CHAPTER SEVEN
Matilda stood there, utterly stunned by Alpha Ryan's words. She had showered, and even worn clothes that smelled lovely before leaving the house. How could he possibly think she reeked and hadn't bathed in ages? The sheer humiliation of being spoken to like that in front of everyone stung deeply, and tears of mortification welled up in her eyes.
Leah jumped in quickly, sensing Matilda's distress. "Alpha," she said, her voice firm, "you must be mistaken. Matilda was the one who spent the evening with you last night. It seems you've forgotten…"
Ryan didn't even bother to glance at Leah. It was clear he had no interest in anyone his aunt Zelda had sent his way. He turned to leave, but then his gaze fell upon Olivia, who was standing quietly in the background with her head bowed low.
He stopped in his tracks, an inexplicable pull drawing his feet towards her. "Look up," he commanded, his voice carrying a certain authority. But Olivia remained silent, her head still bent towards the floor.
A surge of anger flickered within Ryan as he strode over to her. He gently but firmly took her chin in his hand, tilting her face upwards.
Olivia's face looked delicate, almost fragile. For a moment, Ryan thought he should just ignore this girl and walk away, but he couldn't understand the strange pull he felt. He leaned down slightly and shifted Olivia's neck, as if searching for something.
Then, a look of satisfaction washed over his face. A delicate, sweet scent, like candy, wafted from her, filling his senses. It was a soothing wave that seemed to calm the turmoil within him.
Olivia stood rigid, an unexpected shiver of goosebumps prickling her neck. She couldn't decipher this strange feeling. When Ryan had his episodes, he was terrifying, but this calm, arrogant behavior felt even more unsettling.
The beast who had held her last night, sniffing her, now seemed almost preferable. She trembled slightly as his deep, captivating voice whispered in her ear, "It's you. That scent…"
Olivia's eyelashes fluttered, and she lifted her gaze to meet Ryan's, a look of surprise in her eyes. She hadn't expected him to recognize her scent in his normal state even when he couldn't remember anything from last night.
Matilda, still reeling from the humiliation, finally managed to stand up straight. She forced a strained smile. "Your Highness… there must be some mistake. She couldn't possibly be the one with you last night. That's my stepsister; she only arrived today. How could you think she is…"
Ryan's cold eyes snapped towards Matilda, cutting her off. "Say one more word," he warned, his voice dangerously low, "and I will rip your throat out."
Matilda paled, her hands trembling as she quickly moved closer to her mother for comfort.
Ryan hadn't intended to pay any attention to anyone in the room, but something about the face before him had inexplicably changed his mind. He cleared his throat softly before speaking again, his tone slightly less harsh. "What's your name?"
A soft voice replied, "...Olivia."
"What have you learned about Alpha Ryan?" he asked casually, his gaze fixed on her.
Olivia leaned in slightly, her voice barely a whisper. "I have learned nothing… I only know that the person who held me tightly is a strong Alpha who seems determined to push away anyone who wants to help him… because he believes the whispers he hears are true. Let me help you, My Alpha."
The distance between them was so close that Olivia could almost count his eyelashes. Suddenly, Ryan stepped back, his voice regaining its cold, firm edge. "Mother, I want her."
Luna Sylvia's initial surprise quickly melted into a smile. She nodded gracefully. "Ryan…"
Without waiting for a response, Ryan turned and strode out of the room.
Luna Sylvia took Olivia's hand, her smile widening. "My dear," she said warmly, "it seems you are destined to be my daughter-in-law!"
Olivia offered a small, polite smile. The truth was, she wouldn't have chosen to be with someone like Ryan if it weren't for her own hidden agenda. A tiny part of her had even hoped Ryan would keep Matilda around, perhaps as a distraction.
While the Luna beamed with happiness at her son's choice, Leah and Matilda were seething with resentment. Matilda, in particular, couldn't fathom why Ryan would choose her seemingly worthless stepsister over her. And the sting of his comment about her smell still burned fiercely.
A wave of anger washed over Matilda. She was convinced this was all Olivia's doing, some calculated move to humiliate her. How else could Alpha Ryan have been so cruel to her during their very first encounter?
Matilda's fists clenched, and she felt an almost uncontrollable urge to tear Olivia apart. But Leah held her back firmly, whispering urgently, "Think about LEGEND. You can get her through that… don't act rashly now."
Matilda froze, the word hitting her like a splash of cold water.
Right, LEGEND. It was the legacy left to Olivia by her late mother, Kate, who had built a highly successful company. Although it had suffered some decline in recent years due to mismanagement, it was still a valuable asset, far surpassing most small businesses.
Matilda had been desperately trying to gain control of LEGEND, eager to expand her own ventures without being tied to other companies. But Olivia had stubbornly refused to relinquish her hold on it.
Matilda knew that confronting Olivia now, especially with the Alpha's sudden interest in her, would likely ruin any chance she had of acquiring LEGEND.
Forcing a smile that didn't reach her eyes, she turned to Olivia. "You saw how I tried to advocate for you with Alpha Ryan. I truly wanted to help you, considering we are family, but it seems he believes you are a better fit. I sincerely wanted to assist, but you witnessed it yourself."
Olivia met Matilda's fake smile with a soft, steady gaze. "Thank you for your supposed concern for our family, Matilda. But I believe our business here is concluded. I will remain here at the North Prime Pack, and you and your mother are free to leave."
Matilda gritted her teeth, fighting the urge to slap Olivia across her smug face. But she knew Olivia held the upper hand now, residing within Alpha Ryan's territory and under his unexpected favor.
"Thank you, Luna," Leah said, her voice laced with forced politeness and a hint of defeat. "We shall take our leave and hope to visit again soon." The moment they stepped outside the Pack's territory, Matilda's carefully constructed composure shattered.
"Mother!" she hissed, her voice filled with venom. "I want Olivia gone, for good! Did you see the way she looked at us? I want her on her knees, begging for her life! She humiliated me today!"
Leah quickly soothed her furious daughter. "Matilda, you have nothing to worry about. Even if she stays in the North Prime Pack… I will make sure she can't do anything."
"What do you mean?" Matilda demanded, her eyes narrowed.
"The North Prime Pack is powerful, but Alpha Ryan is known to be… volatile. He might very well tear her apart himself before long. She won't be able to stay there forever. Our top priority is to quickly take control of LEGEND. With that, we will have some leverage over her," Leah explained, her voice calm and calculating. Matilda tried to quell her rage, focusing on her mother's words.
"Mother, I will have to speak with Damien when we return. Olivia is a fool; she will only ruin everything if she retains control of LEGEND. Damien will definitely help me." Damien was Olivia's fiancé, though his interest in her had clearly waned out.
Leah considered this for a moment. "That could work. Olivia has always listened to Damien, so perhaps he can persuade her to loosen her grip on the company."
Matilda sneered, a cruel smile twisting her lips. "Once I have LEGEND in my hands, Olivia's days will be numbered."