Chapter 71: Shattered Bonds
(Olivia''s POV)
"b***h! You''re looking for a beating, aren''t you?!" The man''s voice cut through the darkness like a knife.
Hisrge hands mped down on my arm like iron pincers. The pressure was excruciating, but I refused to let go.
“You stupid b***h,” he growled, frustration evident in his voice. "It''s just a ne!"
But it wasn''t just a ne. It was Lily. My beautiful, sweet Lily who had died too young, whose ashes I carried close to my heart because I couldn''t bear to be separated from her.
The man''s grip tightened, his fingers digging painfully into my flesh. I bit my lip to keep from crying out, tasting blood.
When I still wouldn''t release the pendant, he resorted to kicking me. His boot connected with my ribs, sending waves of agony through my body.
"Stop," I gasped, curling tighter around the pendant. "Please..."
He ignored my pleas, delivering another brutal kick to my side. I felt something c***k inside me, but still, I held on.
Each impact forced a cry from my lips, the sound echoing in the empty wilderness. There was no one to hear me. No one to help.
Ethan had abandoned me here, rushing to Victoria''s side without a second thought.
As the pain intensified, my thoughts drifted back to the day Lily died. Her small, pale face. The way her hand had felt in mine, so fragile, so cold. The beeping of the machines slowing, then stopping altogether.
"Lily, don''t be afraid," I murmured through bloodied lips. "Mommy will protect you this time."
I had failed to protect her in life. I couldn''t save her from the kidney failure that took her from me. But I would protect her now, even if it cost me my life.
Another kicknded on my back, sending shockwaves of pain down my spine. My vision blurred, darkness creeping in at the edges.
"Just... give... me... the... damn... ne!" Each word was punctuated by another blow.
My strength was fading. My fingers, slick with blood, were losing their grip on the pendant. I tried to hold on, but my body was betraying me.
With a final, triumphant yank, the man tore Lily''s pendant from my grasp.
"No!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat. "Please! That''s my daughter!"
His response was swift and cruel. He kicked my hand away, his boot connecting
with my fingers. I heard the c***k of bone before I felt the pain.
"Crazy b***h," he muttered, pocketing the pendant. "It''s just a ne."
< Chapter 71 Shattered Bon
+15 Points >
I watched helplessly as he mounted his motorcycle, the engine roaring to life. The sound faded as he sped away into the darkness, taking Lily with him.
Tears streamed down my face, mixing with the blood and dirt. "Lily..." I whispered, reaching out with a broken hand toward the empty darkness.
Then, mercifully, consciousness slipped away.
(Maxwell''s POV)
I arrived at the coordinates Alpha Ethan had given me, scanning the clearing in Deste Hollow with growing concern. There was no sign of Luna Olivia.
"Luna Winters?" I called out, my voice echoing in the empty space. Only silence answered me.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Alpha Ethan''s number. The call went straight to voicemail-unusual for the Alpha, who always answered calls from his personal assistant, especially regarding his mate.
I tried again with the same result. Something was wrong.
Alpha Ethan must be with Victoria Frost at Rosewood Haven, I reasoned. The situation with Luna Olivia was clearly more urgent than I had been led to believe.
I was about to call for backup when the sound of an approaching vehicle caught my attention. A sleek ck car pulled up beside mine, and Lucas ckwood stepped out.
Even in the dim light, his imposing figuremanded attention. His gray eyes were cold as they fixed on me. "Where is she?" he demanded, his voice carrying the authority of an Alpha, though he had no right to use that tone with me.
I straightened my posture. "I don''t know, sir. Alpha Ethan sent me to collect Luna Olivia, but she''s not here." Lucas ckwood''s expression darkened. "When did youst hear from Ethan?"
"About an hour ago," I replied. "He said he had to attend to an emergency with Miss Frost and asked me to ensure Luna Olívia returned safely."
A muscle twitched in ckwood''s jaw. "An emergency with Victoria Frost," he repeated, his tone making it clear what he thought of that.
He surveyed the clearing, his eyes narrowing as he took in the disturbed earth and broken branches. "Something happened here," he said, more to himself than to me.
Without another word, he pulled out his phone and made a call. "I need the helicopter at these coordinates immediately," he ordered. "And bring a medical team."
My stomach dropped. "Medical team?"
Lucas ckwood''s gray eyes met mine, cold and using. "Your Alpha left his mate alone in werewolf territory known for rogue activity. If she''s hurt, the blood is on his hands."
I wanted to defend Alpha Ethan, but the words died in my throat. Because deep down, I feared ckwood was right.
(Lucas''s POV)
+15 Points >
The helicopter arrived within minutes, its powerful searchlight cutting through the darkness. From the air, we scanned the surrounding area, looking for any sign of Olivia.
"There!" I pointed to a small figure lying motionless on the ground about half a mile from the clearing.
My heart raced as the helicopter descended. Before it had fullynded, I was already jumping out, running toward the still form.
Oliviay crumpled on the ground, her chestnut hair syed across the dirt. Even in the harsh light of the helicopter, I could see the blood staining her clothes.
"Olivia," I called, kneeling beside her. She didn''t respond.
Gently, I turned her over, my breath catching at the sight of her battered face. Bruises were already forming, her lip was split, and dried blood caked her nose and mouth.
A surge of protective rage swept through me. Who had done this to her? And where the hell was her mate when she needed him?
I removed my ck overcoat and carefully wrapped it around her small frame.
She seemed even more fragile now, broken and vulnerable in that made my chest ache.
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