spanng="EN"(Cynthia’s POV)

spanng="EN"As a well–bred she–wolf, I would never normally cling to another woman’s mate. But my entire future was on the line.

spanng="EN"I released Matthew’s waist only to link my arm defiantly through his. I gave the substitute, Olivia ckwood, a scornful smile.

spanng="EN"“Don’t you think we look very much alike?” I pressed, my voice dripping with confidence.

spanng="EN"The resemnce was undeniable. We both had dark hair, simr builds, evenparable features. It was proof she was nothing more than a ceholder.

spanng="EN"“You are just afort to Matthew while he was angry with me,” I continued, tightening my grip on his arm. “Now that I’m back and our misunderstanding is cleared, his heart will return to me.”

spanng="EN"My voice grew stronger with each word. “He will not mate with you, and even less likely to perform a mating ritual with you.”

spanng="EN"The words were a promise to myself as much as a threat to her. I have beauty and family background, so I am more qualified to be his Luna. Matthew belonged with me. We had history, breeding, everything that mattered.

spanng="EN"But I was wrong. She looked at him heartbroken, asking if what I said was true? Then Matthew forcefully shook off my hand.

spanng="EN"Such behavior from him terrified me. Hepletely disregarded my desperate plea.“Don’t go, Matthew.”

spanng="EN"He gave his Beta a subtle nce. Tristan moved to restrain me with firm but respectful hands.

spanng="EN"I watched in disbelief as Matthew strode after Olivia. His back radiated a rare urgency I had never seen before.

spanng="EN"My heart seized with cold dread. He was supposed to be a distant moon, cold to all but me.

spanng="EN"Shaking off the Beta’s grip, I ran after them. My carefully constructed confidence shattered with every step.

spanng="EN"This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Matthew was mine. He had always been mine.

spanng="EN"He must be mine.

spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"I watched Cynthia cling to Matthew’s arm. Her words dripped with a confidence I found almostical.

spanng="EN"A substitute? Me? The rational, powerful Alpha King caught in a substitute romance plot? It was impossible.

spanng="EN"I’ve known Matthew for so many years now. He’s a powerful Alpha King, with authority and territory. If he truly loved her, how could he possibly have a stand–in?

spanng="EN"Just as Cynthia delivered her final deration, I overheard hushed whispers. Victoria and Barrett, Matthew’s parents, were hiding anxiously in the shadows. They believed they were well–concealed.

spanng="EN"“She’s not reacting,” Victoria whispered urgently. “Cynthia is walking all over her! Howe Cynthia is holding Matthew’s hand, and she doesn’t react at all? Isn’t she jealous?”

spanng="EN"“Why hasn’t she pulled Cynthna away?”

spanng="EN"“Her expression doesn’t look like jealousy at all. Could they not be a couple in name only?”

spanng="EN"Barrett nodded grimly. “If she doesn’t fight for him, how can we trust her to protect our bloodline?”

spanng="EN"An idea sparked in my mind. If they wanted a show, I would give them one.

spanng="EN"I let my expression crumble into heartbreak. My shoulders began to shake as if I were devastated.

spanng="EN"“Is that really so?” I asked, my voice trembling with manufactured pain.

spanng="EN"I lowered my head, hiding the amusement in my eyes. My bodynguage screamed defeat and despair.

spanng="EN"Matthew grabbed my arm.

spanng="EN"“If that’s the case,” I choked out, forcing my voice to break, “then I’ll let you be together.”

spanng="EN"I flung Matthew’s hand away with dramatic ir. Then I fled toward the moonlitke, ying the part of the broken–hearted omega to perfection.

spanng="EN"Behind me, I heard Victoria gasp. “Oh no! She’s running away!”

spanng="EN"When Matthew caught up to me by the shore, I spun into his arms. I made sure his family had a perfect view of our reunion.

spanng="EN"“Matthew, give me a hug,” I whispered, dropping the act entirely. “Your parents are watching over there.”

spanng="EN"I felt his body rx in understanding. He pulled me closer, his eyes softening with amused warmth that made my own heart flutter unexpectedly.

spanng="EN"(Matthew’s POV)

spanng="EN"I stayed silent as Cynthia spoke, my gaze locked on Olivia. A pained expression crossed her face, and my usually cid golden eyes focused intently.

spanng="EN"When she whispered, “If that’s the case, then I’ll let you be together,” her voice trembled. Her shoulders shook as if she were truly broken.

spanng="EN"As she turned to leave, instinct took over. I reached for her hand.

spanng="EN"“Listen to me,” I said, my voice gentle in a way it never was with anyone else.

spanng="EN"But she flung my hand away and ran toward the moonlitke. The sight of her solitary figure made my heart clench with unfamiliar unease.

spanng="EN"Ignoring Cynthia’s desperate plea, I signaled for Tristan to handle her. Then I went after Olivia.

spanng="EN"While running, memories flooded like a tide. When we first met at university, she was reading on thewn under a cherry blossom tree. My gaze had shifted from her book to her serene face.

spanng="EN"During outdoor training, she came in first andpletely captured my heart. The engagement with Cynthia was a responsibility I bore, but Olivia… she was my fated mate, my lost and regained love.

spanng="EN"I caught up to her by the shore, my breath ragged. Before I could speak, she spun and threw herself into my arms.

spanng="EN"My heart leaped at the contact. Then she whispered, a mischievous smile in her voice, “Matthew, give me a hug. Your parents are watching over there.”

spanng="EN"Understanding dawned, and a smile touched my lips. My clever little liar.

spanng="EN"I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her close. “Did I act well?” she asked cheekily.

spanng="EN"“Perfectly,” I replied, genuinely amused by her performance.

spanng="EN"But our moment was cut short. Heavy footsteps approached across the garden path.

spanng="EN"Theodore strode toward us, his dark eyes fixed on Olivia with burning intensity. “You don’t love him, he dered, his voice rough with desperation.

spanng="EN"“You’re only with him to spite me.”

spanng="EN"Just then, my parents arrived. Their faces were etched with shock at the confrontation unfolding before them.

spanng="EN"“Alpha Redgrave,” my mother demanded, her voice sharp with authority, “what is the meaning of this?”