But I didn't care about their silent judgments.
I only cared about the woman standing next to me.
Taking a slow breath, I finally said what I came here to say.
"I can't live without your daughter," I said, my voice firm and unwavering.
Her mother's lips parted slightly, not in shock, but in disbelief.
Her father's brows drew down like thunderclouds. "You—"
"I'm the Alpha of the Howlcrest clan of Picmeria," I continued, cutting him off. "Which means Olivia will be protected, respected, and cherished as my mate."
Olivia's hand twitched at her side, and without thinking, I took it in mine.
She didn't pull away.
Instead, she squeezed back, barely, but enough that my heart lurched in my chest.
"I'm not asking," I added, my voice a low growl. "But I am offering you the chance to understand what this means. The mate bond isn't something you can break, not without consequences. She's mine, and I'm hers."
