Olivia's POV

The woods at the edge of my Thorne Ridge lands were quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves in the gentle breeze. I walked the narrow trail alone, hoping the solitude would clear my mind.

The fresh air usually helps, but so far today, I was still tense. I paused, inhaling deeply, letting the scents of pine and earth ground me.

Ethan’s politicking, Isabella’s reappearance, and the pressure of Pack responsibilities all churned in my mind. I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn’t notice the subtle shift in the air, until I heard a twig snap behind me.

My wolf stirred uneasily, and I turned quickly, my heart racing. Aiden stepped out from the trees, his casual smirk sending a chill through me.

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said firmly, squaring my shoulders.

“Relax, Liv,” he replied, holding his hands up mockingly. “I’m just here to chat. No need to call your guard dogs.”

“You’re trespassing,” I shot back, trying to keep my voice steady. “Whatever you have to say, I’m not interested.”

“Oh, I think you will be,” he said, stepping closer, his tone low and taunting. “You see, I couldn’t help but notice how things are... unraveling for you and Ethan. And then there’s Isabella; she’s quite the complication, isn’t she?”

I clenched my fists, unwilling to let him see the impact of his words. “Just say why you’re here and then fuck off, Aiden.”

He leaned casually against a tree, his smirk widening. “Just thought you’d like to know that Isabella and I... have a bit of shared history with Ethan. Did he ever mention that?”

I forced myself to stay calm. “Whatever history you think you have is irrelevant.”

Aiden chuckled darkly. “Irrelevant? Come on, Liv. Do you really think you’ve got him wrapped around your little finger? Ethan’s heart isn’t as free as you think. Bonds like theirs don’t just fade away, you know.”

I stepped back instinctively, my wolf bristling at his words. “Ethan and I have our own bond,” I said firmly, though doubt crept into my voice.

“Sure, sure,” he said, his tone mocking. “But let’s be honest, you’re the placeholder. Important, sure, but temporary in Ethan’s eyes.”

“You don’t know anything about us,” I growled, my wolf urging me to push him out.

His grin widened, and he took another step forward, invading my space. “Oh, I know plenty. And if you’re smart, you’ll start paying attention to how he looks at her. You might see the truth for yourself.”

I didn’t have time to respond. The rustle of leaves and the snapping of branches signaled the arrival of others – my Pack’s warriors. Aiden’s smirk faltered as a low growl rumbled from the shadows.

“Get. Off. My. Land.,” I said, my voice steely despite the adrenaline surging through me.

Aiden hesitated, his eyes darting to the trees. Kerrick emerged with the others, their growls vibrating in the air.

“I’ll go,” Aiden said, raising his hands in mock surrender. He backed away, his smirk returning as he locked eyes with me one last time. “But think about what I said, Liv. It’ll save you heartache later.”

I stood still, watching as Aiden turned and ran, the warriors racing after him to the edge of the Pack’s territory. Their protective presence was a comfort I desperately needed.

As the woods fell silent once more, I realized how much his intrusion had shaken me. It wasn’t just his words; it was the audacity he had coming back here. Again.

Aiden needed to be dealt with, or he’d just keep coming back like a stubborn infection.

---

The moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over my Pack House. After the confrontation with Aiden, I needed to clear my head.

Walking along the perimeter of the building, I let the crisp night air wash over me, but my thoughts refused to settle.

Aiden’s words circled like vultures, picking at every insecurity I had. You’re the placeholder. He’d said it with such smug certainty. I clenched my fists, hating how those words lingered despite my resolve to dismiss them.

As I rounded the side of the house, I spotted Amelia sitting on a low stone wall near the gardens. She looked lost in thought, her usually impeccable appearance slightly disheveled.

It was a rare sight – Amelia letting her polished facade slip – and something about it tugged at the place in my heart where we used to be friends. Where she was a welcome member of this Pack.

“Amelia?” I called softly.

She glanced up, startled, but quickly masked her surprise with a tight smile. “Olivia,” she said, her tone light but forced. “Out for some air?”

I nodded, moving closer. “Same as you, it seems.”

Her gaze drifted past me, toward the woods. For a moment, she looked like she wanted to be anywhere but here. “Sometimes it’s easier out here,” she admitted, her voice barely audible.

Her vulnerability caught me off guard. I hesitated before sitting beside her on the wall. “I know the feeling.”

Amelia let out a quiet laugh, though it lacked humor. “I suppose you would.” She toyed with the hem of her sleeve, her hands unusually fidgety. “It’s not always easy, is it? Being with someone like them.”

“Them?” I asked, though I knew exactly who she meant.

“Aiden. Ethan. Alphas.” Her voice softened, and for a fleeting moment, I thought I felt regret flash across her face. “They carry so much expectation. And somehow, it always trickles down to us.”

I studied her carefully, unsure of her angle. Amelia wasn’t one to open up without reason. “What are you trying to say?”

She shook her head, her hair catching the moonlight. “Nothing, really. Just... I thought being with someone like Aiden would mean security, respect. But it’s exhausting, Olivia. The constant demands, the expectations, the games.”

Her words struck a chord in me. I thought of Ethan, of the endless politics and maneuvering that had become our life. And yet, I couldn’t equate Ethan to Aiden. Not when I’d seen the lengths Ethan would go to protect his Pack and those he cared about.

“You chose this,” I said gently, though there was no accusation in my tone.

“I did,” she admitted, her voice tinged with bitterness. “And I wonder if it was the worst mistake I ever made.”

I frowned, sensing layers beneath her words that she wasn’t revealing. Was this just a moment of weakness, or something more? “Why are you telling me this?”

Amelia hesitated, her fingers still twisting the fabric of her sleeve. “I don’t know. Maybe I thought you’d understand.” She looked at me then, her eyes heavy with unspoken insecurity. “Or maybe I’m just tired of pretending everything is fine.”

I didn’t know how to respond. Her words unsettled me, but after everything she had done, I didn’t trust what Amelia said at face value.

She shifted and rested her palms on her belly, voice cracking with emotion. “And… you didn’t let Ethan banish me. You let me stay, at least until the baby is born. So, thank you, Luna.”

As silence settled between us, Amelia stood abruptly, brushing off her skirt. “Anyway, I should go,” she said, her tone lighter, as if she hadn’t just bared her soul. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight,” I replied, watching as she walked away.

Alone again, I stared out at the woods, her words echoing in my mind. The complexities of being an Alpha’s partner weren’t new to me, but tonight, they felt sharper, more pressing.

Amelia’s warning, intentional or not, strengthened my resolve. I wouldn’t let my life become a series of regrets. No matter what came next, I would face it head-on, with or without Ethan.