Cole's POV
Throughout today, only one person had been on my mind—the girl whose soft, gentle nature stole my breath. The girl whose purity and naïve sweetness made my heart race.
Olivia Miller.
Truthfully, I had always liked her. But she always avoided me—like speaking to me, looking at me, or even passing near me was some forbidden sin. Yet the more she pulled away, the more my interest grew. The more she hid, the more I wanted her.
And today… when she finally spoke to me… I couldn't hide how nervous I was.
Back at the Banquet
Not only was I searching for her now, but I was also trying to shake off someone annoying—Hailey.
I was one of the few people who saw her for who she truly was beneath her polished mask—self-centered, cruel, and rotten at heart. I had known her long enough. When her father was appointed as the next Alpha King's Beta, our families grew close. We used to be friends. She wasn't always like this. She used to be sweet… kind… warm.
But something changed.
She changed.
Darkness seeped into her. Arrogance. Cruelty. Every word she spoke carried poison.
Maybe I was part of the reason she became this way. When my father talked constantly about how she might be my mate, I stayed silent… because I didn't want that. I already had someone else in my heart.
But a part of me wished Hailey could return to that innocent girl she once was.
I excused myself from my father, brother, and the rest of the royals. The music began.
I had promised Olivia a dance.
I had to find her.
As I scanned the crowd, a familiar, high-pitched voice rang through the hall—one I'd known half my life.
"Cole!"
Hailey stepped in front of me, batting her lashes, her voice suddenly soft—so different from the sharp tone she used seconds ago.
"Let's dance," she purred.
I barely heard her. My eyes were desperately searching. My heart was searching.
"Cole! Are you listening?" she snapped, her sweet mask cracking.
"Hey, Hailey… have you seen your sister around?"
Her face twisted in confusion. "Sister? What sister?"
"Olivia. Olivia Miller."
Hailey blinked, then smirked. "You mean goblin?"
Her voice dripped with contempt. "Why would you be looking for that waste of space?"
My blood ran hot.
"Why would you call her that?" I asked, but Hailey didn't notice the anger simmering in my voice.
"Oh, did she do something stupid again? She's so dumb—"
"Hailey."
My voice dropped. A growl.
"Watch it. Don't you ever talk about her that way."
Hailey froze, clearly stunned.
"C-Cole, I—"
"Where is she?" I cut sharply.
Her jaw clenched. "I… I saw her leave the estate hours ago."
I didn't wait.
Didn't breathe.
Didn't speak.
I left immediately.
I needed to find Olivia.
Meanwhile… Inside the Miller Study
Ophelia, Hailey, Eric, Elder Ember, and several royal officials stood trembling. None dared to breathe too loudly.
Because seated before them was the one man whose presence could silence the world—
Alpha King Draven.
Beside him stood his eldest son—
Prince Reiden, wielder of the forbidden Dark Moon.
The room froze as Draven slowly opened his eyes.
"Where is she?"
The deep command rolled through the room like thunder. No one answered. Silence stretched painfully.
Another growl rippled through the air.
"Ophelia," Draven said calmly—too calmly. "Where is the child?"
In a flash, Ophelia was lifted off the ground by an invisible force, choking, clawing at her neck as Draven held out a single hand. The others watched in terror.
"S-she… she's missing!" Ophelia gasped.
Draven's eyes widened slightly—an expression no one had ever seen on his stone-like face.
His grip tightened. Ophelia turned pale.
"You lost the child?" His voice dropped into something cold. Ancient. Deadly.
"Forgive us, my king…" Ophelia and Eric begged.
He released her. She collapsed to the floor, wheezing.
Draven's voice shook the walls."Do you know what you've done? That child is the last descendant of the Athera Kingdom. Born with divine blood. Born with a power that could crush the world."
His eyes burned red.