broken.
They didn’t look afraid of losing each other.
They looked like two people who knew exactly where they belonged.
I watched them from a step behind, my heart tightening.
I missed that.
I missed waking up beside soone who felt like ho.
I missed laughing without forcing it.
I missed feeling safe in love instead of scared of it.
For a mont, I imagined the triplets walking beside , their hands in mine, the way it used to be. The way it was supposed to be.
The thought hurt.
So I looked away and kept walking, telling myself this night wasn’t about what I lost...
It was about rembering how to breathe.
When we arrived, the villa was huge and glowing with lights. Music drifted through the warm night air, and laughter filled the garden. People were everywhere—dressed well, smiling, dancing.
The mont I stepped inside, heads turned.
Whispers followed.
"Is that her?"
"Luna Olivia..."
I blinked. I hadn’t realized so many people knew .
So smiled. So bowed their heads slightly. Others just stared.
It felt strange... but not in a bad way.
The music was soft and slow, and I let myself enjoy it. I talked a little. I laughed a little. For a short while, the pain in my chest faded.
Then soone stepped in front of .
"May I?" he asked, holding out his hand. "Would you like to dance?"
He was tall, with calm eyes and a warm smile. Not too bold. Not too shy.
I hesitated... then slowly took his hand.
As we moved onto the dance floor, he led gently, not pushing, not pulling—just letting follow the rhythm.
"You’re marked," he said quietly, looking at my neck. "Not just one mark... but two."
My breath caught.
I swallowed hard. "I don’t want to talk about it."
He nodded right away. "That’s okay."
Sothing about that made relax.
We kept dancing. His presence was calm. Easy. No pressure. No questions.
When the song ended, he smiled.
"I’m Adrian," he said. "Alpha King of the Westlands."
My eyes widened slightly. "Oh."
He chuckled softly. "I’m also a widower. I have a daughter. She’s six."
"That’s... nice," I said.
He looked at my hand, then back at . "I think I might have a chance with you."
I blinked. "What?"
He smiled gently. "You’re not wearing a ring. That ans you are still single."
My wolf growled inside , sharp and protective, angry at his words.
I let out a small, uneasy laugh and slowly pulled my hand back from his.
"I’m not available," I said gently but firmly.
Adrian’s lips curved into a slow smile. "Until you wear a ring," he replied, "I won’t back off."
I scoffed softly. "You’re bold."
"I’m honest," he corrected.
"I’m Luna Olivia," I said, lifting my chin. "I carry a Luna title. That ans I belong to a pack. I’m not free the way you think."
He studied for a mont, then shook his head.
"So long as you’re not married," he said calmly, "I still have a chance."
I blinked at him. "You like already?"
"Yes," he answered without hesitation. "I do."
That made my wolf snarl again, low and unhappy.
I rolled my eyes and stepped away from him. "You’re unbelievable."
I walked straight back to Nora, who was sipping a drink and watching the dance floor.
"What’s wrong?" she asked when she saw my face.
"Nothing," I muttered. "He’s just... trying his luck."
Nora smiled faintly. "Adrian?"
"Yes. Do you know him?"
She nodded. "Everyone does. He lost his mate in a private jet crash three years ago. It was tragic. He has never chosen another woman since."
I frowned. "Never?"
"Never," she repeated. "That’s why it’s shocking he’s suddenly interested in you."
My heart skipped for reasons I didn’t want to understand.
Slowly, my eyes lifted.
Across the room, Adrian was watching .
Not staring in a rude way.
Not possessive.
Just... watching.
Our eyes t.
And for a mont, the noise of the party faded.
Sothing about the way he looked at felt different.
Calm. Steady. Curious.
My wolf shifted uneasily inside .
I turned back to Nora, pretending not to notice the strange warmth in my chest.
"I don’t have the energy for this," I whispered.
Nora squeezed my hand. "Then don’t think about it. Just enjoy the night."
I nodded, but my gaze drifted back to Adrian once more.
And sohow... he was still looking at , like a predator asuring his prey.
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