67- The Scent of Jealousy
POV Edric Eldoria:
The council meeting had ended early. As usual, there was nothing to discuss. Nothing relevant had happened after the summoning dinner where Lunara was properly introduced to the elders.
I took another sip of my whiskey and cast a sharp look around. Sullivan, that witty bastard, remained isolated in his corner, watching without touching anyone. Konrad talked to everyone, moving from one to another like a damn politician seeking votes during election season. And Viktor had yet to grant us the pleasure of his arrogant presence—but, as always, he would show up soon enough.
"This is the best part," Aldren commented beside me, clicking his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "The meetings end up being... fun, just because we know what we’ll do as soon as they’re over."
I let out an irritated laugh.
"Where are your two regulars? Or are you still teaching them a lesson?" I mocked.
He took a sip of the amber liquid.
"They’ve already learned their lesson. Tonight will be all theirs."
Just as Thalira was my regular, Aldren had Teneris and Nala—but he didn’t allow them to have other partners. While I gave Thalira full freedom, she was the one who didn’t want it.
"Never thought about setting them free?" I asked, shrugging when he shot me a sideways look. "To find their destined mates and procreate, following the true purpose of these gatherings?"
He scoffed.
"I couldn’t care less about that. There are plenty of females who can fulfill that role just fine." He ran a hand through his hair. "Would you free Thalira?"
The answer was on the tip of my tongue.
"She can have as many partners as she wants, as long as she remembers she needs to come back to my bed at some point. She doesn’t meddle in my life, and I don’t meddle in hers."
Aldren laughed.
"And does she follow that?"
I took a deep breath, weighing my answer.
"Lately? No."
We fell silent for a few seconds, analyzing the wolves from our territories who were present—looking for sex, fun, or their ideal partners. The females who received invitations were always radiant on the day of the party.
"There’s an irony in that," he said. I frowned.
"And what is it?"
He turned to look at me.
"You’re not jealous of Thalira, your lover for half a century, but you were furious when Sullivan growled near Lunara."
"It’s... different."
"Different how?"
I pulled my hair back, uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. I didn’t want to talk about Lunara—not when she already haunted my thoughts.
"I think it’s the mark—being mated to her. My wolf claimed her and acts like the true beast he is when it comes to the female," I said, stating what I believed to be true.
He shook his head in denial.
"I think it’s more than that. Maybe, deep down, you actually like the omega—you just don’t want to admit it."
I let out a short, dry laugh.
"Of course not!" I shot back, my tone sharp.
Aldren burst into loud laughter, mocking me. I rolled my eyes and ignored him, finishing the drink in my glass.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Nala and Teneris approaching us with unsteady steps. The blonde—Teneris—interlaced her fingers in front of her body and smiled shyly.
There were only a few wolves who attended the monthly gatherings. Some omegas, like Teneris, Nala, and Thalira, were always present because they were our favorites. There were five packs, and besides the goal of finding destined mates, omegas and alphas from all of them wanted to attend the events—some purely for fun—so it was necessary to alternate the guest list.
"Aldren," Teneris called, clearing her throat, a pink flush spreading across her cheeks.
The leader of Valmorin merely cast a bored glance in the female’s direction.
"What is it?"
"We’re waiting for you," she said, lowering her chin in submission.
They were both very attractive omegas. Teneris had shiny golden-blonde hair, straight and flowing down to the middle of her back. A wide, full mouth, and large, round brown eyes. Nala, on the other hand, had dark hair that cascaded down to her slender waist, deep brown skin, dark eyes, and delicate features.
Aldren huffed.
"Then keep waiting. I’m having an important conversation with Edric. Don’t interrupt me again. Ever." His voice dropped to a low hiss.
I blew out a laugh and shook my head.
From the corner of my eye, I could sense Thalira watching me, waiting for my conversation with the leader of Valmorin to end so she could approach.
"Your... lovers seem eager for you," I teased, clicking my tongue.
"I’m sure they don’t want to see me out of patience."
"Mine’s been testing my patience too lately. I don’t know what’s going on with these females."
He let out a snort.
"In your case, a newly mated female. In mine, too much boldness."
"And in both cases, they’ll have to accept reality," I added, running my hand through my hair.
Thalira would have to stop testing my patience at some point and accept that Lunara was a fact. There was nothing she—or I—could do about the omega bound to me.
The scent of Konrad reached my nose. He stopped beside us, observing the wolves moving through the room. I’d never liked his friendly nature, that counselor-like, peacekeeping attitude of his. He always leaned toward what he thought was the right side.
"I don’t understand how your mated companion so readily accepts that you come to the feast of lust," he commented, shrugging.
"She doesn’t have to accept anything."
"Actually, she does. You chose to mate, Edric—to share your life in two bodies. I can’t comprehend how you agreed to perform such a... carnal act as mating, yet seem to show no respect for your female." He turned his green eyes on me, shaking his head and pressing his lips in reprimand.
I stayed silent for a few seconds, staring at him, imagining how terrible it would be if we started a fight in the middle of the gathering. The elders would probably throw me into a cell and leave me there for days—a fitting punishment for such reckless behavior.
I took a deep breath, calming my tense body.
"I don’t recall asking for your opinion on my relationship, Konrad. And believe me—if I ever needed one, it sure as hell wouldn’t be yours."
He chuckled.
"I don’t care whether you want my opinion or not. What I said is the pure truth, and I won’t take back a single word."
Aldren set his glass down on the counter.
"Are you done preaching?" he asked firmly. "Edric knows very well what mating means—better than any of us here, since he’s the only mated wolf. So stop tormenting him with your pathetic love talk."
"You’ll think differently when you find your mate."
Aldren laughed loudly.
"If mine ever existed, she’s probably dead." He scoffed.
"Edric thought the same," Konrad retorted, giving me a pointed look from head to toe.
Gods, I would tear the alpha’s head off if he kept pushing the subject. My temper was on edge.
I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, slowly.
"Why don’t you find someone to entertain yourself with and stop bothering us?" I snapped.
He laughed, unconcerned by my harsh tone.
"I’m the oldest of the alphas, which makes me responsible for putting some sense into your heads."
"Don’t worry, that’s what the elders are for," Aldren replied.
"However, they’re not always present—so I see it as my role."
And that’s exactly how he acted, always trying to smooth things over and give advice, even when no one asked, as if we’d ever listen.
My chest tightened. Alarmed, I frowned, stepping away from the counter and glancing around.
"What is it?" Aldren asked.
"Nothing," I lied, still scanning the room.
I already knew how to recognize the symptoms in my body when she was near. And she was. I was certain—just didn’t know how or why.
"Something wrong, Edric?" Konrad questioned.
I inhaled deeply, focusing on the scents, separating them, trying to pick out the only one that mattered.
Dew and wild jasmine.
My head turned sharply to the right. My gaze narrowed, and I stopped breathing.
Lunara stood before me, just a few meters away, wearing a black dress that barely covered her body, clinging to every damn curve. She wore sneakers, her face was made up, and her hair fell over her shoulders in wild waves.
I felt myself stiffen, control slipping away from the beast within.
In front of her stood a wolf—an omega from some pack I couldn’t identify. They were talking with a certain... intimacy.
She looked at me, her gaze sliding over the shoulder of that damned male circling her—and then she lifted her lips into a cutting, wicked smile.