Chapter 111: This isn’t Goodbye

Olivia’s POV

Leo nodded immediately. "Yes, Alpha."

"And tell those guards that if anything happens to her, I’ll hold every single one of them responsible."

"Understood."

Leo hurried out of the living room, leaving Lucian and me alone.

I looked up at him anxiously. "Are you angry with me?"

He frowned. "Why would I be angry with you?"

"Because I agreed to leave."

Lucian sighed and gently cupped my cheek.

"No, sweetheart. I’m angry with Lucas, not you. I understand why you’re doing this, even if I hate every damn second of it."

I nodded, feeling slightly relieved by his words.

"Come on," he said gently. "Let’s get your things ready."

I followed him upstairs to my bedroom, where he instructed one of the maids to help me pack. I didn’t have much to take with me, but watching my clothes disappear into a suitcase made everything feel painfully real.

I had only just started believing that Full Moon Pack could become my permanent home. Lucian and I had finally confessed our feelings for each other, and I had been looking forward to spending more time with him without having to pretend to be someone else.

Now I was leaving.

The maid finished packing and carried my suitcase downstairs while I remained in the bedroom with Lucian. He had been unusually quiet throughout the entire process, and I could tell that he was still struggling to control his anger.

"Lucian?" I called softly.

He turned toward me.

"Can you promise me something?"

"What is it, sweetheart?"

"Please don’t fight with Lucas because of me. I know you’re angry, but he’s still your brother."

Lucian gave a bitter smile.

"That’s exactly what makes this worse, Olivia. He’s my brother. Of all the men in this kingdom, he’s the last person I expected to use his authority against me like this."

I stepped closer and wrapped my arms around his waist.

"Everything will work out somehow."

He looked down at me before lowering his head and gently kissing my forehead.

"I’ll find a way to bring you back here," he promised. "I don’t care how long it takes. You belong with me, Olivia, and I’m not giving up on us."

My eyes filled with tears as I nodded.

"I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart."

He leaned down and kissed me, holding my face gently between his hands. I returned the kiss, wrapping my arms around his neck and pulling him closer. His lips moved against mine slowly, almost reluctantly, as though he was trying to make the moment last as long as possible. When I finally tried to pull away, he kissed me again, and I felt his arms tighten around my waist.

"Lucian," I whispered against his lips.

"Just a little longer, sweetheart."

I closed my eyes and held him tightly. I didn’t want to leave either, and for a moment, I wished I could forget about the royal guards waiting downstairs and simply remain in his arms.

When we finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against mine. His thumb gently brushed away a tear that had slipped down my cheek.

"This isn’t goodbye," he whispered.

"I know."

"Look at me, Olivia." I raised my eyes to his, and he gave me a small, reassuring smile. "I’m still your Lucian. Nothing about that has changed. You can call me whenever you want, and if you need me, I’ll teleport straight to you. I don’t care what time it is."

I nodded, managing a faint smile through my tears.

"I’ll hold you to that."

"You’d better."

He kissed my forehead once more before taking my hand and leading me toward the door.

A few minutes later, we made our way downstairs. Leo was waiting near the entrance, and through the open doors, I could see a black royal car parked outside. Three guards stood beside it, while an older man dressed in a formal suit waited near the steps.

The moment we appeared, the messenger approached and bowed respectfully.

"Alpha Lucian. Miss Olivia."

Lucian barely acknowledged him.

"She’s ready," he said coldly.

"Thank you, Alpha. His Majesty has instructed us to escort Miss Olivia safely to the royal palace."

Lucian stepped closer to the messenger.

"Then you’d better make sure she arrives safely. If I hear that anyone has mistreated her, you’ll have more than my brother to worry about."

The messenger swallowed nervously.

"Of course, Alpha. You have my word."

I gently touched Lucian’s arm before he could say anything else.

"Please," I whispered.

He looked at me, and his expression softened. Without another word, he pulled me into his arms and held me tightly.

"I’ll come to see you," he murmured against my hair. "Every day."

I nodded, fighting back tears.

"Please do."

He kissed my forehead one last time before reluctantly releasing me. One of the guards opened the car door, and I slowly climbed inside, turning to look at Lucian through the open doorway.

He stood beside Leo, his hands clenched at his sides, watching me with an expression that made my heart ache. Just as the guard moved to close the door, Lucian suddenly stepped forward and caught it.

"Wait."

I looked up at him in surprise.

He leaned down, gently took my face in his hands, and kissed me one last time. It was brief, but when he pulled away, I could see the pain in his eyes.

"Take care of yourself, sweetheart," he whispered.

"You too."

He slowly straightened, but he didn’t move away from the car until the guard politely cleared his throat.

"Olivia," he called.

I looked at him.

"Remember what I told you. I’m bringing you back home."

I nodded, unable to trust my voice.

The guard closed the door, and a moment later, the car began moving. I turned in my seat and watched Lucian standing outside the mansion until the vehicle rounded a corner and he disappeared from sight.

Only then did I allow my tears to fall.

By the time we arrived at the royal palace two hours later, I had managed to calm myself, although my heart was still heavy. The enormous gates opened as our car approached, and several guards bowed as we drove through the beautifully maintained grounds.

I had visited the palace before, but arriving there under these circumstances felt completely different. This time, I wasn’t coming as a visitor. According to Lucas’s decree, I would be staying here until he decided otherwise.

The car stopped in front of the main entrance, and one of the guards opened my door.

"Welcome to the royal palace, Miss Olivia."

I stepped out, looking around nervously. A few servants were waiting near the entrance, and an elderly woman dressed in a neat black uniform approached me with a polite smile.

"Good afternoon, Miss Olivia. My name is Margaret, and I’ll be assisting you during your stay."

"Good afternoon," I replied quietly.

"His Majesty has instructed us to make sure you’re comfortable. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you to your room."

I nodded and followed her into the palace while one of the guards carried my suitcase behind us.

We walked through the enormous entrance hall and climbed the grand staircase leading to the upper floor. I expected Margaret to take me toward the guest wing, but instead, she led me down a quieter corridor guarded by two royal warriors.

I glanced around curiously as we continued walking. The corridor was noticeably different from the other parts of the palace. The decorations were more luxurious, the doors were spaced farther apart, and there were hardly any servants moving around. Two heavily armed guards stood at the entrance, and another pair was stationed farther down the hallway.

Although I had never walked through this particular corridor before, I immediately recognized the arrangement. I had worked in a pack house before, and I knew that areas reserved for an Alpha and his family were usually separated from the rest of the building. The royal palace was much larger, but the arrangement was quite similar.

This had to be the private royal wing.

I remembered that Lucas had once teleported me directly into his bedroom, but I hadn’t entered through the hallway or seen the surrounding rooms. Everything about this place was unfamiliar, although I had a strong suspicion about where Margaret was taking me.

"Excuse me, Margaret?" I called.

She stopped and turned toward me.

"Yes, Miss Olivia?"

"Where exactly are you taking me?"

"To your bedroom, of course."

I frowned and glanced down the corridor.

"But isn’t this the private royal wing?"

"Yes, Miss Olivia."

I stopped walking.

"Then why are we here? I thought I would be staying in one of the guest rooms."

Margaret exchanged a brief glance with the guard carrying my suitcase before turning back toward me.

"His Majesty gave us specific instructions regarding your accommodation."

"What instructions?"

She hesitated for a moment before answering.

"His Majesty has ordered that your bedroom be prepared directly beside his private chambers."

I stared at her in disbelief.

"What?"

Margaret bowed her head slightly.

"Your bedroom is right next to His Majesty’s, Miss Olivia."