"You''ll join us too, won''t you, Olivia?" I asked sweetly, making sure everyone could hear. "After all, we''re colleagues now.


    She met my gaze steadily. "Of course, Victoria. I wouldn''t miss it."


    Amber Crest Restaurant was the crown jewel of Shadow Creek. As we entered the elegant establishment, I watched with satisfaction as my colleagues gasped at the iid walls and crystal chandeliers.


    The ma?tre d'' recognized me immediately. "Mrs. Frost, wee back. Alpha King Stone''s private dining room is prepared as requested."


    I led our group through the restaurant, enjoying the envious nces from other diners. The private dining room, known as the "Moonlight Chamber," was exclusive to Ethan and had never been opened to the public.


    "Please, make yourselvesfortable," I said, gesturing to the plush chairs around therge table. "Order whatever you''d like. After all," I purred, ncing at Olivia, "Ethan is paying."


    I instructed the waiter to bring wine from Ethan''s private cer and several menus.


    "The venison with moonberry sauce is excellent," I suggested, watching Olivia from the corner of my eye.


    0.


    Chapter 41 A War of Wor


    To my annoyance, Olivia calmly ordered several venison dishes. She seemedpletely unaffected by my attempt to intimidate her.


    As we ate, I noticed Olivia checking her phone repeatedly. When it vibrated with an iing message, a slight change came over her face.


    "Excuse me," she said, rising from her sent. I need to use the restroom."


    I watched as she walked not toward the restrooms, but toward the exit.


    Suspicious, I excused myself and followed her. She was heading through the garden outside the restaurant, moving quickly as if to meet someone.


    I caught up to her near a moonlit fountain. "Running off to meet my man? I


    hissed, grabbing her arm. Olivia turned, her emerald eyes shing with irritation. "Your man? Strange, I don''t recall seeing your wedding


    ceremony."


    Her sarcasm infuriated me. "Don''t y dumb, Olivia. I know you''re trying to intercept Ethan."


    She pulled her arm free from my grip. "And what right do you have to interfere if I am?"


    "He loves me," I insisted, my voice rising despite my efforts to stay calm. "He always has."


    Olivia''sugh was short and bitter. "Is that why he rushes to your side at every call? Or is it because you''ve manipted him for years, using Emma as bait?"


    "He may be bound to you by some ancient tradition," I spat, "but his heart belongs to me. It always has, and it always will."


    (Olivia''s POV)


    Victoria''s deration hung in the air between us. Her desperation was almost palpable. "Is that what you tell yourself at night?" I asked quietly. "That his heart belongs to you?"


    Victoria''s face flushed with anger. "I don''t need to tell myself anything. I know it''s true."


    I shook my head, almost pitying her. "If you were so confident, you wouldn''t be following me around like a suspicious mate."


    My phone vibrated again. James was waiting for me at the corner, as we''d arranged.


    ''Enjoy your dinner, Victoria," I said, turning to leave. "I''ve lost my appetite." til you admit you


    Victoria grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my skin. "You''re not going anywhere. Not until you were nning to meet Ethan."


    I twisted free from her grasp. "I don''t owe you any exnations."


    matter what you do, he''ll always he


    "He''ll never love you," Victoria hissed, herposure cracking. "No matter what you do, he''ll always


    back to me."


    I met her gaze steadily. "Is that why you''re so afraid whenever we''re alone together? Because deep down, you know your hold on him isn''t as strong as you pretend?"


    Victoria''s face paled. "You''re delusional."


    "Am I?" I challenged. "Then why did you call himst night when he was with me? Why do you constantly need


    00


    to remind everyone of your connection to him?"


    Victoria stepped closer, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "Your daughter is dead, Olivia She''s gone and nothing will bring her back. Not Ethan''s attention, not his love, nothing"


    The mention of Lily sent a wave of cold fury through me. I fought to keep my expression neutral.


    "Your man? Strange, I don''t recall seeing your wedding ceremony” I replied coolly, deliberately changing the subject away from my daughter.


    Victoria''s eyes narrowed. "He may be bound to you by some ancient tradition," she spat, "but his heart belongs to me. It always has, and it always will."