Chapter 121: It’s She?

LUCIAN’S POV

I sat beside my brother, Alpha King Lucas, in the grand conference hall, listening as the Alphas from different packs discussed matters concerning their territories.

The annual Alpha Summit had begun almost two hours ago, and although several important matters had already been addressed, we still had a long list of issues to discuss before the meeting could end.

As one of the highest-ranking Alphas in the kingdom, I was expected to participate in every important discussion. However, my mind kept wandering back to Olivia. I hadn’t seen her since yesterday, and I was already looking forward to seeing her.

I wondered what she was doing at that moment. Was she thinking about me too, or was I the only one having difficulty concentrating?

I sighed quietly and forced myself to pay attention to the discussion.

"Alpha Lucian, what do you think about the proposal?"

I raised my head when one of the Alphas addressed me.

"I believe we should strengthen security along the borders before considering any expansion," I replied. "There’s no point in acquiring more territory if we cannot protect what we already have."

Several Alphas nodded in agreement. Lucas, who was seated at the head of the long conference table, gave a slight nod before turning his attention to the next speaker.

"Alpha Lucian has a point," Alpha Raymond said. "Some packs are already struggling to protect their existing borders. Expanding their territories will only create more problems."

"Then perhaps the kingdom should provide additional guards," another Alpha suggested. "Some of the smaller packs cannot afford to maintain a large army."

"Providing guards is one thing," Lucas replied firmly. "But every Alpha must also take responsibility for protecting his own territory. We cannot have packs depending entirely on the royal army whenever there’s a security problem."

I nodded in agreement.

"His Majesty is right. However, I suggest we establish a joint patrol system along the borders shared by neighboring packs. That way, suspicious movements can be reported before they become serious threats."

"That sounds reasonable," Raymond said.

A few other Alphas voiced their agreement, and Lucas instructed the royal secretary to record the proposal for further consideration.

The discussion continued, moving from border security to disputes between neighboring packs. I contributed whenever necessary, but my thoughts kept returning to Olivia.

It was becoming ridiculous.

I had attended countless meetings like this without any difficulty. I could sit through hours of arguments, settle disputes between powerful Alphas, and make important decisions without losing concentration.

Yet here I was, struggling to keep my mind away from one woman.

I leaned back in my chair and glanced at Lucas. He appeared completely focused on the discussion, occasionally interrupting whenever an Alpha made an unreasonable suggestion.

I wished I could concentrate as easily as he did.

A few minutes later, several servers entered the hall carrying trays of refreshments. They moved quietly between the seats, placing drinks and snacks before the Alphas without interrupting the discussion.

I barely paid them any attention until a young woman approached my side of the table. She had long brown hair that fell over her shoulders, and she was carrying a silver tray with several glasses of juice.

"Your drink, Alpha," she said politely.

I glanced at the tray and shook my head. "No, thank you."

She was about to move away when she suddenly stopped. For a moment, she simply stared at me, her eyes widening in what appeared to be disbelief.

"It’s you!" she exclaimed.

I frowned. "Excuse me?"

"It’s really you!"

"Young lady!" Alpha Raymond, who was seated beside me, snapped. "Have you forgotten your manners? How dare you address an Alpha of his rank in such a disrespectful manner?"

The woman immediately lowered her head. "I’m so sorry, Alpha. I didn’t mean to be disrespectful."

"Then remember your place," Raymond warned. "You’re here to serve refreshments, not interrupt the summit."

"I apologize, Alpha. It won’t happen again."

She bowed quickly and turned to leave.

"Wait."

She stopped immediately, and I studied her face for a moment before speaking.

"Do you know me from somewhere?"

She hesitated, glancing nervously at the other Alphas.

"Yes, Alpha."

"Where?"

She looked at me again. "You really don’t remember me?"

"Should I?"

A small, almost disappointed smile appeared on her face.

"Well, I suppose you wouldn’t remember me. You weren’t exactly conscious when we met."

My expression changed. "What did you just say?"

She shifted the tray in her hands.

"I said you weren’t conscious when we met. You were badly injured, and I wasn’t even sure you were going to survive."

Something tightened inside my chest.

"Where did we meet?"

"In the forest between Blood Moon Pack and Silver Crest Pack," she answered. "Four years ago. I found you lying unconscious among the trees. You were badly injured, and I helped you."

For several seconds, I couldn’t speak.

What the hell?

"You found me in the forest?"

She nodded. "I did. You were in terrible condition when I found you. I honestly thought you were going to die."

My heart began pounding.

Could it be?

Was this the woman I had spent four years searching for? The woman my wolf had recognized as our mate?

For four years, I had wondered what had happened to her. I had searched for her, hoping that one day I would finally find the woman who had saved my life.

And now someone was standing right in front of me, claiming to be that woman.

I slowly pushed my chair back.

"Are you telling me that you’re the woman who saved my life that morning?"

"Yes, Alpha. I’m the one."

"Lucian?"

I turned toward Lucas, who was watching us with a serious expression.

"Is she the woman you’ve been searching for?"

I couldn’t answer immediately. The woman looked between us, appearing confused.

"Searching for me?"

Lucas turned toward her.

"Young lady, are you absolutely certain you’re the one who found my brother unconscious in the forest?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. I wouldn’t lie about something like that."

She opened her mouth as though she wanted to explain further, but I raised my hand.

"That’s enough."

She immediately fell silent. I turned toward one of my personal guards standing near the entrance.

"Take this woman outside and remain with her until I come."

Her eyes widened. "Alpha, have I done something wrong?"

"No. Just go with him."

"But I don’t understand. I only wanted to—"

"I said go."

She lowered her head. "Yes, Alpha."

The guard approached her and gestured toward the entrance. She followed him out, still carrying her tray.

I watched until the doors closed behind them.

"Alpha Lucian?"

I turned toward the Alpha who had been speaking before the interruption.

"Shall we continue?"

I looked at the documents lying before me, but I could barely remember what we had been discussing. My thoughts were completely occupied by the woman who had just left.

If she was telling the truth, then I had finally found my mate.

But something wasn’t right.

Why didn’t you react? I asked my wolf.

Because I don’t recognize her, he replied.

I frowned.

What do you mean? She claims she’s the woman who saved us.

I heard her, Lucian. But I don’t feel any mate bond with her.

My stomach tightened.

That didn’t make sense. Although the poison had left me unable to move or open my eyes that morning, my wolf had been conscious enough to recognize the presence of our mate.

He had been certain.

So why couldn’t he recognize her now?