Chapter 25: Unexpected Rescue


    Chapter 25: Unexpected Rescue


    (Olivia''s POV)


    The shiv glinted under the harsh cell lights as it descended toward my hand, I struggled desperately against the three women, their iron grip pinning me to the cold concrete floor.


    The metal edge inched closer to my palm. I twisted frantically, but couldn''t break free.


    Suddenly, the cell door swung open with a metallic ng. The unexpected noise startled my


    attackers, their heads snapping toward the interruption.


    I seized that split-second hesitation, yanking my hand back with all my strength.


    The leader, enraged by my resistance, lunged forward with the shiv.


    The makeshift weapon struck the concrete floor with a harsh ng, missing my flesh by


    inches.


    "What are you doing?" Chief Walter Garrison''s voice roared from the doorway, his face ashen


    with shock.


    Before he could step forward, another figure moved with lightning speed, striding into the cell. Lucas ckwood, the imposing Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, swept past the chief.


    His face, usually the epitome ofposure, had transformed. Cold fury radiated from him as


    he delivered a swift, brutal kick to the leader of the trio.


    "Ah!" she shrieked, crumpling to the ground, the shiv skittering across the floor.


    The other two women recoiled in terror, scrambling backward against the wall. Their eyes


    widened as they recognized the powerful Alpha in their midst.


    Lucas knelt beside me, his movements surprisingly gentle as he removed his gray coat. He


    draped it carefully over my trembling form, his eyes narrowing as they cataloged the injuries


    on my face.


    "Are you hurt anywhere else?" he asked, his voice strained with barely controlled emotion.


    I tried to speak, but my throat felt raw from screaming. Finally, I managed a single word: "No."


    His tense posture eased slightly. "Can you walk?" he asked, offering his hand.


    I nodded, epting his assistance as he helped me to my feet. My legs wobbled beneath me, but his steady grip kept me upright.


    Chapter 25 Unexpected Rese


    48 Points 2


    Lucas guided me toward the cell door, his body positioned protectively between me and the


    three women. Chief Garrison hurried after us, casting a chilling look at his officers.


    "Bail procedures," Lucas stated curtly. "Now."


    The detention center bustled with activity as officers rushed to process my release. Lucas''s


    presencemanded immediate action, his reputation preceding him.


    By eight o''clock, I was free, stepping out of Shadowfall Detention Center into the cool night air.


    Lucas guided me toward a sleek ck luxury car idling at the curb.


    "Turn the heat up to maximum," he instructed his driver as we settled into the plush leather


    interior.


    The contrast between the car''sfort and the cold concrete cell I''d just escaped wasn''t lost on me. As warmth filled the vehicle, sensation returned to my numb hands and feet, bringing with it painful tingles.


    We drove in silence through the darkened streets of Shadow Creek. Lucas didn''t press me for details about what had happened, and I was grateful for his discretion.


    When we reached Maple Grove, he escorted me to the door of my residence. From his pocket, he produced a small paper bag.


    "Herb ointments," he exined, handing it to me. "Get some rest."


    “Thank you, Mr. ckwood," I said, my emerald eyes meeting his. The gratitude in my voice was genuine.


    He nodded once, then turned to leave, his tall figure disappearing into the night. I watched him go, wondering why this powerful Alpha hade to my rescue.


    Inside my home, I headed straight for the bathroom, peeling off my detention- center clothes with shaking hands. I stepped into the shower, turning the water as hot as I could bear.


    The warmth cascaded over my battered body, washing away the physical remnants of my ordeal. But the emotional scars remained, raw and throbbing beneath the surface.


    After drying off, I stood before the bathroom mirror, examining my reflection. My face was bruised and swollen, evidence of the Crescent Sisters'' brutality.


    Ethan had orchestrated this. He had arranged for those women to be in my cell, to teach me a lesson for daring to stand up to Victoria.


    My grip tightened on the herb ointment Lucas had given me. I exhaled slowly, forcing my fingers to rx before applying the soothing balm to my injuries. Chapter 25 Unexpected Rest


    Point?


    Each touch brought a stinging pain, followed by blessed numbness. When I finished, I crawled


    into bed, my body craving rest to heal.


    Sleep imed me quickly, but it didn''tst. A ringing phone jolted me awake. The


    screen showed an unknown number.


    I almost ignored it, too exhausted to deal with another confrontation. Then a knock sounded


    at my door.


