<b>Chapter </b><b>55</b><b>: </b><b>Professor </b><b>Vance </b>
<b>Chapter </b><b>55</b>: Professor Vance
<b>(</b><b>Olivia’s </b>POV)
I looked <b>up </b><b>at </b><b>the </b><b>tall </b>figure blocking my path, my heart nearly stopping when I recognized the familiar face. <b>“</b>Killian<b>?</b><b>” </b>I whispered<b>, </b>barely believing what I was seeing.
Killian <b>Vance </b>stood before me. <b>“</b>Daddy!” ra called out again<b>, </b>rushing to his side with pure joy. “This is the beautiful
auntie I told you about<b>!</b>”
My shock deepened as <b>the </b>pieces fell into ce. Killian was ra’s father.
“Hello, Cipher,” Killian said softly.
ra tugged at my hand, her eyes bright with hope. “Beautiful auntie, can you be my mother? I’ve been waiting for someone like you for so long!”
I knelt down to her level, my heart aching at her innocent request. “Sweetheart, I’m already someone’s mother. I have a son named Leo.”
Her face fell slightly, but then brightened again. “That’s okay! You can be both our mothers!”
“ra,” I said gently, “it doesn’t work that way. But I’m honored you asked.”
The little pup’s face lit up with another idea. “Then will you help me blow out my birthday candles? Please?”
I couldn’t refuse those hopeful eyes. “Of course, little one.”
As we made our way to the birthday cake, I felt Killian’s intense gaze following my every movement.
After ra made her wish and we blew out the candles together, Killian guided me to a quiet corner of the banquet hall.
We sat across from each other, the awkward silence stretching between us.
“She’s beautiful,” I said finally, watching ra y with other children. “How old is she?”
“Five,” Killian replied, his voice soft with paternal love. “Same age as your Leo.” <fnded0> N?w ?ovel chapt?rs are published on find·novel</fnded0>
I hesitated before asking the question that had been burning in my mind. “Her mother?<b>” </b>
Killian’s expression grew distant. “She was a war correspondent. Died five years ago in a conflict zone.”
“I’m sorry,” I said quickly, regretting bringing up what was clearly a painful memory. “I shouldn’t have asked.”
<b>“</b>It’s alright,” he said, his voice steady.
Suddenly, Killian leaned forward, cing his hands on the armrests of my chair and trapping me in ce. His ice–blue eyes burned with intensity as he spoke.
“ra’s words were true,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “My room is filled with your portraits, and I call your name in <b>my </b>dreams. I love you, Cipher. Leave Theodore and give me a chance.”
I felt overwhelmed by his directness, my hands pushing against his chest. <b>“</b>Killian, stop. You don’t understand <b>the </b>
situation.”
<b>“</b>Then exin it to me,” <b>he </b>said, <b>not </b>moving away.
“I’ve lost my wolf,” I said desperately. “<b>I </b><b>can’t </b>use my psychic abilities anymore. I <b>can’t </b>help <b>you </b><b>investigate </b><bboratory </b><b>security </b>issues like before.<b>” </b>
Chapter 55 Professor Vance
<b>His </b><b>expression </b><b>didn’t </b>change. “I <b>don’t </b>care about your abilities<b>.</b>”
<b>“</b>Matthew is taking me away in twenty days,” I continued, my voice breaking. “I’ll return to his territory. Please don’t cause <b>trouble </b>for yourself.”
<b>Killian’s </b>hand pressed over mine, his touch warm and insistent. “Will you sever the mate bond with Theodore before you
<b>leave</b><b>?</b><b>” </b>
I met his gaze directly. “Yes.”
Joy shed across his features as he gripped my shoulder. “Then I’ll wait. I’ve been waiting <i>for </i>you all these years, and <b>I’ll </b>continue to wait until you’re free to make your own choices.”
Confusion clouded my thoughts. “Waiting all these years? But ra’s mother only died five years ago.”
Killian’s smile was sad but determined. “Some stories are moreplicated than they appear.”
I pulled back, trying to create distance between us. “I don’t n to be constrained by romantic feelings in the future. I need to focus on my children and my responsibilities.”
His eyes lit up with hope. “So there’s no one else you like? That gives me a good chance.”
“Killian-<b>” </b>
He gently touched my head, his voice bing businesslike. “Alright, let’s only discuss business matters then. Come to myboratory tomorrow.”
Before I could respond, he gestured to a woman across the room. “I want you to meet someone. Gina Frost, Matthew’s most experienced intelligence agent.”
A sharp–featured woman with calcting eyes approached us. Killian continued his introduction.
“Gina possesses all thetest technology you’ll need after being away from the front lines for six years. She has particr expertise inputer technology.”
My excitement was genuine as I looked at Gina. “I’d love the opportunity to exchange knowledge and enhance my skills.”
<b>“</b>It would be my pleasure,” Gina replied with a professional smile.
As we talked, I noticed people in the crowd watching us intently. Some were discreetly taking photos with their phones. The attention made me ufortable, but I tried to focus on the conversation.
Unknown to me, those photos were already being sent across the packworks.
(Theodore’s POV)
I was attending a charity auction with my sister, Isadora, at the Moonstone Summit Hotel’s Banquet Hall B. My attention was locked on the auction stage.
“Why aren’t you picking up Olivia from the infirmary?” Isadora’s voice cut through my focus as she adjusted her designer dress.
I didn’t look at her. “I wanted to buy something first. The Ocean Star ne.”
“That expensive thing?” I felt her disapproving gaze on me as she raised an eyebrow.
“It represents unwavering love,” I said firmly, my eyes never leaving the stage. “I want to give it to my mate as a symbol of
<b>our </b>bond<b>.</b><b>” </b>
My phone buzzed insistently in my pocket. I ignored it at first, focused on the bidding for the Ocean Star ne. <b>But </b><b>the </b><b>buzzing </b>continued, bing more urgent.
Finally, I pulled out my phone and saw a flood of messages. The first photo made my blood run cold. Olivia was sitting close to a man I didn’t recognize, their heads bent together in intimate conversation.
Another message arrived: “Your Luna looks drunk. Professor Vance is helping her to a rest room.”
13
More photos flooded in, each one more damning than thest. Olivia leaning against the man’s chest. Her hand gripping
his cor. His arms around her waist.
Logan, my wolf, began snarling within me. Rage built in my chest like a wildfire, consuming all rational thought.
“Bastard,” I growled under my breath, standing abruptly from my seat.
“Theodore?” Isadora called after me, but I was already moving.
I stormed out of the auction hall, my Alpha strength making the doors m against the walls. Hotel staff scattered out of my way as I followed the scent trail and the directions from the messages.
The rest room door was slightly ajar. Through the gap, I could see someone on top of Olivia’s prone form.
All control snapped.
I burst through the door and grabbed the figure, throwing them to the ground with brutal force. My fists connected with flesh as I unleashed my Alpha strength.
“You bastard!” I roared, each punch fueled by primal fury. “How dare you touch my mate!”