Alphas Regret, the luna is secret heiress novel

Chapter 120: New Year Encounters

(Olivia's POV)

The third day of the New Year arrived with the familiar bustle of pack relatives gathering at the Winters Family Estate. I sat in the living room, my amber eyes scanning the faces of aunts, uncles, and cousins who had come to pay their respects.

The air was thick with the scent of traditional New Year treats and something else—unspoken questions that loomed like a storm cloud over our family gathering. A permed aunt, sharp-eyed and even sharper-tongued, leaned forward in her chair. Her gaze was fixed on my father with predatory interest. “Brother,” she said, her voice cutting through the polite chatter, “why was the mating bond between your family and the Rivers family called off?” My heart sank.

I had been dreading this moment since the relatives arrived. The inevitable probing about my broken engagement to Connor Rivers was about to begin. My wolf stirred restlessly beneath my skin, sensing my discomfort. Richard maintained his composed facade, his Alpha authority radiating calm control. “The two young wolves were not compatible,” he stated simply. His tone suggested the matter was closed, but I knew better than to hope the relatives would let it drop so easily.

An uncle with a gossipy nature and too much wine in his system leaned forward eagerly. “I heard that the Rivers pack heir is involved with a female celebrity. Is that true?” I couldn't help but internally mock his obvious hunger for scandal. Some wolves never outgrew their taste for pack drama. Richard's jaw tightened slightly. “It's no longer our concern. Connor and Olivia have already ended their mating arrangement.” His voice carried finality, but the permed aunt was nothing if not persistent. “But surely Connor was unfaithful during his relationship with Olivia,” she pressed, her eyes gleaming with malicious curiosity. “Wealthy Alpha heirs often fool around with stars and models.”

Natalie quickly attempted to steer the conversation away from dangerous waters. “What a beautiful handbag you're carrying, sister. Where did you find such an exquisite piece?” She gestured toward the aunt's designer purse with forced enthusiasm. “I've been looking for something similar.” But the aunt was like a wolf with a bone—she wouldn’t be distracted from her prey. “Oh, this old thing? We can discuss fashion later.” She waved dismissively and turned back to me with renewed intensity. “Tell me, dear, did you discover Connor's infidelity? Is that what ended your engagement?”

Before Natalie could intervene again, I spoke with calm clarity. “That wasn’t the case. Our relationship ended before he pursued anyone else.” My voice remained steady despite the uncomfortable scrutiny. I refused to provide them with the scandalous story they were clearly hoping for. The aunt's face fell with obvious disappointment. She had been expecting drama, betrayal, perhaps tears and accusations.

“But how could such a loving relationship deteriorate so quickly after your engagement ceremony?” she persisted. “Your father spoke so highly of your bond with Connor. He even mentioned plans for a future mating ceremony.” The uncle nodded vigorously, his wine-flushed face animated with misplaced concern. “Such a loss of an advantageous union with the powerful Rivers pack.” He shook his head sadly. “You should have tolerated Connor's extramarital affairs, Olivia. It's normal for Alpha males to play around.” His words made my stomach turn with disgust. “He would have eventually returned to claim you as his Luna. That’s how these things work.”

I began to speak, ready to defend myself against such archaic thinking, but Richard's voice cut through the air like a blade. “Enough.” His face darkened with Alpha authority, his wolf rising to the surface. “My daughter is my precious treasure.”

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. “I will not allow her to suffer such humiliation.” His amber eyes flashed dangerously. “The Winters pack has no need to cling to the Rivers pack's power.” Natalie immediately echoed his sentiments, her voice firm with maternal protection. “Our daughter does not need to rely on the Rivers pack for status.” She moved closer to me, a subtle show of family unity. “Olivia has her own worth and accomplishments.”

The relatives fell silent under the combined weight of my parents' disapproval. Even the gossipy uncle seemed to realize he had overstepped. Natalie smoothly changed the subject with practiced diplomacy. “Speaking of accomplishments, how is your youngest son doing in his studies?” She smiled warmly at the permed aunt. “I heard he was accepted into Northern Territory University's business program.” Richard cast a worried glance in my direction, his earlier anger softening into paternal concern. I offered him a reassuring smile, my amber eyes reflecting genuine gratitude for their protection. Despite our complicated family dynamics, they had stood by me when it mattered.

After dinner, I needed air and solitude. The weight of the relatives' questions and assumptions had me feeling suffocated. I slipped out to the Winters Estate Gardens, seeking the peace that only moonlight and silence could provide. The night air was crisp and clean, carrying the scent of winter jasmine and pine.

My wolf settled as I walked along the familiar paths of my childhood. But my solitude was short-lived. A familiar figure emerged from the shadows near the property line between our territories. Connor Rivers stood in the moonlit garden, his ice-blue eyes meeting mine across the space that separated us. My heart stuttered in my chest. Of all the nights for an unexpected encounter, it had to be tonight. “Connor,” I greeted him first, my voice carefully polite and formal. The distance between us felt both too much and not nearly enough.

My wolf stirred restlessly at his familiar scent. “Happy New Year, Olivia,” he responded, his deep voice carrying across the garden. His tone was equally formal, but I caught something else underneath—a warmth that made my chest tighten. My gaze automatically dropped to his wrist, where the Timber Wolf Chronograph Watch I had given him still gleamed in the moonlight. The platinum caught the lunar rays, creating small flashes of light that seemed to mock our current distance.

I wanted to ask why he still wore it, what it meant that he hadn't removed it after our engagement ended. But I stopped myself, biting back the questions that would only complicate an already difficult situation. Connor followed my gaze to his wrist, his expression shifting slightly. “Oh,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a note of something I couldn't quite identify. “I forgot to take it off.”