Chapter 3

OLIVIA

Olivia stared in shock at the man who was red as a bull in front of her.

Why the hell would you do that?! Yara wailed.

Olivia began to stagger backwards. It wasn't her intention to actually push him that hard. But this was her first kiss and it meant so much to her.

Olivia Hawthorne what have you done?

Offer a soothing apology now Olivia! Yara advised.

Olivia nodded, but before she could react, Vulcan's dominance crashed over her like a tidal wave. His wolf imposed itself on hers, raw and commanding, and she felt Yara submit instantly.

He covered the little distance she put between them in one long stride, then pulled her till there was no space between them.

"You belong to me," he said coldly as he whispered against her mouth, his voice dark and possessive. "Body and soul. You'll give yourself to me anytime I want."

Then he grabbed her face and kissed her again, harder this time, claiming her mouth with a hunger that left no room for resistance.

Yara surged forward, thrilled and eager, her excitement flooding through Olivia's veins so strongly it made her dizzy. Without permission, Olivia's fingers tightened in Vulcan's shirt, pulling him closer. Her mouth moved against his with sudden urgency, her teeth brushing his lower lip as she deepened the kiss.

This is our mate, Yara purred.

You traitor, she said furiously at her wolf. You're making this easy for him!

But Yara didn't care. She was lost in the mate bond, reveling in Vulcan's touch, and Olivia hated that her body followed suit.

Then footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Olivia jerked away from him like she'd been burned, gasping for air just as the council hall doors opened. Her lips were swollen, her face burning hot. She probably looked completely wrecked.

Vulcan looked amused.

Maeve appeared in the doorway, her sharp eyes zeroing in on Olivia immediately. She scanned her flushed cheeks with predatory eyes, her jaw tightening so hard the muscle jumped beneath her skin. Her hands curled into fists at her sides.

"Your Grace," she said through gritted teeth.

"Come on, Maeve. We're alone," Vulcan replied casually.

Maeve scoffed. "Really, Vulcan? Liam and I need to see you. With the Luna excused."

Olivia glanced between them, confused. What kind of relationship allowed Maeve to speak to the Alpha King so casually? People were supposed to tremble around him, not talk like irritated siblings.

Vulcan strolled back to his throne and sat down. "Call the head maid. Have her take Paula to her chambers. She'll be dining with us tonight. And send word to my mother about the dinner."

Maeve looked like she wanted to commit murder, and Olivia had a feeling she was the intended victim.

Who in this pack wouldn't want to? Only that Maeve's gaze was too intense and she wondered why.

Maeve left and returned with an older woman in a crisp gray uniform.

"This way, my lady," the head maid said after bowing to Vulcan.

Olivia nodded, clutching the necklace her father had given her. She'd been holding onto it since the dungeon, like it was the only thing keeping her steady.

As they walked through the corridors, the reality of her situation crashed down on her.

Even if her betrothed burst through those doors like some heroic warrior from her father's stories, it wouldn't change anything. Vulcan had already claimed her in front of the council. The mate bond hummed through her veins like a living thing.

No one could challenge what the Alpha King had decreed.

Good, Yara yawned lazily, still reveling in the joy of kissing Vulcan. I don't care about some random betrothed anyway. We have our mate now.

Olivia wanted to argue, wanted to remind her wolf that their mate had threatened to destroy her family and was using her for revenge. But she was too overwhelmed.

Would you rather have Romain as your betrothed? Yara pressed.

Olivia nearly choked. "I'd rather die than be with Romain."

She'd once stupidly assumed Romain might be her betrothed because he was Paula's brother and always acted like she belonged to him. The relief when her father told her it wasn't Romain had been staggering. He was mean and treated her terribly when there wasn’t anyone around.

Then stop overthinking, Yara said more gently. Live first. Figure out the rest later and try to get us more kisses.

Yara! Olivia's face turned beet red, without her permission. She fanned her face with her hands, hoping no one would notice.

The head maid led them into the West Wing. The design here was sleeker, with clean lines and tall windows. Charcoal-gray walls glowed under soft recessed lighting.

