Something was wrong. I could feel it in my bones as I watched Ethan hastily gather his things


    from our bedroom at Rosewood Haven.


    "Where are you going?" I asked, trying to keep my voice light despite the unease


    crawling up


    my spine.


    Ethan barely nced at me. "Pack business."


    Before I could question him further, he was already heading for the door. I followed him


    outside just in time to see him slide into his Shadow Ghost and drive away, tires squealing


    against the pavement.


    I immediately called his phone. He answered on the fourth ring.


    "What is it?" His voice was curt, impatient.


    "When will you be back?" I asked, hating how needy I sounded.


    "I have pack business to attend to. Rest early." He hung up before I could respond.


    I called back. No answer. I tried again. Still nothing.


    This was unprecedented. Ever since I''d presented him with his Ancestral Moonstone Amulet


    and transformed into the she-wolf he cherished, Ethan had prioritized me above all else.


    Despite his naturally cold Alpha demeanor, our childhood promise had bound us together. He


    always answered my calls immediately, no matter the time or ce.


    But recently, he hadn''t been answering right away. Today, he hadn''t answered at all.


    I tried to make excuses for him. Perhaps the pack business was truly urgent.


    Perhaps he was in a meeting. Perhaps his phone had died.


    But deep down, I knew better.


    I drove to the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, my suspicions growing with each passing mile.


    When I arrived, I followed my instincts to Olivia''s room.


    What I saw through the partially open door made my blood run cold.


    Ethan was there, his hands moving across Olivia''s skin with a tenderness he rarely showed


    +8 Points


    1. me. His face, usually so guarded around me, was open and vulnerable as he tended to his true mate''s injuries.


    "Olivia Winters!” I hissed under my breath, clenching my fists as jealousy coursed through me.


    I hadn''t realized how skilled she had be at feigning innocence. At ying the victim. At manipting Ethan''s emotions.


    Ethan was mine. I would never let Olivia steal him away.


    A pack healer approached the room, and I quickly retreated. I couldn''t risk being discovered


    here, couldn''t risk ruining my carefully cultivated image in Ethan''s eyes.


    As I drove back to Rosewood Haven, my mind raced with ns. This wasn''t over. Not by a long shot.


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I finished applying Dr. Harold Bet''s Rare Healing Salve to thest of Olivia''s bruises and


    helped her redress in a clean hospital gown. Her skin felt warm beneath my fingers, her pulse


    steady and strong despite her injuries.


    I went to the bathroom to wash the medicinal residue from my hands, only to realize I''d


    forgotten to close the curtains. The moonlight streamed in, illuminating Olivia''s sleeping form


    on the bed.


    After locking the door and drawing the curtains, I stood beside the bed, watching the gentle


    rise and fall of her chest. I should leave, or at least go to the separate resting room prepared


    for me.


    Instead, I slipped into bed beside her, drawing her into my arms.


    Under the influence of the sedative, Olivia rested peacefully against me, her head tucked


    beneath my chin. I gazed at her for a long moment before dimming the lights, adjusting her


    position forfort, and closing my eyes.


    As dawn broke, I awoke ording to my internal clock. Olivia still slept soundly, the sedative


    still in effect.


    I found myself recalling the past five years of our rtionship. The misunderstanding about


    her supposed involvement in our daughter''s disappearance had forced an emotional


    separation between us. I''d resented her perceived deception but couldn''t deny the lingering