spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"My gaze snapped toward Matthew Kane, who calmly met my eyes and pulled me into his embrace. The warmth of his arms should have beenforting, but my heart hammered against my ribs.

spanng="EN"The reporter pressed on, his voice sharp and cutting. “As far as I know, you are now living with your ex–mate  and are separated from the Alpha King.”

spanng="EN"He held up several photos for the cameras to capture. The images showed me entering my apartment building, with Theodore following just minutester from the same angle.

spanng="EN"My blood turned to ice. How had they gotten these photos?

spanng="EN"When we didn’t react immediately, the reporter shoved the microphone toward me aggressively. “Could you please respond to these rumors?”

spanng="EN"Nestled in Matthew’s arms, I looked up at him, utterly bewildered. I didn’t know what was happening, but I  knew the situation was detrimental to him.

spanng="EN"His political position, his reputation – everything could crumble because of me.

spanng="EN"Matthew shot a cold nce at the impolite microphone. Gamma Joric te immediately stepped forward to push it away with firm authority.

spanng="EN"He handed a ring box to Matthew, who opened it with practiced ease. Inside was the very same women’s mating ring from our ceremony.

spanng="EN"Matthew took the ring and slid it onto my ring finger. The metal felt cool against my skin, but his touch burned.

spanng="EN"He then took my right hand in his left. I was stunned to see he was wearing the matching men’s mating band.

spanng="EN"When had he put that on?

spanng="EN"Gamma te addressed the press with professionalposure. “The mating ring’s size was off and was  just recently adjusted.”

spanng="EN"His voice carried the weight of absolute authority. “Alpha Theodore is Luna Kane’s ex–mate, but he is also a  savior to both the Alpha King and his mate.”

spanng="EN"The exnation sounded so reasonable, so carefully crafted. “It’s not strange for them to appear in the same building, as Alpha Theodore owns that property.”

spanng="EN"My heart sank. Theodore owned my building?

spanng="EN"“Luna is living in a t there that was left to her by her mother,” Gamma te continued smoothly. “If you have any more questions, please follow me to the designated interview area outside.”

spanng="EN"As most of the reporters followed Gamma te, the persistent one tried to approach again. He raised his microphone toward me once more.

spanng="EN"Suddenly, he cried out in pain. Aurora had kicked him squarely in the shin with surprising force.

spanng="EN"My mommy doesn’t live with a bad uncle!,” she dered fiercely, her small face scrunched with righteous anger.

spanng="EN"The reporter was immediately hauled away by inclothes pack enforcers who materialized from nowhere.

spanng="EN"I moved to squat down and hug Aurora, my maternal instincts taking over. But a warm hand gently stopped me.

spanng="EN"Matthew pulled me up, then bent down to lift Aurora into his arms. His movements were fluid, protective.

spanng="EN"His gaze was deep as he smoothed my messy hair with tender fingers. “You were exposed,” he said softly.

spanng="EN"My face flushed red with embarrassment and confusion. What did he mean?

spanng="EN"“Just don’t squat,” he added, his hand still holding mine against my back.

spanng="EN"The intimate gesture sent shivers through me. His touch was possessive yet gentle.

spanng="EN"He turned to Aurora with a stern but loving expression. “You can’t just go around kicking people.”

spanng="EN"Aurora pouted, her lower lip jutting out defiantly. “He’s a bad man. He bullied Mommy.”

spanng="EN"She hugged her father’s neck tightly. “If I don’t hit him, Daddy will.”

spanng="EN"My heart fluttered as I heard Matthew reply gently, “Daddy will teach him a lesson and protect Mommy. But  you can’t be reckless.”

spanng="EN"A photographer called out from across the room. We posed for a family photo, presenting a united front  against the storm.

spanng="EN"The camera shes felt like lightning, capturing this moment of false intimacy.

spanng="EN"After the interview, Victoria Kane and Barrett Kane arrived. Their presence filled the room with an aura of power and authority.

spanng="EN"I felt a wave of unease, suddenly recalling my intention to stay away from the Kane Family. I wanted to leave, to escape this suffocating situation.

spanng="EN"But Victoria took my hand warmly, her grip firm and reassuring. “Thank you for your hard work tonight, Olivia.”

spanng="EN"Her voice carried genuine gratitude. “If you hadn’te to help, I don’t know how we would’ve dispelled these  rumors.”

spanng="EN"Seeing my confusion, she exined with careful precision. “Matthew had just unified the European territories and was still in a period of political turmoil.”

spanng="EN"The weight of her words settled over me like a heavy nket. “Any slight movement could have a huge  impact.”

spanng="EN"She continued, her voice growing more serious. “Someone must have leaked the video and audio of your  mating ritual.”

spanng="EN"My stomach dropped. Our private ceremony had beenpromised.

spanng="EN"“Combined with recent events, the European Parliament believes he has been here too long,” Victoria said. “Some people want to use public opinion to strike him down and then rece him.”

spanng="EN"I finally understood the severity of the reporter’s questions. This wasn’t just gossip – this was a political  attack.

spanng="EN"Matthew quietly reassured me, his voice low and soothing. It’s not your fault:

spanng="EN"But Victoria looked at me earnestly, her eyes pleading. “Olivia, during this time, could you move back to the Kane Estate and live with Matthew? To break these tumors.”

spanng="EN"The request hit me like a physical blow. Our mate bond severance would be finalized in twenty–five days

spanng="EN"I Instinctively pulled my hand from Matthew’s grasp. The loss of contact felt like tearing away part of myself. Seeing this, Gamma te Interjected diplomatically. “Moving suddenly might look deliberate to the public. He paused, considering alternatives. “Perhaps… the Alpha King could move in with you instead.

spanng="EN"The room fell silent as all eyes turned to me. The weight of their expectations pressed down on my  shoulders.

spanng="EN"Aurora, rubbing her sleepy eyes, tugged on my hand with small fingers. “Mommy, I want Daddy… I miss Daddy so much I can’t sleep.”

spanng="EN"She then snuggled into Matthew’s arms, her small body fitting perfectly against his chest.

spanng="EN"Witnessing my pained struggle, Matthew spoke softly. “It’s alright. I’ll take you home.”

spanng="EN"At my apartment building, reporters were still lurking in the shadows. They snapped photos from a distance like predators waiting to strike.

spanng="EN"The car stopped downstairs with a soft purr of the engine. Matthew said quietly, “I won’t go up.”

spanng="EN"He passed the sleeping Aurora to Nora instead of to me. The gesture felt like another small rejection. “Goodbye, Alpha King,” I whispered, watching the ck car pull away into the night.

spanng="EN"I turned toward the elevator, my steps heavy with exhaustion and confusion.

spanng="EN"Suddenly, I heard rapid footsteps behind me on the pavement. The sound echoed off the building walls.

spanng="EN"I turned to see Theodore approaching, his face illuminated by the streetlights. In that same instant, he grabbed my hand.

spanng="EN"His dark eyes surged with tender emotion as he clutched me tightly. “Olivia, you left Matthew for me.”

spanng="EN"His voice was raw with desperate hope. “I know you still have me in your heart. Please give me another chance, okay?”