<b>Chapter </b><b>113</b>: Crossing <b>Paths </b>


    <b>Chapter </b><b>113</b><b>: </b><b>Crossing </b>Paths


    <b>(</b><b>Olivia’s </b>POV)


    <b>I </b><b>didn’t </b>think I was generous enough to greet my ex–boyfriend’s current girlfriend enthusiastically. The <b>sight </b>of them together on the ne felt like silver ws raking across my heart.


    1 pretended not to hear La Lawrence’s greeting and walked towards the back of the cabin. My <b>amber </b>eyes carefully avoided their gaze as I forced myself to remain calm.


    Every step away from them felt like walking through quicksand. My wolf whimpered softly, recognizing Connor’s familiar pine and winter air scent even from this distance.


    I kept my expression neutral despite the turmoil raging inside me. Professionalposure was <b>all </b>I <b>had </b><b>left </b>


    to protect myself with.


    The flight attendant smiled as I passed,pletely unaware of the emotional storm brewing beneath <b>my </b>


    controlled exterior.


    In economy ss, I finally reached my seat beside Thomas Wilson. He looked up from his tablet with excitement dancing in his eyes.


    “Olivia, wasn’t that the celebrity La Lawrence in first ss?” he asked eagerly. “Do you know her? My daughter is such a huge fan!”


    My wolf bristled at the mention of the actress. I forced my voice to remain steady and cold.


    “No, I don’t know her,” I replied <b>curtly</b>.


    Thomas Wilson’s face fell slightly, embarrassment coloring his features. “Oh, I see. My daughter would have been thrilled if I could get an autograph.”


    The memory of my colleagues‘ hurtfulment echoed in my mind. No one else is worthy of the Rivers heir except her.


    I offered a stiff apology, my professional training overriding my personal pain. “I’m sorry I can’t help with that.” Thomas Wilson quickly sensed the tension and changed the subject. “Well, let’s focus on our uing work in Southmere Territory instead.”


    “Yes, of course,” I agreed with practicedposure.


    The rest of the flight passed in ufortable silence. I stared out the small window, watching clouds drift by like my shattered dreams.


    As the nended in Southmere Territory, I passed by first ss again during disembarkation. My eyes quickly nced at Connor’s seat, finding it empty.


    The lingering traces <i>of </i>his familjar scent still hung in the air. My wolf sensed it immediately, causing my chest to tighten with longing.


    I couldn’t describe theplex feelings washing over me. Relief <b>that </b>I wouldn’t have <b>to </b>see <b>him </b>again<b>, </b>mixed with inexplicable disappointment.


    <b>Chapter </b>113. Crossing <b>Pat </b>


    <b>Arriving </b><b>at </b><b>the </b><b>hotel </b><b>at </b><b>10 </b><b>PM</b>, I <b>went </b><b>through </b>the <b>motions </b>of <b>checking </b><b>in</b>. The <b>lobby </b>was elegant bet fun <b>and </b><b>unweing</b>.


    <b>After </b>showering, <b>I </b>scrolled through Howlr on my phone. The trending topics made <b>my </b><b>heart </b><b>sink </b>further into. <b>despair</b>.


    <b>La </b>Lawrence was in Southmere Territory for an entertainment g. Which meant Connor <b>was </b>likely here <b>to </b>apany her to the eve


    The thought made my chest tighten with a familiar ache. My wolf paced restlessly within me<b>, </b><b>unable </b><b>to </b>


    settle.


    I tossed and turned in the hotel bed, unable to find peace. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Connor’s ice–blue gaze meeting mine on the ne.


    The digital clock glowed mockingly in the


    darkness. 11 PM became midnight, then 1 AM.


    Unable to sleep, I grabbed my phone and ordered mtonin online for emergency delivery. The hotel concierge service was surprisingly effici


    At 2 AM, I finally took one of the sleep aids. I set my rm for 8 AM, knowing I had important work the next


    day.


    My wolf finally settled into an uneasy rest as the medication took effect.


    Waking up with dark circles under my amber e stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. The


    exhaustion was written clearly across my face.


    I


    I carefully applied concealer and foundation, hiding the evidence of my sleepless night. Professional appearances mattered, especially when meeting new clients.


    At Southmere Royal Golf Course, the morning air was crisp and clean. Thomas Wilson seemed energized by the business opportunity ahead.


    “Mr. Harrison, this is ourw firm’swyer, Olivia Winters,” Thomas Wilson said with enthusiasm. “Miss Winters, this is the president of Apex Industries/


    Harrison was a portly, forty–something Alpha with an immediately unsettling presence. His eyes lingered <b>on </b>me longer than appropriate.


    “Miss Winters, you’re even more beautiful than Director Wilson described,” Harrison said with a leering smile. My wolf instinctively bristled at his forward behavior. I maintained my professional demeanor despite my difort.


    Harrison reached into his golf bag and pulled out an ornate book. “I’ve brought copies of my poetry collection for you both.”


    I took the collection reluctantly, noting its expensive appearance. The cover was gold–ted with borat decorations.


    A coppery smell hit my enhanced werewolf senses from the metallic binding. The scent was overwhelming and artificial.


    I flipped through the pages, reading snippets of the <i>prose </i>inside. The writing was pretentious and self–aggrandizing, making me cringe internally.


    < Chapter 113: Crossing Pat


    “<b>What </b>do you think of my literary work?” Harrison asked expectantly.


    I forced a polite smile, my professional training overriding my wolf’s desire to flee. “It’s very… impressive, <b>Mr. </b>Harrison.”


    Harrisonughed loudly at my forced praise, clearly pleased with himself. His ego seemed to inte with eachpliment.


    Just as he was basking in the attention, his expression suddenly changed. He spotted a group approaching across the golf course.


    His entire demeanor shifted from arrogant Alpha to servile submission. The transformation was startling to


    witness.


    “Alpha Connor, you’re here to y golf too?” Harrison asked with obvious nervousness.


    Connor Rivers‘ familiar voice came from behind me, sending shivers down my spine. “President Harrison,


    good mood, what’s so happy?”


    My back stiffened as my wolf recognized her ex–mate–to–be’s scent. The pine and winter air fragrance was unmistakable and intoxicating.


    My carefully maintainedposure threatened to c***kpletely. Every instinct screamed at me to turn around and face him.


    But I remained frozen in ce, unable to move or speak. The weight of his presence pressed down on me like a physical force.


    2


    <b>LUCK </b><b>DRAW </b>>