Alexander's POV Two days had passed since Derek's demise, and I had been on high alert. Standing in the hall with all the alphas, I turned my head as someone walked in through the doors. My heart quickened as I realised it was Derek's Beta, Adam. He walked with a determined stride, his eyes scanning the room with an unwavering focus. I knew what he was here for, and it made my stomach twist into knots. I kept a discreet distance, listening carefully as Adam approached the elders. He exchanged nods with them before getting straight to the point. "Elders, we need to talk. Alpha Derek is missing, and I need your help to find him." The elders exchanged worried glances. One of them, a grizzled old wolf named Samuel, responded solemnly, "Very well, Adam. We'll bring everyone together and ask if anyone knows of his whereabouts." A surge of panic coursed through me. I couldn't let that happen. I turned on my heel and quickly made my way over to Victor, who was standing talking to Reed.
Olivia’s POV My heart pounded as we hurried to Lidia's room. We had little time to prepare for the confrontation that awaited us in the hall. I needed to be strong, not just for myself but also for Lidia. "Lidia," I called softly as I gently pushed open the door. She sat on the edge of her bed, looking like a fragile doll about to shatter. Her eyes, still red from crying, met mine. "Olivia," she whispered, her voice trembling. "We need to go. Now."Lidia sat there staring at me, her eyes wide with fear as she began to shake her head. “No, no, I can't face anyone. They’ll know that I had something to do with it.”Closing the distance between us, kneeling down in front of her, I took her hands in mine. “Listen to me, Lidia. You did nothing wrong, and I know you're not ready to face anyone, but we don’t have a choice.”She stared at me, her eyes still holding so much pain. “I don’t know if I can hold it together.”Standing up, I pulled her to her feet. “We don’t have a choice. But I
The air felt electric with tension as Victor’s words reverberated through the room. I could feel Lidia press closer to me, her trembling fingers digging into my arm. There were so many eyes on us, judgement and suspicion palpable in every glance. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, feeling the weight of the room shift onto me. “Victor is right. We need to remain focused,” I said, my voice surprisingly steady. “Lidia has been with me, and if anyone doubts that, I’m willing to swear on it.” Adam's eyes narrowed further. “And why should we believe you, Olivia? She is your sister, and of course, you would lie for her.” Adams's eyes burned into mine, but I refused to let him get to me. There was too much at stake here.Adam's voice took a darker turn. "Let's not pretend Lidia is innocent. Derek was pursuing her, and everyone knew it. Maybe she got tired of his advances and decided to—” “Enough!” I cut him off, my own voice surprising me with its strength. “Lidia has been with me th
Victor's POV The atmosphere in the hall was charged as the split second before lightning struck. I could see the strain on Olivia’s face, the fear in Lidia’s eyes, and Alexander’s towering form, a rampart guarding them both. But my own frustration surged like a raging inferno. I could not allow Beta Adam to speak about my family this way. Stepping forward, I injected all the authority I could muster into my voice. “Elders, esteemed pack members, you know me as a leader who values fairness and justice above all. If we descend into accusations and violence, we risk everything. We’ve already lost one leader. Let’s not lose our unity.” Adam snarled, looking like he might leap at me, but Samuel interjected again. “Victor speaks with wisdom. We must approach this with clear heads.”“Wisdom?” Adam sneered. “Or cowardice? Hiding behind words while the truth is buried in lies.” “Adam,” I growled. “This is not about cowardice. It's about keeping our pack whole. If you believe so fervently
Olivia’s POV As we left the hall, my heart pounded in my chest as I relived killing Derek over and over again in my head, and the same question played on replay in my head: could I have done it differently and not killed him?The fresh air hit my face, washing a calming feeling over me, but I knew that I needed time to myself. “I'm going to go for a walk,” I said to Victor and Lidia, who both looked at me with wide eyes.“With everything going on, I don’t think you should go anywhere alone, Olivia,” Victor said.“I'll be okay. I just need some time alone.”Victor stood there for a second, thinking, before finally nodding and taking Lidia's hand in his. I stood there, watching them walk away before turning and heading the other way.As I walked away from the hall, intending to find some peace, the tension from inside still clung to me like a second skin. The night air should have been a balm to my frayed nerves, but it was thick with unease. As I took a few steps further, another pr
Alexander's POV Watching Olivia walk away with Reed tugged painfully at my chest. Rage seethed beneath my calm facade. Reed's arm wrapped around Olivia was a reminder of how much I'd risked losing her. But now was not the time to make a scene. I had to focus on the bigger picture. “Alexander, what a cruel twist of fate!” Cassandra’s voice came from behind me, wrapping her slender arm through mine. “Alpha Derek's disappearance is simply dreadful.” She leaned in closer, her breath hot on my neck. I let out a sigh, eyes still fixed on Olivia and Reed disappearing into the distance. Cassandra always had a way of intertwining herself when I least wanted it. "It wouldn't surprise me if all of them had something to do with it," she whispered conspiratorially, her eyes gleaming. Annoyance flared inside me, and I pulled my arm free from her grip. “You heard what Victor said. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll keep your opinions to yourself.” I strode off, putting as much distance be
