58 Faux Alpha
Olivia POV
I wish I could say I had a peaceful sleep, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Sleeping without Ace is impossible. I kept waking up and reaching for him. Della slept with me last night and is still snoring next to me now. I press a kiss on her forehead after brushing the curls off her cheek. I throw the blankets off and grab my clothes before heading into the bathroom. Once I’m inside, I adjust the shower and step around the
hot spray.
My mind is still reeling over everything that Ace told me last night. How could one witch wipe out the Lycans? She had to have help. The question is, was it the council or some unknown Alpha? Hell, was it someone or something we know nothing about? Maybe I should go to Hudson and tell him what’s happening. I know he said that he had to remain inside the barrier, but knowing she was the one that betrayed him is that even
true.
Della’s voice startles me. I cover myself with a towel that is hanging nearby. “Sweet pea, you scared mommy. Did you need something?” “Amethyst says we should go see grandpa today. I didn’t even know I had a grandpa. Can we mommy,” she asks. I guess Amethyst answered my question. I should let Ace know before I take our daughter to meet him. I take the chance that he’ll be alone and nudge our bond.
When I meet resistance, I don’t try again. I know Ace trusts my judgment and I think going to Hudson is what we need to do right now. I step out of the shower after wrapping the towel around myself. “Let’s get dressed and go talk to Uncle Connor and Aunt Becca before we go see your grandpa.”
I grab her clothes, and she dresses quickly in a pair of leggings and a flowered t–shirt. I do the same for myself, wearing comfortable clothes. I take her hand; leading her to Connor’s office. When we reach the hallway, my steps falter when I see Miranda and Xavier standing close to each other at the end of the
hallway.
A feeling of unease washes over me. He wouldn’t do that to Evelyn, would he? Xavier notices us first. He walks toward us with Miranda following behind him. “Oli, is everything alright” he asks. Something feels off.
He hasn’t called me Oli since I warned him when we first met that only my family called me Oli. He has
always respected at least that request. “Oli, I was worried when I hadn’t heard from you. It is important that we spend time together before the pup is born,” Miranda says.
Danica is growling in my mind. “Both of them are hiding something.” The power bristles along my skin, making my heart race. “I’m sorry everything is a little crazy right now. Besides, Evelyn has a few months
before she delivers. She is only a little over two months along.” “Werewolves aren’t like humans, Oli. Wolf
pregnancies only last around five months and with Alpha pups it could be even sooner,” Xavier says.
I’m sure there is a look of shock on my face. Becca and I never discussed pregnancy when she gave me my
crash course on being a wolf. “I hadn’t realized that our pregnancies are so much shorter than humans.” “Well,
they are Oli and you need to take this seriously. You are the pup’s guardian wolf. You need to be prepared when the pup is born. Miranda came all this way. You need to make time to spend with her. I’m sure your mate can take care of the pup,” Xavier says.
I notice something flash in Miranda’s eyes as she steps closer to Xavier. “Xavier, it’s fine. Oli is right. We have time and it’s not like Evelyn is having the pup tomorrow.” Miranda pulls something from her pocket and offers
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58 Faux Alpha
it to me. It’s a necklace with a large pink stone. I take it in my hand but make no move to put it on.
Paints
“This is a locator stone. I want you to wear this. It will allow me to come to you when you call out to me” she says. “Don’t you dare to put that f**king necklace on. Something isn’t right Oli. Last time she was here I felt no deceit, but right now my wolfie senses are screaming at me. I know you can feel it too,” Danica says. She’s right. I do feel it like spiders crawling on my skin.
“I really appreciate that Miranda. I’m not much of a jewelry wearer, but if I leave the pack I’ll make sure I put it on.” “Don’t be ridiculous Oli put it on now. This isn’t about fashion. It is for your safety. Do you know what it would do to your mother if something happened to you,” Xavier asks.
Miranda places her hand on his arm and I find myself angry on Evelyn’s behalf. A low growl escapes me and Miranda immediately drops her hand to her side. My eyes move between her and Xavier. A hundred questions flit through my mind but the one that is playing on repeat is did Xavier only find and mate my mother to
create the midnight wolf. I’m not that angry child that wouldn’t care if she suffered anymore. I don’t want that for her. I hope to the goddess I’m wrong.
