Olivia's POV My hands trembled beneath, but I forced my expression to remain calm. Breathe. I can’t show fear. “Even if scarred,” I said slowly, meeting Amelia’s crazed gaze, “a wolf won’t so easily abandon their Fate Mate. Everyone knows that.” Amelia’s sneer deepened, her grip tightening on th
Ethan's POV Marlus’s words cut through my thoughts like a knife. “The Alpha Council vote is in ten days,” he reminded me. "We’ve secured four votes, including the one Olivia locked in for us." I nodded, the weight of the impending vote pressing heavily on my mind. It was another reason to keep m
Ethan's POV The murmur of voices behind me was hard to ignore, even with the noise of the party. I didn’t need superhuman hearing to catch snippets of conversation between two Betas. “I just saw her and Aiden getting handsy. Looked cozy, if you get my meaning,” one of them whispered. “Guess she
Olivia's POV I woke up with a pounding headache on Ethan’s couch, fragments of last night still blurry around the edges. The last thing I remembered clearly was Ethan dragging me away from Aiden and that punch he threw. I was still piecing everything together when my phone blew up with messages.
Olivia's POV I threw myself deeper into work, trying to shake off the strange fog that seemed to follow me after Ridgecrest. I kept playing it over and over in my mind. Everything seemed to remind me of the way Ethan’s gaze felt almost… genuine. My hand stopped mid-movement as flashes of the n
Olivia's POV A whisper of dread sunk into the back of my stomach. I wondered if Derek could see right through me; could he see the secrets I was desperate to keep? What if he’s already figured it out? What if all of this – dinner, the charm, even the rented-out restaurant – was to corner me and
Olivia's POV As Ethan and I entered the grand hall for the Alpha Council meeting, an air of tension crackled like electricity. So much power in one room could be oppressive. Alphas from various packs filled the room, their sharp gazes assessing everyone who dared to cross the threshold. I could
Ethan's POV The weight of the Alpha Council’s stalemate loomed over me as I stared out the window at the darkening sky. Tension crackled around me, my power leaking out with my frustration. There were ten days until the next round of voting, and every second felt like a countdown to a confrontat
Aiden’s words circled like vultures, picking at every insecurity I had. You’re the placeholder. He’d said it with such smug certainty. I clenched my fists, hating how those words lingered despite my resolve to dismiss them. As I rounded the side of the house, I spotted Amelia sitting on a low ston
Olivia's POV The woods at the edge of my Thorne Ridge lands were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. I walked the narrow trail alone, hoping the solitude would clear my mind. The fresh air usually helps, but so far today, I was still tense. I paused, inhaling de
The thought of giving in, of betraying her trust, made me sick. But if the formula was the only way to secure my position and protect the Packs, could I afford not to? *** I clenched my fists, pacing back and forth, unable to shake the gnawing jealousy from hearing about Olivia’s visit to the ho
Ethan's POV I stepped into Gideon’s office, the air heavy with the scent of leather and old cigars. Gideon sat behind his wide mahogany desk, hands folded, an unreadable look in his eyes. “Ethan,” he greeted, voice rich and smooth, though I detected a sharpness beneath it. “I trust you’ve been b
Olivia's POV I leaned over my desk at Lunera Beauty, meticulously arranging the new ingredients. Each scent was another piece of the puzzle, something I could control. Unlike… everything else in my life right now. This project – this formula – was my grounding force, something truly my own, and
Ethan's POV The memory of Isabella’s arrival lingered. Her face, her words – everything about her felt like a ghost coming back to haunt me. I couldn’t deny she had once been a part of my life, but everything had changed. Even knowing that, her presence stirred a strange unease within me, one I
Olivia's POV Every instinct warned me that tonight would bring me closer to a line I wasn’t sure I was ready to cross. As I entered the dimly lit room, Derek’s commanding presence filled the space. "Olivia," he greeted, watching me closely, his gaze too knowing. "I admire your resolve. Not many
Olivia's POV I needed a breather. A single moment alone to collect myself and try to make it out of here without passing out. I splashed water on my face trying to wash away the anxiety that had been building the entire meeting. I knew Isabella had a history with Ethan, he confessed as much. Sh
Her gaze softened as she looked at Ethan, and I felt like a third wheel – out of place and unwelcome. “I wanted to see you,” she murmured, her voice filled with a longing that was impossible to ignore. “I’ve… I’ve missed you, Ethan.” Her words were quiet, but loud enough for those nearby to hear