Filed to story: Watch Me Win Alpha (Olivia & Ethan)
I had no idea pack politics ran so deep.
“Wait,” Alexander finally said once Duke stopped speaking. “Don’t make any moves yet. The outcome of all this depends entirely on whether Mrs. Windsor can deliver what Hana wants.”
“And if she can?”
Alexander lowered his voice. “Then you’d need to be very careful. Watch your back, Duke. Trust me. Hana will come.”
Although I didn’t know this woman, I didn’t doubt Alexander’s words.
*Author*
Alexander and Duke were engrossed in their heart clenching conversation, much to Olivia’s dismay. Even though her divorce proceedings had been just as chaotic, it still came as a shock to her.
“There’s something you should know, Duke. My sources suggest the Windsor and Hawtorne families are considering joining forces.”
Duke listened seriously. He was already faced with a predicament of his own, and if the Hawthorne pack joined Windsor, his enemies would surely multiply. His jaw tightened at the thought. The burden of being the heir to the Cater pack was almost too much for him to bear.
He rubbed his temples, suddenly feeling far older than his thirty years.
“Christ, Alexander. Sometimes I wonder what my life would have been like if I hadn’t been born first. I never asked for this. Some days I wake up and wish I could just… walk away from it all.”
From her seat beside Alexander, Olivia had been absently pushing the last pieces of strawberry around her plate, only half-listening to the men’s conversation. But Duke’s heavy words drew her attention. She glanced up to see the charismatic man she’d met only moments before slumped in his chair, looking as though the weight of the world was on his shoulders.
She set her napkin aside and rose from her chair. “Excuse me,” she said to no one in particular and made her way to the restroom.
Duke watched her retreating figure for a moment before his attention shifted to Alexander, whose gaze lingered on Olivia’s slender form with clear longing. A knowing smirk tugged at the corner of Duke’s mouth, providing a temporary distraction from his plight.
“Well, well. If I didn’t know better, I’d say someone’s been thoroughly captivated by his lovely companion.”
Alexander’s cheeks flushed. He briefly considered denying the allegations. But he decided there was no point in doing so. “It’s not exactly a secret.”
“Oh, come now. The great Alexander Green, rendered speechless by a woman? This is delicious. Have you told her?”
Alexander considered the question for a moment. According to him, he’d expressed his feelings clearly. “I have. And she made it abundantly clear that my feelings were not reciprocated.”
Duke stared at him for a long moment, waiting for the punchline to the joke Alexander was so obviously telling. When none came, his eyebrows shot up in disbelief.
“You’re serious? She actually turned down Alexander Green?” A loud bark of laughter escaped him. “My God, the woman has absolutely no taste whatsoever!”
Alexander pouted in anger. Trust Duke to make fun of his predicament.
“I should keep a record of this historic moment,” Duke continued, wiping tears of laughter from his eyes. “Don’t worry, old friend, my shoulder is available for crying whenever you need it. Perhaps we should order you some tissues for dessert?”
Alexander glared at him. “Duke.”
But Duke was too amused to stop on Alexander’s account. “I wonder what her type is, exactly? Clearly not wealthy, handsome, well- connected…”
“If you value our friendship, you’ll shut your mouth right now.”
Duke managed to stifle his laughter. He could tell the rejection had wounded his friend severely. And for that reason, he would stop the teasing… for now.
And then, the subject of their conversation walked back into the room. Duke instantly turned on his charm.
“Olivia! Perfect timing. Come sit next to me.” He patted the seat next to him.
“And please, none of this formal nonsense. Call me Duke.” And as she began to protest, he placed a hand on her shoulder and added, “I insist.”
Olivia paused, studying his face carefully. She was caught off-guard by the sudden change. She wanted to question him, but one look at Alexander had the words dying on her lips. Olivia sighed. She would do as Duke wanted, but only as a favor to Alexander.
“Thank you… Duke.” However, Olivia found herself gravitating toward the chair beside Alexander instead.
Alexander, for his part, looked as though he might actually smile for the first time all day as she settled beside him.
