Olivia's POVI sat on the edge of the couch, staring at my phone, the glow of the screen burning my eyes. Emily’s face was impossible to ignore. The picture made it seem like Ryan was holding her close, as though they were more than just acquaintances. A shiver ran through me, not from the coolness of the air, but from the sudden chill that seized my heart. I could barely breathe as the words under the image clawed at me, calling Emily Ryan’s chosen surrogate. The very thought of it made my stomach churn.How could this happen? I barely had time to process the information before my mind was flooded with flashes of the hospital toilet, Emily’s voice echoing in my head. "You will never be anything. I’ll be the one to carry Alpha Ryan's child. I'll be Luna." Those words felt like a slap across my face, reminding me that the truth was clear—there was no place for me in Ryan’s life. Not really. Not in the way that mattered. My head spun, my hands clammy as I scrolled through the endless c
Olivia POVAfter a moment of hesitation, my feet moved almost of their own accord. I had intended to head toward his room because I was sure Ryan was still wrapped up in whatever work he had to do, but somehow, my steps turned back. I couldn't help it. The pull was too strong. And before I even realized it, I found myself standing before the study door again.The weight in my chest grew heavier as I reached out to touch the door, the cool wood sending a shiver through my fingertips. I paused, taking a breath, uncertain of what I was hoping to find. Maybe an answer, maybe just a bit of comfort. But the moment I glanced inside, my breath caught in my throat.Ryan, as expected, was in the middle of something. His headphones were on, and his attention was completely absorbed in the meeting he seemed to have just started. But then, he looked up at me. His gaze softened when our eyes met, and I felt my pulse quicken. Without missing a beat, he took off his headphones, pausing whatever conve
Ryan POVI stared at Olivia's empty hand as she walked away. A strange feeling settled in my chest, an odd mix of regret and something else—something I couldn’t quite place. She was leaving, and while I felt sorry for her, there was this tiny, nagging sense of disappointment that I couldn’t shake. I had learned so much about her from the school records, how happy she was at camp, how she thrived there. It was rare, I thought, that someone like Olivia could find something they truly loved, something they excelled at. But now, that spark seemed to be fading, and I couldn’t help but feel responsible for it.I wasn’t sure how long I sat there, watching the space she’d just occupied, but eventually, I heard the low hum of voices from the meeting still going on behind me. I turned my attention back to the screen in front of me, trying to ignore the thoughts of Olivia that lingered in the back of my mind. My friends—well, they couldn’t see me, thanks to the settings I’d adjusted, but they co
Olivia POVI felt as if I had just woken from a dream—a strange, vivid dream where I wasn’t rescued. The images were jumbled, but the fear was unmistakable. I had been running, fighting with everything I had left, trying to escape. And then, the men from the casino had found me. I had struggled against them, feeling my body weaken, the exhaustion threatening to pull me under. Just as I was about to be dragged back into their control, someone grabbed my hand, and with a sudden force, they led me away.My breath had caught in my throat as I was pulled through the maze of streets, hiding in alleys, the sounds of footsteps echoing behind us. We had found safety, or at least it felt like it. In the dim light of the alley, the stranger pulled me close, his arms wrapping around me tightly, as if to protect me from the world, from everything that was after me. His body was solid, strong, and I could feel the heat radiating off of him. He kissed me deeply, his lips pressing against mine in a w
Olivia POVThe warm water cascaded down my back, soothing and steady, as I ran my fingers through my damp hair. Each droplet seemed to wash away the haze of sleep, sharpening my senses for the day ahead. My thoughts drifted as I rubbed the soap against my skin, the faint scent of lavender enveloping me. I lingered, letting the steam fill the bathroom and momentarily forgetting the unfamiliarity of the packhouse.Pulling myself out of my reverie, I quickly rinsed off and wrapped myself in a towel. The chill of the air against my damp skin sent a shiver up my spine, urging me to hurry. I slipped on a light dress, one I hoped struck the balance between casual and presentable, and headed out.The soft clinking of utensils guided me to the dining area, where Alpha Ryan sat at the head of the table. His posture was relaxed yet commanding, a contrast that always left me slightly unsettled. “Good morning,” I greeted softly, sliding into the chair opposite him. It was a bit silly to greet him
Olivia POVHer question hung in the air, and I struggled to find the words, my heart pounding as the weight of her assumptions pressed down on me.The rack of elegant clothes loomed in front of me, every gown, dress, and jumpsuit shimmering under the soft glow of my room’s light. Emma, clearly proud of her display, stood expectantly, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement despite my rejection. My heart raced as I looked from the rack to her and back again."Well, Olivia?" Emma asked, holding up an emerald gown that sparkled with an almost otherworldly brilliance. "This would look divine on you. Imagine the heads you'll turn at the reunion!"I bit my lip, trying to form a coherent response. The truth swirled in my mind, too complicated to put into words. This party wasn’t some grand occasion; it was a casual farewell for my boot camp class. Showing up in a gown meant for a royal gala would be ridiculous.“I don’t think…” My voice faltered. “I mean, the party’s mostly for regula
Olivia’s POVZara grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief as I teased her about her heavy padded jacket. “What are you hiding under there?” I asked, folding my arms and raising an eyebrow.With a dramatic flourish, Zara unzipped the jacket and shrugged it off, revealing a stunning outfit that made me gasp. She wore a sleek black halter top that hugged her figure perfectly, paired with a high-waisted leather skirt that flared just enough to make her look effortlessly stylish. Her boots, knee-high and laced, added an edge to the ensemble. Zara twirled playfully, the fabric catching the light and shimmering slightly.“This,” she announced with a proud smirk, “is my real outfit. Perfect for the send-off party tonight.”I tilted my head knowingly. “And this wouldn’t have anything to do with Loren, would it?”Zara’s smirk turned into a wide grin, and she leaned in conspiratorially. “Okay, fine. Maybe it has everything to do with Loren. I considered it and confessed my love to him first.”
