CHAPTER SIX
Leah's mind was still swirling with her own thoughts when Luna Sylvia's gentle voice cut through the air. "I truly don't foresee any problems. I've already made it clear that Olivia will receive the best possible care."
A silent sigh escaped Leah. Deep down, she disliked the direction this was taking. Instantly, she tried to project a look of sadness, gently stroking Olivia's hand as she spoke. "My Luna," she began, her voice laced with what she hoped sounded like respect, "I know it must have been incredibly difficult for you to bring my daughter out of that awful dungeon. But as a mother who has spent countless sleepless nights worrying about her, this isn't easy for me. If Olivia remains here in the North Prime pack, many will use it as fuel to criticize me behind my back, labeling me as cruel and wicked. Gossip will spread like wildfire."
Luna Sylvia seemed genuinely surprised for a moment. She had heard snippets of Olivia's unfortunate past, and it hadn't sounded pleasant. However, she quickly composed herself, forcing a polite smile. "Well…"
Leah pressed on, her voice gaining a touch more urgency. "My heart broke when I first learned that Olivia's mother passed away when she was just a little girl. She had no one but me to care for her, my Luna. As her only family, I must take her back home so I can continue to look after her." Naturally, Luna Sylvia didn't want Olivia to leave, especially considering she was the only one who had been with her son during that strange night with his episodes.
Before Luna Sylvia could respond, Leah swiftly interjected. "I know this might sound selfish, but my other daughter, Matilda, could also be Alpha Ryan's wife... I would allow her to stay here in Olivia's place. I would take Olivia back home so she can heal from all the pain and suffering she endured while she was locked away."
Matilda froze instantly. There was absolutely no way her mother expected her to stay here in the North Prime pack, married to a cursed Alpha who had these episodes of losing his mind. "Mother, I really don't think…"
Leah gently pulled her hand away from Olivia and embraced Matilda tightly, whispering something inaudible into her ear before speaking louder. "My dear Matilda, I feel like I have no other choice right now. I'm only doing what any mother in my position would do for her child. Your sister has suffered enough. Please, just help her this one time…"
The maids standing nearby exchanged hushed whispers, clearly moved by the scene unfolding before them. They were accustomed to hearing stories of cruel stepmothers, but they had never witnessed someone like Leah seemingly offering her own daughter as a sacrifice for her stepdaughter.
They were genuinely surprised by the depth of care Leah seemed to have for Olivia.
Olivia, however, remained completely still and emotionless, quietly observing her stepmother and stepsister's performance. It was obvious to her that they had already intended for Matilda to become Alpha Ryan's wife before she came here, but portraying her as the villain in this scenario felt like a step too far. She was simply tired of their constant manipulations.
Luna Sylvia sighed softly before speaking. "I honestly don't know what to say. Are you absolutely certain you want your daughter to do this...? You might come to regret this decision if you were to lose her."
"Naturally, I wouldn't want to do this," Leah said, dabbing at a nonexistent tear with her finger. "But I simply cannot allow Olivia to suffer any more than she already has. Her own mother would have done the exact same thing if she were in my place."
Luna Sylvia pondered this for a moment before asking, "Has Alpha Ryan woken up from his rest yet?"
"Yes, Luna. He woke up just a few minutes ago," the head maid replied with a respectful bow.
"I want him here immediately. Please, summon him at once," Luna Sylvia commanded.
While the head maid hurried away, a satisfied smile played on Leah's lips as she thought to herself. She knew that her daughter Matilda possessed everything a man could desire. The Luna would surely accept her. After all, her daughter was far stronger, smarter, and more beautiful than her stepdaughter Olivia. If it weren't for the overwhelming power and influence of the North Prime pack, she wouldn't dare leave her daughter in the hands of a cursed Alpha.
After what felt like an eternity of waiting – almost thirty minutes – a man finally walked through the massive doors.