Duke watched Olivia’s actions with amusement. “Ah, I see how it is. She chooses her protector wisely. Olivia, my dear, I do believe I’m going to claim you as my honorary sister. You have such wonderful instincts. So affectionate, so loyal. Alexander is lucky to have such a devoted friend.”
Duke made sure to add emphasis on the word ‘friend’ much to Alexander’s chagrin whose jaw tightened dangerously.
By nine o’clock, the food had been cleared, and the conversation began to wind down, but Duke wanted more. It’d been so long since he saw his good friend. He wasn’t ready for him to leave just yet.
Duke rose to his feet. “Come on, you two. The night is young. My winery is just twenty minutes from here. I’ve got a bottle of ’98 Bordeaux that’s been begging to be opened, and the terrace has the most spectacular view of the valley.”
Alexander was already reaching for his jacket. “I appreciate the offer, Duke, but we need to get back to New York tonight.”
Duke scoffed, and moved around to the table to place an arm around his friend’s shoulder. “Alexander, my friend, you’re going to work yourself into an early grave. One night won’t kill you.” His eyes lit up when a great idea struck him. “In fact, I insist you both stay.”
His grin widened further as another wicked idea occurred to him. “I could even arrange some… romantic surprises. Champagne, rose petals, soft music. Whatever it takes to help my future brother-in-law seal the deal.”
Olivia felt heat rise in her cheek as she watched the two men interact with each other. Duke leaned closer to Alexander, their heads nearly touching as he whispered something that made Alexander’s expression darken further.
There was something oddly intimate about the gesture. The way Duke’ s hand lingered on Alexander’s shoulder, how Alexander seemed comfortable with it.
They look like they belong together, Yve growled within her. The amount of anger Olivia felt surprised her.
“We’re returning to New York tonight, and that’s final,” Alexander said firmly, stepping away from Duke’s touch.
Duke’s face fell, but he quickly recovered with another mischievous smile. “Fine. But promise me you’ll both come back soon.”
After a lengthy goodbye, the Alpha and his secretary were finally on their way back to New York. Olivia was so exhausted that the moment she settled into her seat, she slipped into a dreamless sleep.
Alexander, who had been watching her every move, saw the moment her eyes drifted shut. He rose quietly from his seat, careful not to disturb her. He retrieved a cashmere blanket from the overhead compartment.
As he gently draped the blanket across her shoulders, his fingers accidentally brushed against her cheek. The contact was brief, but it was enough to remind him of the feel of her lips on his.
And now, staring at her sleeping face with that tempting thought in his head, all he could think about was tasting her again.
* Author*
Alexander was conflicted. If he leaned down even by a fraction, his lips would make contact with hers. The desire to kiss her tugged at him, and he fought within himself for the next couple of minutes.
It took all of his strength, and that of his wolf to restrain himself from closing that final distance. He clenched his jaw as he forced himself to retreat and go back to his chair. He immediately reached for the glass of ice water nearby to calm his nerves, and well… desires.
What Alexander didn’t know was that Olivia had been conscious through every agonizing second of his approach. She had managed to keep her body perfectly still, to keep her breathing steady enough to maintain the facade. But inside, she was anything but calm.
The moment she sensed him near her, her heart had begun hammering against her ribs with such force she feared he might hear it.
Just do it! Don’t torture me like this!
When Alexander finally retreated, a wave of relief washed over her, immediately followed by an unexpected sense of concern. The Alpha had been acting normal earlier that Olivia had forgotten he’d been drugged.
And now, with this repeat offense, she couldn’t help but wonder when the effects of the drugs would completely wear off.
As she felt the aircraft begin to slow, she realized it was time for her performance to begin. With a deep breath, she opened her eyelids slowly, blinking as if she just emerged from a deep sleep.
New Book: Veiled Desires of the Alpha King Novel
Dayson was the alpha of the largest pack in North America. Powerful figures from other packs sought to offer gorgeous girls as potential mates for Dayson. He steadfastly rejected these advances, he was not a pawn to be manipulated. But eventually there came a mysterious girl he could hardly say No. Who was she?