Chapter 82: Chapter 82: Old FlamesThe spring festival buzzed with activity as I adjusted the last wreath of flowers above the entrance arch. Standing on tiptoes atop the short ladder, I carefully secured the floral arrangement before stepping back to admire my work.

    “Perfect,” I whispered to myself, dusting my hands on my jeans.

    My body was still sore from last night’s forest adventure with the triplets. But the spring festival started at noon, and it still needed one last check before it was ready, in case Luna Evelyn and Jessie found more things to pick at. I barely got out of bed in time.

    “Still working? The festival started half an hour ago!” Sophia’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as she approached, looking stunning in a flowy green dress that complemented her fiery red hair.

    I offered her a sheepish smile. “Just making sure everything’s perfect.”

    “Perfection achieved,” she declared, gesturing around us. “Now please tell me you plan to actually enjoy this festival you’ve worked so hard on?”

    “I will,” I promised, though my eyes continued scanning the area for any decorations that needed adjusting. “But I’m in charge, remember? I have a duty to make sure everything goes well.”

    Sophia rolled her eyes and linked her arm through mine. “You need to relax a little. The hard work is done. Look—” She gestured to the mingling crowd. “Everyone’s having a great time.”

    She was right. Pack members from both territories chatted animatedly while children ran between game booths with cotton candy in hand. The scent of grilled food wafted through the air, mingling with the sweet fragrance of spring flowers.

    “Speaking of enjoyment,” Sophia continued with a playful nudge, “where are those mates of yours? I expected them to be hovering around you after yesterday.”

    Heat rushed to my cheeks at the memory. “They’re handling some official business with the Ironhound representatives. Alpha duties and all that.”

    Actually, the last I checked, they were still in bed, knocked out.

    Or at least, Liam and Levi were.

    Lucas had woken up even earlier than I did. He had a meeting with his father and Alpha Joseph of Ironhound to discuss the recent issue of rogues appearing around their borders. Apparently, even Ironhound faced such a problem.

    “Efficient,” Sophia remarked, nodding toward the main pavilion. “From forest frolicking to diplomatic relations in less than twenty-four hours.”

    “Sophia!” I hissed, glancing around to make sure no one heard her. “Keep your voice down.”

    She laughed, clearly enjoying my embarrassment. “Oh please, it’s not like the whole pack doesn’t already know you four disappeared during the fireworks. Besides, you’re their mate. It’s allowed.”

    Before I could respond, a familiar figure approached us. Callum strode through the crowd, looking handsome in a button-down shirt and dark jeans.

    “Ladies,” he greeted with a warm smile. “The festival looks amazing, Hazel. You’ve outdone yourself.”

    “Thanks,” I replied, genuinely pleased by his compliment. “Is Cassandra with you?” I looked around, expecting to see his mate nearby.

    Callum’s smile faltered slightly. “She’s feeling a bit under the weather today. Said she might join later if she feels better.”

    “Oh no,” I said with a worried frown. “Nothing serious, I hope?”

    He shook his head. “Just feeling nauseous, she says. I offered to stay with her, but she insisted I come and have fun.”

    “Nauseous” Sophia’s eyebrows scrunched. Then, her eyebrows shot up and a devious grin stretched her lips. “Have you been up to something bad, Callum?” she teased.

    Callum’s face flushed red in an instant. “No comment!”

    We chatted for a while, sampling treats from various food stalls and watching some of the performances. Despite my attempts to relax and enjoy myself, I couldn’t help continuing to scan the crowds for any issues that needed addressing.

    “I’m going to grab us some drinks,” Callum announced after we’d watched a traditional dance performance. “Any preferences?”

    “Whatever’s cold,” Sophia replied. I nodded in agreement, and he headed toward the refreshment stands.

    As we waited, a familiar voice caught my attention from behind.

    “—must be like a reunion for the triplets.”

    I stiffened, recognizing Kira’s distinctive tone. She and Melanie stood just a few feet away.

    “I know,” Melanie replied, her voice carrying easily to where Sophia and I stood. “This festival is practically a gathering of every girl they’ve ever dated. Did you see who they’re talking to now?”

    I shouldn’t have turned around. I knew better than to give them the satisfaction. But curiosity won out, and I glanced over my shoulder, following their gaze.

    “You’re eavesdropping,” Sophia muttered, casting me a glance.

    “Is it called eavesdropping if they’re purposely speaking loud enough for me to hear?” I murmured back.

    “But you won’t like what you hear,” Sophia replied. “They’re trying to get under your skin.”

    Unfortunately, Sophia was right. They did get under my skin. My eyes had already found what—or rather who—they were referring to.

    Across the festival grounds stood Liam and Levi, engaged in what appeared to be a friendly conversation with three women I had never seen before. They were all beautiful, like models who walked out of a fashion catalogue.

    “I told you they’d get bored eventually,” Kira continued, her voice deliberately loud enough for me to hear. “It’s the Sullivan way. They chase, they conquer, they move on. Poor little maid thought she was different.” Sёar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Melanie laughed. “Well, being their mate doesn’t mean being their only one.”

    My stomach clenched as I watched one of the women place her hand on Levi’s arm, laughing at something he’d said. He didn’t pull away.

    “Bethany, Olivia, and...what’s her name again?” Kira asked.

    “Amber,” Melanie supplied. “She was Levi’s ex before he got together with me.”

    “Now I remember,” Kira said. “They met and dated when our packs held joint training sessions a couple of months ago.”

    Both girls cast me a not-so-subtle smirk.

    “Right,” Melanie said with a laugh. “Amber wasn’t too happy when Levi and her broke up. Guess she’s using the festival to worm her way back into his life.”

    “Ignore them,” Sophia insisted, stepping directly into my line of sight. “They’re just jealous because the triplets chose you.”

    I tried to smile, but it felt brittle on my face. “It’s fine. They’re just doing their jobs as Alphas—being diplomatic.”

    But even as I said the words, I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the scene. Liam was now animatedly describing something, his hands gesturing enthusiastically while the blonde woman watched him with obvious admiration. Levi had his arm draped casually over the back of a bench where the auburn-haired girl sat.

    “Have you seen Lucas?” I asked Sophia, trying to keep my voice steady.

    She scanned the crowd. “I don’t see him. But his father is there chatting with Alpha Joseph and some others.”

    Sophia gestured to one of the benches a short distance away. Both men were holding drinks, laughing over their conversation. I had never seen Alpha Henry smile so widely before.

    “Shame Lucas isn’t with them,” Kira said with a sigh.

    Melanie giggled. “Maybe your lover boy is just catching up with another one of his old flings somewhere else. Privately. Perhaps you should go look for him. He might give you a chance too.”

    Both women laughed loudly, their voices catching several people’s attention as they walked past. Melanie and Kira didn’t stay long either. They threw us one last smug grin before walking away hand in hand.

    I felt my cheeks burn in anger and a bit of embarrassment. I knew better than anyone how many old flames the triplets had before they were with me. In comparison, I had no other romantic experience to speak of.

    But to stand here and watch Levi and Liam so at ease with these beautiful women of their past was like a slap to my face.

    “Here are the drinks,” Callum announced, returning with three cups. He paused, noticing the tension. “What did I miss?”