Chapter 117: The Message

OLIVIA’S POV

I was lying on my bed, preparing to sleep, when my phone suddenly rang. I reached for it on the bedside table and smiled when I saw Lucian’s name on the screen. It was already quite late, and I hadn’t expected to hear from him again tonight, especially after everything that had happened at dinner.

"Hello, Lucian."

"Hey, Olivia. Are you asleep?"

"Not yet. I was just about to sleep. Is everything okay?"

"Everything’s fine. I was wondering if I could come over."

I sat up immediately. "Come over? Now?"

"Yes. I want to teleport into your room, but I thought I should ask for your permission first."

I smiled at his words. After everything that had happened with Lucas earlier, I appreciated that Lucian had bothered to ask. It was such a simple thing, but it made a difference to me. At least he understood that being able to teleport didn’t give him the right to appear in my bedroom whenever he pleased.

"Of course. You can come."

"All right. But get dressed first."

I glanced down at my nightgown. "Dressed? Are we going somewhere?"

"Yes, but you don’t need to wear anything fancy. Just put on something comfortable."

"Okay. Give me a few minutes."

"Take your time."

I ended the call and climbed out of bed. Since I was wearing my nightgown, I quickly changed into a pair of joggers and a comfortable T-shirt. After brushing my hair, I sat on the edge of the bed to wait for him. I couldn’t help wondering where he intended to take me at such an hour. Knowing Lucian, he probably had something planned, and besides, after the stressful evening I’d had, spending some time alone with him sounded like exactly what I needed.

A few moments later, Lucian appeared in the middle of my bedroom.

"Hey," he greeted with a smile.

"Hi."

His gaze moved over my clothes before returning to my face. "Ready?"

"Yes, but where are we going?"

"You’ll see." He stretched out his hand toward me. "Come with me."

I smiled and placed my hand in his without asking any more questions. He pulled me gently to my feet, and a moment later, we teleported out of the bedroom.

When I opened my eyes, I found myself standing on the rooftop of Lucian’s mansion at Full Moon Pack. I recognized the place immediately, but something was different tonight. A small table had been arranged near the outdoor seating area, with two chairs and several covered dishes. The rooftop lights were on, and the cool night breeze brushed against my face. From where I stood, I could see the lights from several buildings in the distance. The rooftop was peaceful, and unlike the palace, where there always seemed to be someone walking around, we had the entire place to ourselves.

I turned toward Lucian in surprise. "What’s all this?"

"Dinner."

"Dinner?" I repeated, glancing at the table.

He chuckled. "Yes, Olivia. I noticed you barely touched your food earlier, so I figured you might be hungry."

My heart warmed at his thoughtfulness. "You noticed?"

"Of course I noticed. I was sitting right there."

I smiled and glanced at the table again. "You didn’t have to do all this."

"I know. But I wanted to." He pulled out one of the chairs. "Come on. Sit down before the food gets cold."

I walked toward the table and sat down while he took the chair opposite mine. When he removed the covers from the dishes, I couldn’t help smiling. The food looked delicious, and the aroma immediately reminded me that I hadn’t eaten much at the palace. I had been so upset about Lucas’s announcement that I’d completely lost my appetite during dinner. Now that I was away from the palace and everything that had happened there, I was beginning to realize just how hungry I was.

"Thank you, Lucian. This is really sweet of you."

"You’re welcome. Now eat."

I laughed softly and picked up my fork. Lucian watched me take my first bite before serving himself some food. For a few minutes, we ate and talked about ordinary things. He asked whether I was comfortable at the palace, and I told him that his family had been surprisingly welcoming. I even mentioned how James and the twins had made me laugh during dinner. Lucian smiled as I spoke, occasionally adding something funny about his siblings. Listening to him talk about his family made me realize how much he enjoyed being around them, even though they sometimes got on his nerves.

However, I couldn’t stop thinking about Lucas’s announcement at dinner. I knew Lucian was upset about it, and I didn’t want him worrying unnecessarily.

