chapter 120
Tori's POV:
A knot formed in my stomach, tight and uncomfortable.
"No, I understand your frustration," Lucas continued, his expression softening slightly. "But rebuilding your network will take time."
A feminine laugh tinkled through the speaker, loud enough for me to hear.
"I don't want to stay outside Moonhaven, Lucas," Vivienne's voice carried a playful, almost childish whine that made my teeth clench. "There are people I want to see here."
Tracy, my wolf, stirred restlessly within me, a low growl building in our shared consciousness.
She's trying to get close to our mate, she warned, and I couldn't disagree.
Before I could analyze my actions, I was walking toward Lucas, driven by an unfamiliar possessiveness. His eyes tracked my approach, one eyebrow rising slightly in question.
I didn't stop until I stood directly before him. Then, without hesitation, I leaned down and pressed my lips against his.
Lucas stiffened for a fraction of a second before his free arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me onto his lap. He deepened the kiss, his response immediate and hungry.
I heard Vivienne's voice still chattering from the phone, now pressed against the arm of the chair.
"I was just kidding," Vivienne said, breaking the silence with a light laugh.
"Could you introduce me to Dylan Freeman? I heard he's quite influential in the Freeman Pack. It would help me establish—"
Lucas broke our kiss just long enough to growl, "I'll call you back," before tossing the phone onto the nearby table without waiting for her response.
His attention returned fully to me, his hand coming up to cradle my face.
"What was that for?" he asked, his thumb tracing my cheekbone.
I made a small sound of discontent, glancing at the abandoned phone. "She seemed very... familiar with you."
A slow smile spread across Lucas's face, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Jealous, Little Wolf?"
"No," I lied, but the slight rumble in my chest betrayed me.
Lucas chuckled, the sound vibrating through his chest against mine. "You have nothing to worry about," he murmured, his lips brushing my temple. "You're the only one I care about."
The conviction in his voice soothed something wild and territorial within me. I settled against him, savoring the warmth and security of his embrace.
In the afternoon, Lucas went to handle Pack business.
I arrived at the Lunar Phase Research Institute to familiarize myself with my new workspace.
The sleek glass building reflected the afternoon sun, its modern architecture a stark contrast to the traditional stone structures surrounding it.
As evening approached, I gathered my things and headed toward the exit.
Just as I was about to leave, a familiar figure caught my eye. Olivia Sullivan stood near the entrance, silver hair gleaming under the fading daylight.
When she spotted me, her eyes lit up.
"Tori!" she called, approaching with surprising agility for her age. "What a pleasant coincidence."
"Mrs. Sullivan," I greeted her with genuine warmth. Since our last meeting, I'd felt an inexplicable closeness to the elderly woman that I couldn't quite explain.
"Please, you can call me Olivia," she insisted, taking my hands in hers. "Were you heading home? Perhaps you'd join me for dinner instead? There's a wonderful little restaurant nearby."
I hesitated briefly. The invitation was unexpected, but something about her earnest expression made it impossible to refuse. I nodded, "I'd be honored."
The restaurant she chose was clearly exclusive, catering to high-ranking wolves. Olivia ordered confidently, selecting dishes specifically formulated for Omega nutritional needs.
While we waited for our meal, I noticed Olivia studying me with increasing warmth in her gaze.
"No wonder I liked you at first glance," she said suddenly, reaching across the table to take my hand in hers. "You remind me a bit of William when he was young."
Just as we were speaking, the server approached our table. "Mrs. Sullivan, you have a visitor."
A woman glided toward us, draped in deep purple silk that complemented her olive skin. Her dark hair fell in perfect waves past her shoulders, and her eyes—a rich brown that seemed almost burgundy in the restaurant's dim lighting—assessed me with undisguised curiosity.
"Grandma Olivia, darling," she said, her voice melodic and refined. "I thought I recognized your car outside."
"Charlotte!" Olivia's face brightened further. "What perfect timing. Please, join us."
Charlotte settled gracefully into the chair beside Olivia, her movements fluid like water. She turned those penetrating eyes toward me.
"Charlotte, this is Tori Sullivan. It's quite a coincidence that she shares the same surname as me." Olivia introduced. "Tori, meet Charlotte Shepherd, William and Susan's adopted daughter."
"Please, call me Lottie," she offered with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "All my friends do."
"It seems you've found yourself a new friend, Olivia," Charlotte observed, a hint of mischief in her tone. "Should I be jealous that you've forgotten your old ones?"
Olivia chuckled. "Never, dear."
She reached out affectionately and tapped Charlotte's forehead. "You're always trying to make me smile. If your grandmother Diana knew, she'd certainly be jealous."
I glanced between them, noting their easy familiarity.
"She wouldn't be jealous at all," Charlotte said, looping her arm through Olivia's and resting her head against the older woman's shoulder. "Grandmother is always happy when you show me affection, Olivia."
Their closeness made me feel like an outsider witnessing a private family moment. I shifted slightly in my seat, unsure whether I should excuse myself.
"Grandmother Diana is here too, in a private room next door," Charlotte continued, straightening up. "Would you like to join us, Olivia?"
I noticed an immediate change in Olivia's expression.
"No, I think not," she said quietly. "Seeing me would only remind her of unpleasant memories."
The sudden tension in the air was palpable.