Chapter 86

DOMINIC’S POV It was easy to win the kids’ hearts. They were young, innocent, and starved for the kind of affection I was finally ready to give. They smiled at the simplest things—ice cream cones, a goofy photo, holding my hand while waiting for a ride. It was so easy, too easy. But Olivia… she wasn’t budging. I glanced at her in the rearview mirror—her gaze fixed out the window, arms folded across her chest. Aria sat beside her, humming to herself, oblivious to the tension. Noah had nodded off, his head resting against Olivia’s arm. “She’s not going to make this easy,” I muttered under my breath. “Really now? So you only want to win the kids?” my wolf asked, cutting through my thoughts with a growl of disapproval. “No,” I responded quickly. “Of course not. But if I win the kids, she’ll have no choice but to stay.” “That’s where you’re making a mistake again,” he snapped. “You’re trying to manipulate the outcome. You think winning the kids will tether her to you. But she’s not a prize,