Chapter 116: You Are Just A Stand–in
Chapter 116: You Are Just A Stand–in
(Cynthia’s POV)
As a well–bred she–wolf, I would never normally cling to another woman’s mate. But my entire future was on the line.
I released Matthew’s waist only to link my arm defiantly through his. I gave the substitute, Olivia Blackwood, a scornful smile.
“Don’t you think we look very much alike?” I pressed, my voice dripping with confidence.
The resemblance was undeniable. We both had dark hair, similar builds, even comparable features. It was proof she was nothing more than a placeholder.
“You are just a comfort to Matthew while he was angry with me,” I continued, tightening my grip on his arm. “Now that I’m back and our misunderstanding is cleared, his heart will return to me.”
My voice grew stronger with each word. “He will not mate with you, and even less likely to perform a mating ritual with you.”
The words were a promise to myself as much as a threat to her. I have beauty and family background, so I am more qualified to be his Luna. Matthew belonged with me. We had history, breeding, everything that mattered.
But I was wrong. She looked at him heartbroken, asking if what I said was true? Then Matthew forcefully shook off my hand.
Such behavior from him terrified me. He completely disregarded my desperate plea.“Don’t go, Matthew.”
He gave his Beta a subtle glance. Tristan moved to restrain me with firm but respectful hands.
I watched in disbelief as Matthew strode after Olivia. His back radiated a rare urgency I had never seen before.
My heart seized with cold dread. He was supposed to be a distant moon, cold to all but me.
Shaking off the Beta’s grip, I ran after them. My carefully constructed confidence shattered with every step.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Matthew was mine. He had always been mine.
He must be mine.
(Olivia’s POV)
I watched Cynthia cling to Matthew’s arm. Her words dripped with a confidence I found almost comical.
A substitute? Me? The rational, powerful Alpha King caught in a substitute romance plot? It was impossible.
I’ve known Matthew for so many years now. He’s a powerful Alpha King, with authority and territory. If he truly loved her, how could he possibly have a stand–in?
Just as Cynthia delivered her final declaration, I overheard hushed whispers. Victoria and Barrett, Matthew’s parents, were hiding anxiously in the shadows. They believed they were well–concealed.
“She’s not reacting,” Victoria whispered urgently. “Cynthia is walking all over her! How come Cynthia is holding Matthew’s hand, and she doesn’t react at all? Isn’t she jealous?”
“Why hasn’t she pulled Cinzia away?”
“Her expression doesn’t look like jealousy at all. Could they not be a couple in name only?”
Chapter 116 You Are Just A Stand–in
Barrett nodded grimly. “If she doesn’t fight for him, how can we trust her to protect our bloodline?”
An idea sparked in my mind. If they wanted a show, I would give them one.
I let my expression crumble into heartbreak. My shoulders began to shake as if I were devastated.
“Is that really so?” I asked, my voice trembling with manufactured pain.
I lowered my head, hiding the amusement in my eyes. My body language screamed defeat and despair.
Matthew grabbed my arm.
“If that’s the case,” I choked out, forcing my voice to break, “then I’ll let you be together.”
I flung Matthew’s hand away with dramatic flair. Then I fled toward the moonlit lake, playing the part of the broken–hearted omega to perfection.
Behind me, I heard Victoria gasp. “Oh no! She’s running away!”
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When Matthew caught up to me by the shore, I spun into his arms. I made sure his family had a perfect view of our
reunion.
“Matthew, give me a hug,” I whispered, dropping the act entirely. “Your parents are watching over there.”
I felt his body relax in understanding. He pulled me closer, his eyes softening with amused warmth that made my own heart flutter unexpectedly.
(Matthew’s POV)
I stayed silent as Cynthia spoke, my gaze locked on Olivia. A pained expression crossed her face, and my usually placid golden eyes focused intently.
When she whispered, “If that’s the case, then I’ll let you be together,” her voice trembled. Her shoulders shook as if she were truly broken.
As she turned to leave, instinct took over. I reached for her hand.
“Listen to me,” I said, my voice gentle in a way it never was with anyone else.
But she flung my hand away and ran toward the moonlit lake. The sight of her solitary figure made my heart clench with unfamiliar unease.
Ignoring Cynthia’s desperate plea, I signaled for Tristan to handle her. Then I went after Olivia.
While running, memories flooded like a tide. When we first met at university, she was reading on the lawn under a cherry blossom tree. My gaze had shifted from her book to her serene face.
During outdoor training, she came in first and completely captured my heart. The engagement with Cynthia was a responsibility I bore, but Olivia… she was my fated mate, my lost and regained love.
I caught up to her by the shore, my breath ragged. Before I could speak, she spun and threw herself into my arms.
My heart leaped at the contact. Then she whispered, a mischievous smile in her voice, “Matthew, give me a hug. Your parents are watching over there.”
Understanding dawned, and a smile touched my lips. My clever little liar.
I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. “Did I act well?” she asked cheekily.
“Perfectly,” I replied, genuinely amused by her performance.
But our moment was cut short. Heavy footsteps approached across the garden path.
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Theodore strode toward us, his dark eyes fixed on Olivia with burning intensity. “You don’t love him, he declared, his voice rough with desperation.
“You’re only with him to spite me.”
Just then, my parents arrived. Their faces were etched with shock at the confrontation unfolding before them.
“Alpha Redgrave,” my mother demanded, her voice sharp with authority, “what is the meaning of this?”
