Chapter 30

Olivia As we were talking, suddenly Aina glanced back, and the brightest smile I had ever seen bloomed across her face. I didn’t even need to turn—I knew it was Osborne. I wondered what she saw in him. Then again, I couldn’t blame her. I was once like that too—smitten with Owen. The thought of him alone soured my mood for a moment. I followed her gaze, and indeed it landed on Osborne. “Are you just going to stand there?” Aina called, and as if under her spell, he finally approached us. So, my stubborn Osborne can listen when told. “Mother,” he greeted me, though his eyes lingered immediately on his mate, as if she were the most precious possession in the world. “I was told you were with your father,” I asked. He looked at me carefully, as though weighing his words. “Yes, I did, Mom. But I’d also like to speak with you,” he said, his tone serious. Even Aina raised a brow. “Is it serious?” I asked. “Indeed, it is,” Osborne replied. “I need you to speak with your husband—because he’s getting on my nerves.” “Maybe I should excuse you both,” Aina said gently, rising from her seat. But Osborne placed a firm hand on her shoulder and guided her back down. “Sit,” he commanded. And she did. “You’ll want to hear this,” he added. She nodded, and he held her gaze for a moment before continuing. “My father wants me to wed another.” I saw it then—Aina froze. I didn’t. I knew Owen too well. He wasn’t truly against Osborne’s choice, but his blasted sense of obligation to Hamilton clouded everything. “He does?” Aina asked. She tried to sound natural, but I was a woman—I knew when another woman was just playing it cool. My poor girl. This nonsense had gone far enough. Osborne slid closer to her, holding her tight. “Yes. But you don’t need to worry,” he reassured her. It seemed I was the one to excuse myself, not her. “I’ll go speak with him. You stay, explain to your mate,” I said, standing. Aina gave me a strained smile. “Thanks for your company,” I told her warmly. “It was my pleasure,” she replied, turning back to Osborne—who wasted no time planting a kiss on her lips even before I’d left. ---- I walked swiftly to his office. I would not allow him to ruin my son’s life. As soon as I entered, Owen was already standing, clearly expecting me—he must have caught my scent from afar. “Are you still upset?” he asked, rubbing his hands together slowly. “Yes, I am,” I answered sharply. “But I’m here for something else.” He nodded quickly. “Why do you want to force a girl my son doesn’t love onto him?” He blinked, his voice low. “Olivia… you know we already agreed they would be married.” I shook my head. “We agreed. Osborne didn’t. He has his own life, and he has already chosen. Whatever you have with Hamilton ends with you two—not with our son.” “It’s a promise, Olivia. One I made long ago. The poor girl even rejected her mate because of it. And you know Hamilton—he doesn’t take his daughter lightly,” he reasoned. “And I take my son seriously,” I fired back. Then my voice lowered, sharp as a blade. “I remember the glares you threw at me when we wed. The bitterness in your eyes. Now that I think of it, it still chills my skin. I won’t let my son live in hate as you did—just because you didn’t get the woman you truly desired.” He moved swiftly to where I was, that fire still burning in him. How did he come to love me? One day he had suddenly changed—just like that—and the sweet Owen was born. I had even forgotten all those years of how he treated me. He held my shoulder and said the words I wanted to hear at that moment. “I am sorry. I never hated you,” he said, then inhaled. “Yes, I did… and I am sorry. I learned to love you, Olivia. Even though Aria was my mate, the reason I hated you was because I never truly rejected her, so the bond remained. It felt as if I was cheating on my real wife with you. But it all stopped when she found a second-chance mate and rejected me through a letter. That was what freed me, it immediately released me from the feelings I still carried for her.” His voice was pained as he finished, “The woman I have loved for twenty-six years is only you.” I nodded as I finally understood him. “So, she was your mate?” I asked. He nodded. “She was. The night I left her to you, I felt it then. But I had already promised my father that I would wed you. I swear, Olivia, I have no feelings for her.” He pulled me close and pressed a kiss to my head. I do love him, but knowing he once loved another still hurts. Whatever Aria had on him was strong—their bond was real—and something deep in my gut tells me that if the two of them were ever left alone, even with him saying he loves me, sparks would still fly. Yes, he may love me now, but she was his first, and first loves are hard to forget—especially when you once loved them truly. “What about Osborne?” I asked. “He loves that girl, and trust me, he would rather go against you than marry Bella.” He released me with a nod. “I smell trouble, Olivia. Alpha Hamilton will cause problems. I don’t want to hand this pack over to my son while there’s unrest.” I understood his concern, but I couldn’t help saying, “You underrate our son a lot, Owen.” He looked over at me. “It seems I do.” And that was bad of him, because the Osborne I know doesn’t give a damn about Hamilton or the Waterford pack.