ALPHA KINGSLEY’S POV
Laughter—and then silence—followed her out of the hall.
Not the calm kind.
The kind that vibrates.
Tight.
Uneasy.
Waiting to snap.
Every fork stilled.
Every breath hitched.
The murmurings low.
The scent of humiliation, anger, and unshed tears hung thick in the air, sharp enough to taste.
I rose slowly from my seat.
The murmuring and whispers died instantly.
The room froze.
“Dismissed,” I said, my voice level.
No one moved at first.
I lifted my gaze.
Chairs scraped back immediately.
Conversations vanished.
Heads bowed as the pack scattered, pretending not to notice the storm they had helped create.
Kate was the last to stand.
She smiled—small, smug, satisfied.
That was her biggest mistake.
“Kneel,” I ordered quietly.
Her smile faltered.
“Kingsley—are you fucking serious, you are going to stand up for that fat, wolfless bitch?”
I took one step toward her.
The ground trembled beneath my boots.
She dropped to her knees.
“Did I give you permission to speak?” I asked calmly.
Her face drained of color.
“I… I was only joking with her,” she whispered.
And besides she’s just a nobody to you”.
Andrew stiffened beside her.
“Alpha, please—”
”Silence.”
He obeyed instantly.
I looked down at Kate, my wolf snarling violently beneath my skin.
“You spilled food on a woman under my protection,” I said.
My voice dipped.
“My Lu…na.”
The word tasted dangerous.
“You humiliated her in front of my pack.”
Her lips trembled.
“She’s not even—”
The pressure in the room spiked outrageously.
Every wolf present dropped their gaze as my aura slammed outward, crushing and absolute. You are reading on g.com, the official source.
“She is mine,” I said softly.
The words sounded strange but pleasant and comforting.
That was all.
Kate gasped, clutching her chest as the weight of my dominance pressed down on her.
“Leave my sight,” I ordered, barely restraining my rage, “before I forget mercy exists.”
Andrew dragged her away without another word.
The hall emptied completely.
But I didn’t feel satisfied.
I felt… restless.
Angry.
And that infuriated me even more.
Why was I angry over her humiliation?
It was none of my business if she couldn’t stand up for herself.
She was merely a tool—useful, strategic, meant to help me gain more power and strengthen my rule.
That was what I told myself.
Yet my insides betrayed me.
There had been something about her tears—the way she had fought so hard not to let them fall.
The strength she possess, yet subtle for even her to notice.
“She’s our mate, for fuck’s sake,” Argon growled.
I turned sharply and left the hall, my strides long and purposeful as I followed the faint scent of lavender, fear, and salt.
Tears.
Her scent.
It led me straight to the guest wing.
To her door.
I paused, my hand hovering inches from the handle.
I had sworn to keep my distance.
Sworn to remain detached.
The Moon Goddess had cursed me once already.
I would not give her another weakness to exploit.
Then I heard it.
A soft, broken sound.
A sob she was trying—and failing—to silence.
Something inside me cracked.
Maybe it’s just pity, I told myself.
Maybe I don’t want her running away again.
“Just admit you care about her,” Argon scoffed.
“This pack is a fortress.
No one enters or leaves without your permission.”
”Go in.
Comfort her.
Mark her.
Crown her Luna—”
I cut him off and turned away.
I didn’t wait to hear the rest of his rant.
OLIVIA’S POV
I slammed the door shut behind me, pressing my back against it as my chest heaved.
The room spun.
My dress was ruined.
My dignity shattered.
I slid down slowly, curling into myself as sobs finally broke free.
“Why am I hated and despised everywhere I go?” I whispered brokenly.
“Yes, I’m fat. Yes, I’m ugly. Yes, I can’t shift yet for reasons I don’t even understand… but that doesn’t make me less human. Right?”
The pain ripped straight from my soul this time.
Strangely, the humiliation, the mockery, the insults from Kate and the others hurt less than the silence of one man.
My supposed fated mate.
Chosen by the Moon Goddess herself.
He had stood there and done nothing.
Not even a frown.
Not even silent disapproval.
What had I expected from the rumored ruthless, heartless Alpha King—one who killed without blinking?
I should consider myself lucky that he had left me breathing.
How delusional I had been.
Was I actually hoping he cared?
That he would defend me?
A hollow laugh escaped my lips.
I was never destined to be loved, cherished, or protected.
Perhaps I had been a terrible person in my past life, and this was my punishment.
“Don’t say rubbish, Olivia,” Lucy snapped gently.
“You are not cursed.
You’re not paying for sins.
You’re unrefined gold—and not everyone can see your value.”
”They saw you fall,” she whispered softly.
“But they will see you rise.”
I tried to smile at her words.
Lucy was my biggest supporter, my loudest cheerleader.
I didn’t know how I would survive without her.
Even though I couldn’t shift yet to see her, I imagined her as something beautiful and strong.
“Don’t worry,” Lucy continued.
“When the time is right, and when you’re ready, you will see me.
And more than that—you will face your true self.”
”What do you mean by my true self?” I asked, waiting.
Silence.
“You’re confusing me, Lucy,” I murmured.
“When fate calls,” she finally replied, “you will have no choice but to answer—and embrace your destiny.”
Then she went quiet.