Chapter 63: A Silent Challenge


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I entered the Grand Reception Hall with measured steps, my eyes immediately finding Olivia sitting beside. Lucas ckwood on the sofa. My grandmother sat between them, her face alight with satisfaction.


    The sight of them together sent a surge of possessive rage through my veins. Lucas ckwood had no right to be here, in my territory, near my mate.


    With deliberate slowness, I unbuttoned the top of my shirt, revealing the fresh bite marks on my neck-


    evidence of my recent encounter with Victoria. The message was clear to any Alpha male: I was sexually


    active and iming my territory.


    Lucas''s eyes narrowed slightly as he caught sight of the marks. Message received.


    "Ethan, you''re just in time," Grandmother said, oblivious to our silent exchange. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured between Olivia and Lucas, "I know you and Lucas are business rivals, but from now on, the Stone and ckwood families will be one."


    I kept my expression neutral, though my wolf snarled beneath the surface. Grandmother had always been fond of Olivia, but this was taking things too far.


    "Be mindful," she added, wagging a finger at me, "and don''t make things difficult for Olivia."


    Her meaning couldn''t have been clearer. She was suggesting a marriage between Olivia and Lucas.


    "Is that so?" I replied, my voice deceptively calm. My amber eyes fixed on Olivia, silentlymanding her to deny it.


    Olivia shifted ufortably under my gaze. I could see the conflict in her eyes- the desire to defy me warring with her instinct for self-preservation.


    "Grandmother," I continued, not taking my eyes off Olivia, "I wasn''t aware you were arranging meetings. between my wife and other men."


    Grandmother waved her hand dismissively. "It was a happy coincidence. Lucas came to visit me, and Olivia happened to be here."


    "A coincidence,” I repeated, my tone making it clear I didn''t believe that for a second.


    Lucas set down his teacup with deliberate precision, "It was indeed unexpected, but I''m grateful for it."


    His confident directness grated on my nerves. He turned to face me fully, his posture rxed yet


    “I find Miss Winters fascinating,” he dered, his gaze shifting briefly to Olivia. "With Madam Stone''s blessing, I intend to court her properly."


    The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees, Bernard Sheppard, standing quietly by the door, tensed visibly.


    "Court her?" I echoed, a dangerous edge to my voice. "You seem to have forgotten that Olivia is my wife. The


    ther Chal


    mother of my child"


    I emphasized thest part, reminding everyone present of Lily-our connection that could never be severed


    "A wife you''ve neglected Grandmother cut in sharply. Her frail hands gripped her walking stick with surprising strength "A mother who lost her child while you were nowhere to be found."


    Her words struck like physical blows. I maintained myposure, though my jaw tightened perceptibly


    Tve made my decision," Grandmother continued, her elderly voice carrying unmistakable authority m formally adopting Olivia as my granddaughter and the fifth daughter of the Stone family"


    My eyes widened slightly. This was no small deration. By making Olivia a daughter of the Stone family. Grandmother was effectively severing any possibility of a continued rtionship between us


    "Her status will be equal to yours," she added pointedly. "And she will be free to choose her own path forward."


    Lucas''s expression remained carefully neutral, but I caught the sh of triumph in his eyes. He had won this


    round without lifting a finger


    Grandmother turned to Olivia with a gentle smile. Wanwan, please escort Lucas out. It''s gettingte."


    Olivia nodded, rising gracefully from the sofa. Lucas followed suit, bowing respectfully to Grandmother before offering his arm to Olivia.


    I watched them leave, my expression darkening with each step they took together. My wolf howled in territorial rage, demanding I stop them, im what was mine.


    But Grandmother''s watchful gaze held me in ce. This battle would have to be fought another way.


    Outside, I knew Lucas was walking Olivia to his car. I could picture them standing close, speaking in low voices. The thought made my blood boil.


    "Lucas," Olivia was saying, her voice carrying a note of apology. "I need to rify something. This arranged meeting wasn''t my intention."


    Lucas nodded, his expression understanding. “I suspected as much. Your grandmother-inw is quite the


    matchmaker."


    "She means well," Olivia replied with a small smile. "But I should be honest with you. I have no romantic feelings for Ethan anymore. Our rtionship died years ago from neglect."


    "I understand," Lucas said softly. "And I should be equally honest. There is a woman I love, one I''ve been


    waiting for."


    Olivia''s eyes widened in surprise. "Then why did you agree to court me?"


    Lucas leaned against his car, his posture rxed. "Because it serves both our purposes. You need protection from Ethan''s increasingly possessive behavior, and I need to satisfy my family''s expectations while I wait for


    the right moment with the woman I love."