Olivia’s POV The night was cloaked in an eerie silence as I lay restless in my bed, the shadows from the dim moonlight dancing on the walls. My mind was a chaotic mess, brimming with uncertainties and anxieties. Days had passed since my last encounter with Alexander. Deep down, I knew that rekindling any form of relationship with him was a risk I couldn't afford to take, not with all the times he had hurt me before. A sudden knock on the door yanked me from my tumultuous thoughts. My heart raced as I cautiously approached, opening it to find Victor standing there, his face pale and eyes wide with panic. "Victor? What's wrong?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. “They’ve called a meeting,” he said, his breath uneven. “I think they’ve found Derek’s body.” A numbing chill shot through my spine. I clung to the doorframe for support, fighting the panic threatening to consume me. I desperately prayed that nothing on his body could be traced back to us. "Olivia, you have to joi
Olivia’s povI kept my distance, noting every single reaction. Each murmured word, every worried glance—they all fed the tension simmering beneath my exterior. I had mastered the art of composure, especially now when everything depended on maintaining the facade. Samuel’s voice echoed through the hall, drawing everyone's attention. "His body bore marks consistent with attacks from rogue wolves. However, it appears they were made post-mortem. The cause of Derek's death is still uncertain, but it does not look like a simple rogue attack."I let out the breath I hadn’t realised I’d been holding. But just as I thought the worst might be over, movement in the crowd caught my eye. Adam was pushing through the milling bodies. His eyes locked on Lidia with a predatory intensity. A chill travelled down my spine. He would not hurt my sister. I surged forward, heart pounding, but despite my efforts, Adam reached Lidia first. He grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward him with a vicious sneer. B
Olivia's POVThe tension in the room thickened as Cole spoke, his words carrying the weight of a disturbing revelation. "Two of our pack members were on their way here a few days ago with gifts for your victory celebration, but they never arrived. When we got word that they hadn’t made it, we sent out people to search for them." His voice faltered for a moment as if the next words weighed heavily on him. "What we found was not what we had hoped. One of them was dead, the other missing, and the carriage was gone."A chill ran down my spine. I couldn’t bear to hear this. The situation was growing more dire than I’d imagined."Two days ago, we found the carriage," Cole continued, his gaze hardening as he recalled the grim discovery. "It wasn’t far from here. And this morning, we found the other missing pack member."My heart pounded in my chest. "Where did you find him?" I asked, my voice almost whispering, desperate for any hope.Cole's gaze flickered to the others before he spoke again
Olivia's POVThe sun had barely risen, but the kingdom was already alive with energy. The grand celebration for our victory was being planned for that evening, and every pack was invited to join in the festivities. The air was thick with excitement and anticipation.I had just finished speaking with Ethan about his proposal to Lidia. His nerves were apparent, but I could see the sincerity in his eyes. He was nervous, but I knew he was ready. Before I walked away, I placed a gentle hand on his arm, offering him a reassuring smile."Don’t forget," I said softly, "when I say I’d like to thank my sister, that’s your cue."Ethan nodded, his expression shifting to one of determination. "I won’t forget. Everything will be perfect."I gave him a quick nod before heading toward Alexander’s office. As I walked through the corridors, I caught sight of the triplet alphas—Cole, Casper, and Carlson—along with their shared mate. They greeted me warmly, offering hugs and smiles."It’s good to see you
Olivia's POVThe ceremony had come to an end, and the officiant's voice rang out, full of warmth and joy. "You may now kiss your mate."For a long moment, Alexander and I stood there, neither of us moving. Our eyes met a deep, silent understanding passing between us. The world outside the two of us felt distant—almost irrelevant. It was as if time itself had paused, giving us this moment to just be, to finally breathe, to finally have each other completely.And then, as though it was inevitable, Alexander leaned in, his breath warm against my lips. His eyes never left mine, and in them, I saw everything I had ever hoped for—the love we'd both fought for, the bond that had only grown stronger over time.His lips were soft when they first touched mine, and I felt my heart flutter, a thousand emotions rushing through me. But then he deepened the kiss, his hand cupping the side of my face as he pulled me closer. I responded instantly, my fingers threading through his hair, holding him as
