Chapter 15: An Embarrassing Mistake
Chapter 15: An Embarrassing Mistake
(Olivia’s POV)
“Mmm.” I nodded, not daring to meet Cassius Shadowcrest’s gaze.
Blair White stood beside me, her eyes curious and ambiguous, seemingly noticing something amiss.
“Alpha Shadowcrest, please raise your arms horizontally,” I changed to a longer measuring tape, turned
around and politely reminded him.
Cassius complied without hesitation, lifting his powerful arms to create a perfect T–shape with his body. The movement caused his tailored shirt to pull slightly across his chest, revealing the impressive physique
beneath.
I swallowed hard, trying to maintain my professional demeanor. My hands trembled slightly as I approached
him.
At nearly 6’3“, Cassius Shadowcrest towered over most wolves, including me. Despite my own respectable height of 5’8“, I still had to reach up to measure across his shoulders.
“Forty–six inches,” I murmured, recording the measurement in my notebook. “Impressive shoulder width.”
The other she–wolves in the room had fallen silent, their attention fixed on us like we were performing some
intimate ritual. I could feel their gazes burning into my back as I moved around Cassius, measuring his arm
length.
“Thirty–five inches for arm length,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Perfect proportions for formal
attire.”
When it came time to measure his waist and hips, I hesitated. The atmosphere in the room had shifted
subtly, becoming charged with an energy I couldn’t quite name.
My ears flushed with warmth as I realized every female in the room was watching our interaction with intense interest. Even Elder Madeline seemed unusually focused on her son’s fitting.
“Miss Oasis, what’s wrong?” Cassius inquired, noticing my hesitation.
“Oh, nothing…” I blurted out, flustered. “You’re just so tall.”
“Should I lower my stance?” he offered, his expression unreadable.
“No, no need,” I quickly denied, embarrassed by my unprofessional behavior.
Steeling myself, I stepped forward and wrapped the measuring tape around his waist. This was the most
physically intimate I had been with a male wolf besides Graham Storm, my ex–mate–to–be.
The proximity was overwhelming. His scent–forest and wild herbs, exactly like the handkerchief–filled my senses, making my heart race traitorously.
I tried to focus on the numbers, not the firm.muscles beneath my fingertips. The warmth of his body radiated through the thin fabric of his shirt.
“Thirty–four inches,” I announced, my voice sounding strained even to my own ears.
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I could feel the eyes of every she–wolf in the room watching my every move. Their stares felt like physical touches against my skin.
Measuring his hips proved even more awkward. I moved behind him, my mind a whirl of anxieties.
What if I touched him inappropriately? What if the other she-wolves thought I was enjoying this too much? What if he could sense my discomfort?
In my distraction, I fumbled the tape. It slipped from my fingers, and I instinctively reached to catch it.
My hand landed on his lower abdomen, brushing dangerously close to his intimate area. The firm muscle beneath my fingers made my breath catch.
Mortified, I jerked back. “I’m so sorry!” I exclaimed, my face burning with embarrassment.
The room fell completely silent. I could hear my own heartbeat thundering in my ears.
Cassius, sensing my distress, smoothly covered for me. “Do you need to re–measure?” he asked calmly, as if hadn’t just committed the most humiliating blunder of my professional career.
“Yes, thank you,” I managed, grateful for his tact. The heat in my cheeks felt like it could set the room on fire.
I quickly finished the measurements, noting his impressive proportions–the perfect Alpha physique,
broad–shouldered with a narrow waist and powerful legs. The kind of build that commanded respect in any
pack gathering.
I couldn’t help but compare him to Graham. Where Graham was handsome in a conventional way, Cassius
exuded raw power and authority without trying.
“Did you get all of that?” I asked Blair, still flustered.
“Yes, I’ve recorded everything,” Blair confirmed, her expression carefully neutral though I detected a hint of
amusement in her eyes.
I moved on to collecting the other guests‘ preferences for their ceremonial attire, noting details like sleeve length, neckline, and overall style on my tablet. The familiar routine helped calm my nerves, though I remained acutely aware of Cassius’s presence ácross the room.
