Mated by Contract to the Alpha Chapter 165

Rebecca's POV

After her breakdown in the hospital, Olivia had spent three months in an intensive treatment program for her mental health issues. I had kept my promise to ensure she received the best care possible, and when she was released, I had personally arranged for her to have custody of James, with support and monitoring to ensure both their wellbeing.

Raymond stood, stretching. "I'll check on the cookie situation," he said, tactfully giving us privacy. "Make sure James doesn't clean out the entire kitchen."

As he disappeared inside, Olivia took the seat he had vacated, her hands clasped tightly in her lap.

"Thank you," she said after a moment, her voice soft but steady. "For letting me know when you'd be here today. I've wanted to speak with you properly for some time."

I studied her face, noting the healthy color in her cheeks and the clear look in her eyes. "You're looking well," I said honestly.

She nodded, a small smile touching her lips. "I feel well. The medication helps, and the therapy... it's given me tools to manage the ups and downs." She hesitated, then added, "And Trevor has been an incredible support."

"Trevor?" I asked, curious.

"Trevor Blackwood," she explained. "He's a Beta in the Brookland Pack that Emily oversees. We met at a community event three months ago." A gentle blush colored her cheeks. "He's... patient. Kind. Everything William wasn't."

I felt a genuine smile spread across my face. "I'm happy for you, Olivia."

She looked down at her hands, then back up at me, her expression serious. "Luna—Rebecca—I need to apologize. Properly. For everything I did to hurt you."

"Olivia, you don't need to—"

"I do," she interrupted firmly. "What I did was unforgivable. Breaking up your mate bond with William... I didn't understand then what I was doing. How sacred that connection is." She shook her head, regret evident in her expression. "I was selfish and blinded by what I thought was love."

"Did you know?" I asked the question that had lingered in my mind. "About William's illegal business with Dylan Hurst? The smuggling?"

Olivia shook her head emphatically. "No, I swear it. I knew William was ambitious and sometimes... ruthless. But I never imagined he was involved in anything like that." She sighed. "I was so focused on status, on being with someone powerful, that I ignored the warning signs of who he really was."

We sat in silence for a moment, the only sounds the gentle creaking of the porch swing and distant laughter from inside the house.

"I'm leaving the territory," Olivia said suddenly. "Trevor's been offered a position in his family's business in the west. He's asked James and me to go with him."

I looked at her in surprise. "That's a big step."

She nodded, a small smile playing at her lips. "It is. But I think it's the right one. A fresh start, away from the memories and the... complications here." She hesitated, then asked, "Do I have your blessing, Luna?"

The formal question caught me off guard. As Luna, I did technically have the authority to approve or deny a pack member's relocation, especially one with Olivia's complicated history. But the fact that she asked, with genuine respect and deference, told me more about her growth than any therapy report could.

"You have more than my blessing, Olivia," I said, reaching out to briefly touch her hand. "You have my forgiveness. Completely and officially."

Tears welled in her eyes, and she blinked rapidly to contain them. "Thank you," she whispered. "I don't deserve it, but I promise I'll live in a way that honors your mercy."

Just then, we heard the sound of tires on gravel, and both of us turned to see Dominic's sleek black Audi pulling up to the curb. He emerged from the driver's side, every inch the powerful Alpha in his tailored suit despite the casual setting.

"That's my cue," Olivia said, standing quickly. "James!" she called toward the house. "We should go!"

James appeared in the doorway, his face smeared with chocolate. "Five more minutes? Uncle Ray was going to show me his fishing lures!"

"Next time, buddy," Raymond said, appearing behind him with a paper towel that he used to wipe the boy's face. "Your mommy's waiting, and Luna Rebecca needs to get home for the big dinner tonight."

James sighed dramatically but allowed himself to be cleaned up and ushered down the porch steps. As they passed Dominic, James offered a respectful "Hello, Alpha," which Dominic acknowledged with a grave nod before ruffling the boy's hair affectionately.

Olivia hesitated at the bottom of the steps, then dipped into a formal curtsy. "Thank you, Luna. For everything."

I nodded, watching as she guided James to her modest sedan parked across the street. Dominic climbed the porch steps, his eyes following my gaze.

"Everything alright?" he asked, bending to kiss me softly.

"Yes," I said, meaning it. "I think it will be."

Dominic helped me to my feet, his hand automatically moving to rest on my rounded belly. "How's our daughter today?"

"Active," I replied, covering his hand with mine. "She's going to be a fighter, like her brother."

Dominic smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners in the way I loved. "Your mother called. She's worried you won't be back in time to change for the diplomatic dinner tonight."

I groaned, leaning my head against his shoulder. "I escaped from one formal event only to face another. Being Luna is exhausting sometimes."

He chuckled, the sound rumbling in his chest. "You love it and you know it. Besides, you left poor Emily to handle the final ceremonies by herself."

"She was doing fine," I protested weakly. "And this crown gives me headaches."

Dominic pressed a kiss to my forehead. "We should go. Raymond, thank you for entertaining my Luna."

Raymond grinned. "Anytime, Alpha. Sofia will be sorry she missed you."

We said our goodbyes, and Dominic guided me to the car with a hand at the small of my back. As we pulled away from Raymond's house, I leaned my head against the window, watching the familiar streets pass by.

"Penny for your thoughts?" Dominic asked, his hand finding mine across the center console.

I turned to look at him, still sometimes struck by how handsome he was, especially when relaxed like this. "I was thinking about Lucas and the baby," I admitted. "I don't want them to grow up like Jason and me—distant, almost strangers."

Dominic's expression softened. "They won't," he said with certainty. "Lucas already talks to your belly every night, telling his sister about his day. And we'll love them both equally—that's my promise to you, as Alpha and as their father."

The absolute conviction in his voice washed over me, warm and reassuring. I leaned across to press a kiss to his cheek, feeling his love flow through our bond—steady, unshakable, and as vital to me as air.

As we drove toward home—toward our future—I found myself filled with a deep sense of peace. The road that had led me here had been winding and often treacherous, but every step had brought me closer to where I was meant to be: beside this man, leading this pack, building this family.

And for that, I was endlessly grateful.