Chapter 156

(God’s POV)

Matthew glanced at his parents, Barrett and Victoria Kane. Victoria hastily withdrew the hand she had extended for the paternity report.

A pang of regret hit her for once again trusting Cynthia Mooncrest. She could only watch as Beta Tristan took the document from Cynthia’s trembling hands.

Though reluctant, Cynthia had no choice but to surrender it. She still desperately appealed to Matthew’s mother.

“Auntie Victoria, everything I said is true. It’s all written in the report.”

Matthew remained unmoved. His voice was cold as winter steel.

“You and Declan Shaw are quite a match.

Unscrupulous in achieving your goals.”

The words struck Cynthia like a silver blade.

She looked at the Alpha King she loved with a heart full of pain.

“Matthew,” she pleaded, her eyes welling with tears. “I was just worried that Auntie Victoria’s wish for an heir would come to nothing.”

Matthew’s reply was merciless. “If I had marked you, would their wish be fulfilled?”

“Matthew, must you speak to me this way?

Must you hurt my heart like this?” Cynthia’s voice broke completely.

“Who was it for that I became unable to bear pups? If you have any conscience, you should give me an explanation.”

Matthew refused to be emotionally manipulated. His expression remained stone-cold.

“If your brother hadn’t used wolfsbane to drug us, you wouldn’t have gotten hurt. You should direct your anger and hatred to the right person.”

Her last defense shattered. Cynthia completely broke down.

Her memories and twenty years of devotion poured out in a torrent of anguish. “As long as I can remember, I’ve been waiting for you to mark me! You agreed to our betrothal!”

“Why did you abandon me after just one glance at her? How can I accept this?”

She threw herself at his feet, grabbing his hand desperately. “Matthew… why can’t you look at me? How am I inferior to Olivia Blackwood?”

“Am I not as beautiful? Is my bloodline not as noble? I can change for you in any way you want.”

Tears streamed down her face as she climbed onto him. Her arms wrapped around his neck, trying to kiss him.

“Just try me, please? You’ll know after you try. I won’t lose to her.”

“I can be more submissive than her, more wanton, and completely at your mercy. I am not some sheltered little she-wolf.”

Her pride and dignity were gone. All for the Alpha King she had obsessed over for years.

As her lips neared his, her wrist was seized.

She was brutally thrown to the floor.

Matthew looked down at her, his eyes utterly devoid of pity. “Debasing yourself, and you still dare to drag Olivia into this?”

He had lost all patience. “Get out.”

The words pierced her heart like silver daggers.

She collapsed in a heap, sobbing uncontrollably.

Simon Kane stepped forward. He hoisted her onto his shoulder and carried her out of the Kane Estate.

After the turmoil, Victoria and Barrett tried to retreat. Matthew’s voice stopped them cold.

“Do you have an issue with Olivia being unable to have more pups?” His Alpha aura was dangerously calm.

“If you have an opinion, you should voice it. will consider it.”

Victoria cautiously asked him what he would consider. Her voice trembled slightly.

“What do you mean, what will I consider?” Matthew countered. “Can you not mate with Olivia?”

“Fine, obey my mother’s command,” Matthew said coldly. He turned and walked towards the inner courtyard.

Seeing his expression, Victoria panicked. She chased after him frantically.

“Mother did not mean that! Your mating ceremony is still to proceed as planned!”

Barrett questioned his mate’s quick reversal.

“Don’t you understand?” Victoria sighed heavily.

“Didn’t you hear what Cynthia said? He broke off the betrothal back then because he met Olivia. That was over a decade ago.”

“He’s been pining for her all this time. If he doesn’t mark her, do you think hell ever mark anyone else?”

“At least we have Aurora. It’s fine if they don’t have more pups.”

But Barrett was skeptical. “Do you really think our son is the type to get a she-wolf pregnant before marking?”

He pointed out a crucial detail. “I asked the caregiver Nora about Aurora’s birthday to enter it into the registry.”

“She’s not just two; she’s two years and two months old. Based on the timeline, this cub might not be Matthew’s either.”

Victoria’s confidence wavered. Her mate was right about the timeline.

However, recalling the passionate kiss between their son and Olivia just now, Victoria thought it was possible. “Maybe he wants to strike first?”

“The director of that testing facility is your former student, isn’t he?” she asked. “Let’s call and ask tomorrow.”

(Olivia’s POV)

Meanwhile, in the bedroom, I had lulled Aurora to sleep. I was lying contentedly beside her, cherishing the moment.

I recalled the previous kiss with Matthew. I knew full well that Matthew was my fated mate, my second chance mate.

But I had never wanted to admit it. I believed Matthew might care more about his kingdom.

However, his recent behavior and his scent had completely intoxicated me. Zoe happily thought to herself: “Our mate wants us too, I understand completely.”

I leaned in to kiss my daughter’s cheek again. A pair of large hands gently lifted the pup.

I instinctively grabbed the arms, my body tensing. As Matthew leaned over the bed to pick up Aurora, our faces were inches apart.

Realizing it was him, I relaxed completely. “She needs to sleep in her own room,” he murmured.

A hint of teasing colored his voice. “You’ll wake her if you keep kissing her.”

A blush crept up my face and I released his arm. I watched him walk away, holding Aurora and patting her back soothingly.

My heart swelled with a warmth that felt like we were a real family.

(Matthew’s POV)

When I returned, Olivia was already fast asleep.

She was exhausted from the day’s events.

She lay peacefully, her long raven hair spread across the white pillow. I quietly turned off the lights and slipped into the bed beside her.

She stirred, and in her deep slumber, she shifted. Her body curled into mine naturally.

Her small face nestled against my shoulder.

Her soft breath warmed my neck, and her arm wrapped around mine.

I could not process the soft words she mumbled in her sleep. Her proximity was overwhelming.

The desire I had been suppressing was now running rampant. I curved my arm down to her waist.

My hand landed on her thigh.