"Lucian, about what happened at dinner earlier, I want you to know that I had absolutely no idea Lucas was going to announce that he intended to marry me."

"I know, Olivia," he replied. "I could tell from your reaction."

"Good. Because I don’t want you thinking that there’s something going on between us. Lucas is just being stubborn, and I think he’s bluffing. He can’t just announce that he wants to marry me and expect me to agree."

Lucian sighed. "I know my brother, Olivia. When Lucas wants something, he doesn’t give up easily."

"Well, he’s going to have to learn that he can’t always get what he wants."

He smiled slightly at my response and studied me for a moment before reaching across the table and taking my hand.

"Olivia, I don’t want you to feel pressured because of my brother. Whatever happens, I want you to make your own decisions."

"I know, Lucian. And I’ve already made mine. Lucas’s announcement hasn’t changed how I feel about you."

A smile slowly appeared on his face. "Are you sure?"

"Of course I’m sure."

Lucian lifted my hand and pressed a gentle kiss against my knuckles. "Then that’s all I needed to hear."

I smiled, feeling some of the tension from earlier finally leave my body. There was something reassuring about being with Lucian. He never made me feel as though I had to defend every decision I made, and after my argument with Lucas, I appreciated that more than ever.

"Now, can we please stop talking about your brother? I’ve had enough of Lucas for one night."

Lucian laughed. "Gladly. I didn’t bring you here to spend the entire evening discussing him."

"Good."

He released my hand and gestured toward my plate. "Then finish your food. You still have a lot left."

I laughed and picked up my fork again. "You’re becoming very bossy, Alpha Lucian."

He grinned. "Only because someone needs to make sure you eat properly."

I shook my head, smiling as I continued eating. For the first time since Lucas’s announcement, I could finally relax and enjoy the evening.

"Oh, I almost forgot!" Lucian suddenly exclaimed.

I looked up from my plate. "Forgot what?"

"I got something for you."

"Something for me?" I asked, surprised.

He smiled. "Yes. It’s a necklace, actually. I left it in my bedroom. Give me a moment. I’ll teleport there and get it."

I immediately rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Lucian? Must you people teleport everywhere? Can’t you use your legs for once?"

He burst into laughter. "Wait, are you seriously asking me to walk when I can teleport?"

"Yes! Use your legs and go!" I replied, pointing toward the rooftop entrance.

He laughed even harder. "All right, Your Highness. Since you’ve given me an order, I suppose I have no choice."

"Exactly. Now go!"

Still chuckling, he shook his head and headed toward the rooftop entrance. I watched him leave with a smile before returning my attention to my food. Honestly, these people and their teleportation abilities! Sometimes, I wondered whether they even remembered what walking was. Not that I was complaining about teleportation itself. It was certainly convenient, especially when someone wanted to travel between packs without spending hours on the road. But did they really have to use it for something as simple as going downstairs to pick up a necklace?

Almost a minute later, Lucian’s phone suddenly vibrated on the table. I glanced at it briefly before continuing to eat. However, a few seconds later, it vibrated again, and I found myself looking toward the phone.

Normally, I would never think of checking someone else’s messages. I respected people’s privacy, and I certainly wouldn’t appreciate anyone going through my phone without permission. But for some strange reason, I couldn’t seem to ignore it. I tried focusing on my food, but my eyes kept drifting toward the phone.

Olivia, what is wrong with you? It’s not your phone!

I shook my head and took another bite. Yet the strange urge refused to disappear. It was almost as though something was compelling me to look at the screen. Eventually, curiosity got the better of me, and I put down my fork and reached for the phone.

The screen lit up when I picked it up, revealing two message notifications from someone saved as Tracker Garret.

The first message read:

Alpha Lucian, as you instructed, we’ve officially stopped searching for the woman who saved you in the forest.

I frowned. The woman who saved him? I remembered Lucian telling me about the woman who had saved his life in the forest. Curious, I moved my eyes to the second message.

However, Alpha, are you absolutely certain you want to abandon the search for your fated mate?

My heart skipped a beat.

His fated mate?