Lennox’s POV
They say there is no greater love than the love between a father and his children. Tonight... I understood it. I felt it in my bones. I felt it in the way Liam hugged without thinking twice. I felt it in Leon’s shy smile. I felt it in little Leo squeezing my hand like he was holding onto sothing precious.
It hit harder than any pain I have felt these past days.
It was pure. It was real. It was unconditional.
For a mont at that dinner table, I forgot the wheelchair. I forgot the wolf I lost. I forgot the sha. I forgot every damn thing that broke .
All I saw... all I felt... was them.
I almost cried, God, I almost cried right there at the table, but I forced myself to breathe steadily, to hold it in. I did not want the boys thinking their father was weak.
So I focused on them alone. I ignored everyone else. Levi’s stare. Louis’s guilt. Olivia’s teary eyes.
They did not exist to . Only my boys did.
After dinner, I hugged each one close, whispering goodnight. Liam hugged twice. Leon kissed my cheek. Leo climbed onto my lap for a second before the guard gently lifted him down.
When the guard asked where I wanted to go next, I did not even think.
"The fountain," I said.
I needed air. I needed silence. I needed space to breathe.
He wheeled through the halls. Servants bowed quickly, too quickly. Their eyes dropped just a little too fast. Golden must have given them a warning. But I would deal with them later.
The night air at the fountain was cool. Soft. The sound of running water cald , soothed the part of my heart that had been burning all day. I closed my eyes and inhaled deeply, letting the calm sink into my bones.
Then I heard footsteps.
Light ones.
Annabella.
She walked closer and stopped beside . "Alpha, are you cold? Should I bring a blanket?"
I kept my eyes closed. "No. I am fine."
She hesitated. "Should I call for warm tea?"
"I said I am fine," I replied more firmly.
She nodded and took a step back. I heard her turn to leave, but sothing in stopped her.
"Annabella," I said quietly.
She paused instantly.
I opened my eyes slowly and turned my head just enough to see her.
Her hands were clasped nervously in front of her. She did not look in the eye.
"What happened today with Olivia," I said, my voice low but sharp. "Do not ever let that happen again."
She swallowed hard.
"I do not care if I am angry at her. I do not care if she provoked . I do not care what you think you know. You do not speak to her like that. Not in my presence. Not even behind my back."
Annabella’s shoulders tensed. She lowered her head even more. "I understand, Alpha, it will not happen again."
I nodded once. "Good."
She bowed deeply before turning and walking away, her steps small and silent. Sothing told she was embarrassed. Maybe ashad. She cared for too much, and it clouded her judgent.
The mont she disappeared around the corner...
Olivia walked out from behind the stone pillar and stopped beside my wheelchair.
I stiffened instantly.
I did not look at her. I did not acknowledge her. I did not even breathe properly.
She folded her hands in front of her, staring at the fountain with . "I am glad you joined us for dinner," she said softly. "The boys were really happy."
I did not respond.
She waited.
Then she tried again. "And you seed better. More relaxed. It made feel relieved."
Still nothing.
She turned a little toward , her voice barely above a whisper. "Lennox..."
I kept my eyes on the water.
Ignoring her was not easy. Not when my heart still knew her scent. Not when her voice still did things to .
But I stayed silent.
Because right now... she did not deserve my words.
Not after everything.
And she knew it.
She exhaled shakily, her hands tightening in front of her as she stared down at the ground.
"I know you are ignoring ," she whispered. "And I know I deserve it."
I kept staring at the fountain, letting the silence stretch. Olivia stayed there beside , small, quiet, unsure. I could feel her eyes on , feel her breath rise and fall, feel her waiting for .
But I did not look at her.
She whispered, "I know you are ignoring , and I know I deserve it."
I still did not move.
Did not blink.
Did not turn.
But the words moved sowhere deep inside , sowhere I did not want touched.
A long minute passed before I finally spoke, my voice low, rough, and controlled.
"I should not have slapped you."
Olivia’s breath caught.
I did not look at her. I kept watching the water as I continued, "I lost control. I snapped. And it was not right."
She turned fully toward , her eyes soft. "Lennox, I provoked you. I should not have said".
"No."
My voice cut softly but firmly.
I still did not face her.
"I am the man. I am the Alpha. I am supposed to have control. No matter what you said, no matter how angry I was, I should not have touched you. It will not happen again."
There was a silence, a heavy, emotional silence that wrapped itself around both of us.
But before she could speak again, I shook my head slowly.
"Olivia, listen to ."
She froze.
My voice cracked slightly, not with weakness but exhaustion. "I really want you to stay away from ."
She flinched like I stabbed her.
I whispered, "Please, stay away. Do not co near . Do not talk to . Do not check on . Do not try to fix anything. Just let be."
"Lennox," she breathed.
"I am begging you."
The words tasted bitter, humiliating, but true.
"Just stay away from ."
She stood there trembling, her lips parting like she wanted to say sothing, apologize, or explain, but nothing ca out.
I could not hold her gaze even if I wanted to.
Because if I looked at her, even for one second, I knew I would break.
I lifted my hand slightly and signaled to the guards.
Two of them hurried toward us.
Olivia wiped her eyes quickly, pretending she was not crying, but I saw. I saw everything.
"Take to my room," I said quietly.
"Yes, Alpha," the guards answered.
They positioned themselves behind my wheelchair and wheeled away.
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