Olivia's POVThe moment I reached the far end of the hallway, I let the tears flow freely. My chest heaved with suppressed sobs, and I clutched the straps of my bag tightly to steady myself. My flat shoes echoed faintly against the tiled floor as I hurried, my vision blurred from the salty sting of tears. I just needed to get away—from the disappointment in Professor Susan’s voice, from the lingering questions I didn’t want to answer.“Olivia!” Zara’s voice rang out from behind me, her hurried footsteps closing the distance. She grabbed my arm and pulled me to a stop. “Why are you crying? What’s wrong?”I wiped my cheeks roughly, refusing to meet her eyes. “It’s nothing, Zara. Just… let it go.”Her silence was unnerving, and when I finally glanced up at her, her expression was a mixture of frustration and concern. She folded her arms, her jaw set. “Let me guess. Alpha Ryan’s been mistreating you, hasn’t he?”I blinked at her, startled by the accusation. “What?”Zara nodded to herself,
Olivia’s POVI frowned, my fingers clenching slightly against my dress as I looked between Sarah and standing before me.Diana.I didn’t know her, had never even heard of her name before today. Yet, Ryan's mother's look sold off that Diana seemed like one to cause problem.Before I could ask any questions, Sarah turned to Ivy. “Go report back to Grandfather Moore.”Ivy gave a respectful nod and left the environment, her presence replaced by a weighted silence.“Who's Diana?" I asked her.She sighed. “She's Grandfather Moore’s granddaughter.“What? She's your….”"No. She's not my daughter. She's Kelvin’s elder stepbrother’s daughter.”"Huh?” I blinked.Sarah exhaled slowly before turning back to me. “Olivia, I think it’s time you learned more about the family.”My brows knitted. “More?”She nodded. “Grandfather Moore had some illegitimate children before he officially married Kelvin's mother. That, unfortunately, led to too many people trying to compete for the Alpha position.”I stiff
Olivia’s POVI hadn’t expected to run into Eva at the flower shop that day, and I certainly hadn’t expected to run into her here again. The last thing I wanted was another pointless argument, so I decided to ignore her and walk past as if she wasn’t there.But, of course, Eva wouldn’t let me go so easily.“Well, well, look who we have here,” she sneered, stepping in front of me to block my path. “The lowly omega who used a Gamma to cheat her way out of trouble.”I frowned, glancing around. Her guards now stood at a distance, they seemed uninterested in intervening. Maybe for now. I sighed and met Eva’s glare. “I didn’t cheat, Eva. And I certainly didn’t ‘escape’ anything. I didn’t do anything wrong.”Eva scoffed and took a step closer, her eyes flashing with barely contained fury. “Oh, really? Then why don’t you apologize for what happened that day?”I stiffened. “I have nothing to apologize for. I didn’t push you. I was trying to help you.”Eva’s lips curled in a twisted smirk, and b
Maid’s POVI stepped forward, firmly blocking the path as Diana halted in front of me. Her golden hair gleamed under the disappearing sun, and despite the gentle smile on her face, there was an underlying sharpness in her gaze.“I need to see my grandfather, Acacia,” she said, folding her arms. “Move away." I remained unmoved. “I’m sorry, Miss Diana, but you can’t go in right now.”Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Why? I walked despite my legs hurting to get here, and now you’re stopping me?”I met her gaze steadily, keeping my voice calm. “I have no personal reason to stop you, Miss. But your grandfather is receiving a special guest today—Alpha Ryan’s girlfriend.”Her lips parted slightly in surprise, then pressed into a thin line. “I heard Ryan was bringing her over today,” she muttered, more to herself than to me. “I think her name is… uhh, Olivia.”“That’s right, Miss Diana,” I confirmed, shifting my weight slightly.Her face twitched, and for a moment, she seemed genuinely concerned
Olivia's POVGrandfather Moore’s gaze was warm as he gestured toward the young woman standing beside him. "Olivia, this is Ivy. She’s one of the strongest female Gammas in our pack."Ivy gave a small nod, her short hair swaying slightly with the movement. She had sharp eyes, the kind that seemed to see everything without trying too hard. Yet, there was something calm about her—a quiet strength that didn’t demand attention but couldn’t be ignored either."It’s nice to meet you," I said with a smile. "You look really capable."Ivy smirked, crossing her arms. "I try."Grandfather Moore continued, "Given Celia’s… pregnancy experience, we thought it’d be easier for you to have a woman around rather than a man. Ivy’s one of our best, and she’ll be by your side to help when needed."I nodded. Now, I didn’t mind. In fact, I liked being around strong women like Ivy and Zara. There was something admirable about them—the way they carried themselves, the way they never seemed shaken.Ivy stepped
