Chapter 602

Olivia’s POV

I looked up at him. “What are you talking about p>

Louis crossed his arms. “You couldn’t even sit straight with him in the room p>

“That’s not true,” I said, too quickly.

Levi let out a short, bitter laugh. “You flinched when he walked in. You went stiff. And don’t tell me we imagined it p>

I stood up, my chair scraping loudly against the floor. “You’re both looking for problems where there are none p>

Levi stood too. “You defended him in the yard. You healed him in private. And now you can’t even breathe when he’s near you p>

My heart started pounding.

“This is not about Kaine,” I snapped. “This is about you losing control yesterday p>

Louis shook his head. “You’re lying to yourself p>

I clenched my fists. “Enough p>

Levi took a step closer, his voice low. “If that guard is becoming a problem, Olivia p>

“He is not,” I said firmly.

The room went quiet again.

Levi stared at me for a long moment, then looked away, shaking his head. “You’re hiding something p>

I didn’t answer.

Because if I spoke, I might scream. Scream and tell them that man was their brother, Lennox—the one we were all mourning.

Sucking in a deep breath, I turned and walked out of the dining hall, my chest tight, my thoughts spinning.

Behind me, I heard Levi say quietly to Louis,

“I have to take care of him p>

A normal person wouldn’t have heard it by how hushed his voice was, but my senses did.

Immediately, I stopped and spun around so fast my head hurt.

“What do you mean by that?” I demanded, staring straight at Levi.

He didn’t answer me.

He just looked at Louis, like I hadn’t spoken at all.

My chest burned.

“Answer me,” I said, my voice shaking now. “What do you mean you’ll take care of him p>

Still nothing.

Something ugly rose inside me—fear, anger, old pain that never healed.

“Wow,” I said bitterly. “So what now? Are you planning to make him disappear too p>

My voice cracked. “Just like you did to Lennox p>

That got his attention.

Levi frowned deeply. “What?” he asked. “What are you talking about p>

Before I could answer, footsteps echoed behind us.

I felt it before I saw him.

Kaine.

He stood a few steps away, frozen in place. His face was calm, but his eyes were sharp—too sharp. He had heard something. I knew he had.

Louis turned on him at once. “Were you listening?” he snapped. “Are you spying now p>

Kaine shook his head immediately. “No, Alpha,” he said evenly. “I just came to inform the Luna that she has a visitor p>

My heart dropped.

I didn’t look at Levi.

I didn’t look at Louis.

I turned and walked away.

I could feel Kaine following me, his steps quiet but steady behind mine. The hallway felt too long. Too silent.

I knew he had heard what I said.

Disappear… Lennox p>

I hadn’t meant it like that.

I hadn’t even thought before the words came out.

But now they were out there.

And I wondered—

what was he thinking?

Did he think I knew?

Did he think I was accusing Levi?

We reached the corridor near my office. I stopped suddenly, forcing him to stop too.

The air between us felt heavy.

He didn’t speak.

Neither did I.

But I could feel it—

the tension, the question he was itching to ask but couldn’t.

“You can stay here,” I said quietly.

Kaine nodded once. He didn’t argue. He didn’t ask questions. He just stood by the door like he was told, calm and controlled, as if nothing had happened.

I turned and walked into my office.

The meeting dragged on longer than I expected. Council members talked about borders, supplies, patrol shifts, and things that suddenly felt small compared to the storm in my head. I answered when needed, nodded when expected, and kept my face calm even though my chest felt tight the whole time.

My thoughts kept drifting back to the hallway.

To my words.

Disappear… just like Lennox.

I hadn’t meant to say it. Not like that. But once spoken, words couldn’t be taken back.

When the meeting finally ended, I dismissed everyone and stood up slowly. My body felt heavy, like I had been carrying too much for too long. I straightened my clothes, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

The hallway was empty.

I frowned.

Kaine wasn’t there.

That strange, steady presence I had started to notice was gone, and it made my stomach twist in a way I didn’t like. He was supposed to be standing right outside my door. I had told him to stay.

I stepped out fully and looked around. Nothing. No guard. No movement.

“Where is Kaine?” I asked sharply, stopping the nearest guard.

The guard stiffened and bowed. “Alpha Levi and Alpha Louis summoned him, Luna p>

My heart dropped.

“Summoned him?” I repeated slowly.

“Yes, Luna,” the guard said. “They left for hunting together a few minutes ago p>

My heart started racing the moment the guard said it.

“Hunting?” I repeated.

“Yes, Luna,” he said again. “They already left p>

The words felt wrong. Heavy. Hunting was never sudden. Never without notice. And never with my personal guard.

Something was wrong.

I didn’t wait. I closed my eyes and pushed into the mind link, my voice sharp and urgent.

Levi, why did you take my personal guard?

Silence.

I tried again, stronger this time.

Levi. Answer me. Why is Kaine with you?

Nothing.

But I knew he heard me.

The bond hummed faintly—tight, tense—like a door slammed shut in my face.

My chest tightened. I pressed a hand against it, trying to calm my breathing. Levi always responded. Even when he was angry. Even when we fought.

This time, he didn’t.

I didn’t like it.

I really didn’t like it.

Hunting.

The word echoed in my head. Images rushed through my mind—blood, blades, accidents that were never really accidents. Levi’s anger earlier. The way he looked at Kaine in the yard. The way he said, I’ll take care of him.

My stomach twisted.

“No,” I whispered. “No, no, no p>

I turned sharply and walked down the hallway, my steps hurried. Servants moved out of my way, sensing my mood, but I barely noticed them.

Something felt off.

Really off.