Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy Chapter 35

ARIA

*"I should get back to those letters,"* I said instead. *"The other Alphas are getting restless about the ceremony and the situation with Blackwood. I need to draft responses that sound confident without being defensive."*

*"You're doing well with those,"* Kael said warmly. *"Nina showed me some of your drafts. You have a good instinct for diplomatic language."*

The praise should have made me feel better. Instead, it just reminded me how much I was still learning, how new I was to all of this.

*"Thank you. I'll see you at dinner?"*

*"Of course. And Aria?"* He paused, and I felt something complicated through our bond. *"Thank you for being welcoming to Ivory. I know having someone return right before the ceremony might feel threatening, but—"*

*"It's not threatening,"* I lied smoothly. *"She's pack. She's your friend. Of course I want to build a good relationship with her."*

I felt Kael's relief through the bond and hated that I was lying to him. But what was I supposed to say? That Ivory's perfect smile and subtle digs were making me feel inadequate? That watching the pack welcome her home with such genuine affection highlighted how much of an outsider I still was?

That wouldn't be fair to anyone.

So I returned to the office, to those letters full of doubt and suspicion, and tried to focus on proving I was worthy of the title I was about to claim.

But my mind kept drifting back to Ivory's assessment, to the way she'd looked at me like Sera used to—pleasant on the surface, hostile underneath. To how naturally she fit into the pack while I was still struggling to find my place.

*She's just wary of you,* I told myself firmly. *You're new, unknown, about to become Luna when she's been here for years. Give her time. Once she sees you're genuine, once you prove yourself, she'll warm up.*

I wanted to believe that. Needed to believe it, because the alternative—that Ivory was going to be my Sera all over again, making my life difficult while maintaining a perfect facade—was too depressing to contemplate.

I was still drafting responses an hour later when Nina knocked on the door frame.

"Hey. You okay? You kind of disappeared after meeting Ivory."

"Just had work to finish," I said, gesturing to the letters. "These won't answer themselves."

Nina came in and sat on the edge of the desk, studying my face. "Ivory can be a bit much when she first meets someone. Don't take it personally."

So Nina had noticed something after all.

"I'm not," I said, then reconsidered. "Maybe a little. She just seems very... competent. Knowledgeable. Everything a pack member should be."

"She's had years to build that competence," Nina pointed out. "You've had a week. It's not a fair comparison."

"I know that intellectually," I admitted. "But watching her interact with everyone, seeing how much they love her—it highlighted how new I still am. How much I still have to prove."

"The pack already loves you," Nina said firmly. "The children adore you. The elders respect you. The warriors trust you after you saved Kael. You're not in competition with Ivory."

Wasn't I, though? Both omegas, both vying for position and respect in a pack hierarchy that traditionally valued dominance and strength. Both connected to Kael in different ways—her through years of friendship, me through the impending bond.

"I just need to focus on the work," I said, turning back to the letters. "Prove through actions that I'm capable of being Luna. The rest will sort itself out."

Nina didn't look entirely convinced, but she let it drop. "Alright. But Aria? Don't let Ivory's return shake your confidence. You've earned your place here. Don't forget that."

After she left, I tried to take her words to heart. Tried to focus on my responsibilities, on proving myself through competent leadership rather than worrying about comparison and competition.

But that evening, when I went down to dinner and saw Ivory sitting at Kael's side—her hands still casually running through his fur as she talked and laughed with the pack leadership—I felt that uncomfortable twist in my chest again.

She fit here in ways I didn't yet. Belonged in ways I was still fighting to achieve.

And tomorrow, I would bond with Kael and become Luna of this pack, regardless of whether I felt ready. Regardless of the subtle hostility from a woman the pack clearly adored. Regardless of my own lingering doubts and fears.

I took my seat at the table—the Luna's seat, next to Kael—and forced a smile as Ivory regaled everyone with stories from her travels. She was charming, funny, clearly beloved by everyone present.

And when her golden eyes met mine across the table, I saw it again—that flash of something cold beneath the warm surface. Something that promised this wasn't over, that my presence here was tolerated but not welcomed by at least one person who mattered.

*Tomorrow,* I reminded myself. *Tomorrow you become Luna. Tomorrow Kael marks you and the bond is sealed and your position is secure.*

I just had to get through tonight. Through the ceremony. Through whatever challenge Damon brought and whatever subtle warfare Ivory had planned.

One more day.

I could do this.

I had to.

Through the bond, I felt Kael's contentment, his happiness at having his old friend back, his anticipation for tomorrow's ceremony. He was completely oblivious to the undercurrents of tension, to Ivory's subtle hostility, to my growing anxiety.

And I couldn't tell him. Couldn't burden him with my insecurities when he had so much else to worry about. Couldn't make him choose between his childhood friend and his future mate when the answer should be obvious but somehow wasn't.

So I ate my dinner, participated in conversation when directly addressed, and tried to ignore the way Ivory's presence made me feel like an intruder in the pack I was supposed to lead.

Tomorrow, I would be Luna.

I just hoped that would be enough.