(God’s POV)

    Tristan felt like he was being sliced by a sharp de under Matthew’s gaze. The phone in his hand seemed to burn against his palm.

    Matthew stepped forward and took the phone without a word. His voice was ice–cold when he spoke.

    “Got it.”

    The call disconnected with a sharp click. Matthew stared at the device for a long moment, his jaw clenched tight.

    Then he turned and walked back into the conference room. The heavy door closed behind him with finality.

    Tristan stood alone in the hallway, wondering what had just happened. Through the ss, he could see Matthew resuming his seat at the head of the Royal Council table.

    The Alpha King’s face showed no emotion as he continued discussing territorial security deployments. But Tristan noticed how his knuckles were white where they gripped the edge of the table.

    Later that night, a cheerful Olivia stepped out of the driver’s seat of a new champagne–colored Mercedes. The sleek vehicle gleamed under the streetlights.

    “Killian, your taste is excellent,” she eximed, running her hand along the smooth hood. “The driving feel and interior of this car are perfect for Aurora and me.”

    She was thrilled to no longer have to rely on her employees for rides. The independence felt liberating after weeks of depending on others.

    Killian stood on the other side of the car, his gaze profound as he watched her excitement. “My taste has always been good,” he replied softly.

    Olivia missed the deeper meaning in his words. She simply smiled, impressed by his knowledge of cars.

    “How did you know exactly what I needed? It’s like you read my mind.”

    Killian’s lips curved slightly. “I pay attention to details that matter.”

    The caregiver Nora helped Aurora and ra out of the car. Both pups were giggling from their first ride in the new vehicle.

    “Luna Olivia, you should invite Professor Vance to stay for dinner,” Nora suggested, worry creasing her features. “You’ve gotten so thintely.”

    Olivia looked down at herself, surprised. She hadn’t noticed the weight loss.

    “That’s a wonderful idea. Killian, please stay I insist.”

    The group entered the building,ughing and talking. Their voices echoed in the stairwell as they climbed to

    Olivia’s floor.

    To any observer, they appeared as harmonious as a family. Aurora babbled happily in Nora’s arms while ra chattered about her day at the academy.

    Its upants are out of view.

    Inside, Tristan felt the air freeze around him. His Alpha King sat motionless, staring out the window.

    A territorial development filey untouched in Matthew’sp. It had been there for ten minutes without him turning a single page.

    The silence stretched until Matthew finally spoke. “Killian is too idle.”

    His voice was deadly quiet. Tristan felt a chill run down his spine.

    “Professor Vance submitted two research projects to the Aegis Institute,” Tristan replied swiftly. “They certainly need to be looked into.”

    Matthew’s eyes never left the building where Olivia had disappeared. “Make sure they receive immediate attention.”

    “Yes, Alpha King.”

    Soon after the ck SUV departed, Killian’s phone buzzed urgently. He nced at the screen and his expression changed.

    “I’m sorry, Olivia. Something urgent hase up at the Institute.”

    He gathered ra quickly, apologizing for the sudden departure. “The researchmittee needs me immediately.”

    Olivia watched them leave with confusion. “But dinner is almost ready.”

    “Another time,” Killian called over his shoulder as they hurried toward the elevator.

    Olivia stood in her doorway, looking at all the food Nora had prepared. It seemed wasteful now with just the two of them.

    But she felt genuinely happy that her former colleague’s project was receiving attention. “At least something good came of tonight,” she murmured.

    The mate bond dissolution would take effect in neen days. The countdown felt like a weight on her chest.

    (Olivia’s POV)

    Three dayster, I was at the Shield Chain Technology headquarters when Commander Garrett Flint approached my desk. He carried an elegant envelope in his weathered hands.

    Ms. ckwood, this is for you.”

    1 opened it carefully and my eyes lit up immediately. The prestigious International Software Expo Parallel Forum invitation gleamed with official seals.

    “Are you really giving this to me?” asked excitedly, hardly believing what I was seeing.

    Invitations to this event were notoriously difficult to obtain. For a newpany like mine, it was nearly impossible.

    “I thought you might be interested,” Commander Flint said with a slight smile.

    I was eager to learn about thetest developments in internationalputer technology. More importantly, I wanted to find high–level experts to challenge my skills.

    That void had been gnawing at me since leaving the Shadow Syndicate. I missed the intellectual stimtion of working with brilliant minds.

    “This is incredible. Thank you so much.”

    Commander Flint found my excitement perplexing. He knew that with Matthew’s influence, I could have as many such invitations as I wanted.

    But he didn’t say anything. He simply nodded and walked away.

    I clutched the invitation to my chest, already nning what I would wear. This was exactly what I needed to reignite my passion for the work.

    That afternoon, I arrived at the forum venue. The convention center buzzed with activity as the tech world’s elite mingled.

    I stood out awkwardly among Commander Flint’s team of gruff, senior engineers. Their weathered faces and practical clothing made my business attire seem out of ce.

    When Commander Flint introduced me as a consultant to some of the experts from the promotional posters, my eyes sparkled with admiration. These were legends in the field.

    “I’m particrly interested in your work on neural interface protocols,” I said to one renowned researcher.

    But when I tried to discuss the role of werewolf mental power skills in brain–machine interaction, I was met with a contemptuous gaze.

    “That’s hardly relevant to seriousputer science,” the expert dismissed.

    I waspletely ignored and marginalized. The other researchers turned away, clearly uninterested in continuing the conversation.

    My cheeks burned with embarrassment. I had been so excited to engage with these brilliant minds, only to be treated like an amateur.

    Just then, amotion erupted near the entrance. Alpha King Matthew made his entrance, surrounded by an entourage of admirers.

    The very engineers who had just snubbed me immediately rushed toward him. Their eager faces transformed as they pushed past me.

    “Alpha King! What an honor!”

    The crowd brushed past me, surging toward the entrance like a tide. Bodies pressed against me from all sides.

    I tried to maintain my bnce but the force was overwhelming. My feet slipped on the polished floor.

    Just as I was about to be knocked over, unable to keep my bnce, a hand wrapped around my waist. Strong fingers held me steady against the chaos.

    A familiar, concerned voice sounded by my ear. “Be careful, why are you so dazed?”