Chapter 245: The Alpha’s Burden


    Chapter 245: The Alpha’s Burden


    (Third person’s POV)


    “So sleepy,” Olivia murmured softly through the phone, her voice thick with drowsiness.


    Connor’s expression immediately softened, his ice–blue eyes warming with tender affection. The powerful Alpha whomanded respect from every werewolf in the Northern Territory melted at the sound of his mate’s sleepy voice.


    “Take your time waking up, Luna,” he said gently,pletely oblivious to the dozen


    executives seated around the conference table.


    Daniel Richardson’s amused chuckle came through the video screen. “Connor, your mate sounds adorable when she’s sleepy.”


    “She is,” Connor replied without hesitation, his voice carrying unmistakable pride and


    devotion.


    Victoria Hartwell sat at the far end of the conference table, her perfectly manicured fingers


    gripping her pen with barely controlled tension. As Strategic nning Director, she had


    observed Connor Rivers for over a month now.


    She had never seen the formidable Alpha disy such vulnerability. His usualmanding presencepletely dissolved when speaking to this mysterious she–wolf.


    Victoria’s wolf snarled with jealousy beneath her professional facade. Who was this female


    who could reduce the most powerful Alpha in Harbor City to such tenderness?


    “Livvy, are <i>you </i>getting up now?” Connor asked, his voice impossibly gentle.


    “Mmm, five more minutes,” Olivia mumbled through the phone.


    Connor actually chuckled, the sound rich and warm. “Alright, five more minutes. But then you need <i>to </i>get ready for your tribunal hearing.”


    Victoria’s amber eyes shed with resentment. She had worked tirelessly to earn Connor’s attention, maintaining strict professionalism while hoping he might notice her dedication.


    But this unknown she–wolfmanded hisplete devotion without even being present.


    After <i>Connor </i>ended the call, the pack alliance meeting resumed with Daniel Richardson. They


    :


    < Chapter 245 The Alpha’s Burden


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    discussed territorial boundaries and trade agreements between their respective packs.


    Victoria took meticulous notes, her mind racing with questions about Connor’s mate. The way he spoke to her suggested an intimate bond that went beyond casual dating.


    When the meeting concluded an hourter, the executives filed out of the conference room. Victoria lingered, pretending to organize her documents while watching Connor.


    He immediately pulled out his phone again, his fingers moving swiftly across the screen.


    Probably texting his precious mate, Victoria thought bitterly.


    “Alpha Connor,” she said, her voice carefully professional. “The quarterly reports are ready for


    your review.<i>” </i>


    Connor nced up briefly. “Leave them on my desk, Victoria. I’ll review them this afternoon.”


    His dismissive tone stung more than Victoria cared to admit. She had hoped for even a


    moment of personal conversation.


    “Of course, Alpha,” she replied, her smile tight and forced.


    As Connor left the conference room, Victoria remained seated. Her wolf paced restlessly,


    consumed with curiosity and growing resentment toward the she–wolf who had captured the


    Alpha’s heart.


    Meanwhile, across the city at an upscale restaurant, Richard Winters sat with his corporate


    partners discussing recent pack politics. The conversation naturally turned to his daughter’s


    romantic life.


    “Richard, congrattions on your daughter’s renewed rtionship with Alpha Connor Rivers,”


    said Marcus Thompson, a prominent beta businessman.


    Richard’s fork paused halfway to his mouth. His amber eyes sharpened with surprise and


    displeasure.


    “What rtionship?” he asked carefully, his Alpha instincts immediately alert.


    “The whole supernaturalmunity is talking about it,” Marcus continued enthusiastically.


    “They were seen together at Miranda ckwood’s birthday celebration. Very romantic, from


    what I heard.”


    Richard’s jaw clenched. He had specifically forbidden Olivia from pursuing Connor Rivers


    after the dangerous incidents with Frederick Warner and Vanessa Reed.


    <Chapter 245. The Alpha’s Burden


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    “They lookedpletely devoted to each other,” added another business partner. “Like true


    destined mates.”


    Richard’s wolf snarled beneath the surface. His daughter had directly defied his Alpha


    The fact that he was learning this information from business associates rather than his own


    pack intelligencework made his humiliationplete.


    “Excuse me, gentlemen,” Richard said, his voice tight with barely controlled fury. “I need to


    make some calls.”


    That evening, Olivia returned to the Winters family estate in Riverdale. The familiar scent of


    moonlight herbs from the gardens should have beenforting, but tension filled the air.


    Natalie Winters met her at the front entrance, her expression worried and sympathetic.


    “Livvy, your father knows you and Connor are back together,” Natalie said quietly. “He’s very


    angry–he’s sitting in the main hall with a thunderous expression.”


    Olivia’s stomach dropped. She had hoped to have more time before facing her father’s wrath.


    “If you don’t want to face his Alpha rage right now, you could return to Harbor City ande


    back another day when his temper has cooled,” Natalie advised gently.


    Olivia squared her shoulders, her own Alpha bloodline giving her strength. “No, Luna Natalie, I


    should go in. I have to face him eventually. Running away won’t solve anything.”


    Natalie nodded with understanding. “Be careful, dear. He’s been pacing like a caged wolf all


    afternoon.”


    Olivia walked through the familiar hallways toward the main hall. Each step felt heavier than


    thest as she approached the confrontation she had been dreading.


    The massive oak doors stood open, revealing Richard Winters seated in his Alpha chair. His


    silver–white hair caught themplight, and his amber eyes zed with fury.


    “Olivia,” he said, his voice carrying the full weight of his Alpha authority. “Come in.”


    She entered the hall, her chin raised defiantly despite the intimidating presence of her father’s


    wolf.


    “Do you still acknowledge me as your Alpha and father?” Richard growled, his wolf barely


    contained beneath the surface.


    <Chapter 245: The Alpha’s Burden


    “Of course I do,” Olivia replied calmly, though her heart raced.


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    “Then exin why you defied my directmand regarding Connor Rivers,” Richard


    demanded, rising from his chair.


    Olivia met his gaze steadily. “The threats from Frederick Warner and Vanessa Reed are no


    longer relevant, Father. Connor has saved my life multiple times.”


    “That changes nothing!” Richard roared, his Alpha aura filling the room with oppressive force.


    “I will never consent to a formal mating alliance with the Rivers pack!”


    Olivia’s amber eyes shed with defiance, her own Alpha bloodline responding to the


    challenge. “I love Connor, and I won’t abandon our bond.”


    “Love?” Richard scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’re young and foolish. You can forget the Rivers Alpha with time.”


    The words struck deep into Olivia’s heart, awakening painful memories of her childhood. Her


    mother’s death, her father’s subsequent mating with Natalie, the years of emotional distance.


    A heavy silence fell over the hall as Olivia’s voice trembled with suppressed grief and barely


    controlled wolf.


    “Just like you forgot Mother, right?”


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