hapter 129: We live in one room
Chapter 129: We live in one room
(Olivia’s POV)
“You’re despicable!” Seraphina Kane’s shout echoed in the sterile room as she blocked Theodore’s path, a loyal shield to the man who didn’t deserve it. “You haven’t cared for Leo for three years, how dare you blame Alpha Theodore! It’s normal for him not to know about the pup’s medication when he’s so busy!”
My eyes fixed solely on Theodore. The rage coursing through my veins made my hands shake.
“Did you abuse him?” I asked, my voice raw with fury and disbelief.
He pushed Seraphina aside, reaching for me with those hands that had once held me tenderly. “My love, how could I possibly-”
I flinched away from his touch as if burned by silver. His gentle act was a lie; I knew all he’d done was abandon our son while I wasn’t there to protect him.
“Mom, Dad didn’t abuse me,” Leo’s small voice cut through the tension like a blade through my heart.
He clutched his chest, his face pale with discomfort. The sight of him struggling to breathe made my wolf whimper in distress.
“These injuries don’t hurt anymore. It was just the other pups at the sanctuary, we were play–fighting. Mom, I listened to you. I won’t bully anyone or shift aggressively again.”
Watching him, my heart twisted into knots. He was trying so hard to be the son I wanted, but the words ‘heart condition‘ were a terrifying drumbeat in my head.
“You’ve really wronged me,” Theodore said, a note of grievance in his voice that made me want to slap him again.
Just then, a strong arm wrapped around my shoulder. Matthew. His presence was like a shield against the chaos.
“Alpha Redgrave, it’s not appropriate for you to call my mate ‘My love‘,” he stated coolly. “Please show some respect.”
I felt a tremor of safety in his hold. His scent calmed the storm raging inside me.
“He’s awake, so you can leave,” I told Theodore, my voice like ice cutting through steel. “Don’t come here again.”
I turned and walked away, not daring to look at Leo. He was the treasured heir of the Crimson Pack; he didn’t need my
concern.
What I needed was to make sure this curse hadn’t passed to my daughter. The thought of Aurora suffering the same fate made my chest tighten with panic.
From behind me, I heard a thud and Leo’s desperate cry, “Mom, don’t go! My heart hurts so much!”
But I couldn’t stop. I couldn’t let myself break again.
(Theodore’s POV)
Through the rain–streaked glass of the infirmary entrance, Theodore watched them go. He saw Matthew’s tall frame envelop Olivia’s smaller one, shielding her from the storm as he pulled her into a protective embrace.
His hand rested on her back, an intimate gesture that sent a wave of sheer agony through Theodore’s chest. The sight of another man comforting his mate was like silver burning through his veins.
When the door of their estate closed, severing his view, his imagination ran wild. Were they sharing a bed? Was Matthew
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touching her the way he used to?
The repressed turmoil erupted, and he choked, a spray of blood coating his lips as he collapsed to the ground to Seraphina’s horrified screams.
He awoke to the sight of a white infirmary ceiling. The antiseptic smell filled his nostrils, reminding him of his failure.
Turning his head, he saw Seraphina fussing over him, her face etched with worry.
“Seraphina,” he said, his voice hoarse and weary. “Do me a favor.”
He never begged, but for his mate, he would make an exception. His pride meant nothing if it could bring Olivia back.
“Arrange for me to speak with Olivia alone. Get her to come to the infirmary… to see Leo.”
Her heart fluttered at the sight of his handsome, tired face, and he knew she would agree, despite the warning she must
have received from the Kanes.
After she left, Theodore gave a cold order to his sentinel, Captain Rykeṛ.
“Arrange for Healer Elias to come and give my mate a check–up.”
The captain hesitated, his loyalty warring with common sense. “And if she refuses, Alpha?”
Theodore’s gaze was glacial, promising consequences for failure. “Do I need to tell you what to do?”
(Matthew’s POV)
We had just stepped over the threshold into the Kane Estate when Olivia grabbed my sleeve, her voice a low, urgent
whisper.
“Matthew, could Aurora have a heart problem?” Leo had always been a healthy pup; the sudden diagnosis terrified her with the fear that it could be hereditary.
Before I could reassure her, a dark voice boomed from the hall.
“How many times can you protect her?” My father, Barrett Kane, stood there, his face thunderous with disapproval.
He’d just returned from a gathering of elder Alphas where he’d been mercilessly questioned about my choice of Luna.
“In the European Territory, the noblest daughters were presenting themselves! And you want to mark a rejected she–wolf? Have you considered their dignity?”
I stepped in front of Olivia, shielding her from his harsh words. “She was busy with Syndicate work. She dislikes such
political gatherings.”
My calm reply only provoked him further. His face reddened with frustration.
“A common rogue background!” he spat, his voice echoing through the grand hallway.
I twisted his words, using his anger against him. “So you mean you want me to arrange a decent background for Liv?”
My father realized he had been caught in my logic and snapped, “Don’t change the subject!”
For years, we had been estranged, but seeing my defiance as I shielded her, he softened slightly.
“But you two don’t behave like true mates,” my father observed, his keen eyes missing nothing. “What kind of marked pair maintains separate rooms?”
I lied smoothly, “We have prepared to stay in a room,” glancing at Olivia, who nodded in confirmation as servants conveniently began moving belongings between our quarters.
“I’ve been busy with Syndicate matters and have neglected her,” I added, playing the part of the apologetic mate.
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Chapter 129 We live in one room
“Are you truly set on her?” he pressed, his voice carrying the weight of generations of Kane authority.
Gripping Olivia’s hand tightly, I declared, “Yes. She is my Luna now, and I will be responsible for her.”
The words made Olivia’s cheeks flush, not from shyness, but the guilt of our deception.
Convinced, my father finally relented, lecturing her on the burdens of her new role.
“Are you truly willing?” he asked her, his tone gentler now.
“I am willing,” Olivia replied quietly, her voice steady despite the tremor in her hands.
With that, he nodded approvingly. “The formal marking ceremony will be arranged.”
Just as he left, Olivia’s phone rang. After a brief call, she turned to me.
“I’ll drive to pick up Seraphina and bring her back, and on the way, I’ll go see Alpha Asher.”
