Olivia's POVDr. Zoe’s office smelled faintly of lavender, a calming scent that failed to ease the storm raging in my chest. The soft hum of her air purifier filled the silence as we took our seats. Ryan sat beside me, his posture as straight and commanding as ever, while I sank into the chair, trying to gather the scattered pieces of my composure. Dr. Zoe’s eyes flickered toward Ryan, her surprise evident. She bowed her head respectfully. “Alpha Ryan, it’s an honor to have you here. I wasn’t aware you were involved with Olivia.”My heart clenched, and heat rushed to my cheeks. “He’s—he’s my new boss,” I interjected quickly, my voice steadier than I expected. “He’s just here to ensure everything’s alright.”Ryan’s sharp gaze turned to me, his expression unreadable. Dr. Zoe’s shoulders relaxed, and she gave a small nod of understanding. “I see. Well, that explains your presence.” Her tone lightened, but the weight of her next words lingered in the air. “Olivia, I’d like to speak with
Olivia POV The corridor outside Doctor Zoe’s office felt suffocating. I needed air, or at least a moment to gather myself before returning to face reality. Layla’s life was hanging by a thread, and I could feel every ounce of weight pressing on my shoulders. Desperation clawed at my chest, but I couldn’t let Alpha Ryan see how broken I truly was.I slipped down the hallway, my steps unsteady but determined, until I found the hospital restroom. With a trembling hand, I pushed open the door, grateful to find it empty. The cold, sterile air hit me, and I moved quickly to the sink, turning on the faucet. The sound of rushing water filled the quiet space as I cupped my hands, splashing the cool liquid onto my flushed face.Looking up, I caught my reflection in the mirror. My face was pale and drawn, my eyes red-rimmed and swollen from crying. I looked utterly wrecked, a far cry from the strong front I tried to put on in front of Ryan. Layla’s face flashed in my mind—her warm smile, her li
Olivia’s POVThe stall door rattled violently against my back as Emily’s high-pitched voice echoed through the restroom.“Get out here, Olivia! Or are you too much of a coward to face me?” she screeched, her fists pounding on the door.My breathing was shallow, my chest heaving as I pressed myself harder against the cold metal, as if it could somehow shield me from her rage. My palms felt clammy, and I clenched them into fists to stop them from trembling.“Do you seriously think hiding in there will save you? You’re pathetic, Olivia! Always have been.” Emily’s laugh was sharp, a knife slicing through the silence. “You think you’re better than everyone just because you’ve got that tragic little face and those pitiful doe eyes. Newsflash: you’re nothing. Less than nothing.”The words stung, but I forced myself to swallow the lump rising in my throat. She was baiting me, trying to draw me out, but I couldn’t afford to react—not now. I had too much to lose. My hand instinctively moved to
Olivia POVJust a few steps from the restroom was Layla’s room. As I exited earlier, the sound of a muffled cry caught my attention. It was coming from her room. My chest tightened and I had hurried down the corridor to the room.When I opened the door, my heart sank. Johnny, Zoe’s youngest son who was Layla's best friend, was perched on the edge of the bed, his tiny frame shaking as he cried. Layla, pale and fragile, lay unconscious on the hospital bed. Dr. Zoe, his mother, knelt beside him, whispering soothing words.“It’s okay, Johnny,” Zoe murmured, stroking his hair. “Layla’s strong. She’ll pull through.”Johnny turned as he heard the door creak open. His teary eyes met mine, and before I could say a word, he ran toward me and wrapped his small arms around my waist.“Olivia,” he sobbed, his voice cracking. “Is Layla going to die?”The weight of his question hit me like a punch to the gut. I knelt down, meeting him at eye level, and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.“No, J
Emily's POVI slammed the door to my room, my chest heaving with frustration. My nails dug into my palms as I tried to control the rage boiling inside me. Ryan. Ryan. His name echoed in my head, each repetition stoking the fire in my chest. How dare he reject me? After everything I’ve done, after all the years I’ve been by his side—or at least in his orbit—this is how he repays me?The walls of my room seemed to close in, the pink-tinged decor suddenly suffocating. I grabbed the first thing I saw—a framed photo of myself from last year’s gala—and hurled it across the room. The glass shattered on impact, shards scattering across the hardwood floor.“No,” I whispered harshly, pacing the room like a caged animal. My voice rose with each word. “No, no, no! This wasn’t supposed to happen!”I turned to the vanity, catching a glimpse of my flushed face in the mirror. My carefully applied makeup now felt like a mask, one I wanted to rip off. With a frustrated groan, I swiped the perfumes, bru
Olivia POV The lingering warmth of the roast lamb on my tongue hadn’t yet faded when I noticed something odd. The staff member, who had been answering Ryan’s question about deliveries, kept stealing glances at me—no, not at me, at my stomach. My cheeks burned, and I fidgeted with the hem of my sweater, hoping he’d stop. But his gaze kept darting between Ryan and me, his expression a mixture of curiosity and excitement.Then, as if to confirm whatever assumptions he’d made, he straightened up and said, “Of course, subscribing to our online service means you’ll also receive recommendations for the latest maternal and child products every month.”Maternal and child products? What on earth?I froze, unsure whether to laugh, correct him, or disappear into the floor. Before I could decide, Ryan nodded coolly, as if the comment was perfectly normal, and added a few more lamb chops to the shopping cart.“Let’s try something else,” he said, steering the cart away without acknowledging my wide
