Olivia's POV
The room felt suffocating despite its size, the walls closing in as I sat across from Mia in my office at Lunera Beauty. My fingers curled around a steaming mug of tea, but I barely felt the warmth.
My mind was stuck replaying the moment Marlus informed me that Matthew had been taken into Alpha Council custody.
“He played me,” I said finally, breaking the heavy silence. My voice was low, raw with my messy emotions. “I let him get so close, Mia. To me, to my Pack, to my work. And now he’s tied to Rogues. To Chloe.”
Mia’s sharp green eyes softened as she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the edge of my desk. “Babes, don’t do this to yourself.”
“How can I not?” My grip tightened on the mug, the ceramic dangerously close to cracking. “I’m supposed to protect my Pack. To
