Olivia's POV
The entire day, Ethan's attention lingered on me like a presence in the room. His wolf seemed closer, too, watching me with an intensity I hadn’t felt before.
It was the small things: how his gaze seemed to follow me as I moved, and the tension in his jaw whenever I spoke to someone else. Yet when I tried to talk to him directly, he’d withdraw, leaving me frustrated.
I’m done with this dance, and I deserve answers. Which is how I ended up here, eavesdropping once again outside Ethan’s office.
“...Derek’s ultimatum,” Ethan said, his tone tight with anger. “Pressuring me to complete the bond – it’s a power play, plain and simple.”
Marlus sighed. “Maybe so, but the council doesn’t respect incomplete bonds. You know how they are. For them, appearances are everything, and D
