Chapter 176

(Matthew’s POV)

Inside the emergency room, sudden screams echoed one after another. It was Theodore Redgrave.

The sound tore through the sterile corridors like a wounded animal’s cry. He was allergic to anesthesia and was undergoing a harrowing procedure to have a silver blade fragment removed from his chest while fully conscious.

Seraphina Kane, crying hysterically, buried her face in Olivia’s shoulder. “Sister–in–law, I’m so scared. Will Theo die?”

Olivia held the distraught she–wolf, her voice steady as she passed me. “He has a strong will to live. He won’t be defeated so easily, don’t worry.”

I watched them, my fingers curling slightly at my side before relaxing. The way Olivia comforted Seraphina with such natural grace made my chest tighten.

Another scream pierced the air. Theodore’s voice was raw, desperate.

Seraphina flinched against Olivia’s shoulder. “I can’t bear to hear him suffer like this.”

“The silver is deep,” Olivia murmured, her medical knowledge evident. “But the surgeons here are skilled. He’ll survive this.”

I found myself studying her profile. Even in this chaos, she remained composed, maternal. It was one of the countless reasons I’d fallen for her.

The screaming continued for what felt like hours.

Three hours later, a terribly weak Theodore was wheeled out of the operating room. He had miraculously held onto consciousness through the agony.

His face was ashen, sweat–soaked hair clinging to his forehead. But his eyes were alert, searching.

As Seraphina reached for his hand, Theodore bypassed her and weakly clasped Olivia’s wrist.

The atmosphere grew thick with tension. Everyone’s gaze darted between Olivia and me, oblivious to the fact that our bond had just shattered.

Olivia gently pulled her hand free. “Thank you for saving me,” she said, her voice distant.

Before Theodore could reply, Beta Tristan stepped forward. “The assassin’s target was our King,” he announced formally. “Thank you, Alpha Redgrave, for your heroic act. We will find the person behind this and give you a proper explanation.”

I approached Theodore, extending my hand. The gesture was calculated, superior. “You’ve worked hard. Rest well.”

Meeting my cold golden eyes, Theodore retorted softly, “You’re welcome. It was mainly for Olivia.”

His words hit their mark. I felt my jaw clench involuntarily.

Seraphina looked between us, confusion written across her tear–stained face. “What’s happening? Why is everyone acting so strange?”

As a pack medic pushed Theodore away, I grasped Olivia’s shoulders. My expression was grim. Well make when we get home.”

But our departure was halted by a small hand. It was Leo Redgrave, his eyes wide with fear

“Mom, please stay. I’m so scared.”

Olivia’s eyes flickered with a trace of compassion and reluctance. “I’ll come see you when I have time, she relented, before her voice hardened with resolve. “Let go of my hand.”

Leo pleaded, “Mom, I shouldn’t have made you angry. Mom, today is my eighth birthday. Can you give me a hug?”

After so many days apart, he desperately yearned for her embrace. The raw need in his voice made even my hardened heart ache.

Seeing Olivia’s predicament, Eleonora Redgrave intervened. She gently guided Leo away. “Come, dear. Your mother needs rest.”

But the pup suddenly broke free, rushing back to throw his arms around Olivia’s waist.

Staggering, Olivia was steadied by my firm hands. She looked down at her tear–streaked son and finally rested a hand on his shoulder.

The pup hugged her tightly, then stepped back with a maturity beyond his years. “Mom, rest well. I’m grown up now, I can protect you.”

He then faced me, “Uncle Matthew, please take care of my mother.”

The formal request from such a young pup struck me unexpectedly. I nodded once, curtly.

I scooped Olivia into my arms and carried her to the car. She didn’t protest, but her body remained rigid against mine.

The enclosed space was filled with the metallic scent of Theodore’s blood, clinging to our ceremonial attire.

Feeling suffocated, Olivia rolled down the window. The April willow catkins flew in, irritating her eyes.

She rubbed them, and silent tears began to stream down her face.

In the driver’s seat, Beta Tristan sensed the icy tension. I could feel his confusion through our pack link, his questions about what had transpired.

As we drove, I gave a quiet order through the pack link. My voice was devoid of emotion: “Have our trackers investigate Declan Shaw and Theodore Redgrave.”

The timing of Theodore’s heroic act was too convenient. Too perfectly orchestrated.

(Olivia’s POV)

Back at the manor, I went straight to the master bedroom to remove my cumbersome ceremonial gown.

The weight of the fabric felt suffocating now. Every thread seemed to mock the ceremony that had ended in disaster.

I fumbled with the ties on my back until a cool hand covered mine.

I tried to refuse. “I can manage.”

“Let me,” he insisted quietly.

In the mirror, I watched his deft fingers work the knots. His touch sent a shiver through me despite everything.

Each brush of his fingers against my skin felt like a goodbye. The intimacy we’d shared, the bond we’d almost completed, all of it was ending.

Once the gown fell, leaving me in a simple slip dress, I felt exposed. “Please leave.”

Instead, he turned. “Untie mine.”

He sat on the edge of our bed, forcing me to stand before him. My arms circled his neck in an intimate gesture as I worked on the ties.

Our scents intertwined, pine and moonflowers. I heard Zoe whisper in my mind, “We should not leave mate.

“We have to,” I whispered back to her.

My fingers trembled as I loosened the ceremonial knots. Each one felt like severing another thread between us.

After I finished, I retreated to the closet to change. I needed distance, needed to think clearly.

When I came out, I was embraced by Matthew. He held me close, his arms encircling my waist.

He whispered in my ear, “What about our Aurora?”