(Theodore’s POV)

    Olivia instantly shook off my hand. The rejection stung like silver against bare skin.

    She turned away from me, focusing entirely on Aurora in the car seat. Her movements were gentle as she fixed the pup’s tiny pigtails.

    “Be a good girl for the teachers, sweetheart,” she murmured softly.

    Aurora’s bright eyes spotted me over her mother’s shoulder. The little pup made a yful face at me, sticking out her tongue.

    Even a child could sense I was unwee here.

    I stepped forward desperately, blocking Olivia’s path to the entrance. “Olivia, have you forgotten Master Elmsworth?”

    She paused, her body tensing.

    “He is the master who diagnosed you at the Kane Manorst night,” I pressed on. “I brought him with me as proof.”

    The elderly healer stepped out from behind my SUV. His white beard caught the morning sunlight as he approached us slowly.

    Master Elmsworth’s weathered face was filled with reluctance. But he had agreed toe, to tell her the truth.

    “Luna,” he began, his voice heavy with regret. “Lady Victoria did indeed ask me to lie to you.”

    Olivia’s face went pale. Her grip tightened on Aurora’s car seat handle.

    “Your body cannot handle another pregnancy,” the master continued. “Your life will be in danger if you conceive again.”

    I seized the moment, stepping closer. “Don’t you see, Olivia? The eighteen days Master Elmsworth was asked to stay matches exactly with the eighteen–day public notice period for Matthew’s coronation.”

    Her eyes widened slightly, but she remained silent.

    “They’re lying to you to ensure his coronation goes smoothly!” My voice cracked with desperation. “Once it’s over, you’ll have no value to them. The Kane family will abandon you!”

    Olivia’s expression hardened like ice. “He won’t lie to me. Lady Victoria won’t lie to me either.”

    Her words cut deeper than any de.

    “Only you, Theodore, would lie to me,” she continued coldly. “Only your mother, Eleonora, would lie to me. Not everyone is as unscrupulous as you are for their own selfish desires.”

    I reached out instinctively, trying to touch her arm. Aurora’s tiny fist shot out, pping my hand away with surprising force.

    The light touch felt like a profound blow to my heart. Even this innocent pup rejected mepletely.

    Two pack enforcers materialized from the shadows. They had been monitoring me, waiting for any sign of aggression.

    “Step back, Alpha Redgrave,” one of them warned firmly.

    I had no choice but to retreat. I watched helplessly as Olivia walked away, carrying Aurora toward the entrance.

    My heart ached with a pain I couldn’t describe. She was slipping away from me forever.

    N turned to Master Elmsworth, my face a mask of exhaustion and despair. “Master, you have to help me.”

    The old healer’s eyes filled with concern at my expression.

    “Don’t let her have a chance to get pregnant,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Give her a dose of wolfsbane tincture. End her fertility for good.”

    Master Elmsworth sighed deeply. “Alpha, your obsession will destroy you both.”

    My voice broke with a lifetime of pain. “She will die. How can let her die?”

    (Olivia’s POV)

    After dropping Aurora at the Shadow Syndicate’s pup training center, I sat in my car for a long moment.

    Theodore’s words echoed in my mind like a haunting melody.

    I pulled out my phone and called Matthew. “The preschool interview went perfectly,” I said, forcing lightness into my voice. “Your one–word rmendation letter worked wonders.”

    “Admit‘ is a powerful word when ites from the right person,” Matthew replied with amusement. “Would you like to have lunch together?”

    My smile froze as I remembered Victoria Kane waiting in her office. The bitter scent of moonlight herb tea filled my memory.

    “I’m too busy today,” I lied smoothly. “Rain check?”

    “Of course. I love you, Olivia.”

    “I love you too,” I whispered, ending the call.

    The drive to the Kane Estate felt endless. Each mile brought me closer to a truth I wasn’t ready to face.

    Victoria Kane was indeed waiting in her office. A thermos of bitter–smelling moonlight herb tea sat on the polished table between us.

    The familiar scent was a trigger. It was the same moonlight herb I had taken years ago in a futile attempt to have another child with Theodore.

    The truth crashed down on me like a copsing building.

    “Lady Victoria, there’s no need,‘ I said, my voice hollow. “The herbs can’t cure me.”

    Victoria’sposed mask cracked. Tears filled her eyes as she leaned forward.

    “Olivia, I’m so sorry, she whispered. “These eighteen days are crucial for Matthew’s coronation. The pack needs stability”

    My chest felt tight. “Is Matthew part of this deception?”

    “No!” Victoria’s response was immediate and fierce. “He truly believes the herbs will work. He loves you deeply, regardless of whether you can bear children.”

    I stared at the thermos, feeling a chill settle in my bones. “You want me to y along for eighteen days.”

    “Please,” Victoria begged. “After the coronation, we can find real solutions. But right now, the kingdom needs this.”

    I nodded slowly, my heart breaking. “I understand.”

    But internally, I resolved to leave Matthew once the period was over. I couldn’t build a life on lies, no matter how well–intentioned.

    Later, I threw myself into work at the Shield Chain Technology office. My fingers flew across the keyboard with desperate energy.

    The newptop couldn’t handle my frantic typing. Sparks flew from the keyboard before smoke began pouring from the vents.

    “Olivia!” Killian’s voice cut through my haze. “What are you doing to that poor machine?”

    I looked up, dazed. “I think I killed it.”

    Killian pulled me away from the smokingptop. “Come on. You need lunch and fresh air.”

    As we left the building, Matthew’s ck SUV pulled up across the street. Through the tinted windows, I could see his golden eyes watching us.

    They turned to ice as he witnessed his mate, who was “too busy” for lunch,ughing and leaving with another male.

    At the crowded shopping center, we stumbled upon a Mooncrest Global technology demonstration.

    Advanced security drones hovered above the crowd, showcasing their capabilities.

    Suddenly, the drones began malfunctioning. Their sensors shed red as they dove toward the panicking crowd.

    People screamed and ran in all directions. Children cried as parents scooped them up.

    While everyone fled, I remained calm. I opened my backupptop and essed the Oracle Engine system.

    My fingers danced across the keys with practiced precision. Within seconds, I had infiltrated the droneswork.

    One by one, the malfunctioning machines powered down andnded safely.

    The crowd’s panic subsided as quickly as it had begun. I closed theptop, ready to leave with Killian.

    “Who are you?” a sharp voice demanded.

    Lydia Miles stepped out from the crowd, her eyes zing with fury. She snatched myptop before I could react.

    “Why did you invade the drones‘ system?” she shouted, drawing everyone’s attention back to us.