OLIVIA

The silverware clattered against the plate as Edward—my mate, my boyfriend of four years, and the heir to the Waverley Clan—finished the last bite of his steak.

When our eyes met, I beamed at him. "I made that steak. What do you think?" I asked, eager for his response.

"It's good," he said flatly as he rose from his seat.

Undeterred, I followed him down the hallway. "Good in what way? Come on, describe it—"

But Edward stopped abruptly, turning to face me with his jaw clenched. "Olivia, I don't have time to waste describing how your steak tastes. The LaFleur Grand Ball is coming up, and you know how important that is to me. So please…" He let out a slow breath. "…stop bothering me with your nonsensical shit. That's the only help you could give."

I stood there as he walked off. Biting my lip, I swallowed the lump forming in my throat. Then, I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder.

"Let it slide, Lady Olivia," Maid Agatha murmured. "LaFleur Clan belongs to the Alpha—the wealthiest in the Gold Sterling Pack. Every Clan is eager to strike a deal with them, any agreement at all. If Edward managed to secure one, it would be a tremendous advantage for Waverley Clan. His mind is likely preoccupied with that right now."

Her words stirred an idea in me. Without hesitation, I pulled my phone from my pocket and typed out a message.

Me: [Meet me at Vida Café tomorrow at eight in the morning. We need to discuss something important.]

Butler Silas: [Understood, Lady LaFleur. I'll be there.]

Me: [Butler Silas! Stop calling me that!]

Butler Silas: [My apologies… Lady Olivia Fleur.]

Me: [Good.]

I deleted the messages before heading straight to our bedroom. My eyes immediately caught a business card resting on the side table. Curious, I picked it up and read the words printed on it: Fancy Bride's Boutique…

A warmth spread through my heart as I pressed the card against my chest. The weight of my earlier sadness seemed to lift, replaced by a flicker of hope.

Then, as I opened the closet, something unexpected caught my eye—a small box sitting in plain sight. Hesitantly, I reached for it and lifted the lid. Inside, nestled in the velvet lining, was a rare blue diamond ring. My heart pounded, my cheeks grew warm, and for a moment, I simply stared before carefully placing it back where I found it.

Why does Edward have a business card from a bridal boutique?

Why would he hide such a rare diamond ring in our closet?

Is he finally planning to propose to me?

After four years together… is he finally going to marry me?

Fuck. That's what I wanted all my life!

"Yes, Edward! A thousand times yes—marry me!" I squealed. Unable to contain my joy, I jumped onto the bed and rolled back and forth like a giddy child.

The next morning, I arrived at Vida Café at precisely seven-thirty. Dressed simply in modest clothes, black sunglasses, and a headscarf, I chose the farthest seat inside, away from prying eyes. As I waited, my fingers tapped lightly against the table.

A few moments later, I spotted Butler Silas approaching.

"Lady Olivia, good morning." He greeted me with a gentle smile. "It's nice to see you again. How have you been?"

"I'm doing great," I said, barely able to suppress my excitement. "Actually, I think Edward is going to propose very soon—maybe after the grand ball! I can hardly wait."

Butler Silas slightly shook his head. "Is that so…" he murmured before shifting his focus. "Anyway, what did you want to discuss?"

I met his gaze, took both of his hands in mine, and leaned in slightly. "I need your help. Edward must secure a deal with the LaFleur Clan at the grand ball. Can you make it happen?"

His brows knitted together. "Lady Olivia, you know I'm not allowed to arrange things like that. It wouldn't be fair to the other Clans—"

"Please, Butler Silas," I interrupted, my voice pleading. "Do it for me."

He let out a deep sigh, running a hand over his face before finally nodding. "Fine. You know I can't say no to you. I'll arrange for the Waverley members' tables to be placed near the Alpha so Edward can speak with him easily."

A delighted smile spread across my face. "You're the best!"

But before I could bask in my small victory, his expression turned serious. "But Lady Olivia… it's been four years. When are you going to come back? When are you going to tell him the truth about your—"

I widened my eyes, silently urging him to lower his voice.

He hesitated, then sighed again. "I'm just saying… you're more than just Edward Waverley's mate. More than just his girlfriend. More than this simple, fabricated life." He paused, letting his words sink in. "You're the heiress of the LaFleur Clan, Lady Olivia."

I sighed. "You know I'm doing this to make sure he marries me for love, not because of my status in the LaFleur Clan. I promise, once he proposes, I'll tell him the truth. But for now, I'll stay with the identity of Olivia Fleur, an unwealthy she-wolf who has nothing to offer him but love." I winked at Butler Silas, hoping he'd understand.

