spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"The water rushed into my lungs like liquid fire. My chest burned as I sank deeper into the dark river.

spanng="EN"The cold current pulled me down relentlessly. I couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think, couldn’t fight anymore.

spanng="EN"Suddenly, a pair ofrge hands passed under my armpits and pressed against my ribs. They lifted me out of the water with incredible strength.

spanng="EN"I fell into a cold embrace. The sound of sirens wailed in my ears, the wind howled, and a blinding light pierced the darkness.

spanng="EN"But I couldn’t breathe. Bubbles and water fought for space in my chest. I couldn’t even cry for help or open my eyes to signal for it.

spanng="EN"Pain tore at my heart as I was held tightly. My lips were suddenly crushed, and breath after breath was forced into my mouth.

spanng="EN"The air pushed relentlessly, forcing the water from my lungs. Suddenly, a fresh gulp of air rushed in, swelling my chest to its limit.

spanng="EN"I snapped my eyes open and vomited all the water, right onto the person before me. Through my blurry vision, a face came into focus.

spanng="EN"A handsome, cid, and impassive face. Matthew.

spanng="EN"I found myself nestled in Matthew’s arms, his familiar scent of pine and soil bing my source offort. He untied the silver ropes binding my wrists.

spanng="EN"My previous courage instantly vanished. I couldn’t help but cry, my tears and snot staining his clothes.

spanng="EN"“If you hade two minutester, I would have died,” I sobbed, calling his name. “Matthew.”

spanng="EN"Therge hand resting on my back gently tightened, pulling me closer. Matthew pressed his face near mine, stroking my head.

spanng="EN"“It’s okay now,” he said softly.

spanng="EN"He let out a long, silent sigh. After my emotions settled, I suddenly became aware of our intimate proximity.

spanng="EN"My heart was racing. I shyly pulled away, watching Alpha White and his team search along the riverbank.

spanng="EN"“Matthew, is Aurora alone at home?” I asked, my thoughts turning to our daughter. The near–death experience made me desperate to see her.

spanng="EN"“The caretakers will look after her,” Matthew said calmly. “Isn’t everything taken care of? We’ll return soon.”

spanng="EN"Matthew brought me back to the Kane Citadel. Barrett and Victoria were overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing their son.

spanng="EN"But when they saw uspletely soaked and covered in mud, their joy quickly turned to worry and confusion.

spanng="EN"“Did you two go swimming in the wilderness? Why is there yellow mud on you?” Victoria asked with concern.

spanng="EN"“Never mind, quickly prepare hot water and let Alpha King and Luna take a bath,” she instructed the servants.

spanng="EN"Matthew softly responded with “Hmm” and walked towards the inner courtyard. I followed closely behind, wrapped in a towel.

spanng="EN"Seeing us walking one after another, more distant from each other than strangers, Barrett and Victoria exchanged a knowing and worried nce.

spanng="EN"“They don’t seem like a couple at all,” they whispered.

spanng="EN"Their low whispers entered my ears. I immediately caught up with Matthew’s pace and grabbed his hand.

spanng="EN"To my surprise, he immediately gripped my fingers tightly. He touched my forehead with his other hand, then we walked side by side into the inner courtyard.

spanng="EN"After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, we sat down for a meal. I had little appetite and my phone andptop were lost.

spanng="EN"“Could I borrow your phone? I need to call Killian,” I asked. “I’m worried he and ra will be anxious.”

spanng="EN"Matthew pushed a bowl of venison stew towards me. “Eat first.”

spanng="EN"After the meal, he handed me the phone. I quickly called Killian.

spanng="EN"“Killian, I lost my phone andptop. I won’t be back tonight, I’lle back tomorrow and exin everything.”

spanng="EN"I paused, hearing only breathing on the other end. “Is ra there? Does she want to talk to me?”

spanng="EN"Feeling Matthew waiting for his phone, I hurriedly added, “Please take care of Selena for me. Just tell her the job is done and we’ll be back in a couple of days.”

spanng="EN"The persistent silence from the other side was unsettling. I hung up, returning the phone to Matthew.

spanng="EN"Matthew’s gaze shifted from the silver wound on my wrist to my ankle. “Bring the first aid kit,” he ordered Beta Tristan.

spanng="EN"Then he patted the seat beside him. I sat down.

spanng="EN"After bringing the first aid kit, Beta Tristan left. Matthew took out a cotton swab and moonlight herbal ointment.

spanng="EN"“It’s okay, Matthew, I’ll do it myself. This is just a simple silver wound.”

spanng="EN"He put down the cotton swab and picked up a medical ice pack instead. His long arm stretched over and directly pressed the ice pack against my swollen ankle.

spanng="EN"The sudden coldness made me shiver. My long eyshes trembled as they met his clear gaze.

spanng="EN"His unique pine wood scent surrounded me. I lowered my eyes and quickly pressed the ice pack with my own hand.

spanng="EN"“Thank you, Matthew.”

spanng="EN"His fingertips lightly touched my palm, and the warmth disappeared as quickly as it hade.

spanng="EN"Matthew rose and went to his desk, where his subordinates hadid out dozens of files. He was immediately absorbed in work.

spanng="EN"Just as I finished cleaning my wounds and was about to leave, a staff member presented me with a newptop and phone.

spanng="EN"I looked toward Matthew in surprise, but he was deep in discussion with his team. I took the devices and went to the room arranged for me across the courtyard.

spanng="EN"Once inside, I closed the door and immediately opened theptop. Iunched my “Cipher” system to infiltrate the Mooncrest Pack’s website.

spanng="EN"I searched for any records of Silvanus Jr. As the program ran, Iy on the bed, my eyes slowly closing.

spanng="EN"Suddenly, I felt a breath approaching, so familiar that I knew who it was instantly. The person turned their face to mine, revealing the one that brought me such profound heartbreak.

spanng="EN"His strong hands seized my arms, pulling me into his embrace. He whispered seductively in my ear, “Mate, everything I do is for you!”