Chapter 4: You're Not Allowed to Hit Her

(Olivia’s POV)

"You wouldn't," I whispered.

"Try me," he said quietly. "Daniel will be there in ten minutes. Be waiting."

The line went dead. I stared at my phone, fury and frustration warring in my chest.

Reluctantly, I trudged back to my dormitory. My roommates looked up in surprise when I entered.

"That was quick," Rachel commented. "Find what you needed at the library?"

"Actually, my family called," I lied smoothly, pulling out my overnight bag. "They want me home for the weekend."

"Lucky!" Samantha said enviously. "I wish my family would rescue me from weekend studying."

I packed quickly, throwing clothes and textbooks into my bag. My roommates watched with curious eyes.

Rachel grinned. "Well, if you ever want to invite us over, we'd love to see your place! We could have a girls' weekend."

"Okay, if I have the opportunity, I will definitely invite you to my house," I said with a forced smile. "Then I'll leave first."

These girls were my friends, but I could never bring them to Alexander's palace. They could never know the truth about my secret marriage.

Especially not now, when that marriage was hanging by a thread.

I spotted the most luxurious black SUV parked in the distance as I approached the university parking lot. My heart hammered against my ribs, knowing Alexander was waiting inside.

Daniel saw me from afar and hurried out of the car to open the door for me. His respectful bow reminded me of my status, even though I felt anything but royal right now.

"Queen," he said politely, holding the door wide.

As I slid into the car, I saw Alexander in the back seat, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit. Even angry with him, I couldn't deny how devastatingly handsome he looked. The mature, masculine charm he exuded was irresistibly alluring, his wolf's power evident even when contained beneath that polished exterior.

I forced myself to look away, pretending not to notice him as I settled into the seat beside him. My wolf Cora stirred restlessly, drawn to our mate despite my human anger.

Alexander studied me with those piercing golden eyes, seemingly forgetting our previous unpleasantness. His expression softened as he took in my appearance.

He frowned slightly, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "Didn't you go to the lecture? I didn't catch your scent in the school auditorium today."

The admission that he'd been looking for me sent a traitorous flutter through my chest. But I steeled myself against his charm, turning to stare out the window instead.

"I didn't go," I replied curtly, deliberately avoiding his gaze.

"Why didn't you go?" Alexander pressed, genuine curiosity in his tone.

The question sparked fresh anger in my chest. How could he ask me that after everything he'd said?

"The Alpha who wants to sever our mate bond definitely doesn't want to see me," I retorted, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

Cora whimpered inside my mind at the painful reminder of his threat. The thought of losing our mate made her incredibly distressed.

Alexander frowned, and I caught a glimpse of something that looked almost like amusement in his expression. How dare he find my pain funny?

He reached out to pull me closer, but I coldly brushed his hand away as if his touch burned me.

"Alpha Stone, please respect yourself," I said icily, using his formal title to put distance between us.

Alexander looked taken aback by my prickly demeanor. Before I could react, he forcefully turned my body toward him, his hands firm on my shoulders.

"Don't be angry," he coaxed, his voice gentling again. "Didn't I come to school to pick you up?"

But I wasn't falling for his sweet words. Not again. I stubbornly shook off his hands and turned my back to him once more.

"Are you here to pick me up?" I challenged. "You're here to give your lecture."

The distinction mattered to me. He hadn't come for me specifically - I was just convenient.

"Then do you know why I came to give a lecture?" he questioned, his tone taking on an edge.

I shrugged dismissively, my wolf huffing in irritation at his persistence. "Who knows?"

That seemed to be the last straw for Alexander's patience. His voice took on the unmistakable authority of an Alpha command.

"If you don't know, don't talk nonsense. Don't keep a straight face with me; turn around and look at me."

The Alpha voice hit me like a physical force, making my wolf instinctively want to submit even as my human side rebelled. The internal war was torture, my body trembling with the effort to resist.

Feeling resentful but also somewhat helpless against the overbearing Alpha, I reluctantly turned to face him. I couldn't meet his eyes, so I lowered my head, tears threatening to spill over.

Alexander's expression immediately softened at my pitiful appearance. His hands were gentle as he pulled me into his arms.

"Alright, what happened before is over. Don't be sad, Olivia," he murmured, his voice warm against my ear.

But it wasn't that simple. "Can it be over? You've already made up your mind."

The reference to our mate bond hung heavy between us. Why was he being so gentle after declaring we would sever the bond that tied us together?

"You say you don't want to leave, but we're not severing our bond now," Alexander said carefully, lifting me onto his lap and patting my back in soothing circles. "I didn't say we have to do it now."

His words felt like a temporary reprieve rather than real reassurance. I stubbornly tried to get off his lap, not wanting to be comforted by false promises.

Alexander's expression darkened as he held me firmly in place. "Be good, don't make me angry."