He exhaled sharply, shaking his head. "Your stubbornness is going to get you into trouble."

OLIVIA

After my conversation with Butler Silas, I returned to Waverley's Kingdom, still floating on the thought of Edward proposing—of us finally starting our life together as husband and wife. But in my distracted state, I accidentally bumped into someone.

Dressed in a form-fitting red dress that hugged her curves effortlessly, a sleek leather jacket, and towering stilettos, she carried an air of confidence. Her golden-blonde hair cascaded in waves, and her sharp eyeliner made her eyes even more piercing.

She was stunning.

But more than that—she was unfamiliar.

I had never seen her here before.

Who was she?

"I'm sorry—"

She cut me off with a sharp tone. "Watch where you're going next time, maid."

I blinked, taken aback. "Excuse me? I am not a maid."

She rolled her eyes, tilting her head with arrogance. That's when I noticed it—a fresh hickey on her neck.

Then, my gaze shifted to the jacket draped over her shoulders. My breath hitched as I realized something.

It was Edward's.

I knew it because I was the one who bought it for him—a custom-made piece, one of a kind. He was the only person who owned it.

My mind raced.

Had this bratty she-wolf stolen it from him?

Desperate for an answer, I grabbed her arm just as she turned her back on me.

She whirled around with her eyes blazing. "Do you fucking know how much this jacket costs? Get your filthy hands off it!"

The audacity.

I smirked, releasing her arm. "That jacket costs around a hundred thousand bucks. I would know because I was the one who bought it for Edward Waverley. My mate." I held her gaze, my voice steady, pressing for a reaction. "Now tell me, why are you wearing it? Who are you?"

Instead of answering, she threw her head back and laughed. Then, with a slow, condescending glance from my head to my toes, she sneered. "And what made you think I'd believe you? You're just a maid. There's no way you could afford this. And… Edward's mate?" She scoffed. "You must be hallucinating."

I didn't waste another breath arguing. Instead, I pulled my collar aside and revealed our mate mark.

She faltered, her eyes widening. But to my frustration, the confidence in her demeanor barely wavered.

And then—Edward arrived.

Before I could even speak, the she-wolf immediately wrapped her arms around his waist, and pressed herself against his body.

My breath caught.

What shattered me most? Edward didn't even try to push her away.

Confusion engulfed me as I stared at them. "Edward, why does she have your jacket? Do you know her?"

Before he could answer, she pressed herself even closer to him, deliberately letting her chest brush against his arm.

"Ed," she cooed, pouting.

Ed? How close are they, for her to casually give him a nickname?

"Your arrogant mate just slapped me! Three times! She even accused me of stealing your jacket!"

My blood boiled. Fuck that.

"That's a lie! I never—"

Edward cut me off, his jaw tightening. Without hesitation, he pulled me a step away from her.

"She's Monette Hampton," he said firmly. "The sole heiress of the Hampton Clan. She's a childhood friend of mine, and her family has contributed a lot to the Waverley Clan's success, especially when my parents tragically died. I owe them, Olivia. You can't just show attitude or lay your hands on her."

His words landed like a slap. So that's where I stood? Just some reckless, jealous mate embarrassing him in front of an important person?

I swallowed hard and forced a nod.

"Whatever you say, Edward. Still, I didn't do anything to her. She's lying. In fact, she's the one who called me a maid—"

"Enough, Olivia."

"Why is she even here?" I asked otherwise, and for a moment, he seemed unable to say anything. "Why?" I pressed harder.

A few seconds later, Edward sighed. "She's here on vacation."

I blinked. "Vacation? For how long?"

His gaze wavered slightly before he finally answered. "Three months, Olivia. And she specifically requested that I stay by her side most of the time."

My chest tightened. "And you agreed?"

"I didn't have a choice," he said, his tone edged with frustration. "It was her parents' request. I can't say no to them, or to her, and I need you to understand that."

As always, I did. Because that's what a good girlfriend—a good mate—does.

To understand.

To agree.

To accept.

Deep down though, a gnawing unease took root. I had a feeling things would only get worse from here. That Edward was keeping something from me…

Something about Monette Hampton.

Needless to say, the more I thought about it, the more it struck me—how could she be his childhood friend when Edward had never once mentioned her before?

MONETTE

The sharp scent of cigarette smoke lingered in the air, curling through the dimly lit bedroom. Edward stood near the window, wearing nothing but his ripped jeans, his bare back illuminated by the faint glow of the city lights.