They stopped in front of large double doors on the second-to-last floor.

"These are your chambers, my lady," the head maid said.

The room was massive. A king-sized bed with silver-gray linens sat against the far wall. Dark hardwood floors shone beneath her feet, and a plush sitting area near the windows held a couch and armchairs.

"These are your personal maids," the head maid added, gesturing toward two women. "Trisha and Olivia."

Olivia's stomach dropped.

Paula.

Paula stepped forward, and all the air left Olivia's lungs.

Luna Michelle had pleaded with Vulcan in the dungeon to let Paula come as Olivia's personal maid. Vulcan had agreed, probably finding it amusing.

Paula looked different in the maid uniform, less commanding than in her elegant gowns. But the fury in her eyes hadn't changed.

She blamed Olivia for her father's death. But her father had been responsible for Olivia's father's death too, a truth Paula would never accept because it meant admitting her Alpha father had been reckless and power-hungry.

Olivia still remembered eavesdropping on her parents the night her father tried everything to stop Alpha Ravick from starting the war. When words failed, he'd written a secret letter to Dark Howl Pack, warning them. That letter had been intercepted by Alpha Ravick and as punishment, her father was sent to the Frontline.

He died in a war he tried to prevent.

"My lady," Trisha said softly. "Let me prepare your bath."

She slipped into the bathroom, leaving Olivia alone with Paula.

Paula scoffed. "You must be enjoying this. Playing Luna and living my life."

Olivia didn't respond.

"If you're going to pretend to be me, at least get it right. Stop slouching. Walk with confidence. Don't stutter. God, there's so much you don't even know!" Paula circled her like she was inspecting a cheap imitation. "Do you know how long it took me to learn all this? While you were busy sparring with your father?"

Olivia's jaw clenched.

"I know it's hard," Paula continued mockingly. "Acting like a princess when you're basically a nobody. But you'd better try. Unless you want everyone to figure out the truth."

Something inside Olivia snapped.

"I'm doing everything I can," she said quietly, meeting Paula's gaze. "And no matter what you say or do, I'll protect my real family. Even if it costs me my life."

Paula's face flushed red. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "You think you're so noble? Your family is alive because of my mother's mercy. Don't forget that. One wrong move and they're dead." She smiled coldly. "And I'll make sure you watch."

Trisha returned before Olivia could respond. "My lady, your bath is ready."

Olivia escaped into the bathroom.

The tub was enormous, filled with steaming water that smelled like lavender and vanilla. She sank into it, trying to block out Paula's words.

Paula wasn't entirely wrong. And that hurt the most.

Her father had taught her to fight when people said it wasn't appropriate for a girl. He said strength wasn't just for sons, that she deserved to know how to protect herself.

Those training sessions had been her favorite. She loved the way his face lit up with pride when she mastered a difficult move. They'd spend hours in the yard, then collapse on the porch afterward, talking about pack history and honor.

Later they'd watch TV with Mae while Mom made dinner and pretended to scold him for teaching her "dangerous things."

He'd prepared her for everything except losing him.

He will never see her shift. Never meet Yara. Never watch her run through the forest under the moonlight.

Trisha helped her out of the bath and wrapped her in a soft towel. She dried Olivia's hair, applied light makeup, and led her to the walk-in closet.

Most of the dresses were light blue.

Olivia frowned. "Why are they all the same?"

Trisha's eyes flickered briefly before she bowed. "I'm sorry, my lady."

She had no idea. Olivia sighed and let Trisha dress her in a sleeveless dress that hugged her waist and flowed to her knees.

When they stepped outside, two guards were waiting.

Paula and Trisha stayed behind.

Olivia glanced back. "Aren't you coming?"

Trisha shook her head. "Not everyone is allowed on the top floor, my lady. That's where Alpha Vulcan resides."

Olivia looked at Paula. Her eyes brimmed with fury and jealousy.

Olivia turned away and followed the guards up the stairs.

Whatever was waiting for her on the top floor, she'd face it alone.