Chapter 1
Liam Blackwood was Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, and Hollywood's A-list superstar.
He'd marked me as his mate before the entire pack. But in the human world, we kept our union hidden for six long years.
People in the industry talked, calling me a shameless, clingy agent who wouldn't let him go.
He never corrected them. Never so much as breathed a word in my defense.
At the wrap party for his latest blockbuster, a co-star cornered me, venom in her tone.
"Still clinging, Olivia Hale? Liam and Emma are official now. Why don't you do everyone a favor and disappear?"
Liam didn't lift his gaze. He just kept peeling shrimp for Emma Thorne, a rising Omega starlet.
"Olivia," he said coldly, "know your place."
In my previous life, I nearly lost control.
My canines ached to descend, my claws threatening to rip free from my fingers.
But I'd held back. Instead, I'd pulled out my phone and flashed our wedding photos.
Liam's jaw tightened. "You're insane."
To protect Emma's "innocent" image, he put out a statement online, saying I was obsessed and had faked the wedding pictures to smear him.
I got blacklisted from the whole industry.
When I was stabbed by a rabid fan, Liam was on the red carpet with Emma, posing for cameras at a glitzy gala.
In my final breath, it finally clicked: I was never his mate. I was just the pawn he discarded once his career soared.
Luckily, I was given a second chance.
This time, I stared into his cold, detached eyes, swirling my wine glass.
Ignoring the throbbing pain of his old mark on my nape, I said, "You're right, Liam. I was out of line.
"I've emailed you my resignation. Starting tomorrow, I'm no longer your agent."
Liam's hands froze mid-peel, his Alpha aura a physical weight in the air.
The whole table went dead silent. Every gaze bounced between the three of us.
Emma, the leading lady of the film, froze for a second before sliding back into her rehearsed, honeyed smile.
She reached over and curled her fingers around Liam's sleeve, her voice soft and wounded, the way Omegas were taught to beg for an Alpha's protection. "Liam..."
With zero interest in their performance, I set down my glass and walked away.
Memories of my previous life slammed into me unbidden.
Right here in this same hotel, I'd shown everyone our wedding photos, and Liam had called me insane.
The next day, every major media outlet jumped on me, accusing me of faking pictures and harassing Liam.
I got blacklisted from the industry and was stabbed by a crazed fan.
Right before I died, the TV was showing Liam and Emma getting congratulated live at a fashion gala.
"Olivia!"
Liam caught me at the elevator. His fingers burned against my skin.
"What the hell are you trying to pull?" His face was thunderous, his Alpha pheromones flaring. "Quit? Who do you think you are to quit?"
My whole body hummed with the faint ache of his old mark, but I forced my strength and wrenched my wrist free. I pulled the termination agreement from my bag and held it out.
"Liam, look closely. My resignation's already been approved by the executives. You don't get a vote.
"I sent the email a month ago. Legally, I only need thirty days' notice. Today's the last day.
"This is official. Final," I said, my voice steady.
Liam snatched the papers and scanned them fast, his brows snapping down in shocked, angry disbelief.
I'd prepared this long before tonight, with the help of a powerful studio exec who owed me a debt.
In my previous life, after I died, he had torn into Liam.
This time, I called in that favor early.
Liam crumpled the papers slightly in his fist. "I don't accept this."
I took in the restless Alpha pheromones in the air and smiled, "What makes you think you can stop me? This hidden bond, or that you let everyone laugh at me as some pathetic, clingy agent for six years?"
Liam's lips pressed into a thin line, but he said nothing.
Emma rushed over, holding her dress. "Olivia, please don't be mad at Liam. This is all my fault."
Liam this, Liam that, so sickeningly familiar.
I let out a cold laugh. "Move."
As expected of an actress, her eyes reddened instantly, looking delicate and pitiful. "You..."
"I said, move."
Her inner Omega flinched under my cold tone, and took a half-step back.
"Olivia," she sobbed, "Liam and I developed real feelings during filming. I'm so sorry if this hurts you."
"Save it," I replied, pressing the elevator button. "Whatever you two do is none of my concern."
Liam stayed put, his tone cold as ice. "Think long and hard. If you walk out now, there's no going back."
The elevator doors slid open slowly.
"Good," I said, stepping inside. "I never intended to."
As the elevator doors slid shut, I saw Emma lean into Liam, a victorious, smug smile curling on her lips.
*****
Outside the hotel, a sleek black Rolls-Royce idled quietly.
The window rolled down, revealing a harsh, sculpted face with eyes like frost.
His Alpha aura was heavier, more commanding than Liam's. And yet, somehow, it soothed my raw, aching wolf instead of crushing it.
Before I could speak, a sickly sweet squeal rang out behind me. "Silas!"
It was Emma, standing next to Liam, who was struggling to hold back his urge to transform due to the presence of another powerful Alpha.
With both Liam and Emma, the stars of the night, gone, the party was pretty much over.
People trailed after them, gossiping in hushed tones.
"Isn't Silas Raven, CEO of Goldendawn Group? The youngest billionaire on the global rich list."
"Looks like he's here for Olivia."
Silas didn't spare the crowd a single glance. His gaze stayed locked on me, voice low and steady. "Get in."
Gasps rippled through the crowd, followed by a buzz of whispers.
"What's going on between Silas and Olivia? They're definitely not just ordinary friends."
"Silas is a media god. His net worth blows Liam's out of the water. It doesn't make sense for Olivia to cling desperately to Liam. Maybe we've got it all wrong."
Suddenly, I felt a gaze boring into my back like a silver blade, sharp, possessive, searing with rage.
I turned around and saw Liam's twisted face.
But he didn't dare provoke Silas, so he just stood there, watching me get into his car and leave.