    "Delivery, called a voice from outside.


    Confused and wary, I answered the phone. "You have the wrong address," I said,


    my voice still rough from screaming in the detention center. "I didn''t order


    anything."


    "A Mr. ckwood ordered it for you," replied the delivery person.


    Mr. ckwood? Lucas ckwood had sent me food?


    I approached the door cautiously, opening it just enough to see the delivery person holding arge paper bag. The appetizing aroma of venison steak and herb-roasted vegetables wafted


    toward me.


    I epted the bag with murmured thanks, closing the door quickly. The food was exactly to


    my taste-how had he known?


    A flicker of warmth touched my heart, surprising me after the coldness I''d endured. I picked up


    my phone, intending to thank Lucas, then realized we hadn''t exchanged numbers.


    As I set the phone down, I noticed an order slip attached to the bag. At the bottom


    was a


    handwritten phone number with a note: “Call me anytime if you need anything.” Instead of calling, I texted: [Mr. ckwood, I received the food. Thank you.]


    A momentter, a simple reply came: [Yes].


    I decided not to disturb him further and began to eat, my body grateful, for the nourishment.


    The venison was perfectly cooked, tender and vorful.


    Downstairs, unbeknownst to me, Lucas sat in his car. He saved my number in his


    phone, his eyes asionally ncing up at my window.


    (Victoria''s POV)


    The medical staff had spent hours removing ss fragments from my legs.


    Though the cuts


    weren''t deep, each shard had to be painstakingly extracted from my flesh.


    Iy in the hospital bed at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, bundled in nkets,


    my face pale


    Chapter 25 Laveerpectant Stre


    from the ordeal. My hands clenched beneath the covers as 1 recalled Ether''s


    phone call


    He''d only detained Olivia for a few hours, and he was already calling his assistant, Mezzed Chen, to go to the detention center. The weakness of his resolve infuriated me.


    The door opened, and I instantly rearranged my features into an expression of fragile vulnerability. Ethan entered, looking tired after putting Emma to sleep in the adpcent room.


    "Ethan," I said, my voice trembling with practiced distress, "It''s just a small injury,


    be tie Olivia has been locked up for hours now. Maybe... maybe we should just let


    it go. I was ups acted impulsively when I called the authorities"


    His expression softened as he approached my bedside. "I''ll handle it he assured


    me, "Yos


    just rest."


    His phone rang, interrupting our moment. He nced at the screen-Maxwell Chen,


    Ethan stepped onto the balcony to answer, but I could still hear his authoritative tone. "Hes she calmed down? Put her on the phone, he demanded.


    I strained to hear Maxwell''s response, but his voice was too faint. Whatever he


    said mede Ethan''s shoulders stiffen.


    (Maxwell''s POV)


    I stood outside the Shadowfall Detention Center, my breath forming clouds in the


    cool night air. Minutes ago, I''d informed Chief Garrison that Mr. Stone was


    dropping the charges against his wife.


    I was toote.


    "Mr. Stone, Mrs. Winters has already been bailed out by Mr. ckwood, I reported carefully, knowing how my boss would react to this news,


    The silence on the other end was deafening, I could almost feel the temperature


    drop through the connection.


    "ckwood?" Ethan finally responded, his voice dangerously quiet.


    "Yes, sir. Lucas ckwood personally handled the bail procedure about an hour


    ago


    Another pause, longer this time. I waited, knowing better than to fill the silence with unnecessary words.


    "Where is she now? Ethan asked eventually,


    "They left together in his car, I believe he took her back to Maple Grove


    Chapter 28 doespected Rest


    I heard Ethan''s sharp intake of breath at the mention of Lucas taking Olivia home.


    (Olivia''s POV)


    The ice water from the detention center had seeped deep into my bones. Despite


    Lucas''s


    thoughtfulness in providing a hairdryer, my weakened immune system couldn''t fight off the


    chill.


    A burning fever consumed me shortly after I fell asleep. Sweat stered my hair


    to my temples, my face flushed crimson with heat.


    I tossed restlessly beneath the covers, small whimpers escaping my lips as fever


    dreams took


    hold. In my delirium, I called for Lily, reaching out for a daughter who was no


    longer there.


    A cool hand touched my forehead, bringing momentary relief from the burning


    heat.


    Instinctively, I leaned into theforting coolness.