I lay on the bed, my tiny nightgown barely covering me, the haze of alcohol dulling my senses—but not enough to silence the question that had been haunting at me.

Summoning courage, I finally asked, "When are you going to sever your mating bond with Olivia? I mean, I already rejected my fated mate for you—for this relationship to even have a chance."

Edward flicked his cigarette into the bin before turning to face me. His calloused hands cupped my face, his lips pressing a brief kiss against mine. When he pulled back, our gazes locked.

"She's my mate," he said. "And she will be—at least until the LaFleur Grand Ball."

Another kiss. A distraction.

"Our Alpha wants stability. No conflicts, no loose ends. If I can make it seem like my mating bond with Olivia is intact, there's a strong chance I'll secure a deal with the LaFleur Clan." His words slipped smoothly from his lips as he slowly eased me back onto the bed.

"Okay…" I murmured, even though I didn't agree with his decision. "I love you, Edward. I can't wait for the day we don't have to hide anymore. I deserve more than to be just your mistress."

"I love you too, Monette. Please, just be patient a little longer," he whispered before trailing kisses down my neck.

The hunger between us was insatiable, desperate, and reckless. We surrendered to it, losing ourselves in each other through the night.

Morning arrived, and I woke up at six. Edward still lay naked and asleep beside me. My fingers traced the sharp lines of his face. Then, I leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips.

Goddamn, he looked so beautiful.

At that moment, it hit me all over again.

This man wasn't mine.

A sharp pang twisted in my chest as my thoughts darkened. Olivia had the right to touch him too. To hold him. To claim him in ways I never truly could.

That's when jealousy burned through me.

"Edward… you feel so good next to me. I don't want to wait anymore. I don't want to share." My voice was a sultry whisper.

Slowly, I slipped out of bed, my movements silent as I reached for his phone on the bedside table. He had entered his passcode last night, and I had memorized it effortlessly.

I unlocked the screen and scrolled through his contacts, searching for a specific number. When I finally found it, a slow smirk curved my lips.

I began typing.

[Room 354. Vendora Hotel. Be here at 7 AM, babe. I have a surprise to show you.]

With a single tap, the message was sent. And just as quickly, I erased it.

Next, I picked up the room's phone and dialed the front desk. "We're expecting a guest in Room 354. Please let her in when she arrives."

I hung up.

The plan was set.

Ensuring the door was unlocked, I let my silk nightgown slip from my shoulders, pooling at my feet. Then, I climbed back into bed, pressing myself against Edward's warm body beneath the sheets.

And I waited.

OLIVIA

The whole night, I tossed and turned, wondering where Edward was. I had fallen asleep waiting for him to arrive, yet he hadn't.

But then, as the morning light slipped through the curtains, my phone buzzed with a message.

Edward: [Room 354. Vendora Hotel. Be here at 7 AM, babe. I have a surprise to show you.]

The words jolted me fully awake.

Just like that, all my doubts about his loyalty melted away.

A surprise. Maybe that's why he hadn't come home last night—he had been busy preparing something special for me.

Heart fluttering with renewed excitement, I quickly typed a reply.

[Really? Okay, babe. I'll see you.]

Slipping out of bed, I rushed to the closet, searching for the perfect dress. But as I sifted through the hangers, my fingers froze.

The diamond ring was gone.

I let out a loud scream, jumping around in excitement. "Is this it? Is today the day he finally proposes? Is he really going to do it now?!" My heart raced at the thought.

Determined to make this moment perfect, I took my time in the bath, letting the warm water soothe my nerves. I applied elegant makeup, slipped into a delicate white dress, and styled my brunette hair neatly. A final touch—his favorite perfume—before stepping out of the house, beaming. I even greeted strangers along the way.

Hailing a cab, I arrived at the hotel in just fifteen minutes. I took a deep breath before stepping inside. The receptionist greeted me warmly and, without hesitation, granted me access to Room 354.

Standing before the door, I rehearsed my words one last time. "There's no one else I'd rather marry but you. Making our mating bond official and sacred has always been my dream. So yes, Edward, I would marry you." My voice wavered, and heat crept up my cheeks.

I could already imagine his reaction!

But the moment I twisted the doorknob and pushed the door open, my world came crashing down.

Edward was there, as expected, but there were no flowers or petals scattered on the floor. He wasn't wearing a suit either or holding out a ring while kneeling in front of me. In fact, he was naked and still asleep.

Beside him, just as bare, was Monette.

She didn't even flinch seeing me. Instead, she met my gaze with a slow smirk and whispered, "Did you like your mate's surprise, hmm?"