Olivia POV 

I can feel Ace’s anger as Liam leads us back to the car. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with you, my lord? My loyalty is to you as much as it is to King Hudson,” Liam says. “Liam again, please just call me Ace and, as much as I appreciate the offer, alerting the council of your existence is not a good idea right now. We will be back as soon as we can,” Ace says, reaching for my door. 

An overwhelming feeling of being watched has me looking around. My heart starts to race. “Danica, am I losing it?” “No, I feel it too, but I’m not sure what it is. Whatever it is, it isn’t nearly as strong as us or the Lycans. It’s keeping itself hidden out of fear. “Olivia, what’s wrong,” Ace asks through our link. “There is something out there watching us. I’m not sure what it is but Danica and I both feel it.” This time it’s Ace looking around. 

“Liam, get back to the cottage. I’m not sure what the hell is out here with us, but Olivia senses something, Ace says. “It’s probably the vampires. They are always looking for a way to get to the king. We believe that the council is working with them. It’s not the first time they have sent supernaturals to try to break through the barrier. Now you need to go and protect our princess,” Liam says and I smile. Despite the cluster**k of our first meeting, I feel we can trust Liam and Hudson. 

Ace pulls open my door while watching Liam head back through the trees. Once I’m in my seat, he rounds the car and slides into the driver’s seat. He grips my hand as he pulls back onto the road. The feeling doesn’t subside until Ace pulls onto the main road. The ride to the pack feels tense. We are both worried about the lies that Candace has spewed to the council. “I don’t give a sh*t what the council says. They won’t take our 

pup,” Danica says. 

“Of course not. Della is ours and no one will take her from us.” When we finally pull up to the pack gates, Kevin is waiting. The gates open and Ace quickly parks the car. “You both need to be calm. Going in there angry isn’t going to help the situation. None of us are going to allow them to take her,” Kevin says. We both nod and follow Kevin inside. When we reach the office, Kevin knocks once before pushing the door open. 

I step inside first, followed by Ace, who hasn’t let go of my hand. Two men that look much older than Xavier are seated in front of Connor’s desk. Connor stands walking over to greet me. He pulls me in for a hug. “Stay calm, Oli,” he says. If he only knew it’s not only me he has to worry about now. He is going to freak out when he finds out about Ace. He pulls back and motions toward the men. “Olj and Ace, these are Councilman Finn and Gregory. They are here to discuss the custody of Della,” he says. 

I fight the growl that wants to escape my throat. “Thank you both for agreeing to return to discuss this urgent matter. Olivia, I realize that you are mated to Ace, but what is your relationship to Alpha Connor,” Finn asks. “Of course, we want this resolved as quickly as possible,” Ace says. “I am Connor’s sister.” “I hadn’t realized that Luna Evelyn had two pups. Do you live here in the pack,” Gregory asks. 

“I didn’t before, but I do now.” “Can I ask why,” Gregory asks. “Is that really relevant to Della’s custody?” “I believe it is. Della may grow to have a wolf. If you haven’t lived in the pack for a reason that leaving it again, that’s a concern for the pup’s well–being,” Gregory says. I tighten my fists at my side but keep myself under control. “I’m currently in the process of selling my home in the human city. Ace and I are fully mated, and I consider Della my pup. I will never leave them, unlike Candace.” 

¡ave you 

<50 Tell the Truth 

(Points) 

I can tell that Gregory doesn’t like my dig at Candace. “Well, you aren’t truly mated since Ace is human,” Gregory says. I can feel Ace’s anger through our bond. I take a step closer to him so he can breathe in my scent. “The bond is complete regardless of Ace being human. It is solid and strong. Now I’m sure my brother has already informed you that Candace signed her rights away to the pup when she abandoned Ace and Della. So what other questions do you have?” 

“Luna Candace has said that she never intended to allow her pup to remain here permanently. She felt she had no choice when she left the pack to be with her mate but to sign the paper. She also acted out of guilt for the pain she caused you, Dr. Morris” Gregory says. Without warning, Ace throws his head back and 

laughs. 

