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Max approaches us, giving both Chloe and me hugs. “Olivia,” Max says. “You look fantastic. How are you feeling?”
“So much better, Max. Thank you for taking such great care of me.”
“It was my pleasure. Actually, I do need to speak to the Alpha. Could you point me in his direction?”
“Sure. He’s right over there talking with Nick.” I point toward the bar where they’re talking.
“Oh, perfect. I may need Nick too. I’ll see you later, ladies.”
“Hmm. I wonder what that’s about,” Chloe says as we watch Max approach and talk to Ethan and Nick. Their faces grow serious, and quite honestly, pissed off the longer Max speaks.
“I don’t know, but they don’t look happy.” Both men look in our direction and then back to Max.
“Don’t worry,” Chloe says. “I’ll help you get to the bottom of that one way or another.”
Ethan and Nick rejoin us as if everything is fine when Holly, the event coordinator, announces she’s ready for us. We go through the sequence of events for tomorrow evening, though Ethan chooses to keep his announcement speech private until tomorrow night. Holly is given our song selection for the first dance, guest room logistics are reviewed, and then Ethan, Nick, and Lance take over in ensuring security is as tight as possible. His biggest focus is keeping a set of eyes on me at all times.
“While I intend to be with Olivia as much as I can, it’s possible we could become separated while mingling with guests. At no time is she ever to be left alone without someone watching her. You don’t want to deal with me if something happens to her. Am I understood?”
Affirmations of Ethan’s expectations are heard from the security team, which is much larger than I ever knew, and this is only the most experienced group. “If anything seems suspicious in any way, I want you on it,” he orders his team.
Ethan sits down next to me, taking my hand and kissing it. He smiles at me as if all of this should feel normal. I’m used to the fact that he is extra protective, but this feels different.
“Ethan,” I whisper, “Is there reason for me to feel unsafe tomorrow?”
“I just have to be sure my expectations are understood. I’ll never take chances when it comes to your safety. They need to know I mean business and do their jobs to the highest standard.” He leans over and kisses me. “You have nothing to be worried about. Tomorrow is a celebration, and you’re the guest of honor.” He smiles at me, and as always, manages to make all my worry melt away.
The rest of the evening is much more relaxed. A large Italian feast is served, and it looks like way too much food for the number of people in attendance, but these werewolves are big eaters, especially the men. The sex and the food are the two things I’ve enjoyed the most since being turned, myself. I talk with Chloe and Vanessa while Ethan and his dad wrap up with the security team.
“Hey, are you okay?” Chloe asks. “You seem a little quiet.” Vanessa tunes in, looking concerned.
“I’m fine. Ethan’s warning to the security guys just threw me off a little bit.”
“I can see that, but don’t worry. Tomorrow is a big deal with a lot of outsiders coming into Ethan’s territory to get a glimpse of his mate. Some are friends, but some are just here because we have working relationships between our packs,” Chloe explains.
“I guess I understand that.”
“All I know, is if looks could kill, I’d be dead. He glared at me all night.” Vanessa looks at me. “You told him, didn’t you?” She raises her eyebrow, smiling.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want him to be surprised. I hope you’re not mad at me.”
“Of course not. I don’t care. It would have been more fun if it was a surprise, though,” Vanessa says with a shrug, to which we all laugh.
Strong arms wrap around me from behind, and a soft kiss is placed on my cheek. “You ready to go?” he asks, low and sexy next to my ear, sending waves of lust through my entire body.
“Sure, whenever you are.” I smile at him over my shoulder. We say our goodbyes and walk hand in hand to the car.
“So, do you feel ready?” Ethan asks.
“I feel like my part is fairly simple, but Ethan, something just feels…heavy. Why did Max want to talk with you and Nick tonight?”
Ethan
I let out a long sigh. I really wish I didn’t have to burden her with this, but she needs to know. “I do need to tell you something.”
Her expression is immediately concerned. “Okay. Is something wrong with my transition? It worked, right? I was able to mark you.”
“No, nothing like that. Remember when Max did a routine blood draw after your transition? Well, a toxic substance was found in your blood. Shortly after that, a member of the pack who was present for the viewing went to Max to tell him she saw something that just didn’t sit right with her that day.”