Christina Winters requested a midnight blue gown with silver accents. “Something that honors tradition but doesn’t look matronly,” she specified.
Another Shadowcrest female wanted a more modern interpretation of ceremonial attire. “Bold but respectful,”
she emphasized.
As noon approached, Elder Madeline turned to us with a warm smile. “Why don’t you both stay for lunch? Our chef has prepared something special today.”
I politely declined, “Thank you for the kind offer, Elder Shadowcrest, but I have several appointments this afternoon. Designs waiting to be completed.”
The truth was, I needed space to recover from my embarrassment. Being around Cassius for another hour would be torture after that measuring incident.
Cassius checked his watch. “I also have a lunch appointment with another pack representative.”
Elder Madeline nodded, though I caught a flicker of disappointment in her eyes. “In that case, Cassius, why don’t you escort Miss Oasis out? Russell is busy with the preparations for this evening’s gathering.”
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“Of course, Mother,” Cassius agreed, his tone revealing nothing of his thoughts on the matter.
As we walked down the hallway, I tried to compose myself. The memory of my hand accidentally brushing
against him kept replaying in my mind.
Will he think I’m some kind of p*****t? I worried silently. A desperate, unmated she–wolf taking advantage of a
measuring session?
Outside in the hallway, I handed my bag to Blair and prepared to return the handkerchief to Cassius. I’d been
carrying it with me since that fateful day, waiting for an opportunity like this.
“Alpha Shadowcrest,” I began, offering the neatly folded handkerchief, “I have something to return to you.”
“You still have it?” Cassius remarked with a smile that transformed his serious features.
Remembering my earlier blunder, my answering smile was strained. “It’s your personal item. I couldn’t just dispose of it.”
“It’s rare that you remembered who gave it to you. In that situation, I thought you were completely distraught,”
he observed, his silver eyes studying me with interest.
My expression faltered as the memory of the humiliating failed mating ceremony resurfaced. The pain had
dulled over time, but the shame still lingered.
“I was distraught. I’ve never cried in front of so many pack members before,” Ladmitted quietly. The memory
of that day still made my chest tighten.
“Graham Storm doesn’t know what he’s missing. Try to let it go,” Cassius consoled, his voice surprisingly
gentle for such a powerful Alpha.
“Mmm, thank you,” I replied gratefully. “The handkerchief is clean. Please take it back.”
“No need,” Cassius stated firmly. “I never take back what I give. If you don’t want it, just throw it away.”
I was shocked and cringed, thinking is he a clean freak? Did he cringe at the thought of taking back
something I’d cried over?
But come to think of it, I should have rubbed snot and tears all over my nose when I cried, and it’s normal to
dislike it even after I’ve washed it off.
Cassius looked at me, probably seeing something in my demeanor, and explained, “Don’t get me wrong, I
don’t mind.”
At that moment, a Beta wolf approached Cassius, reminding him of their departure. We began walking towards the car, my mind still puzzled by the handkerchief situation.
In werewolf culture, an alpha giving a she–wolf a handkerchief embroidered with the pack insignia is always a
bit tempting yet…
I couldn’t help but ramble on, Cora had been sleeping most of the last two days after some after effects of severing her mate bond, when suddenly she woke up, “I think I smell a powerful Alpha.”
“Shut up Cora, that’s not an Alpha for us to trifle with.” I interrupted her nonchalantly.
As we walked, I voiced another question that had been on my mind since our first encounter. “By the way, Alpha Shadowcrest, I was curious… why were you at the mating ceremony? Our packs, even combined, wouldn’t be important enough to warrant an invitation from the Shadowcrest Alpha.”
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Cassius paused, a thoughtful look in his silver eyes. “That day… was pure coincidence,” he replied.
“Coincidence?” I pressed, intrigued by his hesitation. What business would an Alpha of his standing have at
such an event?
Before he could elaborate, we reached the car where his driver waited. The moment for answers had passed.
“Miss Oasis, we’re of the same generation. You don’t need to be so formal with me. It makes me feel old,” he
said, changing the subject with a subtle smile.
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