His eyes flashed amber briefly, his wolf asserting dominance over mine. The display of power made me freeze, not daring to argue further. I resigned myself to resting against his chest, trying to ignore how Cora found comfort in his familiar scent.

Maybe I could explain what really happened with Victoria. Make him understand that I wasn't the aggressor.

"The other day, I didn't go to cause trouble for that she-wolf; she came to—"

"What's in the past is in the past, don't mention it," Alexander interrupted, clearly wanting to avoid the topic.

But I needed him to know the truth. "Victoria came to the university and confronted me. She—"

"Olivia Stone, I said don't mention it again!" Alexander's voice turned cold, taking on a dangerous edge that made me flinch.

I straightened my back and stared at him in shock. My wolf cowered slightly at his harsh tone, confused by our mate's rejection.

Alexander's next words felt like daggers to my heart. "In the future, you're not allowed to look for her, and you're not allowed to hit her. Severing our mate bond has nothing to do with her. If you're unhappy, you can be angry with me."

The sharp pain in my chest was almost unbearable. Even now, even after everything, he still cared more about protecting Victoria than listening to me. My wolf whined miserably at the realization.

I angrily left Alexander's embrace and moved to sit by the window, my heart breaking all over again. For the rest of the ride home, I remained silent, staring out at the passing landscape through unshed tears.

When we arrived at the palace, I found myself unwilling to get out of the car. My cheeks puffed up with childish anger as I sat there stubbornly.

Alexander tried to pull me toward him, but I pushed his hand away in a fit of temper and stormed into the house alone. I could hear his heavy sigh behind me, but I didn't care.

Dinner was torture. We sat across from each other at the long table, but I didn't utter a single word. I focused entirely on cutting my venison steak into precise pieces, using the task to avoid looking at him.

Alexander tried several times to start a conversation, but I ignored him completely. As soon as I finished eating, I retreated to our bedroom and grabbed a book on pack history, pretending to be engrossed in reading.

Alexander left me alone, presumably going to his study to work. I was grateful for the space, but also hurt that he didn't try harder to fix things between us.

Around ten o'clock, I heard his footsteps approaching the bedroom. My pulse quickened despite my anger, my traitorous body still responding to his presence.

After his shower, he emerged with only a towel wrapped around his waist. Water droplets still clung to his muscled chest, and I had to force myself to keep looking at my book.

But Alexander had other plans. He reached out and took the book away from me, setting it aside with deliberate intent.

I looked up at him with tearful eyes, my heart breaking all over again. "What do you take me for? A tool to satisfy Logan’s sexual needs?"

Cora growled defensively within me, sharing my pain and frustration.

My question seemed to douse whatever passion he'd felt. His jaw tightened with frustration.

"Olivia Stone, when are you going to stop making a scene?"

His stern tone only made me feel more aggrieved. The tears I'd been holding back finally spilled over.

"I just want to ask you what you take me for. Your Luna? If I am your Luna, then why do you want to sever our mate bond and mark someone else?"

My voice broke on the words, the pain of voicing my fears almost too much to bear.

"I don't want to make a scene with you, but I'm just feeling down," I continued, my voice barely above a whisper. "It makes me extremely miserable."

My wolf whimpered at the thought of losing our mate, her distress amplifying my own until I thought I might drown in it.

Seeing me on the verge of tears again, Alexander's expression softened completely. He reached out and pulled me into his arms, his voice filled with regret.

"I'm sorry, it's my fault."

But I didn't want empty apologies. I wanted promises. I wanted him to choose me.

"I don't want your apology," I pleaded, finally letting out all the pent-up frustration of the past few days. "I just want you to stay away from other she-wolves, don't sever our bond. Can't we just stay together?"

Cora howled within me, desperate to keep our mate. The sound of my own desperation frightened me, but I couldn't stop the words from pouring out.

Hearing me cry seemed to affect Alexander deeply. I felt a sharp pang of emotion through our bond as he held me tighter.

"Alright," he said, his voice soft with promise. "We won't sever our mate bond."

I looked up at him in surprise, hardly daring to believe what I'd heard. My eyes were still wet with tears as I searched his face for any sign of deception.

"Really?"

"Yeah," Alexander affirmed, hugging me close against his chest.

I felt his wolf Logan rumble contentedly at my nearness, and some of the tension finally left my body. Maybe we could work through this. Maybe everything would be okay.

Just then, Martha's voice came from outside our door, shattering the peaceful moment.

"Alpha, are you asleep?"

Alexander's arms tightened around me slightly. "What is it?"

The words that followed made my blood turn to ice.

"King, Miss Victoria is here. She's downstairs and says she needs to see you."

The moment Martha's words registered, I felt Alexander's body tense against mine.

Alexander frowned, his golden eyes darkening with what looked like concern. "Why is Victoria here at this hour?"

My heart sank as he began to pull away from me. The promise he'd just made about not severing our mate bond felt hollow now, meaningless in the face of Victoria's sudden appearance.

