spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"The car stopped steadily at the entrance of the Kane Family Gardens. The driver opened the door for me.

spanng="EN"I stepped out and saw two women waiting at the entrance. One was older, elegant, with kind eyes. The other was youngand beautiful.

spanng="EN"“Wow! You’re my brother’s mate!” the younger woman eximed.

spanng="EN"My eyes widened in surprise. This was unexpected.

spanng="EN"“I saw you at the Gilded Thorn Atelier this afternoon,” she continued excitedly. “You came out of the fitting room wearing this very ceremonial robe!”

spanng="EN"Recognition dawned on me. It turned out to be the girl from the afternoon, and I never expected that she would actually be Kaine’s sister.

spanng="EN"“The dress is absolutely beautiful on you,” she said warmly. “It suits you perfectly.”

spanng="EN"“Thank you,” I replied quietly.

spanng="EN"The older woman stepped forward with a satisfied smile. “I’m Lady Isolde Kane, Matthew’s mother.”

spanng="EN"She took my hands in hers. Her touch was warm and weing.

spanng="EN"“Matthew is truly remarkable,” she said. “He has quietly found such a beautiful partner.”

spanng="EN"The younger woman bounced slightly on her feet. “I’m Seraphina Kane, Matthew’s sister. I can’t believe how small the world is!”

spanng="EN"Her enthusiasm was infectious. I found myself rxing slightly.

spanng="EN"“It’s wonderful to meet you both,” I said.

spanng="EN"Seraphina linked her arm through mine. “Come on, let’s go inside. Everyone’s waiting to meet you.”

spanng="EN"My stomach dropped. “Everyone?”

spanng="EN"Lady Isolde noticed my concern immediately. “Just old friends who often drop by, dear. No need for additional gifts.”

spanng="EN"“But I only prepared gifts for the immediate family,” I said.

spanng="EN"“That’s perfectly fine,” Lady Isolde assured me. “They’re practically family anyway.”

spanng="EN"Seraphinaughed. “Mother just wants to show off her new daughter–inw.”

spanng="EN"“Seraphina!” Lady Isolde scolded, but she was smiling.

spanng="EN"Their easy banter reminded me of my own mother. Lyra would have loved this kind of family warmth.

spanng="EN"A flicker of sorrow touched my heart. I quickly pushed it away.

spanng="EN"We entered arge room filled with guests. All eyes turned to me immediately.

spanng="EN"“She’s even more beautiful than Matthew described,” someone whispered.

spanng="EN"“Look at that grace,” another voice said.

spanng="EN"I smiled politely as Lady Isolde introduced me to various rtives and friends. The names blurred together.

spanng="EN"After what felt like hours of introductions, I excused myself to a small living room. I needed a moment to breathe.

spanng="EN"I had just settled into a chair when footsteps approached.

spanng="EN"“Hello.”

spanng="EN"I looked up to see a stunning woman in a flowing white dress. Her smile was bright, but her eyes were calcting.

spanng="EN"“I’m Cynthia Mooncrest,” she said. “Matthew’s former fiancée.”

spanng="EN"The name struck a chord of familiarity. Where had I heard it before?

spanng="EN"“Former fiancée?” I repeated carefully.

spanng="EN"Cynthia’s smile widened. She sat down across from me without invitation.

spanng="EN"“Matthew and I were in love ten years ago,” she said. “We only separated because of a small misunderstanding.”

spanng="EN"My heart skipped a beat. This was news to me.

spanng="EN"“Once it’s resolved, we will be together again,” Cynthia continued confidently.

spanng="EN"I stared at her, trying to reconcile this information with the Matthew I knew. The stoic, reserved Alpha King who rarely showed emotion.

spanng="EN"Then I remembered the rare moments of warmth he showed with Aurora. The gentle way he held our daughter.

spanng="EN"Maybe there was more to his past than I realized.

spanng="EN"“I’m the Miss of the Mooncrest Pack,” Cynthia said, establishing her social position. “What do your parents do?”

spanng="EN"Her tone was subtly challenging. She was trying to establish dominance.

spanng="EN"I met her gaze steadily. “Miss Mooncrest, regardless of what my parents do, Matthew and I are already engaged.”

spanng="EN"We were more than engaged. We were already mated. But I didn’t need to share that detail.

spanng="EN"Cynthia’s confident expression faltered slightly. “Engaged?”

spanng="EN"“Yes,” I said with unwavering certainty.

spanng="EN"“But his parents won’t approve,” Cynthia said weakly. “They don’t even know you.”

spanng="EN"I stood up gracefully. “As long as Matthew knows, that’s enough.”

spanng="EN"I walked away, leaving her sitting alone.

spanng="EN"(Third–person’s POV)

spanng="EN"Cynthia’sposure crumbled the moment Olivia left. Tears streamed down her face.

spanng="EN"She didn’t notice the man who sat beside her until a cold voice cut through her grief. “Is that all you’ve got?”

spanng="EN"Cynthia looked up, startled. Her brother Can sat beside her, his presence chilling.

spanng="EN"His pale skin had a sickly cast. His eyes held a sharp, unnerving glint that made her shiver.

spanng="EN"“Can,” she whispered, terrified. “When did you arrive?”

spanng="EN"“I’ve been watching,” he said coldly. “You’re pathetic.”

spanng="EN"“Matthew Kane and that woman are engaged,” Cynthia said desperately. “What can I do?”

spanng="EN"Can’sugh was like a rusty de scraping metal. “They can reject the bond even if they’re mated, let alone justengaged.”

spanng="EN"His voice dropped to a hiss. “I’ve carefully cultivated you for so many years. The Alpha King will have to mark you.”

spanng="EN"He looked toward the hall where Olivia stood. His gaze turned dark and menacing.

spanng="EN"“Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I will take care of this woman.”

spanng="EN"Meanwhile, Olivia was preparing to leave. She had said her goodbyes to Lady Isolde and thanked her for the warm wee.

spanng="EN"A servant suddenly appeared at Seraphina’s side. “Miss, your distinguished guest has arrived.”

spanng="EN"Seraphina’s face lit up with excitement. “He came!”

spanng="EN"Olivia decided this was the perfect time to slip away. She didn’t want to intrude on Seraphina’s private meeting.

spanng="EN"“Thank you for everything,” she told Lady Isolde. “It was wonderful meeting your family.”

spanng="EN"“The pleasure was ours, dear,” Lady Isolde replied warmly.

spanng="EN"As Olivia headed toward the exit, she heard urgent voices behind her.

spanng="EN"“Do you know who arrived in a car with license te number…” a man’s voice was asking frantically.

spanng="EN"“Ady in a ceremonial robe?” the same voice continued.

spanng="EN"The butler’s response was clear. “Yes, sir. The youngdy’s guest arrived in that car, wearing formal attire.”

spanng="EN"Olivia quickened her pace. Something about that voice made her uneasy.

spanng="EN"She was almost at the door when footsteps rushed behind her.

spanng="EN"Just as she was about to step outside, a familiar voice called out. The sound made her blood freeze.

spanng="EN"“My love.”