Olivia’s POV

“I need a glass of water, please,” I said to Nora, who walked in after Lennox left.

“Alright,” she bowed and left. My heart was still shaken by what had happened earlier with Lennox. My heart wouldn’t stop racing, and my lips still tingled from the way he kissed me—rough, needy, possessive. It was wrong, but Goddess help me, I wanted more. I hated myself for it.

Sighing heavily, I stood and began pacing the room, trying to calm the storm inside me when a soft knock came at the door.

“Come in,” I said, clearing my throat and composing my expression.

Lolita stepped in, eyes wide and voice hurried. “Have you heard? Lady Anita fainted.”

My brows pulled together immediately. “What?”

“She collapsed in her chambers. The healer is with her now—and the Alphas too. They rushed to her the moment they heard.”

I blinked, trying to process her words. Anita? Fainted? Just this morning, she’d been smiling over breakfast. Moments ago, she was here throwing threats at me.

“And they’re with her now?” I asked, my voice tight without meaning it to be.

Lolita nodded. “Yes. They’ve been in her chambers for a while now.”

I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste blood. I didn’t say anything, just nodded and waved Lolita off. She gave me a concerned look before slipping out the door.

I stood frozen in place, staring at the wall, until the bitterness became too much to swallow. Jealousy burned through me, fast and hot, before I could stop it. I hated the feeling. Hated that it even existed. But I couldn’t deny it. I couldn’t pretend I didn’t care.

I shook my head. I needed air. I needed space. I grabbed a jacket, not even bothering to change from my simple clothes, and slipped out the door.

At the gate, the guards wanted to accompany me, but I ordered them not to, and then I left, making my way straight to the woods.

The moment I walked into the woods, I undressed, folded my clothes, and kept them on a tree. Then I shifted into my wolf. Without wasting a second, I sprinted.

I raced through the thick woods, trying my best to wipe off the memory of them. Why can’t I just hate them like I wanted to? Why am I here feeling miserable and jealous just because they are with Anita? Fuck! Moon Goddess, help me hate them! I pleaded, still racing through the woods, the afternoon breeze hitting me.

Realizing that the sprinting wasn’t helping, I raced back to my four-legged form.

Racing back in my wolf form, I was surprised to find Alpha Lennox waiting for me. What was he doing here? Wasn’t he supposed to be taking care of his favorite concubine?

Halting before the tree, I took a moment to catch my breath, only to notice something unusual. Lennox was leaning casually against a tree, one hand shoved into his pocket, the other gripping my clothes and belongings.

A growl of frustration escaped me. Why is he holding my things?

I padded closer, letting my wolf eyes lock onto his smug face. Lennox smirked, clearly entertained by my predicament.

“Shift back,” his voice drawled, smooth and taunting. “Unless, of course, you’re comfortable staying like that.”

I bared my teeth in irritation but couldn’t hold the shift for much longer. With a frustrated huff, I relented. My wolf receded, fur melting into skin, bones cracking as I shifted into my human form.

The cold air pricked at my bare skin, and I immediately crossed my arms over my chest, glaring at him.

“Give me my clothes,” I demanded through gritted teeth.

Lennox chuckled lowly, the sound soft but annoying. He didn’t move. Instead, he raised my clothes higher, just out of my reach.

“Why don’t you come and take them yourself, mate?”

My cheeks flushed red from the chill and his shameless teasing.

“Lennox, this isn’t funny.”

“Oh, but it is,” he countered, his sharp eyes gleaming as he ran his lustful gaze over my naked form. “You left the mansion without guards and ran off. Consider this… punishment.”

I took a step closer, every nerve in my body screaming at me to snatch the fabric from his hands, but his challenging stance stopped me. He wanted me to get angry, to lash out. Or perhaps he was just in the mood to play, which I wasn’t.

“Lennox,” I spat, irritated. “I’m freezing.” I lied.

Lennox tilted his head as if considering my words, but the smirk on his lips didn’t falter.

“Beg for it, mate,” he said, his voice dropping an octave. “Ask nicely.”

His words made my blood boil. Beg for it? Was he out of his mind? Yet, as much as his taunts infuriated me, there was a flicker of something new in his tone—a playfulness I hadn’t seen for a long time.

I narrowed my eyes, studying him carefully. His posture wasn’t as rigid as usual. His smirk wasn’t cruel but almost… teasing. This wasn’t the cold, merciless Alpha who tormented me. This was the Lennox I grew up knowing, grew up loving.

“Lennox,” I grumbled, “this isn’t the time for games.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, clearly enjoying himself.

“Oh, I think it’s the perfect time for games, mate.”

The word “mate” made my stomach twist in irritation. I stepped closer, my bare feet sinking into the cold forest ground. The closer I got, the higher he raised my clothes, just out of reach.

“Come on, Olivia,” he taunted, his voice dripping with amusement. “You’re not even trying.”

I clenched my fists, glaring at him.

“You’re impossible.”

“And you’re predictable,” he shot back, chuckling as I leaped up to grab my clothes. My fingers barely brushed the fabric before he shifted his arm, holding them higher.

“Give them back!” I growled, jumping again.

This time, he stepped back with a laugh, but I didn’t stop. Frustration and embarrassment fueled my movements as I lunged at him, determined to snatch my belongings. My foot caught on a root, and I stumbled, throwing all my weight into him.