is she?"


    Maxwell''s expression was grim. "Stable, but badly injured. Three broken ribs, a fractured wrist, severe bruising."


    I nodded, my jaw tight. "And ckwood?"


    "Still at the hospital," Maxwell replied, his tone careful. "He hasn''t left her side."


    +15 Points >


    The thought of Lucas ckwoodforting my mate sent a surge of jealousy through me. I had no right to feel possessive-not after abandoning Olivia for Victoria-but the emotion came unbidden nheless.


    "Let''s go," I said, heading for the door. "I need to see her."


    The drive to Silvercrest Pack Medical Den was silent, my thoughts consumed by what awaited me there. How would Olivia react to seeing me? Would she forgive me for leaving her alone in Deste Hollow?


    Deep down, I knew the answer. Some betrayals cut too deep for forgiveness.


    When we arrived at the medical center, I made my way directly to Olivia''s room. Through the partially open door, I could hear her voice-soft, broken, desperate.


    "It contains Lily''s ashes," she was saying, her voice catching on our daughter''s name. "It''s all I have left of her."


    I peered through the gap to see Olivia lying in the hospital bed, her small form dwarfed by the white sheets. Her face was bruised, one eye swollen, her lip split. Lucas ckwood sat beside her, hisrge hand covering hers.


    "I''ll find it," Lucas promised, his gray eyes unusually warm as they gazed at my mate. "Whatever it takes."


    The intimacy of the scene made my blood boil. I pushed the door open fully, standing in the doorway with my hands clenched at my sides.


    Olivia''s emerald eyes found mine, and the warmth in them instantly vanished, reced by a cold fury that chilled me to the bone.


    "Leave,” shemanded, her voice t with barely controlled anger.


    Lucas rose to his full height, his imposing frame blocking my path to Olivia''s bed. "You heard her, Stone."


    I ignored him, my eyes fixed on Olivia''s battered face. Without a word, I reached into my pocket and pulled out Lily''s Ashes Crystal Pendant.


    Olivia''s eyes widened, her gaze locked on the pendant dangling from my fingers. For a moment, the hatred in her eyes gave way to desperate hope.


    "Lily," she whispered, reaching for the pendant with trembling hands.


    In her eagerness to reim our daughter''s ashes, Olivia lunged forward too quickly. Her weakened body betrayed her, and she began to fall from the bed.


    I moved instinctively, catching her before she hit the floor. Her small form felt fragile in my arms, her body warm against my chest despite the coldness in her eyes.


    Olivia struggled against my hold, her hands pushing ineffectively against my chest. "Let me go," she hissed, her emerald eyes shing with defiance.


    I tightened my grip, refusing to release her. Instead, I turned slightly, positioning myself so that my back was


    111


    < Chapter 72 The Memory..


    to Lucas ckwood.


    "Don''t want the pendant anymore?" I whispered, my breath warm against her ear.


    Olivia stopped struggling, her emerald eyes meeting mine with undisguised anger. I held her gaze, challenging her to continue fighting me when I held what she wanted most.


    +15 Points >


    Over her head, I looked at Lucas, my expression deliberately provocative. This was my mate, regardless of my failings as her partner.


    "Tell him to leave," I whispered in Olivia''s ear, low enough that only she could hear. "Or you''ll never see this pendant again."


    Olivia''s body stiffened in my arms. "You''re despicable," she whispered back, her voice trembling with rage.


    But sheplied.


    "Lucas," she called, her voice suddenly polite despite the fury in her eyes. "Would you mind giving us a moment alone?"


    Lucas hesitated, his gray eyes seeking confirmation from Olivia. "Are you sure?"


    Olivia nodded, though the movement clearly caused her pain. "Yes. Thank you for everything, but I need to speak with Ethan privately."


    Lucas''s jaw tightened, but he respected her wishes. With a final warning nce at me, he left the room, closing the door behind him.


    (Olivia''s POV)


    The moment Lucas left, I tore myself from Ethan''s grasp. My body screamed in protest at the sudden movement, but my fury overrode the pain.


    "Give me my pendant," I demanded, my hand outstretched.


    Ethan''s amber eyes were unreadable as he studied my face. "Lie down first," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.


    I wanted to refuse, to stand my ground, but my legs were already trembling from the effort of standing. Reluctantly, I returned to the hospital bed, my emerald eyes never leaving the crystal pendant in Ethan''s hand. To my surprise, Ethan walked to the door and locked it. The sound of the lock clicking into ce sent a chill down my spine.


    "What are you doing?" I asked, watching warily as he approached the bed.


    Without answering, Ethan reached for the buttons of my hospital gown. His fingers worked methodically, undoing the first three buttons before I realized his intent.


    I grabbed his wrist, stopping him. "What do you think you''re doing?"


    Ethan''s amber eyes shed with annoyance. "I want to see your injuries."


    "No," I refused, tightening my grip on his wrist. "Give me my pendant and leave."


    Ethan ignored my protests. With a simple twist, he freed his wrist from my grasp and continued unbuttoning my gown. His strength easily overpowered my weakened state as he forced my hand away.


    The hospital gown fell open, revealing the full extent of my injuries. Dark bruises covered my ribs and


    Chapter 72. The Memory...


    +15 Points >


    abdomen where Darius Reed had kicked me repeatedly. The skin was mottled purple and ck, with patches


    of sickly yellow at the edges.


    Ethan''s sharp intake of breath was the only indication of his shock. His face remained impassive as his eyes traveled over my battered body.


    "This is what you endured for a worthless trinket?" he asked, his voice tight with barely controlled anger.


    His dismissal of Lily''s remains felt like a physical blow. Without thinking, I pped him with all the strength I could muster. The sound echoed in the quiet hospital room.


    "Shut up!" I yelled, my voice breaking with emotion. "You have no right to talk about this pendant! It''s priceless to me. Give it back!"


    I lunged for the crystal pendant in his hand, desperate to reim my daughter''s remains. Ethan''s face darkened with rage, his with fury at my defiance.


    r eyes glowing


    In one swift motion, he turned and flung the pendant out the open window.


    "No!" I screamed, watching in horror as the crystal caught the sunlight before disappearing from view.


    I scrambled to the window, ignoring the pain shooting through my body.


    I stared in horror at the rippling water where my daughter''s remains had disappeared.