Olivia’s POV

The moment Nora and Lolita entered my room, they hugged me tightly. They seemed so relieved, so happy to have me back. I smiled and hugged them back. I had missed them; I thought I’d never see them again. These two were my only genuine friends, and I cherished them.

“I hope that snake’s been thrown into the dungeon… she should be beheaded for what she did,” Nora spat, the moment I told them Anita had orchestrated my kidnapping.

I smiled bitterly and shook my head as I sank onto the bed. “Unfortunately, she’ll be going scot-free,” I said, and both Lolita and Nora widened their eyes.

“Why?!” they both exclaimed in anger.

I swallowed hard, remembering Anita’s words about still being pregnant with triplets. I knew they wouldn’t punish her while carrying their pups.

“She’s still pregnant,” I revealed. Saying it hurt, but I pushed down the pain. They didn’t deserve to cause me any more. I had to stop letting them hurt me, to forget I ever loved those men. My focus now was proving my father’s innocence.

A big frown spread across Lolita’s face. “How could that be possible? She said she lost the pregnancy!” she spat angrily.

I sighed and shrugged. “I don’t care. They can do whatever they want, but I will do whatever I want,” I said, sighing and beginning to remove my shoes to take a bath and rest.

Lolita spoke up. “Alpha Gabriel has been calling non-stop, checking if you’ve been found. He’s been so worried since you went missing.”

I smiled weakly. It was sweet of him to worry. I wished I could mind-link with him, but we weren’t from the same pack.

I turned to Lolita. “Can I please use your phone?”

She nodded instantly. “Yes, of course, my queen,” she said, retrieving her phone from her apron pocket.

I smiled at her. “You don’t have to call me ‘my queen.’ We’re friends. You two should address me as Olivia.”

Lolita smiled warmly, handing me the phone. “Alright then, Olivia,” she said with a small bow, though I saw the respect in her eyes.

I took the phone and dialed Gabriel’s number with shaky fingers. My heart beat faster—from nervousness, or perhaps the tension that always accompanied our conversations.

He answered almost immediately.

“Good day, Alpha Gabriel.”

“Olivia?” His voice was tight with concern.

“Yes… it’s me,” I said softly.

There was a pause, then I heard the relief in his exhale. “Thank the goddess… I’ve been worried sick. Are you okay? Where are you? Are you safe?”

“I’m safe now,” I replied, my voice low. “I’m back at the palace.”

“Do you need me to come over?” he asked without hesitation.

I smiled faintly. Gabriel still believed my pretense.

“No. I just wanted to let you know I’ve stopped pretending to lose my memory. I’ve told them I remember everything, so we don’t have to act anymore,” I said.

There was silence, then I heard his sigh. I couldn’t tell if it was relief or something else.

“So, what made you change your mind? And what happened to you? Where were you?” he asked, sounding genuinely worried.

I sighed, considering telling him the truth.

“Anita set up my kidnapping and sold me to human traffickers.”

Gabriel growled. “Fucking hell!”

“Yes… she did. And I was sold to Alpha Damien, who happens to be the triplets’ uncle… one thing led to another…”

You don’t expect me to tell him Alpha Damien almost had sex with me, do you?

“One thing led to another, and he recognized me—and here I am, back at the Full Moon Pack,” I said.

Gabriel groaned. “That bitch! I hope she’s been thrown into the dungeon awaiting execution. What if the Moon Goddess wasn’t merciful, and you were sold to someone else?” He grunted in anger.

I frowned, thinking the same. What would my life be like if I’d been bought by someone brutal? I would have been a sex slave.

I sighed, wanting to tell Gabriel Anita was still free because she was pregnant, but I held back.

“I don’t care about Anita,” I lied to end the topic. But I cared. If the triplets wouldn’t punish her for carrying their pups, I would. She would pay—for everything.

Gabriel was silent before speaking. “So now that you’ve revealed you’ve regained your memory, what’s the plan? Are you still going to stay there and be their mate?” A hint of pain—or perhaps I imagined it—was in his voice.

I sighed, wishing I could tell him my problems—that Alpha Damien was forcing me to pretend we were lovers and spread rumors of my pregnancy. But I couldn't. It was a secret. But I wondered what he'd think when he heard the rumors.

I sighed. “I have to stay here for a while. It’s about proving my father’s innocence. And when I’m done with that, I can think of a way out,” I said.

Gabriel spoke quickly. “I can help you… tell me. I can help with your father’s case,” he said, genuinely wanting to help.

I smiled and nodded. “Sure… I’ll contact you if I need your help.”

Gabriel sighed. “Alright… so I’ll be waiting.”

I smiled and nodded, though he couldn’t see me. “Thank you for your help and for worrying about me.”

“Of course,” he said gently. “I’ll always worry about you.”

The words settled heavily in my chest. I didn’t know what to say, so I replied, “I’ll talk to you soon, Alpha Gabriel.”

“Anytime, Olivia. Rest well.”

I ended the call and handed the phone back to Lolita with a soft sigh, trying to mask the strange warmth in my chest from Gabriel’s last words.

But they noticed, of course.

“Oh my goddess,” Nora gasped, eyes twinkling. “Was that a blush I just saw?”

Lolita grinned. “It was a blush! Look at her cheeks!”

I blinked at them. “What? No. I was just… being polite.”

“Polite?” Nora snorted. “Girl, you were blushing!”

“I was not!” I grabbed a pillow and tossed it at her.

Lolita laughed and ducked. “Just admit it—Alpha Gabriel has a tiny effect on you.”

I rolled my eyes and threw another pillow at Lolita. “Stop it. He’s just a friend. And I’m married, remember?”

“Yeah, yeah,” Nora teased. “Still doesn’t mean you didn’t blush.”

I huffed. “You two are impossible.”

“We’re just observant,” Lolita said, grinning.

“Out,” I said, pointing to the door with a smirk. “Before I run out of pillows.”

They giggled as they stood.

“Fine, fine, we’re going,” Nora said, chuckling.

Lolita gave me a playful wink. “Just know—we’re watching.”

I rolled my eyes but smiled. As the door closed, I laughed. They were annoying, but they made me smile.

I fell onto the bed and stared at the ceiling; my mind was a jumble.

Suddenly, my wolf sneered. “Stop thinking about him, you’re blushing,” she teased.

I rolled my eyes. “I’m not,” I lied.

She scoffed but said nothing more.

Suddenly, a knock came, and I frowned. I needed peace. But the scent told me it was Lady Fiona, the triplets’ mother.

“Come in. The door is open,” I said, sitting up, wondering what she wanted.