Chapter 304

THIRD PERSON’S POV The corridors outside the royal assembly were quieter now, the murmurs of the Alphas fading into distant echoes. Derek moved swiftly, his long strides purposeful, until he found the shadowed alcove where Olivia had paused, her hand resting lightly against the stone wall as though the weight of the chamber still pressed on her. “You shouldn’t linger here,” Derek said. Olivia turned, her face calm as ever, though he could see the faint shimmer in her eyes—the glint of fire that most forgot she carried. “I know. But I wanted to breathe for a moment before Dominic calls.” Derek glanced back toward the doors, then lowered his voice. “Draven won’t take this lightly. You humiliated him in front of every Alpha and half the royals. He’ll plan something—something that doesn’t just attack your words. He’ll try to undermine your position… maybe even challenge Dominic’s authority outright.” Olivia’s lips quirked into the faintest smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Let him try.