"None of your business," I snapped, trying to grab my phone back.


    Ethan held it out of reach, his eyes narrowing as he saw Lucas''s name on the screen. "Why are you calling him?"


    "Because unlike you, he actually cares about my wellbeing," I retorted.


    +16 Points >


    I lunged for the phone, but Ethan was quicker. He answered the call himself.


    "Olivia?" Lucas''s deep voice came through the speaker. "Is everything alright?" "She''s fine," Ethan growled. "She''s with her mate, where she belongs."


    I grabbed for the phone again. "Lucas, I need-"


    Ethan ended the call abruptly. We struggled for the device, and in the process, it slipped from his grasp and fell into a muddy puddle.


    The screen flickered once before going dark. Myst connection to help, shattered.


    Fury coursed through me. I snatched up the broken phone and hurled it at Ethan''s chest. It hit him with a dull thud before falling to the ground.


    "You bastard!" I shouted, turning away from him.


    I began walking, not caring which direction I went as long as it was away from him. The uneven ground made progress difficult, especially in my heels.


    Suddenly, my ankle twisted painfully. I stumbled, barely catching myself before I fell.


    Behind me, Ethan''s phone rang with a familiar ringtone-Victoria''s special tone. The sound I hade to despise over the years.


    Ethan answered immediately. "Victoria? What''s wrong?"


    Even from several feet away, I could hear her distressed voice through the speaker.


    "Ethan, please help! I''m at Amber Crest Restaurant, and these men-they''re threatening me! I''m so scared!" Ethan''s expression shifted instantly from anger to concern. "Stay where you are. I''ming."


    Without a backward nce at me, he jumped into his car and started the engine. The tires kicked up dirt and gravel as he sped away, leaving me stranded in the growing darkness.


    I stood there, my ankle throbbing, watching as the taillights of his car disappeared down the dirt track. He hadn''t hesitated for a second. Victoria called, and he ran.


    Just like always.


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I arrived at Amber Crest Restaurant in record time, my mind racing with concern for Victoria. The parking lot


    had been cleared by my security team, with two men lying injured at the feet of my bodyguards.


    Daniel Reed, my Beta, approached as I exited the car. "Alpha, we have the situation under control."


    "Where is she?" I demanded, scanning the area.


    "Inside, in the private dining room," Daniel replied. "She''s shaken but unharmed."


    I nodded curtly and strode toward the restaurant entrance. The staff parted before me, bowing their heads respectfully as I passed.


    Victoria was sitting in our usual private dining room, a ss of untouched


    moonlight wine before her. Her face brightened with relief when she saw me.


    "Ethan!" She rose gracefully, rushing into my arms. "Thank the Moon you''re here!"


    274


    +15 Points >


    I held her briefly before pulling back to examine her. "Are you hurt?"


    She shook her head, her eyes wide and vulnerable. "No, but I was so frightened. Those men-they were saying such terrible things."


    I guided her back to her seat, taking the chair opposite. "Tell me what happened."


    Victoria''s hands trembled as she reached for her wine ss. "I was having dinner alone, and these men approached my table. They started making... inappropriatements."


    My jaw tightened. "What kind ofments?"


    "Suggesting that I... that we..." She looked down, a blush spreading across her cheeks. “It was vulgar, Ethan. When I asked them to leave, they became threatening."


    I signaled to Daniel, who was standing by the door. "Bring them in."


    Momentster, my security team dragged the two men into the private dining room. Both were sporting fresh bruises, evidence of my team''s efficiency.


    I studied them coldly. One was tall andnky, with a scraggly beard. The other was shorter but muscr, with a shaved head. Both reeked of cheap alcohol.


    The taller one spat blood onto the expensive carpet. "She was asking for it, flirting with everyone in sight."


    My amber eyes began to glow as rage coursed through me. "Is that so?"


    Victoria gasped. "That''s a lie! I was sitting alone, minding my own business!"


    The shorter man sneered. "Yeah, right. Wearing that dress, batting those eyshes at every man who walked


    by."