Olivia Martins For a long, unbearable moment, the room was silent, except for the thunderous pounding of my heart. I stared blankly at the space he had occupied, trying to breathe around the ache clawing at my chest. Then Ryker was beside me. He didn’t speak at first, just crouched low beside the bed, close enough that I could feel his warmth, and held my hand. I didn’t turn to look at him. Still frozen in shock and despair. My vision blurred too quickly. “He hates me, Ryker,” I whispered, barely recognizing my own voice. “No,” Ryker said softly, gently. “He doesn’t hate you, Liv. He’s hurt. And angry. But he doesn’t hate you.” I let out a hollow laugh that sounded more like a sob. “You saw the way he looked at me. Like I was filth. Like I disgusted him.” Ryker exhaled slowly, steadying himself. “Olivia.” Tears spilled faster now, and I couldn’t stop them. My body trembled. “It’s his baby, Ryker. I swear to you, I’ve never… I’ve never been with anyone else.” He didn’t hesitat
Olivia Martins The first thing I noticed was the softness beneath me, the bed. Familiar. Faintly scented with pine and smoke and something that made my heart squeeze even before I opened my eyes. Caspian. But my body was heavy, like I’d sunk into the mattress itself. I blinked slowly, vision hazy, and shapes came into view, the white ceiling… The soft glow of evening light filtering in through a window... and people, blurry outlines, clustered near the foot of the bed. I turned my head, sluggishly, and saw them more clearly now. Caspian stood rigid at the corner of the room, arms crossed over his chest, jaw tight. His gaze flicked toward me and away again, unreadable. Ryker was beside him, worry etched deep into his brow. Bridget clung to Caspian’s arm like he might vanish if she let go. Two guards lingered at the door, tension coiled in their posture. And the pack doctor stood closest, with a small smile on his face. Something felt wrong. Off. I tried to sit up. Pain tugged t
Ryker Pierce I watched them drag her away. Olivia’s voice rang in my ears, shouting Caspian’s name, not in anger, but in disbelief, in heartbreak, like she couldn't believe he would do that to her. And Caspian just stood there. Frozen. Cold. I moved to follow her, instincts overriding logic, but Caspian stepped into the doorway, blocking me. “You’re not going after her,” he said, voice low, tight. My heart pounded in my ears. “Move.” “No.” I stared at him, really looked at him. His face was blank, but his fists were clenched at his sides, and his jaw ticked like he was seconds away from snapping. “You just had her dragged away like a criminal,” I snarled. “And now what? You won’t even let anyone check on her?” His eyes darkened, and then his words sliced through the tension like a blade. “You care an awful lot about her,” he said. “Maybe a little too much. Are you sleeping with her, Ryker?” The air left my lungs. I took a step back, blinking in disbelief. I couldn't belie
Olivia MartinsI woke up late, as I'd been doing the past couple of days, but this time, I wasn't sad. Sunlight filtered softly through the curtains, painting the room in a gentle golden glow. I was warm, tangled in the blankets of Caspian’s bed, his scent still clinging to the sheets. He was gone, but for once, I didn’t mind. I smiled as the memories from the night before wrapped around me like a second blanket.He'd come back to me.I took my time getting ready, still humming under my breath as I slipped into a simple dress and pulled my hair into a loose braid. For the first time in what felt like forever, I wasn’t dreading the day; I wasn't even plotting a way to murder that bitch.I practically skipped to the dining room, ate without really tasting anything, and headed toward his office, heart light and hope simmering just beneath the surface.But as I reached the door, I paused.Bridget’s voice drifted through the wood, thick with annoyance and forced sweetness. “I waited all ni
Olivia Martins“The Luna requests the Alpha’s presence.” The maid announced.The Luna, my ass.Of course she did.I swallowed down the sudden heat rising in my throat, forced a sugary smile onto my face, and said sweetly, “I’ll let him know."Like hell I will.She curtsied and walked away.I shut the door. And locked it.The click felt too loud in the quiet room, but I didn’t care. I leaned my forehead against the wood and let out a breath.There was no way I was letting her have him tonight.When the water finally stopped, I sprang into action.I busied myself with the pillows, fluffed them twice, then dropped them. I checked the lamp. Turned it off, then on again. Pointless things. Anything to distract myself from imagining her body wrapped around his.He walked out in nothing but a towel, damp hair messy and dripping, a faint trail of water glistening down his chest.I turned, pretending I hadn’t been waiting for him like a lovesick idiot.He didn’t say anything. He just went into
Olivia MartinsBridget's scent clung to his skin like a second layer.I froze, immediately filled with disgust.No.No, no, no.I shoved at his chest.He didn’t budge at first. He was still lost in it, kissing my neck, gripping my waist like he needed me to breathe.“Caspian,” I said, sharper now, pushing harder. “Let me go.”His head lifted, dazed and flushed. “What?”I scrambled out from under him, my heart pounding. My body was still aching for him, still wet, still hot, but I couldn’t ignore it. I wouldn’t.“You were with her,” I spat.He blinked, confused and drunk, like the sentence didn’t register. Then he gave a slow, dismissive shrug and leaned back on his elbows.“She’s my mate,” he said simply, like that explained everything. Like that excused it.Rage clawed up my throat.“She’s not your fucking mate, I am.” I snapped.He groaned and dragged a hand through his hair, looking both exhausted and turned on. “Olivia…”“No,” I hissed, storming away from the bed. “Don’t ‘Olivia’