spanng="EN"(Olivia’s POV)

spanng="EN"I took the initiative to kiss Theodore’s lips. The moment our mouths touched, I felt nothing but revulsion coursing through my veins.

spanng="EN"Theodore was stunned. Then he turned his head slightly and held me tightly in his arms.

spanng="EN"“Don’t do this, Livvy, you just had surgery and can’t handle such intense emotional fluctuations.”

spanng="EN"Theodore pressed my face against his chest. His warm breath caressed my earlobe as if he wanted to merge me into his very bones.

spanng="EN"He wouldn’t realize that my eyes and heart now held only icy coldness: Without love, there are no intense emotional fluctuations.

spanng="EN"I watched ra emerge from the Alpha’s study to stand beside Evelyn. They had once again formed an alliance, sensing my vulnerability.

spanng="EN"The guests around us yfully shouted “Kiss! Kiss!” Their voices echoed through the kitchen like a mockery of my pain.

spanng="EN"Theodore gently lifted my face. His gaze poured a torrent of affection into my eyes, yet I felt none of it.

spanng="EN"“My love, it’s time for your moonlight herb,” he said softly. He took my hand and began leading me away from the kitchen.

spanng="EN"“I’m taking her upstairs to rest,” Theodore announced to the guests.

spanng="EN"“Alpha Theodore is so devoted to his Luna!” someone called out enviously.

spanng="EN"Such a perfect couple!” another added.

spanng="EN"Their words felt like daggers in my chest. If only they knew the truth.

spanng="EN"On the second–floor corridor, we came face to face with Evelyn and ra. They had been waiting for us, like predators stalking their prey.

spanng="EN"Seeing Theodore and me walking together intimately, ra’s face twisted with jealousy. She was already burning with rage that Theodore hadn’t questioned the moonstone bracelet.

spanng="EN"Instead, he was doting on his Luna as usual. The sight must have been unbearable for her.

spanng="EN"ra couldn’t resist a provocation. “Sister, Professor Vance is in the back garden. Aren’t you going to entertain him before you leave?”

spanng="EN"Her words hung in the air like poison. Before Theodore could react, I let go of his hand.

spanng="EN"I forcefully shoved ra. She stumbled and fell in a heap, her expensive dress tangling around her legs.

spanng="EN"Then I delivered a resounding p across Evelyn’s face. The sound echoed through the corridor like a gunshot.

spanng="EN"The entire manor fell into a stunned, eerie silence. Only the distant sound of pups ying could be heard from below.

spanng="EN"Evelyn clutched her cheek, staring at me with a fierce gaze. Her eyes burned with hatred and disbelief.

spanng="EN"Iunched into a public denunciation. My voice carried clearly through the manor, reaching every guest below.

spanng="EN"“I treated you as my best friend, but you’ve been coveting my mate all along.”

spanng="EN"My words dripped with scorn and betrayal. “Last time, at Professor Vance’s daughter’s birthday party, you secretly took photos of us to spread rumors about me having an affair.”

spanng="EN"I paused, letting the usation sink in. “I let it slide out of respect for our old friendship.”

spanng="EN"“You have some nerve, showing up in my pack house again. What is it? Is subtle provocation not enough?”

spanng="EN"My voice rose with righteous anger. “Are you nning to barge in and steal him openly?”

spanng="EN"The pack members below erupted in shocked whispers. Their voices carried up the stairs in waves of indignation.

spanng="EN"“Evelyn was the source of those rumors?”

spanng="EN"“What an ungrateful white–eyed wolf!”

spanng="EN"“After all the business resources Luna provided through the Crimson Pack!”

spanng="EN"“How could she betray Olivia’s kindness like this?”

spanng="EN"Panicked, Evelyn cried out to Theodore. “Theo, she really is going to leave you…”

spanng="EN"In response, I turned and embraced Theodore. My expression was a mask of triumphant mockery aimed directly at Evelyn.

spanng="EN"“Leave him? To make way for you? You wish.”

spanng="EN"The pack members sided with their Luna immediately. They dismissed Evelyn’s words as the desperate ramblings of a jealous she–wolf.

spanng="EN"“Get out,” Theodoremanded coldly. His Alpha authority radiated through his voice like a physical force.

spanng="EN"The guests chimed in from below. “Don’t upset our recovering Luna!”

spanng="EN"“The Croft family will face consequences if you continue this!”

spanng="EN"Humiliated and utterly defeated, Evelyn fled the manor in tears. Her footsteps echoed down the corridor as she ran.

spanng="EN"I then turned my icy gaze to the fallen ra. She was still sprawled on the floor, her carefully styled hair now disheveled.

spanng="EN"The memory of the conversation between Eleonora and Theodore surfaced. He had “developed feelings from sleeping with her” and couldn’t ept other she–wolves.

spanng="EN"The thought stabbed my heart with pain and disgust. I noted ra’s high–end dress and expensive jewelry, mirroring my own style.

spanng="EN"A wave of nausea washed over me. This she–wolf didn’t deserve any of this.

spanng="EN"“And you,” my voice was sharp as a de. “I’m truly curious what power you hold.”

spanng="EN"I paused, letting my words sink in. “To first make my pup want to call you ‘mommy, and then to cause a massive argument between Elder Eleonora and my mate?”

spanng="EN"This new revtion sent another wave of confusion through the crowd below. They couldn’t understand why the Redgrave family would fight over a mere caregiver.

spanng="EN"I felt Theodore’s hand tighten on my waist. His grip was almost painful, betraying his anxiety.

spanng="EN"I looked at him, letting my eyes well with manufactured tears. “Are you all going to choose her and abandon me?”

spanng="EN"My voice trembled with perfectly crafted vulnerability. Theodore, seeing my distress, quickly reassured me.

spanng="EN"“Silly girl, what are you thinking? Leo is just a pup.”

spanng="EN"He dismissed our son’s words and begged me not to overthink. But I pressed on, my voice choked with emotion.

spanng="EN"“Then what about you and Elder Eleonora? What did you mean by ‘epting ra but not others, and ‘it’s okay to be unfaithful but not promiscuous‘?”

spanng="EN"I let my voice break slightly. “What did you two do behind my back?”

spanng="EN"A pack member audibly gasped from below. “Oh my goddess! Don’t tell me Alpha Theodore cheated on his Luna!”

spanng="EN"As a tear slipped down my cheek, I clutched my heart. The feigned pain mixed with the real agony I had long suppressed.

spanng="EN"Seeing Theodore’s face etched with worry but devoid of guilt, I steeled myself to hear his lie.

spanng="EN"“My love, listen to my exnation. You really misunderstood that night,” he began anxiously.

spanng="EN"“My love, my mother and I were arguing because…”

spanng="EN"Before he could finish, Caleb suddenly emerged from the study. He interrupted with a frantic exnation, clearly coordinated with ra.

spanng="EN"“Luna! Aunt Eleonora was just upset on me, ming Theo for covering for me and ra!”

spanng="EN"His words tumbled out desperately. “Which made Evelyn lose such a good mating prospect. You really misunderstood

spanng="EN"Theo and Aunt Eleonora!”

spanng="EN"Fed up with their coordinated deception, I cut through the noise. My voice was deadly calm as I asked the one question that would shatter their lies.

spanng="EN"“Then what does ‘developing feelings from sleeping together‘ mean?”