Chapter 86

Violet

Olivia Bronson clearly didn't recognize me, or she didn't care. Knowing her, either were just as likely, but I didn’t interrupt whatever moment she was having, and took the moment to gauge her goal. Whatever it was, it wasn't good, but it did present an interesting opportunity.

Olivia didn't even glance at me, but she glanced down to the bag in Theodore's hand.

"Well, Theodore, I didn't think this is how we'd meet again, let alone that I'd be getting a gift."

Theodore laughed. "How are you, Olivia? Odd to see you here."

She shrugged lightly. "I decided to see what else is out there. Didn't expect to run into such influential company today. I feel a bit underprepared.”

Olivia’s eyes flicked to me, her smile sharpening like a blade hidden in velvet. There was no recognition in her eyes, some of which I expected. It had been years since I'd seen her.

"Though I suppose more prepared than others. I hear you're out making waves." She dragged her gaze over him. "Dressed rather well for the occasion, too. I don't think I've ever seen you in smart casual clothing.”

Her tone was smooth, but I caught the faint edge of disdain beneath it. It didn’t take a mind reader to know that Olivia was trying to provoke me, taunt me, and prod at Theodore all the same. I held back a laugh, keeping my face tilted just enough so that she couldn't see me straight on.

“Waves aren’t a bad thing,” he said lightly. “Sometimes it’s the only way to keep things moving forward.”

Theodore shifted slightly beside me, his presence steady but quiet. I could feel his attention on me. A question prodded at the back of my mind, but I just tightened my hand on his gently, letting him know that I was more than fine.

Olivia tilted her head, her smile never faltering. “Forward, yes. Though I’ve always thought there’s wisdom in knowing which waters to tread carefully. I don't remember you ever necessarily being gifted in that regard.”

Theodore chuckled. "The same could be said for you. Seven-fold at that. How's the family?"

Her eyes narrowed, just slightly, and I knew he’d hit a nerve, even if he didn't mean to. Olivia was hungry for power and position. She always had been. She as serving as acting luna of her father's territory at the moment, but it wasn't enough for her.

Her father sat on the supreme court, a branch of the Capital Court that would eventually have to make a ruling on whatever laws would come out of Shelter's establishment. The wolves of the supreme court were all incredibly hyper conservative and in Owen's back pocket under the guise of loyalty, but I was pretty sure that the Bronson family just had a hell of a under the table deal with Owen.

"Fine," she said and finally looked at me, sneering down her nose at me. I almost laughed. She stood a bit taller than me, but she had always been so small on the inside… and prone to wearing six inch heels at ever opportunity. "And who is this? Your newest fling?"

I lifted my head smiling brilliantly. "I know it's been a while, Olivia, but do I really look that different?"

Her eyes widened. Her jaw dropped.

"Must be the new heels," I said, glancing down at her shoes. "What are they, at least six inches?"

Theodore

If there was ever a wolf more venomous than Olivia, I hadn’t met them yet. Seeing her standing there, all sharp smiles and feigned warmth, was enough to make my stomach turn. I kept my expression neutral—calm, collected. There were probably cameras still around, after all, and I wasn’t about to give anyone the satisfaction of a reaction.

Besides, I really didn't want to have to deal with her for long, but to hear Violet implying that they knew each other nearly stopped my heart.

How would Violet and Olivia have ever met?

“Yes,” Olivia replied, her tone laced with sugary sweetness. “Wow, Violet. I… hardly recognize you… Decided to ditch the tribal look finally."

What?

Violet lifted a shoulder. "It's been a while since I've needed all my gear. That last strike has created quite the time of peace. I didn’t expect to run into you here. It’s such a delight to see you.”

Delight, my ass. Seeing Olivia, no matter how they knew each other, was more like torture and a test in patience. She'd always been a ruthless snake. I knew she'd targeted me the night we met and slept together. I knew that she'd like been trying to trap me with a pregnancy, too. It had all been a gigantic mistake, but I had been much younger, on the edge of madness, and as smart as I could possibly be about the situation.

I'd hoped to never run into her again.

“I take it you know each other?” I asked, keeping my voice light.

Violet glanced at me, her eyes twinkling with a hint of mischief. “Of course. Olivia was one of my mentees at the Academy, for Governance and Diplomacy.”

I blinked at that. "You… were a TA."

"Of course. I was… uniquely qualified, don't you think?" She wiggled her eyebrows and I chuckled, nodded.

The Academy didn't teach other languages. I didn't think any university or school did in the whole nation, so Violet coming speaking more than just our language had probably been a huge thing.

“Violet taught me everything I know,” Olivia said, pulling me from my thoughts, tilting her head with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “She was such an inspiration.”

The irony nearly made me choke. Inspiration? Violet represented everything Olivia wasn’t—honest, genuine, principled.

I forced a smile. “Small world.”

Olivia’s gaze slid to me, her expression shifting just enough to remind me of that night and how much I had regretted it.

“Isn’t it? Though I suppose it’s smaller for some of us than others.” She turned back to Violet, her tone light and teasing. “Has he told you about us yet? Or should I?”

My jaw tightened. I didn’t need this. Not now.

Violet raised a brow, her smile unwavering. “Oh? Do tell.”

Olivia’s eyes sparkled with faux amusement. “He’s the wild one that got away. Or so I thought.”

Violet laughed, the sound bright and airy. There wasn't even a drop of tension in her voice, which gave me hope and put me on edge. Olivia on the other hand looked like she on the verge of breaking her carefully crafted façade.

“It's a fitting nickname,” Violet said lightly. “The wild one who got away.”

Olivia's lips twitched. She clenched her fist and she glanced between us.

"I didn't take you to be interested in the playboy type, Violet," she said. "I mean, given your history. I was certain you were going to be a perpetual virgin until you married… what was his name?"

"Lucas," she said plainly. "And I'm not interested in a playboy, but there's a saying about playboys being the best husbands: they've had plenty of time to figure out how to do it right." She laughed. It almost sounded catty. "Going off your rave review, I think there's something to it, and Theo has been such a blessing."

She looked up at me, smiling. "I mean… even before the ceremony."

My lips twitched, and I brought her hand to my lips to kiss.

Olivia's eye twitched. "Husband?"

"Yes. I sent an invitation, but you must have been in study mode or just too busy to see the broadcast," Violet said. "It was a lovely ceremony, a small complication, but that's all done now. We just came back from our honeymoon. Just in time for the Noble Season."

Olivia bristled and her smile turned brittle and mean.

"Well, congratulations," Olivia all but hissed, sounding as if each words cut to say. “Are you two headed to lunch? It would be lovely to catch up—for old time’s sake.”

I opened my mouth to decline, but Violet beat me to it.

“That’s a wonderful idea,” she said, her smile as warm as ever. “There's a place nearby I wanted to take Theodore to." She turned, leaning into me. "Imagine those pastries we had earlier, stuffed with spiced meat."

I was almost drooling at the thought, but I bit back a groan. What the hell could she be planning?

"Sounds delicious."

“Perfect,” Olivia said with a grin. “Lead the way.”

As we walked toward the nearest restaurant, I kept my expression calm, but my thoughts were a storm. Olivia was a mistake I’d buried long ago, one I had no intention of revisiting.

Violet, for her part, seemed perfectly at ease, chatting with Olivia as though they truly were old friends. But I knew better. She was playing the game, same as Olivia. I had an idea of what Olivia was trying to get out of this, but what was Violet's aim?