CHAPTER 41

VANESSA'S POV
Olivia slept off in my arms that night, and I tried not to let it show how much it got to me. I had left her behind to go and start prepping her breakfast, when I bumped into Julian.
He immediately reached out to steady me, eyes flashing with concern. "Whoa, steady." I waited till I had my balance back before stepping out of his arms.
His lips lifted in a tiny smile and I returned it because I already had Olivia. and he didn't. "How is she?" I lowered my gaze, lest he see the satisfaction that was on my face. Julian was asking me about her. "She is doing better now, sir. She was a bit disoriented last night, but she slept off. She is still sleeping."
"Ah. I see. Do you know if she is still mad at me?" I shook my head, biting my lips to keep myself from smirking. "I don't know, sir. I didn't mention your name that much. It seemed to only upset her."
I heard Julian sigh and I glanced at him to see him rubbing his face. "I thought as much. Still keep an eye on her for me, okay?" I nodded, giving him a courtesy. "I am going to get her breakfast, sir. If you may excuse me."
Julian shifted aside and I started walking. I didn't dare look back, but I prayed with everything in me that he left her alone. If Julian made her who she was last night, I didn't want to see him near her again. I would be enough for her.
Gretel and Rosemary were in the kitchen already. "There you are. We were looking for you yesterday during dinner prep. You are Olivia's personal maid, yes. But you still have other obligations." Rosemary said, glaring at me as she whisked the eggs.
"I know. Olivia needed me and Olivia is my top most obligation. I apologize. I assume you found someone else to take my place?" Gretel nodded, pouring the vegetables into the simmering sauce. "We did. You are here to take Luna's breakfast to her, right?"
I nodded, wondering how they knew Olivia wouldn't be coming out. "The Alpha told us to expect you. He said Luna came down with a cold." All men do is lie. I kept my face straight as I nodded. "She needs to rest a little. Do I have to wait?"
Gretel shook her head, turning around to grab a tray that she handed to me. "We made this specially for her. It's a cold remedy for breakfast." I nodded, looking at the tea which smelt of ginger, honey and lemon. There was also hot porridge and bread buns.
"I would take this to her before it gets cold." Gretel smiled, smacking my ass as I turned around to go. I ignored her cheeky smile and made my way out of the kitchen.
Thankfully, I didn't bump into Julian again and when I got to the room, Olivia was stark naked. I tried not to stare at her, but my eyes betrayed me. She was just so beautiful it was almost magnetic.
"Oh. Vanessa. You already got me my breakfast. I was about to go by myself." I nodded, stepping aside as I dropped the tray on the table. "Sit down. Eat with me." I shook my head, stepping back. "I could never."
"Don't be silly. You are like my best friend now. You need to eat. You stayed with me last night and missed breakfast." She was close enough for me to see her face clearly and I saw the pain she was trying to hide in her eyes.
I sat down, making her clap in excitement. Even if she planned to replace me with Julian, I wouldn't complain. She grabbed a shirt off the back of a chair, donning it and hiding her body. I schooled my features so disappointment wouldn't flicker across them.
"You know...We did say we would be going out today. Just the two of us. Fuck everyone else. We need a girls day out." Olivia paused in lifting the spoon of porridge to her mouth. "I did?" I nodded, excitement building up in my belly. "Yeah, I suggested it and you agreed."
Olivia scrunched up her nose, brows arching. "I don't know. Would it be safe leaving the pack?" I rolled my eyes, flashing my teeth at her. "I am all too capable to protect you, don't worry."
Olivia's shoulders relaxed and I put my hand over hers. "We aren't even leaving the border. The fair is just on the side of town. I promise it will be safe, and you need to relax. Forget about Julian."
She gave me a wary look, and her smile broke through the worry. "You know what? You are right. I am going to get dressed. Forget Julian." I smiled, squeezing her hand.
She quickly finished up her porridge, drinking some of the tea. She pushed the cup towards me. "All you took was one bite of bread. Take this and have some more." She was up and off in a blur, heading into her walk in closet.
I waited till I heard her moving around before I lifted the cup to my lips, drinking from the exact same spot she did. It was like kissing her. I knew Olivia didn't need any advances for now, so I was content with this.
You seem to settle for less anytime it comes to Olivia, don't you think, Vanessa?
I ignored the voice, licking my lips. The tea was amazing, but it seemed more delicious knowing Olivia had drank from it. I bit into a bun, loving the smooth way it melted in my mouth. Gretel was absolutely magnificent.
I kept drinking from that side, humming a song under my breath. "Okay. I am done." I downed the last of the tea, stuffing the bread into my mouth.
Olivia stepped out and I suddenly forgot how to swallow. She was wearing blue dungaree shorts and she had on a crop top underneath it. Her legs were in a converse and the outfit seemed to be unbelievably gorgeous just because Olivia was wearing it.
