Levi''s POV


    The council hall was full.


    Elders sat in their seats. Warriors stood along the walls. The room felt heavy and serious.


    Louis sat on my right.


    Lennox sat at the center.


    For the first time since Lennox returned, the three of us were seated together on the high chairs meant for leaders.


    It felt strange.


    Quiet.


    Then the head elder slowly stood up.


    "Alpha Lennox," he said. "Wee home."


    Soft voices filled the room.


    "Wee back."


    "We thought you were gone forever."


    "The pack missed you."


    Lennox stood up.


    "I''m here," he said. "And I''m not leaving again."


    Something tight in my chest loosened.


    The elder nodded. "Your return brings bnce back to the pack."


    He turned to look at me and Louis.


    "To Alpha Levi and Alpha Louis," he said, "we thank you for leading the pack while Alpha Lennox was gone. You protected us. You kept us standing."


    My throat tightened.


    I didn''t feel like I deserved those words.


    But the elders bowed their heads anyway.


    "Together," another elder said, "you three are the strength of this pack."


    Strength.


    The word hurt.


    Because someone important was missing.


    The meeting continued. They talked about borders, guards, and safety. I answered when needed. Louis spoke about ns. Lennox listened carefully.


    He was learning what had changed.


    Finally, the elder hit his staff on the floor.


    "This meeting is over."


    People stood and slowly left.


    Soon, the hall was almost empty.


    But before we could leave, one of the elders stepped closer.


    His face was serious.


    "Alpha Lennox," he said carefully, "there is something I feel you should know."


    Lennox turned back. "What is it?"


    The elder hesitated, then spoke.


    "A friend of mine attended a gathering two nights ago. He said he saw Luna Olivia there."


    My heart skipped.


    "With Alpha Adrian," the elder added quietly. "They were dancing. Very closely."


    The room went dead silent.


    Lennox''s jaw tightened.


    "Are you sure?" Lennox asked, his voice low. Dangerous.


    "Yes," the elder replied. "He was certain. I didn''t want to bring it up during the council meeting, but I felt it was right to inform you."


    I felt the tension snap tight.


    Lennox''s eyes darkened. A low growl rumbled from his chest.


    I stepped forward quickly.


    "It''s nothing," I said calmly. "Olivia was just having a dance. That''s all."


    The elder frowned. "So the report—"


    "Dismiss it," I said firmly. "There''s no issue here."


    The elder studied my face for a moment, then bowed his head.


    "As you say, Alpha Levi."


    He turned and walked away.


    But the damage was already done.


    Lennox didn''t say another word.


    He turned sharply and walked out of the hall.


    Louis and I exchanged a look.


    Then we followed.


    Lennox''s room was dark when we entered.


    He was standing by the table, a bottle of whiskey in his hand.


    He took a long drink.


    "Don''t jump to conclusions," I said quietly.


    Heughed once. Bitter.


    "Jump to conclusions?" he said. "She clearly told us she wouldn''t stop us from dating someone else if we wanted."


    He took another drink.


    "And what if she wants Alpha Adrian?" he continued. "What if she already does?"


    "That doesn''t mean anything," Louis said. "Dancing doesn''t mean—"


    "It means many things," Lennox snapped.


    I stepped closer. "She said she needed space. Not that she stopped loving us."


    Lennox stared at the bottle in his hand.


    "Maybe I am just scared," he said quietly.


    "Or maybe… my gut is correct."


    The room fell silent.


    I stepped closer and tapped Lennox''s shoulder gently.


    "Let it be," I said quietly. "Don''t let fear control you."


    He didn''t look at me.


    I waited for him to say something.


    He didn''t.


    So I stepped back.


    Louis nced at me, then at Lennox, but said nothing.


    We left him there, standing alone in the dark room, the bottle still in his hand.


    Hourster, night had fallen.


    The packhouse was quiet again.


    I went down for dinner.


    The moment I entered the dining room, I stopped.


    Olivia was there.


    She was seated at the long table with the boys,ughing softly as she helped Leo with his food. Liam was talking excitedly, waving his spoon in the air. Leon leaned close to her side, smiling.


    She looked calm.


    Peaceful.


    Like she belonged there.


    My chest tightened.


    This was what we had been missing.


    Then the door opened.


    Lennox walked in.


    The room changed instantly.


    The boys noticed him first.


    "Daddy!" Leon called out happily.


    Lennox froze at the door.


    Olivia slowly lifted her head.


    Their eyes met.


    For a second, no one moved.


    No one spoke.


    Louis stepped in behind Lennox, sensing the tension.


    Lennox took a slow step forward.


    Olivia didn''t smile.


    But she didn''t look away either.


    We ate in silence.


    tes clinked softly. Forks moved. No one really tasted the food.


    Olivia focused on the boys, helping Leo cut his food, reminding Liam to slow down, and wiping Leon''s mouth when he spilled juice. She didn''t look at Lennox again.


    After a while, she smiled at the boys.


    "Alright," she said gently to the boys. "Finish up. I''ll meet you in your room."


    The boys nodded.


    "Good night, Daddy," Leon said, running to Lennox and hugging his leg, while Liam came to me and Leo went to Louis.


    We kissed them good night one by one before they left the dining room, their small footsteps fading down the hallway.


    The moment they were gone, the air changed.


    Heavy.


    Lennox spoke first.


    "I heard you went to a party," he said, his voice tight. "And danced with Alpha Adrian."


    Olivia frowned and slowly turned to face him.


    "Are you monitoring my movements now?" she asked coldly.


    Louis shook his head quickly. "No. Someone saw you and told an elder. It wasn''t nned."


    "So?" Olivia snapped. "I danced. Is that a crime now?"


    Lennox''s jaw clenched.


    "You can dance," he said. "But remember—you''re still Luna. People are watching."


    Sheughed. Not a happy one, but an irritated, bitter one.


    "I don''t give a fuck," she said tly. "I''m tired of living my life to please people."


    The words hit hard.


    She red at us.


    "And besides," she continued, "we are on a break. That means we''re not together."


    My chest tightened.


    "This is an open situation," she said. "I can be with someone if I want. And you can be with anyone you want too."


    The room went dead quiet, then suddenly Lennox mmed his hand on the table.


    The sound echoed through the dining hall.


    He stood up so fast his chair fell backward.


    "Enough," he growled.


    Without another word, he turned and walked out.


    The doors mmed shut behind him.


    I stayed frozen in my seat.


    So did Louis.


    While Olivia stood there, breathing hard, her eyes shining with anger.