(God’s POV)

    Upon hearing Olivia’s words, Matthew felt his heartbeat skip a beat. His wolf Titan growled furiously in his mind, the sound reverberating through his consciousness like thunder.

    The pack healer cleared his throat diplomatically. “Alpha King, perhaps a jade ring would be less irritating to Luna’s skin. Silver can sometimes cause reactions in sensitive wolves.”

    Matthew’s eyes never left Olivia’s face as he gestured to Beta Tristan. Without hesitation, Beta Tristan produced an elegant wooden box from his jacket.

    Matthew opened it to reveal a stunning jade ring, its deep green surface carved with intricate wolf motifs. He took Olivia’s left hand gently and slid the ring onto her ring finger.

    Olivia stared at the ring in stunned silence. How had he anticipated her returning the other ring? The jade felt warm against her skin, perfectly fitted as if made specifically for her.

    “Beautiful,” the healermented approvingly. “Much better suited for Luna’s delicate skin.”

    Matthew’s fingers caressed her hand as he admired the ring. “Perfect,” he agreed, his voice low and intimate.

    Olivia felt her cheeks flush. She tried to pull her hand away, but Matthew stepped forward instead.

    His arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her against the wall behind her. She found herself trapped between his solid chest and the cool surface.

    “Matthew, please let go,” she whispered, acutely aware of the healer’s presence.

    He leaned closer, his pine scent overwhelming her senses. “Have dinner with me tonight. We need to discuss pack creche options for Aurora.”

    His refusal to release her made her heart race. The familiar scent that had once brought herfort now made her feel dizzy with conflicting emotions.

    “I can’t let go anymore,” he whispered, his gaze intense and unwavering.

    Olivia became aware of movement in her peripheral vision. Several pack members had gathered, some already holding their phones up to capture the scene.

    “Matthew, we’ll end up on the trending topics,” she warned, her voice barely audible.

    His response was simple and direct. “Do you care?”

    The question hit her like a physical blow. She remembered her recent deration that she couldn’t help him, the pain in his eyes when she’d said those words.

    A pang of conflict shot through her chest. Despite everything, she nodded reluctantly. “Please let me go.”

    Instead ofplying, Matthew’s grip tightened. His other hand cupped her face as he leaned down and captured her lips in a deep, possessive kiss.

    The pack enforcers moved swiftly and discreetly, clearing the area of onlookers. Matthew held her tightly against him, his voice husky with emotion when he finally broke the kiss.

    Theodore

    “You’re too disobedient,” he whispered against her lips.

    The kiss left Olivia breathless and teary–eyed. Her legs felt weak, and she could barely stand without his support.

    When he finally released her mouth, he gently wiped the tears from her cheeks with his thumbs. Only then did she realize they werepletely alone in the healer’s office.

    (Olivia’s POV)

    Matthew held me close, his arms still wrapped around my waist. His expression had grown serious, almost vulnerable.

    “I need to exin about Audrey,” he said quietly.

    He gestured to Beta Tristan, who produced a thick file marked with the Shadow Syndicate’s seal. The pages were heavily redacted, ck lines covering most of the text.

    “She’s listed as a key witness in a ssified case,” Matthew exined, pointing to Audrey’s name on the document. “Her interaction with me was purely professional. Nothing more.”

    The exnation cleared the air between us, and I felt some of the tension in my shoulders ease. His honesty meant more to me than I wanted to admit.

    “About your phone,” he said, his tone carefully neutral. “Beta Tristan couldn’t reach you earlier.”

    Guilt washed over me. I couldn’t admit that I’d blocked both of them in a moment of emotional turmoil.

    I pulled out my phone with trembling fingers. Under his watchful, knowing gaze, I quietly unblocked both his and Beta Tristan’s numbers.

    A small smile yed at the corners of his mouth as he watched me. “Beta Tristan has already taken Aurora to the Sovereign’s Table. She’s waiting for us there.”

    At the restaurant, Alpha Asher White greeted us warmly at the entrance. His genuine smile put me at ease as he led us to a private dining room.

    During the meal, Alpha Asher pointedly addressed me. “Luna Olivia, I want you to know that Matthew firmly rebuffed all of Audrey’s advances yesterday. She was quite persistent, but he made his position crystal clear.”

    I felt heat rise in my cheeks at the obvious reassurance. Matthew simply watched my slightly guilty expression with that same faint smile, saying nothing.

    After dinner, we visited several pack creches in the territory. Aurora seemed drawn to the third one we visited, her little hands reaching eagerly for the colorful toys and her eyes bright with interest.

    “This one,” I decided, watching as she gurgled happily in Matthew’s arms.

    We settled into the outdoor y area, where Aurora was ced in a sandbox filled with soft, clean sand. She immediately began exploring with her tiny fingers,pletely absorbed in her new environment.

    The peaceful moment was shattered by the arrival of pack enforcers escorting two familiar figures. Theodore walked confidently behind them, while Leo timidly stayed close to his father’s side.

    The enforcers stopped Theodore for a thorough search, their movements professional but clearly unwee. Leo’s eyes found mine across the yground, and he took hesitant steps toward me.

    “Mommy?” he called softly, his voice uncertain.

    I remembered Matthew’s earlier advice that Leo was just a child caught in the middle of adult conflicts. My heart softened as I looked at my son’s confused, hopeful expression.

    “Come here, sweetheart,” I said gently, opening my arms.

    Leo ran to me and settled beside Aurora in the sandbox. The two children began ying together, their innocentughter a stark contrast to the tension between the adults.

    Theodore approached once the enforcers finished their search. His trademark smirk was firmly in ce as he walked directly to Matthew.

    “You can never drive me away from my mate’s side,” Theodore taunted, his voice carrying across the yground. “My bond with Leo, whom Olivia raised herself, is stronger than any bond you could ever have with Aurora.”

    Just then, Beta Tristan approached Matthew and whispered something in his ear. I caught the words “Audrey” and “missing.”

    Theodore’s smirk widened as he overheard the conversation. “You know why you can’t beat me, Matthew? You have to follow the rules. You’re always a step behind.”

    He turned toward me with obvious satisfaction, clearly pleased with whatever advantage he thought he held. But as he took his first step in my direction, another figure appeared.

    Den Shaw walked directly toward Theodore, his face grim with determination. He stopped beside me, pointing an using finger at Theodore.

    “It was Theodore who hired a killer to assassinate the Alpha King!”