Chapter 10

DOMINIC’S POV I should have felt at peace. Evelyn was back. Olivia was out of the way. Everything I had once lost was within my grasp again. Then why did it feel like everything was slipping through my fingers? I leaned back in my chair, staring at the dying embers in the fireplace. The flickering flames cast shadows against the walls, but none of them could chase away the unease tightening in my chest. I exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. My mind drifted to the past—to Evelyn. She had saved my life once. That happened when I was a child. I remember the sun was shining brightly that day as I played alone by the lake. Without realizing it, I wandered into the deeper part of the water. Suddenly, a tangle of weeds wrapped around my ankle. I struggled, but the more I fought, the deeper I sank. Cold lake water rushed into my nose, into my throat. I desperately tried to breathe, only to inhale more water. In that moment of despair, I looked up and saw sunlight filtering through the surface, growing farther and blurrier with each second. Just when I thought I was going to die, a small figure broke through the water. I couldn’t make out her face, and her voice was muffled and unclear. All I remembered was that as she grabbed hold of me, the bracelet on her wrist sparkled underwater, making a light, tinkling sound. It swayed gently with the current—and that bracelet was the last clear image I saw before everything faded to black. The sharp smell of antiseptic pulled me back to reality. The harsh white light of the hospital room made me squint. I was lying in a hospital bed, my body aching like I’d been hit by a truck. I didn’t even have the strength to lift my hand. “You’re finally awake. How are you feeling?” A gentle voice spoke beside me. I slowly turned my head to see Evelyn sitting at my bedside. And on her wrist—there it was. A bracelet, glinting in the sunlight with a familiar shimmer. In that moment, I had known—I would make her my Luna. I had sworn to protect her as she had protected me. I had sworn to love her, cherish her. She was my destined mate, my fated one. But fate had played a cruel trick on me. Olivia had borne the Phoenix Mark. And the pack needed a Luna with the mark to ensure its prosperity. So, I had chosen Olivia. I had silenced my wolf and done what was necessary. I had ignored his protests, ignored the way he had bristled at my decision. And worst of all, I had ignored the way he trusted Olivia. Even now, despite everything, my wolf still sided with her. That didn’t sit right with me. Evelyn had finally returned. This should have been a second chance from the Moon Goddess herself. I should have felt relief. But something about her felt… off. She was pushing Olivia’s execution too hard. Her desperation was unlike her. Evelyn had always been kind, gentle. And yet, she was relentless in her demand for Olivia’s death. It didn’t make sense. Olivia and Evelyn had once been close, good friends. Evelyn knew Olivia was carrying my child, and still, she insisted she needed to die. I frowned, my fingers tightening into a fist. I couldn’t execute Olivia. Not yet. My reasoning? She was pregnant. My wolf’s reasoning? She was innocent. I wasn’t sure which one weighed heavier in my heart. If Olivia was truly innocent, then why had she visited the Elder in secret? Why did all the evidence point to her? But if Evelyn was telling the truth, then where had she been all these years? And what had happened to her? I exhaled sharply, my jaw tightening. "You’re being a fool." I stilled. My wolf’s voice rumbled through my mind, sharp and edged with frustration. "I made the right decision," I shot back, pushing him down. "Then why are you restless? Why am I restless?" I gritted my teeth. "You know why. The pack needed the Phoenix Mark. It was the only logical choice." "Logical?" My wolf scoffed. "Since when does logic override instinct? You think the Goddess makes mistakes? That she would let Olivia bear your mark if she wasn’t meant to be yours?" "Her mark was fake!" I snapped. "Then why are you still doubting Evelyn?" I opened my mouth, then shut it. I had no answer. My wolf let out a low growl. "I trusted Olivia. I still do. You may have silenced me before, but you can’t ignore what’s right in front of you. Something isn’t adding up." "And what, you think Evelyn is lying?" "I think you need to open your damn eyes and look deeper." I ran a hand through my hair. I wanted to believe Evelyn. I wanted to believe that the Goddess was giving me another chance with the mate I had lost. Then why wasn’t my heart in it? Why did I hesitate every time I saw Olivia’s face in my mind? Why did my wolf fight me even now? "Go to her." I stiffened. "What?" "Go to Olivia," my wolf growled. "Something is wrong." A strange sensation slithered down my spine. "She’s fine," I muttered. "She’s in the dungeons." "She is not fine," my wolf snapped. "I can feel it. She’s hurting." A growl rumbled in my throat. "You’re imagining things." "No," my wolf countered. "You’re ignoring things. I don’t care what you believe, but I know this—Olivia isn’t safe. And I will not sit here and do nothing while she suffers." I swallowed hard. Something in his tone sent a chill through me. I had ignored him before. I had shut him out when he warned me not to choose Evelyn. And now, as I sat here, my chest heavy with uncertainty, I realized something that made my blood run cold. My wolf had never been wrong. Without another word, I pushed back my chair and stood. I didn’t know what I would find. But I knew one thing for certain. I needed to see Olivia. A sharp knock on my door made me turn. I inhaled. Evelyn. Why is she here now? I opened the door, and she stood there, her expression unreadable. She smiled softly. "Dominic, I was hoping you’d accompany me to the dungeons." I frowned. "Why?" "Olivia," she said simply. "She’s still a mother. She needs food, medicine. I thought maybe we should give her that much." Her words were reasonable. Olivia really needed those things. But the look in her eyes—it didn’t match. I hesitated before nodding. "Fine." As we walked toward the dungeons, my mind churned. Then I saw them. James. Laughing. Talking to Olivia. As if she was on a holiday with a friend and not in the damn dungeons and what the hell is he doing here? Rage ignited in my veins. Why the hell was he so close to her? And why—why was she smiling back? My hands clenched into fists. I told myself it didn’t matter. That she was just playing him, like she had played everyone else. But my wolf growled lowly. "Look at her," he whispered. "She’s in pain, Dominic. And you’re angry at the wrong thing." I grit my teeth. I hated this. I hated how seeing her with another man twisted something inside me. And worse—I hated that my wolf was right. Olivia was suffering. And I was running out of excuses to pretend I didn’t care.