OLIVIA
Mila Steven's question caught me completely off guard. Her direct inquiry about whether I was her son's fated mate left me momentarily speechless. I turned to Austin, desperately seeking guidance from his familiar gaze. My mind raced as I tried to find the right words to respond. This was a situation I had never anticipated.
Austin's timely intervention provided a lifeline. "Mom, don't pressure Olivia! No, we're not in any romantic relationship for now, Mom. But I am going to admit that I like Olivia, and I can feel that she's my mate," he spoke with an unexpected confidence, laying his feelings bare for his parents to witness.
I felt my heart race even faster as his words hung in the air. His admission was bold and straightforward, a declaration that left me both astonished and
