Olivia’s POV

I turned just in time to see all three of them walking away. Something heavy dropped in my chest. I swallowed hard, trying to ignore the sudden wave of discomfort that washed over me. It felt like cold water had been poured over my heart. I blinked quickly, fighting the sting behind my eyes.

My wolf was quiet. Too quiet. But I could feel it—she didn’t like what just happened. She didn’t say a word, but her silence said everything. She wasn’t happy. Neither was I.

I shifted slightly in Damien’s arms, suddenly aware of how close he still was, how his hand had just been on me in ways I never expected. “Stop looking,” Damien’s voice came low beside my ear, his arm tightening slightly around my waist.

I frowned. “I wasn’t—” I started, but he cut me off. “You were,” he said firmly, sounding annoyed. “Don’t ruin the moment, Olivia. We have to act like the perfect couple, remember? A few members of the council are here… they can’t notice you are having doubts.”

I nodded slowly, even though my chest still ached. Even though everything inside me screamed that something wasn’t right. I forced a smile, but it didn’t reach my eyes.

Alpha Damien placed a soft kiss on my forehead and wrapped his arms securely around my waist. “Come,” he murmured. “Let me introduce you to one of the council members.”

I followed him through the crowd, still feeling that strange hollowness in my chest. The buzz of voices around us felt far away, muffled by my thoughts and the uneasy silence from my wolf. We stopped in front of an older man—tall, silver-haired, with deep lines around his eyes. His presence alone demanded respect, even before Damien spoke.

“Elder Grant,” Damien said with a polite nod, “this is Olivia. My future Luna.”

The man’s sharp eyes scanned me from head to toe, unreadable at first. Then he offered a small, respectful nod. “So you’re the one,” Elder Grant said. “The she-wolf who finally captured Damien’s heart.”

I gave a small smile, standing straighter. “Yes, sir.” He tilted his head. “Are you ready to face the council the day after tomorrow?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. My voice was clear. Strong. “I’m ready.” He studied me for another moment. “Good. You’ll need that confidence.”

Just then, someone called Damien’s name from across the room. He gently touched my hand. “I’ll be right back,” he whispered, and excused himself. Now it was just me and Elder Grant. He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice so only I could hear.

“I heard everything you went through… from Damien,” he said. “He told me what the triplets did. How they hurt you.”

I tensed slightly, unsure what was coming next. His gaze stayed steady on mine. “I’m sorry, child. Truly. No one deserves that kind of betrayal.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly.

He nodded, but then sighed, eyes drifting across the room before settling back. “But sometimes,” he said slowly, “the devil you know… is better than the angel you don’t.”

I frowned slightly, not sure how to respond. He leaned in a little more. “Love doesn’t always look perfect,” he continued. “Sometimes it makes mistakes. Sometimes it hurts us. But that doesn’t mean it wasn’t real.”

I swallowed hard, my heart beating a little faster. “I’ve seen many mates in my life,” he said. “Some find love in peace. Others find it in pain. But the strongest ones? They’re the ones that survive the hard times.”

He paused, then looked right at me. “Don’t think the triplets didn’t love you… just because they messed up. Don’t confuse the mistakes of the boys… with the absence of love.”

He leaned a little closer, his voice softer now. “Sometimes, the wolf that hurt you… is the same one that would die to protect you.” Then he stepped back, nodded once, and walked away—leaving me standing there…

With his words echoing in my head. And my heart… feeling more torn than ever.

Damien returned immediately, his eyes narrowing the moment he looked at me. “Is everything okay?” he asked, tilting his head slightly, watching my face too closely.

I gave him a small nod, forcing a smile. “Yes. I just… I need some air.” He frowned. “Now?”

“Yes,” I said firmly. “Just for a minute. I’ll be back soon.” He looked as if he wanted to argue, but I didn’t give him the chance. He walked away before he could say anything else.

I weaved through the crowd, past the music and laughter, past the dancing and soille that all felt fake now. My chest was tight. My thoughts were spinning. Finally, I reached the doors that led outside.

The night air hit me the second I stepped out. I inhaled deeply and closed my eyes… my thoughts spinning. Why did that man say those words to me, and why can’t I get them off my mind?

“Olivia.” I heard a voice call from behind, and a big frown spread across my face. Without turning around, I knew who it belonged to.

Turning around, my eyes interlocked with Anita’s. I glared at her and couldn’t help but notice the drastic change in her. The once boastful Anita looked like a shadow of herself. She looked thinner, worn down. Her eyes… they were dull, lifeless. For a second, I wondered what had happened to her.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked softly, stepping closer.

I raised a brow. The mighty Anita… brought down to this? Anita, who used to walk like a proud peacock, always with her nose in the air, acting like she owned the world. Even the maids used to scatter when she passed. But now? She looked… small. Like a candle flickering in the wind.

“What could you possibly have to say to me?” I asked coldly, folding my arms.

She sighed a little but kept her eyes on me. “I know I don’t deserve your time, Olivia. But please… just hear me out. One minute. That’s all I ask.”

I hesitated. A part of me wanted to walk away. To tell her she had no right to get my attention. That she deserved all that is coming her way and it’s just the tip of the iceberg. But another part… the part that still remembered our past… stayed rooted in place. This girl was once my best friend… I loved her… I saw her as the sibling I never had. I shared my dearest secrets. Even when I realized I was developing strange feelings for the triplets… she was the only one I told… sadly she never saw me even as a friend…

“One minute,” I said flatly.