"What are you going to do with her?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper as I watched him get up from the bed.

"I'll go downstairs and take a look," Alexander replied, his movements deliberate as he reached for his clothes. "You stay here and sleep."

Sleep? How could he expect me to sleep when that woman was downstairs, calling for him in the middle of the night?

My wolf Cora's hackles rose inside me, her protective instincts flaring to life. She paced restlessly in my mind, urging me to action.

"Follow him," Cora growled in my thoughts. "We need to see what that shameless she-wolf wants."

I wanted to see too. I needed to know how Alexander would respond to Victoria's late-night visit, especially after he'd just promised we wouldn't sever our bond.

After Alexander left the room, I waited a few moments before slipping out of bed. My bare feet were silent on the cold marble floor as I crept toward the door.

I made my way downstairs, staying in the shadows and hiding at the corner of the staircase where I could see into the living room without being detected.

Victoria stood near the entrance, looking perfectly composed despite the late hour. Her blonde hair was styled immaculately, and she wore an elegant silk nightgown that probably cost more than most people's monthly salary.

"Alex, am I disturbing you?" she asked, her voice soft and sweet as honey.

Alex. The intimate nickname made my blood boil. I'd never called him that.

Alexander stopped in front of her, his tall figure looming over her petite frame. "It's okay. You came so late?"

Victoria's expression crumpled, and I could see tears gathering in her eyes. "I usually fall asleep around nine, but lately I've been having nightmares about the accident."

She moved closer to him, her hand reaching out to touch his arm gently. "Alex, I'm scared. My wolf is restless and won't let me rest. I don't feel safe in the apartment alone, so I came to you."

Her voice became more emotional with each word, trembling with what sounded like genuine fear. "Do you mind?"

I gripped the banister so tightly my knuckles turned white.

"It's okay," Alexander replied, his voice emotionless but not unkind.

Then he turned toward the hallway and called out, "Martha, please prepare the guest room for Miss Victoria."

My heart stopped. She was going to stay here? In our home? In our sanctuary?

The thought of Victoria sleeping under the same roof as us, of her being so close to Alexander all night, made Cora snarl with rage inside my mind.

I couldn't stand it. I wouldn't stand for it.

Before I could stop myself, I was walking down the stairs, my bare feet making soft sounds against the marble. I didn't care about stealth anymore. I was done hiding, done letting Victoria manipulate the situation.

Alexander noticed me immediately, his eyes dropping to my bare feet with displeasure. "Olivia, you should be wearing shoes. Go back upstairs and—"

But I ignored his words, walking directly to him with determined steps. Without hesitation, I snuggled into his arms, pressing my body against his chest.

"I don't feel well," I said softly, pretending to be uncomfortable as I wrapped my arms around his neck. "My stomach hurts."

Before either of them could react, I positioned myself on his lap right there in front of Victoria, making my claim on him crystal clear.

Alexander's hands moved to push me away at first, but when his eyes fell on my bare feet again, his expression softened. Instead of removing me, he wrapped his arms around me protectively.

"She's being childish," he said to Victoria, his tone apologetic. "Let me get her some slippers."

He lifted me easily, carrying me toward the shoe cabinet near the entrance. I let my chin rest on his shoulder, and over his back, I met Victoria's gaze with a look of pure challenge.

Her face was a mask of barely controlled jealousy and humiliation. Her perfect composure was cracking, and I felt a surge of satisfaction at the sight.

Alexander knelt down and gently slipped my feet into soft house slippers, his touch tender despite his earlier frustration.

"Stop fooling around and go rest," he said quietly, his hands still on my ankles. "You need sleep."

But I wasn't done. I wasn't leaving him alone with her.

I ignored his words and hugged his neck tightly, refusing to let go. "I want to stay by your side," I whispered directly into his ear, my breath warm against his skin.

"Olivia, I need to talk to Victoria alone," Alexander said, his voice firm but not harsh.

"No," I whispered back, my grip tightening around his neck. "I want to stay and listen to you. Please, Alexander. I don't feel well enough to be alone."

Alexander was known throughout the territory for his cold indifference, his ability to remain unmoved by emotional pleas. But with me, his resolve always seemed to crumble.

He sighed deeply, and I felt the moment he gave in. "Fine."

He lifted me again, carrying me back toward the living room where Victoria waited. I could feel her eyes on us, sharp as steel and twice as cold.

"Victoria," Alexander said as we approached, "perhaps you should go to your room and rest. Olivia isn't feeling well, and I need to take care of her."

Victoria's jaw clenched visibly, her hands fisting at her sides. But she managed to maintain her sweet smile, though it looked strained around the edges.

"Of course," she said, her voice tight with suppressed anger. "I understand."

She turned to follow Martha toward the stairs, but just before she disappeared from view, she stopped and looked back at us.

"Alexander," she said, her voice carrying clearly across the room. "I am your future Queen. You and her should not do this in front of me."

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