No matter whether he let me whip him in the Stone Ancestral Hall, or was now gently caring for my wounds, I knew the truth. The purpose was simply to soften my heart, to make me voluntarily agree to release Victoria


    Frost


    Five years ago, I would have fallen for it. I would have interceded for him whenever Matriarch Evelyn wanted to punish Victoria. I had loved my mate so pathetically back then, my wolfpletely devoted to him despite his neglect


    Not anymore. Lily''s death had changed everything.


    "Victoria is suffering." Ethan said, interrupting my thoughts. "She''s a concerned mother, worried about Emma."


    My face darkenedpletely, emerald eyes shing with suppressed rage. "I''ll say it again, if you want me to release Victoria early from that basement, keep dreaming."


    I threw off the moonlight thermal nket and got up despite my weakness. My bandaged fingers throbbed


    with pain as I stood.


    Ethan moved quickly, trying to stop me. "You''re still weak. The doctor said="


    "Don''t touch me," I hissed, pushing him away. My voice was cold as ice.


    I headed for the door, determined to put distance between us. Before I could reach it, a distinctive ringtone filled the room.


    Ethan''s Alpha phone was ringing. He answered immediately, his face softening as Emma''s voice came through.


    "Daddy, where''s mommy?" The child was crying hysterically. "I want mommy, where is she?"


    "Don''t worry, princess," Ethan soothed. "Your mother will be at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den soon. I


    promise.


    He hung up and grabbed his jacket, heading for the door without another nce in my direction.


    I moved quickly, my bandaged hand gripping his arm. "Victoria''s punishment time isn''t up yet."


    Ethan pulled away from my grasp, his amber eyes cold as winter. "Enough, stop making trouble!" he growled,


    and left.


    I stood frozen, watching him choose Victoria yet again. Some things never change.


    From thending, I watched as Matriarch Evelyn intercepted him downstairs. Her elderly frame still


    "The punishment isn''tplete, she stated firmly.


    Ethan''s face hardened. "Victoria has been punished enough."


    “Has she?” Matriarch Evelyn''s voice was sharp. "After everything she''s done?"


    Ethan sighed impatiently. "I won''t do it again in the future."


    With that single sentence, he dismissed all the suffering I had endured in the Shadowcrypt Dungeon, Matriarch Evelyn''s expression darkenedpletely, her wolf''s disapproval obvious in her eyes.


    (Matriarch Evelyn''s POV)


    I stared at my grandson, barely recognizing the man he had be. The boy I raised would never have been so callous


    "Let me ask you onest time about your feelings toward Olivia," I said, keeping my voice steady despite my disappointment. "If you have no interest in your true mate, I will arrange meetings with eligible Alphas from allied packs for her."


    Ethan paused briefly, his wolf bristling at my words. His eyes flickered up to where Olivia stood on the second-floornding.


    "Grandmother, don''t waste your effort," he sneered. "She won''t ept another Alpha."


    The certainty in his voice was absolute. He truly believed Olivia''s wolf was too deeply bonded to his to consider another mate, despite their troubled rtionship.


    I followed his gaze to Olivia, noting the hurt that shed across her face before she masked it. I had been


    testing my grandson by mentioning potential meetings with other Alphas, hoping to provoke some protective


    instinct.


    Instead, he chose Victoria without hesitation.


    My decision was made.


    I approached Olivia slowly, climbing the stairs with deliberate steps. "My dear, I


    will find you a worthy Alpha who will appreciate your strength."


    Olivia shook her head, her wolf instinctively recoiling. "No, Grandmother. I don''t want another mate."


    “I understand,” I said gently. "But I want someone to protect you, especially since I won''t be around forever."


    I took her bandaged hands in mine, careful not to cause pain. "Promise me you''ll at least meet with the Alpha


    I''ve chosen. For my peace of mind."


    Her emerald eyes searched mine, finding only genuine concern. Finally, she nodded. "For you, Grandmother."


    Her wolf whined in distress at the mere thought, but her rational mind had made its choice.


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I returned to the Shadowcrypt Dungeon where Victoria was being held. The Shadow Guard, following


    Grandmother''s instructions, didn''t stop me this time.


    When I opened the door, the sight before me stopped my heart.


    Victoria, who feared snakes above all else, was lying on the ground with several vipers crawling on and around her. Her pupils were dted with terror, her wolfpletely subdued by primal fear.


    Upon seeing me, she whispered my name with herst breath, reaching for me weakly.


    "Ethan... help me..."


    I rushed to her, kicking snakes away as I lifted her into my arms. Her body was cold, trembling violently


    against mine.


    I carried her out, kicking two of The Shadow Guard on my way. "If she dies, none


    of you will live to see


    tomorrow" I snarled.


    Their faces remained impassive, but I didn''t care. My only focus was getting Victoria to safety


    I rushed her to the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, her fragile form cradled against my chest.


    (Victoria''s POV)


    After examination, the doctor confirmed I was physically fine but mentally distressed. My wolf was still


    cowering within me, traumatized by the snakes.


    "Emma," I whispered weakly. "I need to see my daughter. She''ll cry without me


    Ethan nodded, his face tight with concern. He arranged for Emma to be brought to my hospital room immediately


    When she arrived, my daughter flung herself at me, her small face wet with tears. "Mommy! I was so scared!"


    "I''m here now, baby," I soothed, stroking her hair. "Mommy''s here." Emma curled against my side, her small form pressed protectively against me. Soon, her breathing evened out as she fell asleep.


    Once she was sleeping soundly, I copsed into Ethan''s arms, allowing my trembling to intensify. "Why would she do this to me?" I sobbed. "She knows I''m terrified of snakes!"


    Ethan''s arms tightened around me. "I don''t know"


    "She wanted to kill me," I continued, tears streaming down my face. Those snakes


    could have been


    venomous!"


    I felt his temperature dropping-a sign of his wolf''s rage. Perfect.


    "She''ll pay for this, he growled softly.


    I buried my face against his chest, hiding my smile. My n was working perfectly.


    (Olivia''s POV)


    That night, I stayed in my own room in Matriarch Evelyn''s Vi rather than in Ethan''s private residence. Despite the moonberry sleeping tea Grandmother had arranged for me, I couldn''t sleep.


    Every time I closed my eyes, I saw visions of the Shadowcrypt Dungeon when I had been imprisoned there. The rats scurrying across my skin, their sharp teeth nipping at my flesh..


    I finally took two herbal pills from my bag that I''d created from my healing crystal knowledge. The calming effect spread through my body slowly.


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