Olivia’s POV

His lips moved slowly against mine. Warm. Gentle. Like he knew exactly what he was doing—and exactly how I’d react. At first, I froze—too stunned to move. But then… I melted into it. My fingers curled around the front of his suit jacket as something stirred inside me. Something forbidden. Something I didn’t want to feel—but couldn’t stop either.

I kissed him back. Softly at first, then deeper—like I’d forgotten how to breathe without him. The world faded. The pain, the confusion, even the triple bond pulling at my heart… it all disappeared. There was only this. Only him.

But I got back to my senses and pulled away—breathless, dazed, and confused all over again. My chest rose and fell quickly. My lips still tingled. Damien looked down at me with a smirk—completely unbothered by what had just happened.

“Well,” he said casually, “clearly someone needs a kissing tutorial.”

I blinked at him, my brain still trying to catch up. He leaned down and whispered, “We’ll work on that later.” Then he straightened up and smoothed his suit like he hadn’t just knocked the air out of my lungs.

“I’ll be downstairs,” he added, turning toward the door. “Don’t keep me waiting too long. My girlfriend’s entrance is the most important part of the night.”

Before I could speak, he gave me one last look over his shoulder—a smug smile still on his face—and walked out, leaving me speechless, stunned… and very, very confused about how I suddenly felt. The moment the door clicked shut, I let out a shaky breath and sat back on the edge of the bed.

What the hell is wrong with me?

My fingers touched my lips. I could still feel his lips on mine. His kiss was calm but powerful, like he knew exactly how to pull me apart without even trying. And I let him. I kissed him back. Willingly. Almost desperately.

Why? Why the hell did I let that happen? My thoughts swirled, too fast to hold onto. I buried my face in my hands. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

It’s already hard enough dealing with the triplets. No matter how angry I am… no matter how much they broke me… I still have feelings buried under all that pain. I hate that I do. I hate that they still matter to me. And then there’s Gabriel. Sweet, gentle Gabriel. Just thinking about him makes my stomach twist in a good way—like butterflies flapping their wings inside me. Like maybe he could make me feel whole again.

But now there’s Damien. The man who kissed me like he meant every second of it. The man who… can never really be mine. Because deep down, I know. I know I’m just a piece in his game. A move in whatever plan he has to bring out the woman he really loves. His real mate. His lost lover. This fake relationship—it’s all part of that game. And yet, here I am… kissing him like I want it to be real.

I covered my face again, groaning quietly. “This is a mess,” I whispered to no one. I didn’t want to fall for any of them. I didn’t ask for this. I just wanted peace. I just wanted to feel normal again.

The door suddenly creaked open, and I looked up. Lolita and Nora stepped inside. Both of them paused when they saw me—my hair a mess, my cheeks probably flushed, and that black box still sitting unopened beside me.

“You okay?” Lolita asked gently.

“I wish,” I muttered, rubbing my temples.

They exchanged a glance but didn’t press me. Instead, I pointed at the box. “I have to get dressed,” I said, forcing myself to stand. Without a word, they moved into action. Lolita opened the box and pulled out the dress inside. Her eyes widened, and even Nora let out a small gasp.

It was stunning. A deep red dress made of soft silk that shines in the light. The fabric looked like it was made to kiss skin, hugging the curves without showing too much. The neckline dipped slightly—elegant, not too bold—but just enough to catch attention. The back was open, dipping low with crisscrossing straps that tied behind the waist. Simple, classy, and yet sexy.

I stared at it for a long second, and then my wolf whispered inside me. “Are you sure about this?” “Yes,” I whispered back. I have to be. With their help, I got dressed. Nora worked on my hair, pulling it into a soft, elegant updo with a few strands falling around my face. Lolita added a bit of makeup—just enough to make my eyes pop, and my lips match the red of the dress.

When I finally faced the mirror, I hardly recognized the girl staring back. I looked… stunning. “I’m ready,” I said softly. They both smiled, but I could see the worry still lingering in their eyes.

As I stepped out of the room, my heart thudded hard in my chest. The hallway was quiet, but I could already hear the music and voices downstairs. The party was in full swing. I walked slowly toward the stairs, the hem of my red dress brushing against my ankles with every step I took.

And then I saw them. Guests. Dozens of them. The moment I stepped onto the staircase, heads turned. Conversations stopped. Glasses froze mid-air. All eyes were on me. Their gazes followed me as I descended one step at a time. I could feel it, curiosity, admiration, surprise. But I didn’t stop. I held my head high.

As I reached the last steps, Damien was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs. When I stepped onto the floor, he reached out and took my hand. His touch was warm and gentle. For a moment, the music, the noise, the stares—all of it faded away. He raised my hand slowly, deliberately, and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it. A gesture that sent a fresh wave of warmth crawling up my neck.

My eyes flicked up, drawn by instinct, to the far corner of the room. And there they were. The triplets. All three of them watching me with possessive stares. Lennox’s gaze burned the hardest—sharp, possessive, as if he could tear Damien apart with just a thought. For a second, I couldn’t look away. But I forced myself to.

I tore my gaze from theirs and turned back to Damien, who still held my hand so gently—as if this was real. As if I really belonged to him.

He smiled. Not his usual smirk. Something softer… something almost real. Then he faced the guests, his voice smooth and clear as it filled the grand hall.

“Everyone,” he announced with ease, their joined hands slightly visible for all to see, “allow me to introduce Olivia Parker… my girlfriend.”