CHAPTER 67

*Olivia's POV*
I stood there waiting for about a minute before Ron came back and the first thing he said when he saw me was. "The dress fits you better. Maria would be thrilled."
I assumed Maria was his mate and I nodded at him, lifting the gown so it wouldn't sweep against the floor. I walked behind him, pondering on how exactly to project myself so the clan liked me.
I needed their approval to stay here. Ron led me down another staircase and I lifted my eyes to see a spread of them. The pit was dug out like a concert arena.
The uplifted part was decorated like a throne and I saw Emerett sitting on the chair. He had his head in his hands, and he only looked up when the whispers started.
His eyes widened and he moved to his feet. Ron nodded at me, going to stand in the crowd. I could feel all their eyes on me as I made my way to the stage and I tried to tune out my ears so I wouldn't hear what they were saying.
My wolf was more curious and she won this battle.
"Oh my goodness. She is absolutely beautiful."
"Do you think she can keep up with us during the hunts?"
"She looks so delicate."
"I hope she isn't mated. What wouldn't I give to have a fine piece of ass like that in my bed."
"Do you see the way Alpha Emerett looks at her?"
"She must be a witch. She must have bewitched him."
My wolf suddenly snarled, loud enough for the whole cave to shudder. The whispers immediately stopped and Emerett laughed.
I was close enough to stand next to him and did so. "Well, that quells the witch rumours. Clan, this is Olivia. She would be staying with us for a while. We don't know if it's a permanent or temporary thing."
The wolf in front raised his hand and Emerett glanced at him, sighing. The whole cave began to laugh. "Yes, Kane?" "Is she mated?" Emerett glanced at me, a question in his eyes. I cleared my throat, smiling at them.
I looked Kane square in the eyes and I nodded. "I do." "Why aren't you with him?" Emerett opened his mouth to talk, but I shook my head and answered the new speaker.
It was a girl this time and her hair was so blonde it looked white. "He and I had an argument. He walked out on me. I had tried to find him immediately I came to my sense and...well. Let's just say your men found me first."
The whole cave laughed and a hand lifted from far above the back. "Is she going to join us on raids?" Emerett looked at me, his eyes soft. "That's for her to decide."
The whole cave erupted in argument and Emerett lifted his hand, effectively silencing them. "That is final. We have work to do. Get to your various stations."
I knew Emerett had a soft spot for me, and I didn't know why. I knew it would cause problems between me and his clan, I just didn't expect it to be this much.
The look on their faces had changed, with something akin to distrust creeping into their features.
I glanced at Emerett who was rubbing his head. "I can't believe this." He muttered, rubbing his forehead harder. I didn't want to touch him, to avoid giving his people the wrong idea, so I lifted my dress and bounded down the stairs.
None of them tried to stop me as I ran away. I had no idea where I was going. I just needed to get out of there.
My wolf was whining, wanting us to go back there and show them no mercy. To show them what happened if they crossed us, but I held my ground.
I recognized Emerett's curtain and I ducked inside. I was an outsider. I had caught the favour of their Alpha overnight. They had every right to be suspicious. I calmed myself down by taking in deep breaths.
Emerett didn't come for me and it was only when my emotions were in check did I step out of his room.
Three women were whispering heatedly, pointing at his curtain. I didn't even need to use my wolf senses to hear what they were saying. It was almost as if they wanted me to hear it.
"She must have bewitched him. She must be a witch disguised as a werewolf." "It took my husband over three years to win Emerett's trust. How can she get it over night? And without doing anything for it at all?"
"Emerett only likes good fighters. People who can stand their ground. She looks like she would break under any pressure." Alvin came into view, holding a basket under his arm.
He looked at me, letting his eyes drift to the women so deep in their conversation they didn't notice him until he cleared his throat.
They immediately started scrambling away, in the direction of what I guessed was the kitchen. "Awfully sorry about that. They don't take newcomers good here. Your situation with Em makes it worse."
I waved him away, glancing at the basket in his arms. "Is that food?" "Yes. Em asked me to bring this to you. He left earlier with the raiding team."
That answered my earlier question. I nodded, taking the basket. "Don't mind whatever they say about you, Olivia. They weren't there when we fought."
"So why can't you just tell them?" I lifted the cloth covering the basket, smiling when I saw the cookies again. "They believe what they see. It's a thing. They would warm up to you soon enough."
I nodded, although I doubted him. Alvin patted my cheek, giving me that cocky lopsided grin of his again. "You would be alright. Em told me you loved cooking. Do you wanna go down to the kitchen after breakfast?"