Olivia's POVMy heart raced as I took in the sight of the garden, the flowers a stunning blend of colours beneath the glowing moonlight. Every detail had been crafted with care, each petal, each whisper of the breeze, all speaking of the love that had brought us here. But none of it mattered more than the man standing before me.Adjusting the dress that flowed around me like liquid silk. Victor and Allen flanked me, both looking incredibly proud and supportive, but their presence felt like a blur, fading in comparison to the figure at the end of the aisle: Alexander.When my eyes met his, everything else melted away. The crowd, the world—everything faded until only he remained. There he was, waiting for me, his face a mixture of longing and awe. My heart swelled with emotions that couldn’t be put into words. No part of me felt nervous. Everything just felt right.For so long, I had fought the love that bloomed between us, but tonight, under the stars and in the presence of our family,
Alexander's POVI stood before the mirror, adjusting the pristine cuffs of my shirt, the faintest tremor of nervousness threatening to disrupt the calm exterior I fought so hard to maintain. My reflection stared back at me—sharp jawline, hair perfectly styled, the weight of responsibility etched in my gaze. But beyond the Alpha that I am, I saw the man who was about to marry the woman of his dreams for the second time, but this time, I would not take her for granted. I would treat her the way that I should have from the start.My chest tightened as I ran a hand over the collar of my suit. Everything was perfect. The flowers, the guests, the setting. But all I could focus on was the one thing that had eluded me for far too long—the realisation that this was the life I had always wanted yet failed to see for long, and I hated myself for that.A soft knock at the door drew my attention, and I turned to see Ethan standing in the doorway, his usual confidence absent, replaced by something
Olivia's povThe shop door chimed softly as we entered. The dressmaker, a kind older woman with an eye for detail and warmth to match, greeted us with a beaming smile. Bolts of exquisite fabrics lined the walls, their colours are vibrant, each one telling its own tale. I knew the one I held within my heart today—a tale of love, resilience, and hope.Lidia followed me closely, her earlier doubts seeming to melt away amid the excitement of the shop. "I’ve been waiting for this," she confessed softly, leaning closer as she took in the palatial display of elegant gowns. "Getting to see you in your wedding dress is like a dream."We approached the mirrored dais, where an array of wedding dresses awaited—each one a masterpiece of lace and silk and dreams sewn into reality. As I stepped upon the dais, emotions welled within me, teetering precariously on a tide of sentiment and expectation. I reached for a gown gently, fingers trailing over the delicate beadwork, feeling the promise imbued w
Olivia's povI knew Ethan was trying to muster his courage. His hands trembled slightly as he thumbed the edges of the box, cooling his earlier confidence. Finally, he opened the box, revealing a stunning ring. The large moonstone at its centre caught the light, casting an ethereal glow that seemed to shimmer with life."Olivia, this ring has been in my family for hundreds of years," Ethan said, his voice tinged with reverence and nerves. The raw honesty in his eyes touched me deeply.“It’s beautiful," I murmured, genuinely captivated by the artifact's majesty and the legacy it represented.Ethan went red-cheeked, the usual bravado he donned so effortlessly slipping away. "I was wondering if you would…" He paused, his words stumbling over one another like a landslide. I waited, offering him patience and a soft smile of reassurance.After a moment, he cleared his throat and started again. "I mean, I'm here to ask for Lidia's hand in marriage. I haven't seen Victor yet, but he'll under
alexanders povThe anticipation that pulsed through my veins was far stronger than any battle I'd waged, any beast I'd fought. Tonight was the night Olivia and I would affirm what we already knew in our hearts: that we were meant to be together. Our bond had withstood countless trials, and now it would be sealed under the moonlight with the people we loved.Despite the day’s beauty, echoes of concern lingered. Red flags flew in my mind every time I thought of Reed. His absence was like a splinter under my skin—a constant irritation that could not be ignored. But tonight was not about him. Tonight was about Olivia, about our family, and about the life we were building together.The palace was bustling with excitement. People flitted about, preparing for the evening’s festivities. I had instructed everyone to keep the atmosphere relaxed yet festive. Even though she opted for a simple ceremony, Olivia deserved a night filled with joy and laughter.Maneuvering through the busy rooms, I fi
**Olivia's POV**I took a breath, the pleasant scent of roses filling my nose. The garden was alive with nature's symphony, a perfect backdrop for what could be the most significant day of my life. Alexander had already set to arranging everything needed for our moonlit wedding. Tonight would be magic.I left the garden, excitement twirling within me as I ventured toward the dressmaker to see if she had anything that I could wear tonight with such short notice. I noticed there was no time for me to have something made, but I didn't care. The dress was not important; marrying my mate was the only thing that mattered. My footsteps echoed softly off the cobblestone path, each step a rhythmic countdown to becoming Alexander’s wife.As I approached, the gentle hum of early morning activity filled the air. People were setting up stalls for the evening's festival, laughter mingling with the scents of freshly baked goods. We hadn’t had a true celebration in so long; spirits were high, and eve