(Theodore’s POV)

    In the manor’s study, I sank into the leather sofa, my gaze shifting between Olivia’s figure on therge surveince screen and the rogue hacker I had hired. Roric “The Crow” ckwater was practically vibrating with excitement.

    “Alpha, you’re not going to believe this,” he rasped, his scarred fingers dancing across his keyboard. “Your mate isn’t just some pretty Luna. She’s Cipher.”

    I frowned, watching Olivia on the screen as she seemed to y some simpleputer game. “What are you talking about?”

    “Cipher!” Roric’s eyes gleamed with greed. “The legendary operative who rose in the Shadow Syndicate thirteen years ago, only to vanish just as quickly.”

    He pointed at the fleeting lines of code on her screen, his voice dropping to an awed whisper. “She was Matthew’s most strategically minded agent. They say she could predict the future, understand battle situations thoroughly without even being on the battlefield.”

    My chest tightened. Thirteen years ago. When she was barely eighteen.

    “More impressive than a typical Alpha was her ability to create mental shields using her own capabilities,” Roric continued. “Three years after her reappearance, she acquired new skills. Computer technology became her specialty.”

    I stared at the screen, watching my mate’s fingers fly across the keyboard with practiced ease. The woman I thought I knew was dissolving before my eyes.

    “I need to publicize this discovery,” Roric said eagerly. “The bounty alone-”

    “No.” My Alphamand mmed into him like a physical force. “You will tell no one.”

    He submitted immediately, his head bowing. But his eyes still gleamed with avarice.

    The revtion sent me spiraling into memories of our past. Thirteen years ago, Lyra had insisted Olivia study advanced strategic systems. She imed her daughter had a natural gift for warfare and intelligence.

    I remembered those all–night training sessions. Olivia’s pale face from exhaustion. How I would get angry at her dedication, only to relent and provide her with thetest equipment.

    The memory of her soft, yielding self in my arms was a stark contrast to the distant, powerful she–wolf she had be.

    “There’s more, Alpha,” Roric’s gravelly volce pulled me back. “A two–million–dor bounty is on Cipher’s head. Posted by a shadowy organization seeking the operative who allegedly sabotaged a critical military strike.” My blood ran cold. This was why she had hidden her Identity so carefully. Even from me, her mate.

    A bitter thought emerged: Was Matthew pursuing her for her abilities rather than true love? The thought solidified my belief that I was the only one who truly loved her for herself.

    I regretted ever encouraging her training. Her independence was what had given her the strength to leave me.

    As I watched, lost in anguish, Olivia on the screen suddenly looked up. Her eyes seemed to pierce through the camera and directly into my soul.

    ‘Cut the feed, I ordered harshly.

    The screen went ck.

    (God’s POV)

    Meanwhile, in a dimly lit office across the territory, old Alpha Fan Moonstone dismissed the reports with a wave of his weathered hand.

    “Rumors,” he scoffed to his Beta. “This Olivia disrupting our conspiracy against the Wolf King? She’s nothing more than a pretty ornamental Luna.”

    His Beta shifted ufortably. “But Alpha, the intelligence suggests-”

    “Intelligence suggests nothing,” Fan snapped. “Matthew Kane’s weakness for beautiful she–wolves is well documented.”

    The office door opened, and Ethan Moonstone entered. His cold, calcting gaze swept the room before settling on his father.

    “Father, I’ve just met with Can Mooncrest,” Ethan announced. “I’ve discovered something interesting about our long–lost ‘sister.”

    Fan’s eyebrows rose. “Sister?”

    “The daughter of Lyra ckwood,” Ethan’s voice was ice. “Olivia.”

    The news shocked Fan into silence.

    “This daughter couldn’t possibly inherit her mother’s legendary abilities,” Fan finally said, though uncertainty crept into his voice.

    Ethan’s smile was sharp as a de. “Father, I will personally investigate her.”

    Realizing he was powerless to stop his son, Fan could only turn to his Beta. “Obtain the mate contract

    termination documents from Matthew Kane’s camp. At all costs.”

    (Olivia’s POV)

    I packed myptop and left the Shield Chain Technology office, only to be met by Bastian Miles in the hallway. His expression was grim.

    “We have a problem,” he said without preamble. “Apex Dynamics is systematically crushing our business.”

    My jaw tightened. “Theodore’s new tech subsidiary.”

    “They’re canceling our contracts, spreading rumors about our capabilities,” Bastian continued. “We’re facing a direct challenge at the uing government technology tender.”

    I suspected this wasn’t Theodore’s direct doing. Someone else was pulling the strings.

    “Should we seek a mediator through pack channels?” Bastian suggested.

    “No,” I decided. “We’ll face this challenge head–on.”

    I returned to my apartment to find chaos. Matthew was engaged in a yful water gun battle with little Aurora, both of them soaked andughing.

    I was immediately caught in the crossfire, water soaking through my blouse. Aurora’s delighted giggles filled the air.

    Holding my giggling pup, I heard Aurora whisper through our developing familial bond, “Marna, Papa said he will always protect us.”

    The innocent words stunned me. My eyes met Matthew’s warm, golden gaze.

    He gently took my briefcase with one hand while scooping up Aurora with the other. His natural ease with our daughter made my heart clench.

    I noticed his clothes hanging beside mine in the wardrobe. Separate but connected, a visual representation of our careful rtionship.

    “This small apartment is inconvenient for an Alpha King and his royal duties,” I said, deflecting.

    He saw through me immediately. Setting Aurora down to y, he pulled me against his chest.

    My body fit perfectly against his powerful frame. He tilted my chin up, his lips brushing against mine as he drew my legs around his waist.

    Hisrge hand cupped the back of my head. His kissnded on the corner of my mouth as he whispered against my skin.

    “You can handle being my Luna Queen, want to try?”