The room goes silent as my eyes meet Gregory’s who looks irritated by Ace’s laughter. “Do you find something funny about this situation, Dr. Morris” he asks. “Absolutely. I think it’s hilarious that Candace can lie like it’s her job because not one thing she said to you is true,” he says. “What exactly did she lie about Dr. 

Morris,” Finn asks this time. 

Ace POV 

I shouldn’t be shocked about the lies that b**ch has fed the council, but I am. She even told them that Roman 

was her f**king mate, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. “Everything she told you was a lie. Before she left me to be with Roman she had told me we were mates. That is why I married her. Unfortunately, because ! am human, I had no idea she was lying until the day she left the pack. She also informed me that day she had rejected her goddess–given mate, who was an omega in this pack when she turned eighteen.” 

“As far as leaving Della behind, that had nothing to do with feeling sorry for me. She told me she never wanted a pup, but she figured having one would tie me to her. She even poked holes in the condoms to ensure it happened. I love my daughter and I would never take back having her, but I sure as hell wish it wasn’t with that conniving woman.” Olivia’s growl has me pulling her close to my side. I never told her some 

of this, not because I was trying to keep it from her, but it didn’t seem important. 

“If all this is true Dr. Morris, then why did we watch the Luna practically fall apart when talking about missing her pup? I understand you love your pup, but don’t you think she deserves to be with her mother? I understand 

you have a mate now, but she isn’t the pup’s real mother,” Gregory says, practically snickering at Olivia. 

“I want to snap this pr*ck’s neck. He is a slimy ba**ard. I can’t get a read on the other one yet, but this one 

was definitely involved with what happened to our father,” Ryker says. “I think we should speak with the pup. 

Candace also believes that your mate is poisoning her daughter against her. I’d like to see for myself that the 

child actually wants to remain here without her real mother,” Gregory says. 

If he says real mother one more time, I may not be able to stop Ryker from taking over. “I’ll go get her,” Olivia 

says before she pushes up on her toes to peck my lips. Just the small contact quells some of the anger 

rolling through me. When the door clicks shut, Gregory speaks again. “I mean no disrespect Dr. Morris, as I 

know you are part of the pack, but the truth is you are a human. It is likely that your daughter will have a wolf 

someday and will need a real parent that can show her what it means to be a wolf,” Gregory says. 

understand how 

“Gregory” Finn says his name as if in warning. “What Finn, I am simply stating the obvio 

Dr. Morris came to be part of the pack, but that doesn’t make him one of us.” “No, it doesn’t, but that doesn’t 

mean I’m not the best parent for my daughter. You keep saying that Candace is her real mother, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. A mother doesn’t abandon her daughter for any reason, let alone a rank. Olivia has been more of a mother to my daughter in the short time we have been mated than Candace ever 

2/3 

Su Tell the Th 

was.” 

I’m grateful when the door opens and Della steps into the office. She immediately rushes toward me and scoop her up. “Daddy, I missed you.” “You just saw me this morning silly girl, but I missed you too minet mommy too” she says, looking back at Olivia. A throat clearing has us all looking back at the twe 

councilmen 

“Della, my name is Finn and this is Gregory. We are from the Wolf Council. We are here because your mommy Candace, wants us to bring you to her pack Della immediately wraps her arms around my neck fighter No. 1 don’t want to live with Candace. I want to stay with my daddy and mommy she says. Pyker and I don’t like seeing our pup this upset. “Della, Candace is your mommy. Has someone told you that Olivia has to be your 

mommy now,” Gregory asks. 

Della picks up her head and looks at Gregory. “Mommies aren’t supposed to be mean. They aren’t supposed to tell you that you’re bad all the time. Mommies aren’t supposed to leave and say bad words like half–breed to their pups. Oli is my mommy. She loves me. She is nice and likes me. Her daddy was a human like mine Della says, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. I press a kiss on her forehead. I look back at the two men and I can tell that Finn seems to be satisfied with Della’s answers, but Gregory is far from 

done.