James's body tensed up. He pulled away immediately and rushed to Mia's side, his wolf instantly responding to her.
"Are you okay?" he asked her with genuine concern, not the fake concern he had just given me.
Mia nodded, smiling, one hand on her barely visible bump. "Yes, I just wanted to know if you've told Olivia yet."
James turned to me, and suddenly his entire demeanor changed. His voice was vibrating with excitement.
"Olivia, Mia has good news."
I lifted an eyebrow. "Good news?"
He nodded. "Yes. And I would be hosting a pack gathering next week for a big celebration. I'm inviting all our business partners, the pack members, the Alpha Council, other pack alphas—everyone important."
I knew what the good news was. The pregnancy. My mate's pup growing inside my sister. And I knew the plans he had for me at that gathering.
I stared at him. "All this for the 'good news'?"
"Yes." Mia smiled sweetly. "James wanted to do something special for me, as we're all family."
He was throwing a gathering to celebrate the pup he had created using my murdered pupren's essence.
"There will be a family dinner tonight first," James continued. "Just us and your parents. But the big gathering is next week. I've already arranged everything—"
"I'm not interested," I said flatly.
Mia's smile faltered. "But Olivia—"
"I said I'm not interested."
Mia's face dropped, and her eyes watered.
"Olivia!" James snapped, his alpha command bleeding into his voice. My wolf was furious at his attempt to dominate. "Your mother and father will be there. The pack expects you."
"I can't bring myself to celebrate while Alice is dying," I said quietly, the lie rolling off my tongue easily.
"She's old," James said dismissively. "Her wolf is weak. She's lived her life. But this pup—" He placed his hand on Mia's stomach. "This is new life. A strong bloodline. Something to be happy about."
My hands clenched into fists at his cruel words. Alice had always treated him like family, even though I wasn't her biological daughter.
"Don't be selfish," he continued. "Mia is trying to include you in something important—"
"I said no."
Mia's eyes filled with tears. "I just wanted us all to be together as family. But if you don't want to be there..." Her voice broke. "If you hate me that much..."
"I'm just worried about Alice." I replied, turning away from her to continue packing.