He was dressed in a handsome two-piece outfit that perfectly highlighted his strong muscles and long legs. He entered with an air of hazy duskiness that seemed to dim the bright room slightly. For the first time, Olivia was able to get a clear and complete view of his face.
Her knees instantly felt weak, but she fought hard to remain standing.
The man she was staring at had perfectly shaped eyebrows and thick eyelashes, a sharp, elegant nose, beautifully pink lips, a strong, chiseled jawline, a prominent Adam's apple that drew the eye, and those incredible muscles... she found herself speechless.
This was undeniably Ryan, yet at the same time, he seemed different. The man who stood before them now exuded an elegant and aloof air, maintaining a clear distance from everyone. He looked like an ordinary person, completely devoid of the wild ferocity Olivia had witnessed the night before.
Olivia wasn't the only one stunned by Alpha Ryan's appearance. Matilda seemed completely frozen in place. She had heard numerous stories about him and had imagined meeting a beast with a disfigured face. Instead, Ryan was breathtakingly handsome.
Any lingering resentment she might have felt towards her mother's decision earlier vanished. Now, she could only feel a surge of happiness and appreciation for her mother's supposed wisdom. Being with a man like Alpha Ryan would mean standing beside him in power and strength. Why wouldn't she want that?
Ryan walked further into the room, and no one dared to meet his gaze directly, except for a soft, hesitant call that echoed through the silence. "Mother." His voice was deep and cold, carrying an unmistakable air of authority. It was clear that he was not someone to be trifled with.
Matilda could feel her heart pounding in her chest, the rhythm rapid and uneven. She did her best to suppress her overwhelming excitement, forcing a look of demure shyness onto her face.
Luna Sylvia cleared her throat before speaking.
"Ryan... I'm relieved to see you have rested well. Do you perhaps remember anything that occurred last night?"
Ryan responded without hesitation. "No, I do not."
"That shouldn't even matter," his mother continued. "What you need to know is that something extraordinary happened last night. You were very attached to this girl and wouldn't let anyone take her away from you... it seemed as though you had a strong connection with her."
Ryan's brow furrowed instantly.
He had vague, fragmented memories of what had transpired during his episode, and his Beta and second in command had filled in the gaps as soon as he woke up. He also learned that his aunt Zelda was the one who had suggested this woman to his mother.
It should have been a positive development, but the woman had been brought here by his aunt, who had been plotting against his life for a long time. What good could possibly come from someone she had recommended?
Luna Sylvia offered a wide smile before gesturing towards Matilda. "Do you remember anything at all when you look at her?"
Ryan fixed his gaze intently on the woman now standing directly in front of him. Her face was heavily made up, her features delicate, and her expression carefully crafted to appear shy. Her dress was noticeably short.
Gathering her courage, Matilda spoke softly. "Your Highness…"
Before she could finish her sentence, Ryan suddenly grabbed the back of her neck and leaned in close, his nose and teeth almost grazing the skin of Matilda's neck.
Matilda's heart hammered in her chest like a frantic drum. She was terrified and unsure of what to do. Her collarbones felt like they might snap under the pressure. She had never anticipated Ryan acting this way in front of everyone, but this also seemed to indirectly confirm that Olivia wasn't the only one who could elicit a reaction from him.
Leah, too, seemed pleased by this development, secretly believing that her plans were finally falling into place.
Luna Sylvia was equally surprised and subtly glanced at Olivia for a fleeting moment. Was she making the right decision? She instantly dismissed the thought. It shouldn't matter as long as her son Ryan accepted someone. She didn't care if he preferred Olivia or Matilda... Her only concern was securing an heir.
Just when everyone believed that Matilda had successfully captured Alpha Ryan's attention, he suddenly flung her away as if she were a piece of worthless trash. "You were clearly not the one from last night."
Forcing a strained smile, Matilda stammered, "What do you mean? I am the one who..."
Ryan cut her off with a cold growl. "The woman I was with last night smelled incredibly intoxicating, but you smell disgustingly like you haven't showered in thousand days. Tell me... how could you possibly be her?"