Olivia's POVSteam curled around me as I stepped out of the shower, my hair wet and clinging to my shoulders. The cool air of Alpha Ryan’s room hit my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I grabbed the soft towel he’d left for me and wiped my face, then let it drape over my shoulders as I took in the space around me. His room was exquisite—modern yet warm, with a hint of masculinity in the dark wood furniture and deep blue accents. It smelled of him, a mix of cedar and fresh air, a scent that was both calming and unsettling.The large mirror above his dresser caught my reflection, and I tucked a damp strand of hair behind my ear, sighing softly. For a moment, I debated whether I should sleep in this room as Ryan had suggested. It felt too personal, too intimate, even though he had made it clear he’d be working in the study all night.“If you can’t sleep,” he had said earlier, his tone steady but kind, “there’s a TV in the living room. Call me if you need anything. And don’t forget to
Olivia's POVI sat on the edge of the couch, staring at my phone, the glow of the screen burning my eyes. Emily’s face was impossible to ignore. The picture made it seem like Ryan was holding her close, as though they were more than just acquaintances. A shiver ran through me, not from the coolness of the air, but from the sudden chill that seized my heart. I could barely breathe as the words under the image clawed at me, calling Emily Ryan’s chosen surrogate. The very thought of it made my stomach churn.How could this happen? I barely had time to process the information before my mind was flooded with flashes of the hospital toilet, Emily’s voice echoing in my head. "You will never be anything. I’ll be the one to carry Alpha Ryan's child. I'll be Luna." Those words felt like a slap across my face, reminding me that the truth was clear—there was no place for me in Ryan’s life. Not really. Not in the way that mattered. My head spun, my hands clammy as I scrolled through the endless c
Ryan’s POVThe whiskey burned its way down my throat, the heat doing little to numb the tension curling in my gut. I slammed the shot glass onto the table, the sound sharp against the low hum of bar chatter. Across from me, Luke and Andrew stared, their expressions ranging from amused to intrigued.Andrew leaned forward, swirling the amber liquid in his glass. “Well, damn. You’re really throwing them back tonight.”Luke arched a brow. “Did something happen? It’s not every day our dear Alpha comes to drink his problems away.”I exhaled through my nose, rolling the empty glass between my fingers. The bar’s dim lighting cast flickering shadows, but it did nothing to erase the image burned into my mind—the way Olivia had looked in the tower earlier. Half-dressed, eyes wide with innocence. It had almost messed with my control. The goddess knew I was just a tiny bit close to losing it and grabbing her to kiss the hell out of her. I just had to leave the room at the moment to ease off a bit.
Olivia’s POVThe cool air kissed my skin, sending shivers down my spine as I stood there, half-naked, my body exposed under the dim bedroom light. My breath hitched as Ryan’s gaze darkened, his eyes scorching a slow path over my body—from my bare feet, up my trembling thighs, lingering at my curves before stopping at my shoulders.He swallowed hard, his Adam’s apple bobbing.A slow burn spread in my chest, warmth coiling deep inside my belly. My breath turned shallow. I knew that look.And then my gaze dropped—just for a second.My lips parted in shock.There, straining against his pants, was a sight I had no business staring at. A pulse of heat rushed between my thighs, and my heart pounded against my ribcage.Ryan stiffened. His jaw clenched like he was holding back something—something perilous. But instead of acting on it, he swiftly turned around and walked to the door.His voice, when it came, was shaky but firm. “Put on some clothes before you catch a cold.”The door shut behind
Olivia’s POVThe afternoon sun spilled through the wide windows of The Silver Oak, a clean, cozy bar that Zara had suggested. We sat around a polished oak table, its surface gleaming under the warm light. Zara was animated, chatting with Lydia, Tina, and Lola. It was great but surprising how she’d recently gotten acquainted with them since the hearing. Benjamin leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, looking mildly amused at their excitement.While they discussed trivial matters, I discreetly reached into my bag and pulled out the album I had decided to gift Zara. It was a limited edition featuring her favorite band, X Band. The glossy cover displayed their group photo, each member looking effortlessly cool and rebellious. My heart warmed with anticipation at Zara’s reaction.“Zara,” I said, stretching the album toward her. “I’m gifting this to you.”The moment the girls saw the album, they gasped in unison, their eyes widening.“Is that—?” Lydia’s voice hit a higher pitch.“The X