“It’s fine Oli, as long as you wear it when you leave the pack” she says. “Of course, now I’m sure you have important things to take care of and Xavier needs to check on–his pregnant mate.” I try to keep the accusatory tone from my voice but I fail miserably. “Oli, I think you are misunderstanding my relationship with Xavier” Miranda says. “I hope so because I’d hate to see my pregnant mother betrayed by her fated mate.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I love your mother. I would never betray her. She is only here for you, Oli.” “That’s a big fat
f**king lie,” Danica says. I fight the urge to say what Danica just said in my head. I simply nod, and they turn
walking down the hall toward the stairs. I quickly knock on Connor’s office door and push it open before he
tells me to come in. Both Connor and Becca’s eyes snap to mine. Connor’s eyes are black until he sees it’s
- me.
He is on his feet and rounding his desk to come to stand in front of me. “Oli, what’s wrong,” he asks, looking
between me and Della. “Is Ace alright,” he asks. “Yes, Ace is fine. Connor have you seen Miranda and Xavier
interact?” “Yes, why” he asks. “I just saw them in the hallway and I swear they were too close for my comfort.”
“What do you mean” he asks and his eyes darken. “I mean they were standing very close at the end of the
hallway where I’m sure they thought no one would see.”
Before I can stop him, Connor’s eyes glaze over. When he cuts the link, confusion and disgust mar his face.
“Oli, didn’t you say you just saw Xavier and Miranda in the hallway before you stepped into my office?” “Yes,
why do you look like you’re about to throw up?” Connor reaches out, covering Della’s ears before he whispers. “Xavier couldn’t have been in the hallway, Oli. I just interrupted mom and him having,” he says, making big eyes at me. My heart starts to pound against my chest. I knew something felt off.
“So if Xavier is with mom, then who the hell was with, Miranda?” “Could you feel anything with your powers,” Becca asks. “Yes but the only thing that was a lie was when the fake Xavier said he would never betray Evelyn.” Connor growls and goes to step toward the door. I quickly grab his arm.
“No, I don’t know who the hell that was or what they have planned, but they want me to believe that was Xavier. I need to talk to Hudson. I need you to talk to Evelyn and Xavier.” He goes to open his mouth, but I raise my hand to cut him off. “You don’t need to tell them everything, but I don’t want her seeing the fake Xavier cozying up with Miranda and losing the pup. Even if she can’t feel the pain, seeing with her own eyes, might have her ability to reason fly out the window.”
“What if I just insist that Xavier stay with mom at all times? I’ll tell him there is a threat to her, and I’ll have a
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SS Faux Alpha.
guard assigned to them. I don’t trust Xavier not to fly off the handle about Miranda’s betrayal” he says. “Fine, just ensure that Evelyn and the pup are safe.” A smile spreads across his face, but I ignore it. Evelyn and I may not have the relationship we once had, but I don’t want to see anything happen to her or our sibling.
“I’ll accompany you to meet with Hudson,” he says. “No, you can’t. Only Lycan’s can pass through the barrier.” “If that’s true, then how did you get through?” “Ace’s blood runs through my veins. I promise you I’ll be fine. I’ll link you before I step through the barrier.” He pulls me into his arms and hugs me tight. Then he bends down and does the same to Della. Becca hugs us both next. I turn to leave when I remember the necklace.
I explained to them what Miranda said about it and I could see Connor was ready to smash it under his boot. “No, lock it away. I have no idea what magic it truly holds or if she’ll be alerted if it breaks.” He nods taking it from my hand. I lead Della outside and down to my car. Once she is strapped into her seat, I slide into mine. When the car passes through the gates, I pull out onto the main road. If I didn’t know better I would think I had made this drive a hundred times. It’s like the place is calling to me.
When we pull off the road in the same place we did last time, I smile to see Liam from between the trees.
How did he know we were coming? “Amethyst told him. She can talk to his Lycan,” Della says, answering the
question I hadn’t voiced. I step out and unstrap her. When we come around the car, Liam looks like he can’t believe his eyes.
“She is beautiful. She looks like Lorraine. She is yours and Ace’s pup?” “She is. Della, this is Liam. Liam, this
is my daughter Della.” He reaches out, and she places her little hand in his. “He is going to lose his mind. I
didn’t tell him she reached out to my beast. He has no idea she exists,” he says. “Well, let’s go introduce her to
her grandpa.”
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