A Taste of Her Own Cruelty

Olivia’s POV

The hall fell deathly silent as every pair of eyes turned to me. My frown deepened as I slowly scanned the room, ensuring the message in my eyes was clear: I am angry—furious, actually. Then, my gaze settled on Lady Fiona. She stood calmly… too calmly.

A bitter thought crept in: She’s stepping on me because I allowed it. But not anymore. I stood straighter. My voice rang out sharp and clear. “Everyone sit.” It wasn’t a request; it was a command. The women obeyed instantly, lowering themselves to their seats—even Lady Fiona.

“Except you, Lady Fiona.” My command echoed in the hall. Her head jerked up; confusion flashed in her eyes. “Keep standing,” I said, eyes locked with hers. Her brows furrowed. “Olivia—” I cut her off. “No. You want everyone to hear you earlier, didn’t you? Then let them.” She looked more confused now. Good.

I took one slow step forward. “Where was this same energy,” I asked coldly, “when your sons were treating me like trash?” The room tensed at my words. “Where was this empathy,” I continued, “when they insulted me, cheated on me, humiliated me in front of the entire pack?” She opened her mouth, but again, I didn’t let her speak.

“You say you care about life, about protecting the innocent—but what about me, Fiona?” The room was silent. Dozens of women stared between us. “You never once stood up for me. Not when they hurt me. Not when I cried myself to sleep in a corner of this house. Not when I begged for someone—anyone—to just ask if I was okay.”

My fists clenched. “But now, look at you. Screaming for justice. Raising your voice for Anita. Look at you—standing like a lioness ready to go to war… for Anita. The same woman who, let me remind you all, had me kidnapped and sold to human traffickers.”

Gasps echoed around the room. Some covered their mouths; some eyes went wide. I didn’t stop. “Yes,” I said. “You all heard that right. Anita, your precious victim, sold me like property to traffickers. If Alpha Damien hadn’t bought and recognized me, I wouldn’t even be standing here today.”

Murmurs erupted in the crowd. Some were loud; some angry. One of the elders stood up, her face flushed with rage. “Such a crime… deserves beheading.” I nodded. “Yes. It does.” More nods. Anger flared through the room like wildfire.

“But guess who refused?” I said, turning back to Fiona. “Your beloved Lady Fiona. Because Anita claimed she’s pregnant.” I scoffed. A bitter laugh escaped me. “I don’t care if she’s carrying the Luciano bloodline. I will make her pay for what she did to me when the time is right.”

I took another step forward. “And you, Fiona? You made a terrible Luna during your reign. You’re a terrible mother. And I’m sure you’ll make a terrible grandmother too.” Gasps again. I was sure no one expected the kind, quiet Olivia to say this. But today, I was giving her a taste of her own cruelty.

I turned to face the other women. My voice was louder. “I was mistreated in this pack. We all know it. Especially by the Alphas. And what did Lady Fiona do? Nothing.” “She watched me suffer in silence. She let it happen. And now she stands up… for Anita?” Someone whispered, “She’s a hypocrite.” “Exactly,” I said, my eyes still locked with hers. The room buzzed with rage. I saw several women shake their heads in disbelief. Some muttered under their breath; some stared at Lady Fiona with open disgust.

But I wasn’t finished. “And don’t worry,” I said, my voice loud enough for everyone to hear. “You won’t have to fight this battle much longer.” She blinked, confused again. “I want nothing to do with your sons,” I continued. “Nothing to do with the triplets. So save yourself the trouble.” A murmur rippled across the room, as the women didn’t like what I was saying, but I didn’t stop.

“In less than four days,” I said, my angry voice vibrating through the walls of the room, “I’ll be standing before the council.” Her face paled. She knew exactly what that meant. “And when that day comes, I will break the bond with all three of them.” My voice didn’t shake; my hands didn’t tremble. I meant every single word. “I will reject them in front of the Moonstone Council—publicly, officially, and permanently.”

Gasps again. “And then,” I added, glaring into her stunned expression, “they’ll be free to mark your precious Anita.” The silence that followed was louder than any scream. I turned—I didn’t wait for a response, didn’t wait for another excuse or apology. I walked out of that hall with my head held high. I didn’t look back; I didn’t care to see Lady Fiona’s reaction.

I just went straight to my room. Nora and Lolita followed quietly behind me, their footsteps soft but quick. No one said a word. Once inside, I closed the door behind us and leaned against it for a moment. The air felt heavy. My chest burned with everything I had just said—but it also felt good. Like I had finally exhaled after drowning for too long.

I sucked in a deep breath and moved over to the window. From the way everything was playing out… it was starting to look like the pups really were the triplets. Not that I ever truly doubted it. I leaned against the windowsill, arms crossed, my thoughts spinning. Then slowly, I reached for the mind link.

“Mom?” I whispered softly into the link. For a moment, there was only silence. And then— “Olivia?” Her voice came through, a bit rushed. “Is everything alright?” “I just… I wanted to check on you,” I said. “How are you? When are you coming back?”

There was a pause, a longer one than usual. Something felt off in the way she hesitated. “Mom?” “I’m okay, sweetheart,” she finally said. “But… not now. Please.” Her voice wasn’t cold… but it wasn’t warm either. Something felt off. I frowned, confused. Was she angry? Or was I just imagining it?

“I miss you,” I told her, my voice softer now. “I wish you were here. I really do.” There was another pause before she answered. “I miss you too, Olive. So much. But I can’t come back right now.” “Why not?” I asked, biting the inside of my cheek.

Her reply came quickly. “Because that pack holds too many painful memories for me. Things I thought I could move past… but I can’t. Not yet.” I stood there quietly, unsure what to say next. Part of me wanted to tell her about the picture Gabriel gave me, the one of Sir Damon and my father. I opened my mouth. “Mom, I—” A sudden knock on the door cut me off.

Nora and Lolita turned toward it at the same time. Another knock. Then the scent hit me. I froze. And the door opened slowly. Lennox stepped in first. Louis and Levi followed right behind him. All three of them. Standing in my room. My frown deepened.

“I’ll talk to you later, Mom,” I said before cutting the mind link.