I shook my head, lifting a cookie out of the basket. "With the atmosphere currently surrounding me? I don't think so." "The kitchen women are absolutely wonderful. They would love you."
I shook my head, biting into the cookie. "Maybe later." Alvin shrugged, following me into the Emerett's room. "I can stay with you until Em comes back if you are okay with that."
I picked up the book Emerett was reading earlier and shook my head. "I would be okay. I don't need you worrying about me. It would just add to the already tense situation."
Alvin smiled, and I could swear he was flirting. "I wouldn't mind being bewitched by you." I dragged a cabinet closer to the bed, placing the basket on top. "I am sure you would."
"The Clan knows to respect boundaries. So as long as you stay in here, they shouldn't trouble you." I smiled at him, letting my gratefulness show.
"If you want, however, my room is down three curtains." Alvin gave me a wink before he left. I picked up the book from where I had placed it on the bed.
I spread the contents of the basket out, loving how fresh the bread smelt. They had served me bread rolls, butter, bacon and cookies. The orange juice was in jug, which was sealed with some kind of elastic.
The book Emerett was reading was a romance. It was a tragedy, telling the tale of how two lovers from two rival clans had met during war and had fallen in love. They didn't survive in the end, as their clans had caught them and killed them.
They had the decency at least, to bury them side by side. I had finished the food and the novel when Emerett walked in.
He glanced at my face then let his eyes drop to the book. "You are crying." I startled, touching my cheeks. "I hadn't noticed." He just smiled.
I wiped the tears from my face, dropping the book on my lap. "How was the raid?"
He suddenly slid a bag I hadn't seen earlier off his shoulder and kicked it aside. "It was something, alright. Yasmin told me they didn't see you in the kitchen this morning."
I shrugged, poking at the now empty basket. "If you haven't noticed, your clan doesn't like me." "You are overexaggerating."
I rolled my eyes, falling back on the bed. "You weren't here earlier. My head hurts." He just laughed, and I heard him move around to sit next to me on the bed.
"I am sure it's just a misunderstanding." I rolled over to look him in the eyes and I saw the trepidation there. He was trying to convince himself.
"What do you think I should do to make them like me?" "They like you just fine, Olivia." "How can I gain their trust? You know they don't trust me."
Emerett opened his mouth then closed it promptly, shaking his head. "That wouldn't work." "Tell me." Emerett glared at me. "You would get yourself killed in the process."
I ignored his protests, pushing him until he snapped and rolled his eyes. "Fine! Okay. Listen, there's another rival that competes with my people for food."
"They have been a pain in our assholes for a long time and they are literally impossible to communicate with." He rubbed his forehead and I mentally noted he did that whenever he was stressed or frustrated.
He looked up at me, suddenly looking weary. "If you can solve the problem." He laughed sounding more sarcastic than amused. "By the stroke of luck or whatever godamn miracle, my people would be definitely accept you. They like show of worth."
I pursued my lips, deciding on doing it. They couldn't be that difficult to handle. "Alvin told me they believed in what they saw too." Emerett nodded, picking up the book. "That too."
I crossed my legs, arranging the gown so it covered my thighs. Emerett's eyes darted down then back up at me. "You are going to do it, aren't you? I can already see the determination in your eyes."
I didn't answer him. "Don't be stupid, Olivia. I know you are powerful and strong and amazing at fighting, but you can not just risk your life like this" He rubbed his forehead again, a vein ticking in his jaw.
"I am not going to let you risk your life for something like this. You can gain their trust with time." "I am not staying here long. You know that."
He suddenly looked tired, almost drained. "What do you need to know again?" The look of resignation didn't fit any Alpha so I cast my eyes to the floor as I spoke. "What else can you tell me about them?"
Emerett sighed. "The second group of rogues call themselves White ice." My brows furrowed. "White ice? That sounds oddly specific." Emerett laughed. "That is because it is."
"They call themselves White Ice because their leader had white hair. His hair rivals the color of fresh snow and as if that wasn't enough, his wolf is a pure white wolf."
I tried to imagine him and failed. "They think they are so special because of that. In retrospect, they are. That special trait got shared among them and it boosted their morale."
"So you can find a few of them with white hair or streaks of white in their wolf fur." I nodded, glancing at him. The look of resignation had been replaced with calm and I stared at him straight on. "And being the werewolves that they are, they bullied other rogues."
I narrowed my eyes, feeling the anger start to well up in me. "I am going to get what your people want." "Don't be stupid." "You know I am going, Emerett." He tsked, shifting on the bed. "So you would join us on our next raid?" I nodded.
I was the Luna of Alpha Julian. I was born of Alexander Firadus. White Ice hadn't seen anything yet.