Chapter 6

★𝕽𝖔𝖓𝖆𝖓

The subtle scent of Olivia's lingering confusion, mixed with the ever-present, alluring pull of her true nature, had not faded since our encounter in the garden. If anything, it had intensified, weaving itself into the very fabric of the palace air.

My mother's reaction to my 'theoretical' question had only confirmed my suspicions: there was a secret, deeply buried, surrounding Olivia. And it resonated with the impossible truth of her being my fated mate.

The following days were a test of my self-control. Every time I saw Olivia, every time her unique scent wafted towards me, my wolf roared for recognition, for claiming. My human side, however, wrestled with the immense implications. She was my sister. The world knew her as such. To reveal the truth, or even to act on this undeniable bond, would shatter not just her life, but the fragile peace of the Silvermoon Pack.

I began to discreetly delve into old pack archives, the ones hidden away in the deepest levels of the palace library, accessible only to the Alpha and the most trusted elders.

I bypassed the recent histories, searching for ancient records, dusty scrolls, and faded prophecies that hinted at unusual mate pairings or lost lineages. The specific intensity of Olivia's scent, a wildness beneath the familiar, gnawed at me. It wasn't purely Silvermoon.

I found nothing explicit, only fragmented mentions of long-forgotten pack feuds, of bloodlines extinguished, of power scattered. One cryptic passage spoke of a 'Whisper of Moonstone,' a pack supposedly wiped out generations ago, renowned for their affinity with nature and unique silver-eyed Alphas. Olivia’s eyes weren't silver, but their depth, the way they sometimes seemed to hold ancient secrets, made me pause.

My days were filled with meetings, re-establishing my authority, listening to reports from my wolf, Liam, and preparing for the inevitable future duties of an Alpha. But my nights were consumed by Olivia.

I’d find myself drawn to the kitchens, to the gardens, places where she spent her time, just to feel the lingering warmth of her presence. I never approached directly, not unless forced. The raw power of the mate bond, suppressed, made my skin prickle, a constant hum of unfulfilled desire.

One evening, I found myself in the main training grounds, watching my warriors spar. The rhythmic clang of steel, the grunts of exertion, usually calmed my mind. But even here, my thoughts strayed to her. A sudden commotion broke my focus. Two younger wolves, sparring with unusual aggression, lost control. One shifted halfway, claws extending dangerously close to his partner's throat. It was a breach of discipline, dangerous and irresponsible.

My Alpha command left my lips before I even fully processed it, a deep, resonating growl that echoed across the training ground, freezing every wolf in place. It was raw, absolute. Every head bowed instinctively, every muscle tensed in submission.

But as my gaze swept the field, ensuring compliance, it caught on a figure at the edge of the grounds, partially obscured by the shadows of the ancient oak trees. Olivia. She was wearing her kitchen clothes, a basket of forgotten herbs in her hand, her eyes wide, staring at me.

Her reaction wasn't immediate submission like the others. There was a faint flicker of something in her eyes,a wildness, a defiance that lasted only a fraction of a second before her head, too, bowed, albeit stiffly. But that brief moment, that spark of resistance to my absolute command, sent a jolt through me. It was unnatural for anyone within my pack, let alone my 'sister,' to show even a micro-second of defiance to a direct Alpha command. It was a clear sign of dormant power, of something deeper than she knew.

My wolf thrummed. She felt it and resisted. She is more than she seems.

I dismissed the warriors with a sharp nod, my gaze never leaving Olivia until she hurried away, disappearing back towards the palace kitchens. The incident solidified my resolve. The mate bond was not just a fated connection; it was a beacon, highlighting a profound secret.

I needed to understand what Olivia truly was, before someone else did. And I needed to find out who had placed her in my family, and why. The pieces were starting to fall into place, leading to a path far more dangerous than I had anticipated.