Chapter 602 - Tasha

Ileus poked his tongue in his cheek as others laughed and Anastasia shook her head. 

Kaizan took Olivia's cloak and handed it to a servant nearby. He leaned over her and whispered in her ear, "Try to get out of here as soon as possible. There is something very important that I have to discuss with you." She was looking devastatingly sexy and beautiful and he was not sure how he would react to the gazes of other wolves upon her. And now he understood why Ileus was always around Anastasia or keeping an eye on her from the periphery of his vision. It was the natural instinct of their beast to protect what was theirs. And on top of it their mates were curvy sirens. Kaizan wrapped his arms around her waist in that wolfy possessive way, proudly showing everyone that she was his wife, his mate. He started to walk towards the royal tent when Anastasia held Olivia's hand and tugged her to join her.

"Walk with me," Anastasia said, holding Olivia's hand. Kaizan gritted his teeth as both he and Ileus tagged behind with their wives walking in front of them. All they could focus on were the strings that fluttered as they giggled at jokes and sashayed, as their curvy hips swung excessively, as their naked backs lured them under the warm sun. The two somehow managed to stay in control and not pounce on their mates. 

As Olivia trudged ahead with the fae princess, she picked up wine from the tray of a servant and then sipped a little. They stopped to talk to a group of three young men and two women who were all wearing just as scandalous dresses as it can get. While they bowed and talked to Anastasia, they didn't as much give much importance to Olivia. She felt as if they were purposely not talking to her. Uneasiness coiled in her stomach and a shaky breath left her. She could smell that they were all wolves from Silver Vales. When Ileus and Kaizan joined their wives, the group bowed to both of them, and still ignored Olivia. 

"Kaizan!" said one of the girls as she hugged him. She craned her neck and stared into his hazel eyes. "You look devilishly handsome!" She gave a quick glance at Olivia. "How did it go at the Whiteclaw pack?" 

Kaizan stiffened when the girl hugged him. He gave her a quick hug. "Tasha." 

As Anastasia and Ileus engaged in conversation with others, Olivia was left alone. She gazed at the girl and noticed her closeness with Kaizan. It opened her recently closed pit of jealousy. 

"It went very well," Kaizan gave a stiff reply. Then he looked at Olivia, tugged her closer to his torso in one swift pull and said, "Meet my wife, Olivia." 

Though she was wondering about the girl in front and fuming with jealousy, Olivia tipped her drink to him. "Good morning, Tasha." The feel of the muscular expanse of her husband next to her skin made her feel better and the look on Tasha's face—priceless. When their eyes met, Olivia's eyes wore a look of boredom while Tasha's were… green with envy? Her gaze traveled to the mark on her neck and Olivia peered at her fingers which tightened around the pinot noir in her hand. 

"Hello Olivia," said Tasha with a bored set to her mouth. She immediately turned her attention to Kaizan. "I heard that you people were not properly taken care of and that is why the wedding at Whiteclaw pack was a hurried affair." 

It was a jab on Olivia, but she chose to ignore it. It was a hurried affair under the given circumstances. There was no denying it and there was no denying the fact that Tasha wanted to make a spectacle out of it. 

Kaizan narrowed his eyes momentarily and even he didn't reply to her.

Tasha laughed at the awkwardness between them. She rubbed her hand on his upper arm as if in a friendly way. It was anything but friendly. "Let's talk when you are free," she said and winked at him knowingly. "We have a lot to catch!" 

"What is it that you have to catch on, Tasha?" Anastasia's voice came, interrupting their conversation.

Tasha instantly became tense and rigid. "Not much, princess," she replied with an uneasy smile. "I was just telling Kaizan to catch up. We are meeting after a long time." 

"Ah, I see," Anastasia replied with a warm smile. "Did you meet Olivia?" 

Tasha nodded. 

Anastasia leaned towards her and whispered, "Isn't his mate charming?" 

"M—mate?" Tasha stuttered. 

"Yes!" Anastasia's smile turned into a grin and then she laughed. "Even I could never imagine for Kaizan to find his mate!" 

Tasha joined Anastasia with a weak laugh. "Ha ha. Yes, the General never believed that they are rare." 

"Oh, but now he does believe that they are indeed rare," Anastasia replied, shaking her head. "Touché!" She raised her glass. Then she held Olivia's hand and squeezed it. "Come soon, Olivia. Mother must be waiting." 

Though Olivia didn't know what it was that Anastasia affected Tasha to the point that she looked pale, but her heart was lighter and so was her mood. She walked with Anastasia without even giving a glance at Tasha. Though she was definitely going to ask Kaizan about it. 

The royal tent was a few minutes walk. Olivia was amazed at the amount of wine and ale provided that would be drunk by the many guests who were seeking endless pleasure or toying with each other as some of them stumbled about like idiots. The royal tent was a large red and white one with guards all around it. Though Olivia felt very uncomfortable with the idea of meeting the king and queen in her scanty dress for the first time, when they reached inside, Olivia's eyes flew wide when she saw the queen. 

An extremely attractive woman who looked like she ruled the world was standing right beside a man who had angular features that Ileus inherited. Sequined silk covered the queen from her shoulder to ankle, the shade similar to that of her skin, leaving very little to imagination. It was as if her body was covered with a thousand sparkling diamonds. Her black hair cascaded in soft curls down her back. 

Olivia and Kaizan immediately bowed. 

"Kaizan," Adrianna said in a tender voice. 

Kaizan stepped forward with his wife. "This is Olivia, Your Highness." 

When Olivia bowed again, Adrianna stopped her and hugged her in a tight embrace. When she pulled away, she curled her finger beneath her chin and said, "I have to tell you that I haven't been so proud of Dmitri's decision so much in life as this time. He forced Kaizan to marry the Beta's daughter of the Whiteclaw pack, and look how it turned out to be?" She threw a warm glance at her husband who gloated in his wife's appreciation and grinned.  Olivia's lips curled up. "So, the gist is that you found your mate because of Dmitri and not because Kaizan wanted you." 

Kaizan shifted in his place. 

"I hope you have a good time here, Olivia," said Adrianna. "When Nate and Ookashi come here, we will have your wedding reception." 

"Thank you, Your Highness," Olivia replied, feeling warm. 

The king and queen seemed impatient to leave, so Olivia and Kaizan took their leave and came out of the tent.