Chapter 5

Alpha Zach’s POV

“Mate distressed!” my wolf roared in my head, forcing me to quicken my steps. I scrambled through the sprawling packhouse, tracing her scent as fast as I could.

When I reached the rooftop and saw Olivia kneeling on the cold, hard concrete, I nearly lost my grip on reality.

With a dark growl, I grabbed the closest guard by the neck. Blood trickled down his collar as my claws sank straight into his skin. Pure rage flooded every cell in my body, and my wolf clawed at the surface, desperate to take over and end the guard right then and there. But I forced myself to hold back. I couldn't take a life on the morning of Alpha Timothy's funeral.

With an angry shove, I threw the guard to the ground. I took a slow, deep breath, trying to push down my rage before turning toward Olivia. She was trembling, staring at me with wide, terrified eyes. I knew how terrifying I looked when I snapped, and I hated that I had scared her.

“Claim her!” my wolf demanded again.

I ignored him and took a step closer to her. Her scent—a sweet, intoxicating blend of nutmeg and warm honey—hit my nose instantly, setting my senses on fire. I had to exert every ounce of willpower to keep my composure as I looked into her innocent, hurt eyes.

“Get up,” I urged softly.

Slowly, she pushed herself up on shaky legs and stood before me.

My gaze dropped to her knees, and my jaw tightened when I noticed how red they were. Then I looked at her cheeks and saw the faint marks of fingers against her skin.

Someone had slapped her.

The realization sent another wave of anger through me, and I had to clench my fists to keep my claws from extending again.

Our eyes met, and for a second, I lost myself looking at her. She was far too young, too fragile, and far too vulnerable for the storm around her.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to look away.

“Claim her!” my wolf kept chanting.

It took everything in me to restrain him. I knew she was my mate, but it felt wrong. She was just a girl, someone I was supposed to protect and guide—not someone I could take right now.

I let out a heavy breath, struggling to keep my voice steady. “What happened?”

She swallowed nervously, hesitating for a moment before she finally spoke. “She accused me of stealing her diamond ring... but I swear I didn’t.”

I didn’t need any more explanations. I knew instantly that she was innocent and that Lady Anita was playing her usual twisted games. But this time, she had gone too far.

“Come with me,” I said, gesturing for her to follow.

I turned and marched down the rooftop stairs toward the main house. The guards and servants we passed bowed their heads in panic, sensing the dark mood radiating off me. I ignored every single one of them. Heaven help me, if Lady Anita wasn't the widow of my late Alpha, I would have ripped her apart already.

“Where is Lady Anita?” I demanded from a passing maid.

“A-Alpha... she is in her room, getting ready for the funeral,” the girl stammered.

I grunted in annoyance and headed straight down the grand hallway toward Anita's quarters, with Olivia keeping up right behind me.

When we reached her door, I knocked hard enough to rattle the frame.

“Who is it?” a maid’s voice answered rudely from inside.

I snarled through the wood, “I will cut out your tongue and feed it to the vultures if you don’t open this door right now.”

I glanced back at Olivia. She looked pale and quiet, clearly shaken by everything that had happened. She caught me looking, swallowed hard, and quickly stared down at her shoes.

The door flew open. Without giving the startled maid a single glance, I shoved past her and stepped into the room.

Lady Anita stood near her full-length mirror, dressed in a sweeping black gown covered in glittery beads. She wore her full royal regalia, topped off with a gold crown resting heavily on her head. I looked at her with pure disgust. Timothy wasn't even in the ground yet, and here she was, decked out in jewels like she was attending a celebration rather than a funeral.

Anita's eyes instantly snapped over my shoulder, locking onto Olivia.

“Who allowed her out?” Anita demanded, her voice rising in anger. “Why is she in my room?”

I stood between them, holding back the storm raging in my chest.

“Were you the one who released her?” Anita hissed, stepping toward me with a sharp glare.

“This is the last time you ever put your hands on her,” I cut in, my voice low, but filled with rage. “Olivia is in this mansion because I put her here. I brought her here, which means she is under my protection. No one touches her. Ever.”

Anita’s face twisted in fury. “Is that so?” She scoffed, taking a bold step toward me. “It seems you are forgetting who the lady of this house is, Alpha Zach. I am still the Luna of this pack. With a single word to the council, I can have your title stripped right off you.”

A dark laugh pulled from my throat at her absolute stupidity. It was hilarious that she actually believed she held that kind of leverage over me.

I took a long step forward, closing the distance until I was looking down directly into her eyes. The laughter faded from my face, replaced by pure ice.

“Don’t do it, Anita,” I warned quietly.

She raised a brow, trying to keep her cool, but I saw the slight tremor in her hands.

“Don’t make me view you as an enemy,” I said softly. “Because I promise you, you won't survive it. You know what I do to my enemies.”

Anita gasped, the color draining from her face. A sharp glint of genuine fear broke through her arrogant facade, and she unconsciously took a step back from me.

“This is your final warning, Lady Anita,” I said, allowing my Alpha authority to fill the room. “Do not go near Olivia. Do not threaten her, and do not ever lay a hand on her again. The only reason I'm standing here warning you is because of the respect I have for your late husband. But if you ever hurt her again, I promise you, even Timothy's memory won't protect you from my wrath.”

Without waiting for her response, I turned toward Olivia, gently took her wrist, and led her out of the room, leaving Lady Anita standing there in silent rage.