I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the elegant red dress that clung to my form. Read is the favourite colour that I thought I had always looked good at, but it was also the colour that Alexander had always adored me. The memory was bittersweet, my heart aching even as the fabric shimmered in the faint light. My eyes drifted to the dark circles just barely concealed by makeup, a testament to the sleepless nights filled with worries and longing. Sighing, I turned away from the mirror, trying to push thoughts of him aside. As I descended the stairs, the familiar chatter of Lidia and the twins filled the air. Lidia caught sight of me first. Her eyes widened slightly, and she smiled. "You look beautiful, Olivia," she said.Lidia had offered to stay behind and watch the kids. She told everyone that she was tired and didn’t feel like going, but I knew that the real reason was that she didn’t want to see Alpha Derek again. Before I could respond, Reed walked in. His entrance command
The party was just like all the others—extravagant, impeccably decorated, and filled with faces that barely felt familiar despite their familiarity. Chatter and laughter echoed through the grand hall, but none of it penetrated the fog of annoyance that clouded my senses. I glanced around, spotting Alexander standing in a corner, his intense gaze firmly locked on me. The heat of his stare was almost palpable, sending shivers down my spine despite my rising irritation. It wasn't the first time Alexander's presence had unsettled me, but tonight, his insistent attention felt more oppressive than usual. I took a deep breath, willing myself to calm down. This was supposed to be a night of distraction, yet I found myself spiralling into a pit of rage with each passing second. "Are you alright, Olivia?" Reed's voice broke through my haze, his concern evident. I forced a smile, not wanting to betray the storm brewing inside. "Just need a moment. I'll be right back." Excusing myself, I wea
My heart pounded in my chest. I was running out of time, and I wasn’t going to reach him in time. Victor reached for the drink; everything slowed down as he did. I was still so far away, pushing against the throngs of partygoers who remained blissfully unaware of the looming threat. "Move! Out of my way!" I yelled, shoving people aside, my vision narrowing on Victor's hand, inching closer to that fatal drink. Aura snarled within me; the urgency and the desperation fuelled my movements. Victor's fingers curled around the glass. My breath caught in my throat. I propelled myself forward with everything I had, my body a blur of motion driven by sheer will. The room seemed to shrink, tunnel vision setting in. Aura's strength surged through me, waves of power bolstering my legs. Just as Victor brought the drink to his mouth, I dove at him, knocking it from his hand. The glass shattered against the marble floor, the content spilling into a harmless puddle. "What the hell, Olivia?" Victo
“Olivia, what are you doing?” a voice came from behind me. Alexander. His presence was always hard to ignore, especially now when everything inside me was writhing with rage. But I didn’t turn around.I dropped Cassandra to the ground, watching as she gasped for air, clutching her bruised neck. "Stand in my way again, and I will end you. Permanently." I walked past Alexander, feeling his intense gaze boring into the back of my skull."Olivia, wait," he called out, his voice tinged with urgency.I didn't acknowledge him, storming out of the building and into the street. The rain was pouring down in heavy sheets, soaking me to the bone within seconds, but I barely felt it. My mind was fixed on one thing: getting to Liam and Sarah, my twins, my heart."Olivia, please!" Alexander's voice boomed over the drumming of the rain.I continued to walk, each step pulling me further into the tempest. I needed the cold. I needed the pain to distract me from the chaos inside my heart.Out of nowhere
Alexanders povI watched as Olivia walked away. Every step she took made my heart twist with regret and longing. The rain continued to pour, cold and relentless, mirroring the turmoil inside of me. I needed to find answers, to understand what my heart truly wanted. If I didn’t do that soon I feared that I never would.I knew what I had to do. Turning, I marched back inside, finding Cassandra where I had left her. Her eyes narrowed with rage as she saw me walking towards her."Alexander, what the hell was that?" she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "you abandon me here, then you run after her?"My heart raced as I closed the distance between us in an instant. Ignoring her words, I grabbed her, pressing my lips into hers. I needed to confirm something. The best way to confirm if you love someone is a kiss.At first, she resisted, her hands pushing against my soaked chest, but then she relented. The kiss was mechanical, devoid of the passion that used to ignite between them. It wasn
Cassandra's POVThe door to the hotel room clicked shut behind Alexander, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me. "Finally," I muttered under my breath, the bitterness of his kiss still lingering in my mouth. I rushed to the bathroom, flicking on the harsh fluorescent light and glaring at my reflection. I could still taste him—a reminder of everything I loathed.Turning the faucet, I cupped my hands under the running water and shoved them into my mouth, swishing furiously. I spat the water out, watching as it spiralled down the drain, carrying away the remnants of my disappointment and growing hatred. Leaning against the sink, I stared into the mirror, my eyes dark and full of unspent fury. This wasn't over, far from it.Alexander's departure was my cue. He would be gone for a while. He had hardly changed since we were married. The only thing that was different was how much weaker and pathetic he was now. If I played my cards right, I would have time to go and meet up with my alpha,
Olivia’s POV The morning light streamed through the curtains. I had barely slept, my thoughts a tangled mess of anger, sorrow, and exhaustion. Just as I managed to close my eyes, a knock on my door pulled me from the abyss of restless sleep.“Come in,” I called weakly, my voice betraying the weariness I felt.Lidia walked in, her eyes sharp and assessing. She leaned against the doorway with a smirk playing on her lips.“Well, good morning, Little Miss Sunshine,” she said, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “How was your night out in the rain with that handsome new toy of yours?”I rolled my eyes, sat up in bed, and pulled the covers closer to me for some semblance of comfort. “It was...complicated,” I said.“Complicated?” Lidia raised an eyebrow. “Do tell. I’m dying to know more.”Taking a deep breath, I began to recount what had happened. “I confronted Cassandra last night,” I started, feeling the lump form in my throat. “And Alexander came after me. We fought. Again, and he kissed me
Alexander's POVThe leather chair in the lobby had become a reluctant bed for the night. My legs were cramping, and my back was stiff from the uncomfortable position. Still, it was better than being anywhere near Cassandra. At first light, I forced myself up, groaning as my muscles protested. Sneaking into the room, I looked around, finding it empty. Good, I thought, mentally hoping she had wandered off and wouldn't return.After a quick shower and change of clothes, I headed towards the main hall, where today's elder meeting was scheduled. The room was abuzz with multiple alphas, all seated and engaged in hushed conversations. The gravity of the situation seemed to weigh heavily on everyone. But my mind was elsewhere. All I could think about was how I was going to get Olivia back and Cassandra out of the picture.Elder Marcus, a grizzled old wolf with eyes that seemed to peer into your soul, called the meeting to order. His voice carried a tone that instantly demanded respect and att
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