(Evelyn’s POV)

    I stared at my phone in disbelief. The screen waspletely nk. All the photos I had taken were gone.

    A Pack Enforcer stepped forward, his voice stern and cold. “You took private photos without permission. They have been deleted. If there is a next time, you will not be let off so lightly.”

    My hands trembled as I clutched the useless device. The enforcers moved to guard the armored SUV where Olivia had disappeared.

    I recalled the man who had swept her away. He was tall, powerfully built, and exuded an aura of Alpha authority that even Theodorecked. The way he had lifted Olivia so effortlessly, the protective way he held her – it made my chest burn with jealousy.

    What had Olivia done to deserve the devotion of two such exceptional Alphas? First Theodore, now this mysterious stranger whomanded such respect that his enforcers could delete evidence without consequence.

    Killian was stopped by the guards as he tried to approach the heavily secured vehicle. He could only wait anxiously outside, his ice–blue eyes filled with concern.

    I watched the SUV’s tinted windows, knowing Olivia was inside with yet another powerful man wrapped around her finger.

    (Olivia’s POV)

    Inside the SUV, the air was thick with intimacy. Matthew’s kiss was a blend of possessiveness and tender restraint that made my head spin.

    As I lost myself in his gentleness, I tried to exin the situation. “There were so many people, a stampede was starting… Killian… Killian…”

    Before I could finish, Matthew teasingly captured my earlobe with his teeth. A jolt shot through me, making me squirm in his arms.

    I pushed weakly against his chest. “He was just protecting me.”

    Matthew looked at me, his expression unreadable. He pulled me closer, his lips brushing against mine as he murmured a simple, “Mm.”

    It was as if he both heard and ignored my exnation. He kissed me again, deeply, his hand caressing the skin over my heart.

    The overwhelming sensation brought tears to my eyes. Hot drops rolled down my cheeks as emotion crashed over me.

    Matthew felt my tears and immediately pulled back. His golden eyes filled with concern as he held me softly.

    “Did I hurt you?” he asked gently.

    I tried to kiss him back, but he stopped me, seeing my emotional state. His thumb brushed away my tears.

    “Don’t fight with people,” he advised softly. “It’s not worth it. Your hand will hurt.”

    His gaze was intense as he continued. “I feel heartache.”

    His words pierced my defenses. I looked at him, stunned by the raw honesty in his voice.

    He kissed me again, this time with a bitter sweetness that made my chest ache.

    After we both calmed down, I remembered my promise. “Myptop short–circuited and burned out. Killian happened to be there and helped me. I have to treat him to dinner.”

    Matthew’s tone was t. “He’s really free.”

    He lowered the car window, his gaze meeting Killian’s anxious one outside. “Care to join us for dinner?”

    We arrived at a restaurant called The Sovereign’s Table.

    Killian watched me cling to Matthew’s arm as we walked. The two of us appeared so close that yesterday’s distance felt like an illusion.

    In the corridor, we were stopped by a senior pack elder in formal robes. The old man smiled warmly at Matthew.

    “Shall we sit together? I have an acquaintance of yours here.”

    Matthew nced at me for approval. I nodded, and we followed the elder into arge private dining room.

    Inside, my eyes met the surprised, intense gaze of Theodore. He was seated next to the beautiful she–wolf

    celebrity, Audrey Vale.

    rm bells rang in my mind. Audrey was a key witness against Theodore in our separation proceedings. Her presence here felt like a betrayal.

    I gripped Matthew’s arm tightly and whispered through our newly formed mate bond. “Is she here… has she been bought off?”

    Matthew calmly squeezed my hand. His voice came through our bond, warm and reassuring. “Don’t worry. I’ll handle it.”

    His confidence calmed my racing heart. Soon after, a pack healer arrived to treat my injured hand with moonlight herb salve.

    Seeing this, Theodore anxiously approached our table. “Was it me? Did I hurt you this morning?”

    His voice was filled with concern, casting a chill over the room. I simply ignored him, turning to take

    Matthew’s hand in mine.

    Defeated, Theodore retreated to his seat. He looked like a pathetic shadow of his former Alpha self.

    The dishes began to arrive – a spread of Stonehaven cuisine, all of my favorites. I ate with relish while Matthew watched me quietly.

    When I finally put down my fork after a moonberry tart dessert, my eyes were sparkling. “Was it good?” he asked, his gaze lingering on my glossy lips.

    “Delicious,” I replied softly.

    “Let me have a taste?” he murmured.

    Before I could offer him a plece, he leaned in. He cupped my face and pecked my lips gently.

    He cleverly shielded the kiss from the rest of the table with his hand. But the gesture was more suggestive than concealing.

    “So sweet,” he whispered in my ear.

    Blushing furiously, I hid my face against his arm. “Matthew!”

    A strange, wonderful feeling filled my heart. But I forced myself to suppress it, knowing I couldn’t let myself fallpletely for him yet.

    “I’m going to the washroom,” I announced, needing to escape the intensity.

    (God’s POV)

    Across the table, the sharp snap of silver cutlery echoed through the room. Theodore’s dark eyes, filled with immense pain, followed Olivia as she left.

    He shot up from his seat and started after her, a desperate need to hold her, to kiss her, to ask if her hand was okay consuming his every thought.

    But the Pack Enforcers immediately moved to block him, forcing him to stand and watch as she disappeared from sight.

    Theodore spun around, his furious gaze locking onto Matthew’s cool, indifferent one. He lunged, grabbing a fistful of Matthew’s cor.

    His voice was the hysterical roar of a trapped Alpha. “Do you think you can love her more than I do? No one will ever love her more than me!”

    The words tumbled out in a desperate rush. “Do you know how many times her heart has stopped in my arms? She can’t get agitated, she can’t handle it! She’s so fragile she could shatter at any moment!”

    His voice cracked with anguish. “One day, you’ll get tired of it, too!”

    As the words left his mouth, his gaze shifted past Matthew’s shoulder. Theodore frozepletely.

    Standing there was Olivia, her eyes wide with a mixture of profound sorrow and burning anger.