Chapter 45: The Unexpected Consequence

Olivera’s mind spun as she processed the strange woman’s question. *My king?* She shook her head as if trying to clear the fog of disbelief that clouded her senses. But no matter how hard she tried, the harsh reality remained: she had been walking alongside the Alpha all this time. She couldn’t believe her own naivety. The bows! The ethereal beauty! The chilling aura! These should have been glaring signs, yet she had been so engrossed in denial that she had missed the most obvious clues. And then there was his claim about her being his mate. Her hands trembled at the thought, and she clenched them tightly by her sides, oblivious to the scrutiny of the gathered women. Her heart raced as she caught the woman’s eyes finally focusing on her, a scowl twisting her face into an expression of disgust and anger. *Here we go,* Olivera thought, biting her lip. She mentally braced herself, recalling Nick's warnings about navigating the treacherous dynamics among the pack members. It was cl