تسجيل الدخولOLIVIA"Behind that curtain with the other high-ranking observers. My father, Thorne Roosevelt, watched everything."I couldn't breathe. Killian's father—this monster he'd described—had been watching me?"Why?" I stood, my legs shaky. "Why would he care?""I don't know,” Killian's expression darkened, "I don't know what game my father is playing. I only know his presence that day wasn't a mere appearance." He sighed, tired. "But I know he won't stay exiled forever. Sooner or later, he'll make his move. And when he does..." He trailed off, unable to finish.I crossed to him, taking his face in my hands. "Then we'll face him together. Whatever comes, we face it together."He closed his eyes, leaning into my touch. "I don't deserve you.""Stop." My voice was firm. "You deserve everything good. And I'm not going anywhere."He pulled me into his arms, holding me so tight I could barely breathe. But I didn't care. This was where I belonged. With him.After a long moment, he pulled back,
OLIVIAThe living room fell into a heavy, suffocating silence. Every eye was on me—some curious, some hostile, some calculating. I stood frozen in the doorway, my heart pounding, my mind racing.Killian exiled his father. His own father. Why?Zoey stirred inside me, alert and watchful. Careful, she murmured. *This is pack business. Family business. We're outsiders here. *I know. But I need to understand.Seeing their silence, Killian turned. When he saw me, something flickered in his eyes—fear? Guilt? Shame?I stared at him, stunned. The man I loved, the man who held me through nightmares, who fought for me, who saved my life—had exiled his own father.And he'd never told me.Killian moved first, crossing the room in quick strides to stand beside me. His hand found mine, a silent reassurance, but I felt the tension in his grip. The secret was out now, and he knew it."Olivia," he said quietly, "go back to our room. I'll handle this."I should have listened. Should have walked away an
OLIVIAI turned off the shower, water dripping from my body. Slowly, carefully, I stepped out onto the cold tile. I grabbed a towel, holding it against me like a shield."Killian, if that's you, it's not funny."Nothing.I crept toward the bathroom door, my heart pounding. I pushed it open, stepping into the bedroom.The room was dark, the only light the faint moonlight filtering through the curtains. I couldn't see clearly, couldn't make out shapes.But Zoey could.She snarled again, *We're not alone. * She whispered. My heart slammed against my ribs. The darkness pressed in on all sides, suffocating. I couldn't see anything, couldn't hear anything except the thunderous pulse in my ears.*He's close. Behind you. *I couldn't breathe. My hand stretched out blindly, fingers scrambling along the wall, searching for the light switch. Just a few more inches—A hand, strong and rough, clamped around my waist and yanked me backward. I crashed against a solid chest, hard as iron. A scream
OLIVIA The city lights blurred past the car window as Killian drove us back to the pack. Night had fallen completely now, the sky a deep velvet blanket sprinkled with stars. I leaned my head against the cool window, watching the lights of passing cars blur into streaks.Killian drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting loosely on my thigh. His touch was warm, familiar, grounding. But my mind was anywhere but grounded.Fated mate, I thought for the hundredth time. Kane could be my fated mate.*So what?* Zoey's voice was sharp, defiant. *Fated doesn't mean chosen. We choose Killian. End of story. **But the bond—* *The bond means nothing if we don't want it. We reject him. Simple. Fate doesn't get to waltz in now and mess that up.* I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the memory of that pull, that undeniable attraction to Kane, made me doubt.*What if I can't control it? What if every time I'm near him, I—* *Then we fight, * Zoey said fiercely. *We've survived worse
OLIVIAI leaned against the cold wall of the lobby, my phone clutched in my trembling hand. My mind was still replaying everything that happened in Kane's office—his touch, his voice, the way I'd closed my eyes like some lovesick fool waiting for a kiss.*Goddess, I don't like this* *Look, it's okay. It's not your fault* Zoey insisted, but even she sounded shaken. *But I almost let him. You said it yourself, Zoey* *I know I did* She sighed. *But what matters is that it never happened. You stopped. Well, he stopped. But you would have. Eventually. I think.* *That's not comforting, Zoey.* *It's not meant to be. It's meant to be honest. Now breathe. Here comes Killian.* The elevator doors opened and Killian strode out, his presence immediately drawing every eye in the lobby. He moved with that effortless power, that mountain-like confidence that usually made me feel so safe.He paused, his hazel eyes scanning the lobby until they found me. His face softened with that familiar warm
OLIVIA The door clicked shut behind Killian, and suddenly the room felt smaller. Much smaller. Kane's piercing blue eyes hadn't left my face since the moment we were alone, and that smile—that knowing, mysterious smile—made my skin prickle with something I didn't want to name."Comfortable?" he asked, gesturing to the plush chair I was perched on like a nervous bird."I'm fine," I said, my voice tighter than I intended.Kane leaned back in his chair, crossing one long leg over the other. He looked completely at ease, utterly in control. "You know, Killian has been my friend for a very long time. I've never seen him like this about anyone. He's different."I didn't know what to say to that, so I just nodded."He told me about the hearing. About the videos." Kane's voice dropped, becoming gentle, understanding. "That must have been devastating. To watch your own children—""Please." I held up a hand. "I don't want to talk about that. Not yet."He tilted his head, those blue eyes studyi