Olivia POVThe next morning, Ivy and I began packing my things. The room was a battlefield of half-opened boxes, ribbons, and paper. There were so many presents that even looking at them made my head spin. Some were still sealed, their contents a mystery, while others were fragile—vases, crystals, or delicate jewelry that demanded careful handling.“This is insane,” I muttered, shaking my head as I folded a delicate shawl into a box.Ivy, with a clipboard in hand, glanced at me. “I’m going to get the full list of gifts from the butler. It’ll make it easier to check for missing items and classify them. Some of these things need to be bubble-wrapped.”“Good idea.” I nodded, still trying to figure out how to pack the jewelry case without damaging it.When Ivy left, I stood amidst the chaos and let my mind drift. My thoughts wandered back to yesterday’s discussion with Ryan’s mother. Moon Lake Pack had been mentioned again, and something about it felt off. I couldn’t shake the feeling tha
Alex POVI did well to return home first before heading to the camp that evening. The plan was simple: grab my books and slip out quietly. As I pushed open the door, I immediately regretted not being more careful. My father’s booming voice echoed through the house.“Wow, our son is back, Maria!” He hollered from the living room. “Our dear spy.”I stiffened. I hated when he called me that, but arguing about it would only make it worse. My mother sat beside him, a stern expression already plastered on her face.“Oh, what took you all day?” my father pressed. “Did that family trap you there because they were receiving Olivia?”“No. I left after our meal,” I said, hoping to keep the conversation short.“Good. So, fill us in,” he demanded impatiently. “What happened there? How’s Olivia?”“She’s good.”“Good?” His eyebrows shot up. “That’s all you’ve got? Good?”Before I could respond, my mother interjected. “David, let him breathe.” She turned to me. “Did you see Diana? I heard she tested
Olivia’s POVI frowned, my fingers clenching slightly against my dress as I looked between Sarah and standing before me.Diana.I didn’t know her, had never even heard of her name before today. Yet, Ryan's mother's look sold off that Diana seemed like one to cause problem.Before I could ask any questions, Sarah turned to Ivy. “Go report back to Grandfather Moore.”Ivy gave a respectful nod and left the environment, her presence replaced by a weighted silence.“Who's Diana?" I asked her.She sighed. “She's Grandfather Moore’s granddaughter.“What? She's your….”"No. She's not my daughter. She's Kelvin’s elder stepbrother’s daughter.”"Huh?” I blinked.Sarah exhaled slowly before turning back to me. “Olivia, I think it’s time you learned more about the family.”My brows knitted. “More?”She nodded. “Grandfather Moore had some illegitimate children before he officially married Kelvin's mother. That, unfortunately, led to too many people trying to compete for the Alpha position.”I stiff
Olivia’s POVI hadn’t expected to run into Eva at the flower shop that day, and I certainly hadn’t expected to run into her here again. The last thing I wanted was another pointless argument, so I decided to ignore her and walk past as if she wasn’t there.But, of course, Eva wouldn’t let me go so easily.“Well, well, look who we have here,” she sneered, stepping in front of me to block my path. “The lowly omega who used a Gamma to cheat her way out of trouble.”I frowned, glancing around. Her guards now stood at a distance, they seemed uninterested in intervening. Maybe for now. I sighed and met Eva’s glare. “I didn’t cheat, Eva. And I certainly didn’t ‘escape’ anything. I didn’t do anything wrong.”Eva scoffed and took a step closer, her eyes flashing with barely contained fury. “Oh, really? Then why don’t you apologize for what happened that day?”I stiffened. “I have nothing to apologize for. I didn’t push you. I was trying to help you.”Eva’s lips curled in a twisted smirk, and b
Maid’s POVI stepped forward, firmly blocking the path as Diana halted in front of me. Her golden hair gleamed under the disappearing sun, and despite the gentle smile on her face, there was an underlying sharpness in her gaze.“I need to see my grandfather, Acacia,” she said, folding her arms. “Move away." I remained unmoved. “I’m sorry, Miss Diana, but you can’t go in right now.”Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why? I walked despite my legs hurting to get here, and now you’re stopping me?”I met her gaze steadily, keeping my voice calm. “I have no personal reason to stop you, Miss. But your grandfather is receiving a special guest today—Alpha Ryan’s girlfriend.”Her lips parted slightly in surprise, then pressed into a thin line. “I heard Ryan was bringing her over today,” she muttered, more to herself than to me. “I think her name is… uhh, Olivia.”“That’s right, Miss Diana,” I confirmed, shifting my weight slightly.Her face twitched, and for a moment, she seemed genuinely concerned
Olivia's POVGrandfather Moore’s gaze was warm as he gestured toward the young woman standing beside him. "Olivia, this is Ivy. She’s one of the strongest female Gammas in our pack."Ivy gave a small nod, her short hair swaying slightly with the movement. She had sharp eyes, the kind that seemed to see everything without trying too hard. Yet, there was something calm about her—a quiet strength that didn’t demand attention but couldn’t be ignored either."It’s nice to meet you," I said with a smile. "You look really capable."Ivy smirked, crossing her arms. "I try."Grandfather Moore continued, "Given Celia’s… pregnancy experience, we thought it’d be easier for you to have a woman around rather than a man. Ivy’s one of our best, and she’ll be by your side to help when needed."I nodded. Now, I didn’t mind. In fact, I liked being around strong women like Ivy and Zara. There was something admirable about them—the way they carried themselves, the way they never seemed shaken.Ivy stepped