spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"Theodore stood in the empty corridor, his expression stern as ice. His dark eyes swept the space where he clearly saw us enter moments ago.

spanng="EN"Yet we had vanishedpletely. The positioning dot on his phone showed we were still in this building, but we were nowhere to be found.

spanng="EN"His jaw clenched as he barked orders to his pack warriors. “Find my Luna! And I want to see Professor Vance.”

spanng="EN"The warriors immediately flooded into the fire escape. Their heavy boots thundered as they searched every floor from bottom to top.

spanng="EN"At this moment, a staff member approached and guided him to the conference hall. Theodore was led toward the conference hall on the other side. His powerful frame radiated fury and suspicion.

spanng="EN"He didn’t know I was behind the wall behind him. I watched him through a one–way mirror, my heart pounding against my ribs.

spanng="EN"Just as Theodore had pushed open the fire escape door, Killian wrapped his arm around my waist. His fingerprint opened a hidden door in the wall, bringing me into The Umbral Vault.

spanng="EN"My back pressed against the cold steel te. My hands rested against Killian’s chest while his palm remained at my waist.

spanng="EN"His burning breath washed over my face. The atmosphere between us became charged with unspoken tension.

spanng="EN"Theboratory lights suddenly brightened. The harsh illumination made me blink rapidly.

spanng="EN"Killian’s research team members weed my arrival. They had heard I was the internationally renowned strategist “Cipher” who struck fear into hostile packs worldwide.

spanng="EN"Their curious gazes made me ufortable. Killian and I quickly withdrew our hands, exchanging an awkward nce before looking away.

spanng="EN"A man with sharp features approached us. “Beta Gideon Frost,” he introduced himself curtly.

spanng="EN"“Theodore’s pack warriors are searching throughout the building. They’re disrupting many researchers‘ work and demanding to find ‘Luna Olivia‘ at any cost.”

spanng="EN"His expression was grave. “Theodore is currently at the press conference venue, demanding to see Professor Vance.”

spanng="EN"Panic seized my chest. I couldn’t cause trouble for these people who were trying to help me.

spanng="EN"“I need to leave,” I said urgently. “I’ll find another opportunity to return.”

spanng="EN"I moved toward the door, but Killian blocked my path. His tall frame cast a shadow over me.

spanng="EN"“If the tracking device isn’t removed from you, you’ll continue to be under Theodore’s control,” he said calmly. “We might not get another chance next time.”

spanng="EN"His ice-blue eyes held mine steadily. “If you’re taken back by the Theodore without removing the device, it could expose our base.”

spanng="EN"“Besides, if you leave the Northern Territory, wearing a tracker will hinder Matthew’s operations.”

spanng="EN"Facing his questioning gaze, I felt a deep sense of defeat. This man I once revered as a mentor now doubted my capabilities.

spanng="EN"I remembered how he once trusted my abilitiespletely. He would follow my strategic ns without hesitation, even facing dangerous missions.

spanng="EN"Now his doubt wounded me deeply. I lowered my eyes, avoiding his prating stare.

spanng="EN"“I hadn’t considered things thoroughly enough,” I admitted quietly.

spanng="EN"Killian’s expression softened slightly. “Enter the innerboratory. Remove all your belongings and lie in the detection chamber.”

spanng="EN"Without hesitation, I removed my mother’s ruby ne. The precious stones caught the light as I set it aside.

spanng="EN"My 9.9–carat diamond mating ring followed. The massive stone felt heavy in my palm.

spanng="EN"Finally, I removed my dark gray hair clip. My long hair cascaded down my shoulders.

spanng="EN"As Iy in the detection chamber with my eyes closed, memories flooded back. When had Theodore imnted the subcutaneous chip?

spanng="EN"Such procedures required general anesthesia. When had he drugged me without my knowledge?

spanng="EN"(Killian’s POV)

spanng="EN"When I entered and saw Olivia in the detection chamber, only her face was visible above the gray–white chamber body. Faint sadness marked her expression – sadness caused by Theodore.

spanng="EN"As the machine operated, hot air enveloped Olivia’s entire body. Her face gradually reddened and heated up.

spanng="EN"Through the transparent cover, I saw tears sliding from the corners of her eyes. We both understood what subcutaneous chip imntation meant.

spanng="EN"Unlike medical imnts, it continuously released signals. It essentially subjected the body’s organs to constant interference with irreversible damage.

spanng="EN"The machinepleted its scan with a soft beep. “There is no signal source on your body,” I announced.

spanng="EN"Relief flickered across Olivia’s features. She reached for her mating ring, but I suddenly grabbed her hand.

spanng="EN"“Is this something you would never part with?” I asked urgently.

spanng="EN"She shook her head and indicated her mother’s ruby ne. “This is what I truly never leave behind.”

spanng="EN"My blood ran cold. We discovered the tracking chip embedded within the ne – a family heirloom passed down through generations of the ckwood line.

spanng="EN"Theodore knew she would never abandon it. He had exploited her love for her mother.

spanng="EN"I worked skillfully to remove the chip without damaging the ne. The delicate procedure required steady hands and precise movements.

spanng="EN"“He used your mother against you,” I said quietly.

spanng="EN"Olivia’s face crumpled with pain and betrayal. Her hands trembled as she watched me work.

spanng="EN"When I finished, I stood behind her to help put the ne back on. My burning fingers and the cool ne created ripples on her swan–like neck.

spanng="EN"The moment became intimate. Her skin was soft and warm beneath my touch.

spanng="EN"Then I picked up her mating ring. “Are you willing?” I asked, sliding the diamond ring onto her finger before she could refuse.

spanng="EN"My hand sped her delicate one. Her pulse fluttered beneath my thumb.

spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"Electric currents surged through my veins, striking my heart. I met Killian’s direct gaze, drowning in his deep, ocean–like dark eyes.

spanng="EN"Passionate waves seemed ready to draw me in. He began confessing his feelings, his voice low and intense.

spanng="EN"“I have global assets,” he said, listing his advantages. “A respected professorship, military honors, a healthier lifestyle than Theodore.”

spanng="EN"His grip on my hand tightened. “I respect your wishes more. I support your career pursuits.”

spanng="EN"My heart hammered against my ribs. This wasn’t how things were supposed to go.

spanng="EN"“I love you, Olivia,” he dered directly.

spanng="EN"I couldn’t ept my revered mentor falling from his pedestal this way. Panic seized me as I nervously retreated.

spanng="EN"My back hit the detection chamber. I tumbled backward into it, pulling Killian down with our sped hands.

spanng="EN"His soft lips met mine as we fell. The still–running detector automatically closed the chamber door, trapping us tightly together.

spanng="EN"We couldn’t move in the confined space. His weight pressed against me, his breath mingling with mine.

spanng="EN"At that precise moment, Theodore’s voice prated our eardrums through the inte system.

spanng="EN"“Professor Vance, what have you done to my Luna!”