Olivia’s POVOh no. Oh no, no, no.I was caught.Ryan’s grip on my wrist didn’t loosen, and I felt my entire body tense. The air in the hallway suddenly felt heavier, and I had the overwhelming urge to shrink into the nearest crack in the floor. Maybe if I played dead, he’d just let me go.His green eyes studied me intently, unreadable yet sharp. “Olivia.”I swallowed. “I—I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop! I swear! I just—” I waved my free hand vaguely in the air, “—was walking, and then I heard, and I—” I was digging my own grave. “I didn’t mean to listen! My ears just—uh—work really well?”Great. Now I sounded suspicious and completely ridiculous.I braced myself for the scolding. Maybe a stern warning, maybe even a full interrogation—Ryan had that natural authority that made people confess to things they didn’t even do.But instead, his brows furrowed slightly, his hand shifting to hold my wrist more gently. “Are you hurt?”Huh?I blinked. “What?”“Did you hurt yourself?” His voice was
Olivia’s POVMy heart pounded as we neared Grandfather Moore’s room. The deep murmur of his voice filtered through the partially open door, sending a shiver down my spine. I held my breath, a strange mix of curiosity and apprehension gripping me. Whatever I was about to hear could change everything.Celia walked ahead of me, her steps slowing. I stole a glance at her as she got closer to the door, her brows furrowed as she listened intently. We exchanged a look before turning our gaze toward the door.“Grandfather, what do you really want?” Ryan’s voice carried a weight of seriousness, making my stomach twist.Celia and I hesitated before inching forward, peeking through the gap in the door. My breath caught in my throat.Grandfather Moore, a man with shoulder-length gray hair, sat at the edge of his bed, various wrapped gifts spread out beside him. His hands trembled slightly as he held a list, his expression deeply focused. Ryan stood beside him, arms crossed, staring at the papers
Olivia POVRyan nodded, releasing my hand. He turned to me, his gaze lingering as he lifted a hand to pat my cheek lightly. “I will be back soon,” he murmured.I watched as he walked away, his tall figure disappearing down the hallway, leaving me standing at the doorway.The maid turned to me with a polite smile. “Shall I show you inside, Miss Olivia?”I nodded, suddenly aware of the weight of my own presence in such an unfamiliar place. She turned the golden handle with a practiced grace, and as the door swung open, I stepped into a world that didn’t feel real.The room before me was breathtaking—larger than any space I had ever called my own. Soft golden lights illuminated the high ceilings, casting a warm glow over the plush carpet that swallowed my hesitant footsteps. A massive bed, draped in silk sheets and layers of pillows, sat against one wall, looking like something out of a fairy tale. Floor-to-ceiling windows stretched across the opposite side, with thick curtains drawn hal
Olivia’s POVCelia couldn't hold back her amusement as she slid into the seat next to me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "Well, well," she teased, nudging Ryan's arm playfully. "I don't think I’ve ever seen you this possessive before, Ryan. What’s wrong? Olivia is your lover, huh?"Ryan didn't answer immediately, his gaze still fixed on me as if I’d done something to enchant him. I shifted in my seat, my cheeks warming under his intense scrutiny. His mother, who had been observing the exchange, suddenly smirked."Son, is she so much of a lover that you're bewitched by just her gaze?" she asked, a playful lilt in her voice.Celia didn't hesitate. "Oh, dear Mother, I think our son has finally found the right one.""Definitely. No doubt about it, Celia," his mother agreed with a knowing smile.Ryan scratched the back of his head, grinning before he turned his full attention back to me. I looked away, feeling the weight of too many eyes on me.At that moment, a maid appeared, carrying
Olivia's POVThe weekend arrived faster than I expected, and before I knew it, I was sitting in the passenger seat of the car as Ric drove through the vast estate leading to Ryan’s family home. But calling it a home felt like an understatement.My jaw nearly dropped as I gazed out the window. The villa was massive—no, it was an entire world on its own. Grand structures stretched across the landscape, surrounded by lush gardens, fountains that glistened under the day's sun, and pathways lined with marble statues. The air itself felt richer, carrying a mix of fresh pine and something regal, something that whispered of power and history.I swallowed, shifting in my seat. This isn’t just a house; it’s a kingdom.Ryan, seated beside me, smirked at my obvious awe. “You're impressed.”“That’s an understatement,” I murmured, eyes still flicking from one mansion to another. “It’s like a mini-tribe.”Ric chuckled from the driver’s seat. “That’s exactly what it is. Every house you see belongs to