Olivia's POV
The next morning, I teleported straight into Alpha Adrian's living room.
He was already there, standing near the window like he had been waiting for a while.
The moment he saw me, a big, bright smile spread across his face. He didn't even try to hide it.
"Welcome," he said, getting to his feet.
"Good morning, Alpha Adrian," I replied politely. I didn't waste time. "Where is Elara?" I asked, going straight to the reason I was there.
Today was Saturday.
I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my sons.
"She's upstairs, in her room," he said quickly. "She's been asking if you'd come."
My heart softened.
"Alright," I said. "Let's go."
He led me upstairs but stopped at the door. "I'll stay out here," he said gently. "Take your time."
I nodded and knocked softly.
"Come…" a small voice answered.
I stepped inside.
Elara was sitting on her bed with her iPad beside her. The moment she saw me, her face lit up.
"Hi," she said softly.
The word wasn't perfect.
But it was clear.
My smile came easily. "Hi, Elara."
She smiled wider, proud of herself.
She picked up her iPad and typed carefully, then turned the screen toward me.
Welcome.
"That's very good," I said, sitting beside her. "You're doing amazing."
She nodded shyly.
We talked for a little while. Slowly. Calmly.
Sometimes she used the iPad.
Sometimes she tried with her voice.
I didn't rush her.
"Did you sleep well?" I asked gently.
She paused, then whispered, "Yes."
I smiled. "Good."
I pointed at the drawings on her table. "Did you draw these today?"
She nodded. "Yes."
"They're beautiful," I said honestly. "You're very talented."
Her shoulders lifted, proud.
I tried again, carefully. "Can you say… blue?"
She frowned a little, thinking hard.
"B… blue," she said, softly but clearly.
My heart skipped.
"That's perfect," I said, keeping my voice calm so I wouldn't scare her. "Very perfect."
She grinned.
We tried a few more simple words.
"Yes.
No.
Okay."
Each one came slowly. Carefully.
But they came.
After a while, she looked at me and asked quietly, "You… stay?"
I checked the time, then met her eyes.
"I can stay a little longer," I said. "But I have to go see my sons later."
She nodded, understanding more than people gave her credit for.
"Okay," she whispered.
We talked a little more after that.
I asked her about her favorite color again.
"Blue," she said, faster this time.
I asked what she liked to draw most.
"Flowers," she whispered, then smiled like she was proud she said it without help.
When I finally stood up, she looked at me with those wide eyes again.
"You… come back?" she asked softly.
"Yes," I promised. "Very soon."
She nodded, then surprised me by leaning forward and hugging me. It was gentle. Careful. Like she was afraid I might disappear.
"I'll see you soon, Elara," I whispered.
"Bye," she said. Clear this time.
My chest tightened.
I stepped out of the room and closed the door quietly behind me.
Adrian was waiting in the hallway.
"She's improving," I told him honestly. "A lot."
His face lit up with hope. "Thank you," he said. "Would you… stay for lunch?"
I shook my head. "I can't. I need to see my boys."
He nodded, hiding his disappointment well. "I understand. I hope… maybe one day I'll meet them."
I gave a small smile. "Maybe."
I didn't wait for him to say anything else.
I teleported.
The moment I appeared in the Luciano mansion, laughter hit me like a wave.
It was loud.
Wild.
Pure.
My boys.
A smile pulled at my lips without me meaning to, and I rushed upstairs toward the sound, my heart already lighter.
When I reached their room, I slowed.
The door was open.
I stopped.
Inside, chaos ruled.
Pillows flew through the air, feathers drifting down like snow.
Leon screamed with laughter as he jumped off the bed, landing clumsily and rolling on the floor.
Liam tackled Levi with a pillow nearly as big as himself, growling dramatically like a tiny warrior.
Louis was laughing so hard he had to brace himself against the wall, tears in his eyes.
And then I saw her.
Aurora.
She was in the middle of it all, laughing—really laughing. The kind of laughter that came from deep inside, free and unguarded. It was the first time I'd seen her like that since she arrived.
Levi suddenly grabbed her by the waist and lifted her with ease, tossing her gently onto the bed. She squealed in surprise, grabbing a pillow to defend herself.
"Hey!" Liam shouted, clearly choosing sides as he rushed to her defense and punched Levi in the arm.
Everyone burst into louder laughter.
The room was full of noise.
Of warmth.
Of life.
They were so caught up in it—so happy—that they didn't notice me standing there.
I didn't step in.
I just watched.
My boys.
My mates.
Her.
All together.
All laughing.
All looking like one big, messy, happy family.
Without me.
Something sharp twisted in my chest, sudden and painful. I pressed my fingers lightly against the doorframe, grounding myself.
I told myself I shouldn't feel this way.
That it was childish.
That Aurora had already said everything clearly.
That she wasn't my enemy.
But standing there, unseen, watching them play like nothing was broken… like nothing was missing…
My heart sank.
Lennox was the first to notice me.
He froze mid-laugh, a pillow still in his hand. His eyes lifted to the doorway and locked on me.
"Olivia," he said softly. "You're here."
The word carried through the room like a stone dropped into water.
One by one, everyone turned.
Levi's smile slipped from his face.
Louis straightened, the laughter dying in his throat.
Aurora stopped moving, the pillow falling loosely onto the bed.
Even the boys went quiet, their smiles fading.
The room changed instantly.
Just seconds ago, it had been loud and warm and full of life.
Now it felt tight. Awkward. Like an intruder had just walked in.