I realized with a start that I hadn't bathed yet and I winced. "I am afraid we have to wait a little. I need to go to the staff quarters to bathe and get ready." Olivia laughed, this breathy light laugh that reminded me of fairies.
"Oh don't be silly. You can use my bathroom. We are about the same size, so you can also borrow my clothes. I have a book I got from the library here, so I will be fine."
I nodded dumbly as I headed into the bathroom. I was going to use Olivia's soap. I was going to wear what she wore. I felt a bubble of hope build up in me. Maybe she liked me too. Even if it's a little.
I took off my outfit, dropping them by the side of the bathroom door. I stepped into the shower and picked out the soap that smelt like Olivia. Pouring it into my palm, I imagined she was there with me.
Her hands ran over my breasts, hers pressing up against my back. "You are so hot, Vanessa. And so much better than Julian. Why didn't the moon goddess pair me up with you?" I closed my eyes, letting the fantasy take over.
Fantasy Olivia's hands cupped my pussy and I moaned. She ran her fingers over my slit again and again, till I was a wet panting mess over her fingers. She laughed into my ear. "How long have you wanted this?" I bit my lip. I didn't need Olivia hearing me.
Fantasy Olivia slipped her finger inside me and I gasped. She wrapped her second arm around me, keeping me in place as she made me ride her fingers. I clapped my hand over my mouth as the pressure that was building inside me snapped.
I closed my eyes, releasing my breath as a hiss through my mouth. Guilt started creeping up on me so I hurriedly used my hands to scrub the soap on my body and step under the shower to let it rinse off.
I washed the soap flow down my body and into the drain and stood there until I couldn't see it anymore. I turned off the shower, stepping out of it. I grabbed one of the clothes I had dropped, using it to dry myself off.
Olivia was staring at my chest and I could feel myself burn up. Especially with the remembrance of what has happened in the bathroom. I covered my breasts with my hands, trying to ignore how good it felt to have just stared at them.
"Oh, sorry. I didn't mean to be rude. It's just...your chest is bigger than mine, so we might have a problem finding you clothes that fit." I shook my head, holding up the shirt I had used to dry my body. "I can use this instead."
Olivia waved me off. "I am sure we can find something." She dropped the book she was reading on the bed, coming up to put her hands around my waist.
"Your hips are about my size. I have a clean pair of unused panties in my closet. You would have to wear your bra though." I bit my lip, nodding at her. She didn't need to know I wouldn't mind having to use her used panties.
I picked up my bra, clipping it on. She came out in time, holding a packet of underwear in one hand and in the second what looked like a sundress. "Here. Go dress up."
I took the clothes from her, nodding. I tore open the packet, throwing it on the floor to step into one of them. Olivia held the dress for me as I did so, and I wondered if she was looking at my ass.
I took the gown from her and wore it over my head. It was a bit tight around the neck, but everywhere else was fine. "Okay, so we are ready!" She bounced on her toes. "Is there anything you forgot in staff quarters you might want to go get?"
I shook my head and she smiled, linking her hands through mine. She likes me. She might just be scared. I gave her a warm smile.
Our outing was like a date. We hung out, we ate food from the same plate and someone walked up to us to ask if we were dating. Olivia had quickly shut him down and said we were just friends, but the look of disbelief he gave us made my belly flop.
So we did look like a couple. Olivia just needed to open her eyes.
We were hanging out by the swings when I smelt Alpha Julian's aura. And I knew Olivia smelt it too, because she suddenly stiffened over her ice-cream cone. "Olivia. We need to talk." Olivia gave me a look that said it was okay, but I didn't trust Julian one bit.
I left the swing next to her and took one far enough I could hear what they were saying without looking too suspicious.
"Olivia. I can't breathe without you. You know I didn't do it. You know. Your wolf knows." Olivia didn't respond and I lifted my ice-cream cone to hide my smile.
"Olivia. Look." His voice suddenly went low and I couldn't hear him anymore. I resisted the urge to look at them, so I focused on eating my ice cream cone. You know I am better than him, Olivia. Ignore him so we can be together. You felt what I felt today. I can feel it.
I heard a breathy sigh instead and I ignored the warning voice in my head and turned around. Julian had Olivia in a lip lock, and I could feel my heart break within me.
What did you expect? Mate bonds always precede anything else. It's even hilarious you thought she would go for you..
Julian laughed happily, kissing her one more time before he shifted and bounded off. I kept a smile on my face as Olivia bounded up to me, grinning. "I am so happy. Thank you so much, Vanessa. You really helped." She gave me a kiss on my cheek.
I couldn't even find the happiness to smile back at her, so I just nodded. She was happy all the way back to the castle and I dropped her off at her room before heading to mine.
We were happy before Julian came in. I felt a smile split my lips as I lifted my hand to my cheek. We were happy. I released a breath, a spring showing in my steps. To be happy with Olivia, I just needed Julian to fuck up. And knowing the temper our Alpha had, it was going to be too easy.