Chapter 5

Theodore’s POV

I was vaguely aware of the bristling of the four werewolves behind me, from Eva’s own “friends”, at her words.

I was so shocked, all I could manage in response was a, “Yes.”

“You’re going against your king’s direct orders.” It wasn’t a question from Eva; it was an accusation. She had never spoken to me like this before.

I did not appreciate it.

I tempered my tone down to be merely firm as I answered. “King Owen did not provide funding for the project based on the result of the vote. At no point did he order me not to pursue the project with my own funds.”

“If you have the funds for it,” she snapped, “why ask for the funds from the king in the first place?”

I focused on my breathing, on staying calm. I didn’t have the funds; only my funds combined with Violet’s were enough. But I certainly couldn’t tell Eva that.

“As Alpha of Midnight, I have the right to distribute my territory’s funds as I see fit.”

“Our funds,” she corrected.

Hardly able to bite back the retorts blaring through my head, I sent them through my bond to Violet. She would have no context for them, but I would deal with that later.

Not yet.

I’ll never let you anywhere near Midnight’s funds.

You’re lucky I haven’t skinned you alive, you scheming, lying scum of the earth.

Violet’s concern came rippling down the bond. What’s happening?

She deserved much more than the pathetic response I managed to muster.

Not now.

I could hardly stand there as I fought my own temper. Thankfully, someone else broke the silence.

Surprisingly, it was Riley. “You don’t think rogues deserve help?”

I turned toward him, finding surprise and disappointment on all four of the spies’ faces.

Eva scoffed at her “friend”, motioning toward the TV that was still reporting on the fake attacks. “Look at the destruction they cause! They’re a menace!”

“They?” Riley retorted. “You were one of them until a few weeks ago.”

Eva recoiled. “I. Am. Not. A. Rogue.”

They stared each other down, and I tried not to move. When I had shared my plans for the Shelter Project in front of everyone, I hoped it might destabilize the spies’ loyalty to the king. I never dreamed it would weaken their dynamic with Eva, too.

“Why are you here, again?” Eva sneered at Riley.

He clenched his jaw. “To protect you,” he said slowly.

“Then do your job,” she snarled, the implication clear: if Riley didn’t fall into place, she’d replace him with someone who would.

After a tense moment of silence, Riley stood and the other three followed him. “We’re going for a run,” he muttered, and they disappeared out the front door.

Eva had revealed to me her loyalty to the king – and driven a wedge between herself and the spies. I needed to patch this up, especially now that I knew I had a much longer game to play with Eva.

“Darling,” I said gently. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.

Eva softened a little at my words, though it was mostly because they had reminded her what role she was supposed to be playing.

“He’s our king,” Eva explained more calmly. “He has our best interests at heart. If he doesn’t think a project should be funded, we should honor his decision.”

I sent more retorts down the bond. I would definitely need to make it up to Violet later.

“I hear you, darling,” I pulled her nearer, knowing how terrible I smelled. “I promise to revisit the topic with Sophia the first chance I get.”

“Thank you.” Eva could barely hide her winces every time I exhaled.

She let me go first, for the first time ever, and I happily followed her lead. “A reminder that I have to go to court tomorrow to finalize my divorce with Violet now that our lawyers have all the paperwork.”

That perked her up even more. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“You don’t have to do that. In fact, why don ‘t you take a spa day tomorrow? That way you don’t have to even think about it.”

She looked me over hungrily. “Yes, and then I’ll be all pampered and beautiful upon your return.”

My gut twisted, and it was an effort to hide my disgust. Thankfully, I was saved by the turning of the doorknob on the front door, drawing both my and Eva’s attention.

I thought it might be Riley, having forgotten something, but I was more relieved than expected when Dahlia walked through the door.

I made sure to temper my excitement though as I said, “Beta Dahlia, welcome back.” The formality was forced, but Eva had already made a few comments about how unusual it was to have a female Beta and that we were “strangely close”. I needed to keep Eva happy for the time being.

“Thank you.” Dahlia’s tight features alerted me that something was up. “Look who walked up at the same time as me.”

Dahlia opened the door wider to reveal Olivia Bronson, smiling venomously as usual. Even though she was supposed to be helping us, her presence on my doorstop still caused me unease. I would never trust this woman.

But I did trust that Violet would keep her happy. I had to.

I sighed. “Why don’t you drop your bag off in your room,” I said to Dahila, “and I’ll meet you in your office shortly to debrief what you missed while away.”

Dahlia nodded, hauling her duffel bag over her shoulder as she ascended the stairs, a wary eye still trailing Olivia.

Eva sneered at Olivia. I hoped to the Goddess that Olivia wasn’t going to spark more of Eva’s jealousy. She was an objectively beautiful woman, which didn’t help.

“What do you want?” I played up my annoyance at Olivia’s presence for Eva’s sake.

Olivia smirked. “Not you,” she quipped, looking me over. “Not anymore.”

She winked at me before stepping inside uninvited. “You,” she turned her gaze to Eva, “are who I’m here to see.”

I furrowed my brows. “Why?”

Olivia spared me a glance that felt threatening despite the ever-present smile plastered on her face. “Afraid I’ll tell your new mate all about our history?”

Shit. I saw Eva stiffen out of the corner of my eye.

“It was too brief and forgettable to be considered a history,” I seethed.

Olivia laughed. “Whatever you need to tell yourself.”

She turned to address Eva. “In all honesty, I like to keep myself acquainted with those in power. You’re a new Luna, so you’re on my list to introduce myself to.”

I marveled at how sweet her tone had become.

“If I could trouble you for some tea or a stroll, I’d be indebted to you,” Olivia cooed. She was laying it on thick.

But when I glanced at Eva, I saw that she was eating it up.

“Of course, I recognize that I showed up with no notice,” Olivia continued, “and it would be more than understandable if you’d prefer I return at another date.”

“No, no,” Eva straightened her shoulders, “of course, as the new Luna of Midnight, it would be my pleasure to host you.”

I fought back an eye roll. These two were perfect for each other.

It worried me greatly.