spanng="EN"(Third–person’s POV)

spanng="EN"As Olivia turned around, she saw Killian Vance and ra waiting by their car. She immediately got into their vehicle.

spanng="EN"Just as the car sped away, Theodore walked out of the Kane estate. His eyes desperately searched the departing vehicle. Inside the car, ra joyfully cried out, “Auntie Olivia, I missed you so much!” She threw her small arms around Olivia.

spanng="EN"Killian, however, directed a pointed question at her. His tonecked its usual respect. “Did the Alpha King note back with you?”

spanng="EN"Ever since he learned that Matthew Kane had marked Olivia, Killian’s respect for Matthew had disappearedpletely.

spanng="EN"“He’s busy,” Olivia replied faintly.

spanng="EN"Killian pressed on, his brow furrowed with concern. “No matter how busy he is, he can’t just let youe back alone. What if you run into danger?”

spanng="EN"His voice grew sharper. “He didn’t even send a guard? What kind of mate is he, to be so at ease with you being by yourself?”

spanng="EN"Dodging the topic, Olivia asked where they were staying.

spanng="EN"Killian exined he had a vi nearby. He suggested she move in with them, arguing that a hotel wasn’t safe.

spanng="EN"ra chimed in with a sweet plea. “Auntie Olivia, please move in. I want to be with you these next few days.”

spanng="EN"Remembering the unpleasant smell of smoke from the previous night, Olivia agreed.

spanng="EN"After telling her assistant Selena about the move to the vi, which Selena was thrilled about, they checked out of the hotel.

spanng="EN"As Olivia got into Killian’s car, Theodore and his Alpha Sentinels were just arriving at the hotel entrance.

spanng="EN"The head sentinel’s sharp eyes immediately recognized her silhouette. “Alpha, our Luna just got into that car!”

spanng="EN"Theodore’s gaze shot up frantically. Through the rear windshield, he saw the blurry silhouette of a she–wolf being hugged by a pup.

spanng="EN"Her profile was indistinct, yet he could sense her elegant presence. The familiar curve of her shoulders made his heart race.

spanng="EN"He staggered forward desperately. His hand brushed against the car door just as it sped away from him.

spanng="EN"His strength gave outpletely. He copsed to the ground, watching helplessly as the vehicle disappeared around a corner.

spanng="EN"A ck SUV immediately gave chase, but the distance was already too great.

spanng="EN"Later, Theodore was lying on arge bed in his hotel suite. An IV drip was attached to his hand.

spanng="EN"His mind was relentlessly tormented by visions of Olivia’s despairing, heartbroken face. The image wouldn’t leave him alone.

spanng="EN"The head sentinel returned to report. “Alpha, we lost them, but I have the license te number. It’s from out of Europe, so it will take some time.”

spanng="EN"He added that there was no sign of her on the hotel’s surveince footage. “We checked Alpha Asher White’s office too. Every pack member denied having seen a she–wolf matching her description.”

spanng="EN"Theodore closed his eyes. The image of her sad face was corroding his heart like acid.

spanng="EN"He raised a hand weakly. As the sedative was pushed into his system, he fell unconscious.

spanng="EN"Having settled into Killian’s vi, Olivia decided to call Matthew Kane.

spanng="EN"“Your mother mentioned a mating ceremony,” she began. She was unsure if they needed to go through with such a formal ritual.

spanng="EN"“It’s my mother’s wish,” he replied calmly.

spanng="EN"Olivia hesitated. “Can we talk about itter? I’m not mentally prepared.”

spanng="EN"He agreed without pressure. “Of course.”

spanng="EN"She then brought up another matter. “There was also a Miss Mooncrest today who imed to be your former fiancée.”

spanng="EN"Her voice carried a hint of uncertainty. “She said you two separated because of a misunderstanding and would get back together once it was resolved.”

spanng="EN"Matthew’s voice was unwavering. “I only have one intended mate, and that is you.”

spanng="EN"Olivia was slightly flustered by his sudden seriousness. Just as she was about to ask for a video call with their daughter, Aurora, ra called out.

spanng="EN"“Auntie Olivia, can you bring me some clothes?”

spanng="EN"“Aurora is asleep,” Matthew said through the phone.

spanng="EN"Olivia ended the call to tend to ra’s needs.

spanng="EN"After telling ra a story and tucking her into bed, Olivia found Killian waiting outside her room. He held a ss of moonlight wine, his hand hovering hesitantly.

spanng="EN"Seeing her in a white nightgown, her hair casually tied up, he was momentarily stunned. The soft fabric highlighted her graceful figure.

spanng="EN"“I was worried you wouldn’t be used to it,” he said, handing her the wine.

spanng="EN"She epted it graciously and bid him goodnight.

spanng="EN"Killian watched her door close. A question burned within him: Why did you choose Matthew Kane and not me?

spanng="EN"He didn’t dare ask. He was terrified that the answer would shatter their friendshippletely.

spanng="EN"Unable to sleep, Olivia was missing Aurora when her phone lit up. It was a message from Matthew.

spanng="EN"The photo showed Aurora sleeping peacefully in her crib. Her tiny fist was curled near her cheek.

spanng="EN"Her heart instantly warmed. She sent a voice message: “Thank you for taking care of Aurora, Matthew.”

spanng="EN"In his citadel, Matthew had just tucked Aurora in when the caregiver Nora praised him.

spanng="EN"“You’re such a good Alpha King, treating Aurora as your own. Luna Olivia will be so touched when she finds out.”

spanng="EN"Hearing this, and recalling the sound of ra’s voice on the phone, Matthew’s gaze darkened slightly.

spanng="EN"He typed a reply to Olivia: Aurora is my pup too.

spanng="EN"Reading his words, Olivia felt a wave of genuine emotion wash over her.

spanng="EN"The next morning, as Killian drove them to work, Selena whispered to Olivia.

spanng="EN"“Luna, why didn’t you choose the Professor? I think he’s better.”

spanng="EN"She gestured toward Killian enthusiastically. “He’s cheerful, well–spoken, cooks, and is great with pups. He’s a genius in his field, a perfect Alpha!”

spanng="EN"She found Matthew too cold and intimidating for her Luna’s gentle nature.

spanng="EN"Olivia reflected on this question. She felt Matthew was a better fit for her.

spanng="EN"Theirs was a rtionship of mutual benefit, free of emotional pressure. He was as dedicated to his kingdom as she was to her work.

spanng="EN"This made their interactions simple andfortable. He gave her a profound sense of security by caring for Aurora.

spanng="EN"This freed her to pursue her duties without constant worry. Killian, on the other hand, was too eager.

spanng="EN"His intensity made her feel pushed when she had no intention of diving into another emotional entanglement. Her focus. was on her responsibilities and her daughter.

spanng="EN"When Theodore awoke, the sun was already up. He saw Olivia sitting by his side in his fevered imagination.

spanng="EN"Her soft hand gently pressed on the spot where the needle had been. Does it hurt? she seemed to ask.

spanng="EN"He knew it was a hallucination brought on by his desperate longing. It was a vision he refused to banish with the medicine the healers prescribed.

spanng="EN"He couldn’t bear for her to leave, even if she was just a figment of his tortured mind.

spanng="EN"“Alpha, the sentinels from Crimson Pack territory have arrived,” the head sentinel announced from the doorway.

spanng="EN"Tortured by mental and physical exhaustion, Theodore clung to thest shred of his sanity. He issued amand with what little strength remained.

spanng="EN"“Have them surround all the ces where my Luna was spotted, especially Alpha Asher White’s office.”