"Keep shut, Anita, just keep shut!" I snapped in anger and frustration.
Anita's eyes widened in shock. I had never spoken to her before, but today, I did—and I didn't regret it. I was furious, not just at her, but at myself.
What the hell was I thinking? Had I lost my damn mind? How could I have let myself be provoked into striking her?
My wolf howled angrily inside me, and where I stood, I felt so ashamed of myself. I looked at my brothers, Levi and Louis, and they had a blank look on their faces. But without saying a word, I turned around and left the dining table.
Reaching my chambers, I paced around my room, running a hand through my hair. I regretted what I did.
Yes, I wanted Olivia to suffer for what she said to me all those years ago—for the pain she caused me. But not . Never . I had never imagined hurting her with my own hands.
A knock landed on the door, and by the comforting smell of flowers, I knew it was my mother. She had been out of the pack for some weeks and had only returned last night.
Sighing softly, I composed myself. "Come in, Mother."
The door opened, and she stepped inside. I forced a weak smile. "Good morning, Mother," I greeted.
"Morning, Alpha Lennox," she replied, bowing slightly, and I frowned.
"Mother, you know you shouldn't be doing that. I am your son. You are my mother."
She smiled. "But that doesn't change the fact that you are still an Alpha—you and your brothers," she said.
I sighed. I knew there was no need to argue with Mother; she always won every argument.
"Can we talk?" Mother spoke, sounding serious.
I nodded and showed her the seat.
She nodded and took a seat while I sat on the bed, across from her, her sharp eyes scanning my face.
"I was passing by the dining hall earlier," she said, her tone calm, but I could hear the disappointment in it. "I saw everything, Lennox."
My chest tightened, and I clenched my fists. I knew what was coming.
"I saw the way you slapped Olivia," she continued, her voice laced with disappointment. "Your wife. Your Luna."
I looked away, unable to meet her gaze. "It was a mistake," I admitted, my voice rough. "I—I lost control."
Mother sighed, shaking her head. "Lennox, I did not raise my sons to be weak men who let their anger rule them. You are an Alpha, but more than that, you are a husband. A leader. Do you have any idea what you've done?"
Shame clawed at my chest. I had told myself that I wanted Olivia to pay for what she did years ago, for the pain she caused me—but never . Never with my own hands. My wolf growled inside me, still furious—not at Olivia, but at myself.
"I know," I muttered. "I regret it."
Mother tilted her head, studying me. "Regret is not enough."
I lifted my gaze, frowning. "What do you mean?"
She folded her arms. "Olivia is your Luna. Your staff saw what happened. Even if they don't speak of it, they will remember. They will question your control. And Olivia… she will remember too."
My jaw tightened. Of course, she would. How could she forget that her own mate—the man meant to protect her—raised a hand against her?
"It won't ever happen again, Mother," I said under my breath.
Mother was silent for another moment before she spoke. "What happened, Lennox?" she asked, her voice softer now, but no less firm. "When you were younger, you adored Olivia. You wanted her as your mate. I saw the way you and your brothers loved her. That's why I wasn't surprised when Anita didn't turn out to be your mates. But Olivia…" She paused, tilting her head. "Tell me, Lennox. What changed? Why do you and your brothers suddenly hate this girl? Is it because her father stole? Because she's now an Omega?"
She shook her head. "No, Lennox. You can't tell me that's the reason."
I clenched my jaw, looking away.
I had never told anyone what Olivia said to me.
The words that, even after all these years, still echoed in my mind.
I was too ashamed to say them out loud.
"Mother, please, I don't want to talk about it," I said in a tone that left no room for argument.
She held my gaze for a long moment before finally sighing. "It seems you and your brothers really like Anita. If that's the case, take her as your mistress. Sleeping with another woman while married is wrong, but you are Alphas. If you must, then do it properly—make Anita your official mistress."
I stiffened, waiting.
"You know what it would do to Olivia if you or your brothers slept with another woman." She exhaled. "Have pity on the poor girl."
And with that, she rose to her feet and left the room.
Where I sat, I remained seated, my mother's words lingering in the air.
"Have pity on the poor girl."
My hands curled into fists on my lap. Pity? That was the last thing I wanted to feel for Olivia. I wanted to hold onto my anger, to justify my actions, to remind myself of the pain she caused me years ago.
But deep down, I knew my mother was right.
If my brothers and I took Anita as an official mistress, it would destroy Olivia. The woman who once held my heart. The woman I swore to hate. The woman who was now my Luna.
And yet, despite everything—despite my thirst for vengeance—the idea of truly breaking Olivia in that way unsettled me.
A knock interrupted my thoughts.
"Come in," I called out, my voice devoid of emotion.
The door opened, and Levi stepped inside. His face was unreadable, but I could see the tension in his stance. He closed the door behind him and leaned against it, arms crossed over his chest.
"So," he started, his tone cool. "What now?"
I exhaled sharply and ran a hand through my hair. "What do you mean?"
Levi scoffed. "I heard all mother said. Are you taking her suggestion on taking Anita as our official mistress?"
I frowned at his question and stood to my feet. "Excuse me I have work to do." I brushed my shoulder against his before storming out of the room.