bond that drew me to her.


    Every time she''d called me back to the Imperial Gardens, I''d known it was intentional, yet I


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    < Chapter 74 Suspicions and C...


    couldn''t resist. Despite my resentment, my body craved her closeness.


    Now, knowing she hadn''t been responsible for hiding Lily, I held her, reluctant to


    let go. hadn''t been this docile in a long time, her usual defenses lowered by medication and


    exhaustion.


    +8 Points>


    She


    I traced the outline of her face with my fingertips, memorizing every curve and contour. The soft arch of her eyebrows, the delicate slope of her nose, the fullness of her lips.


    Her lips.


    Morning sunlight streamed through a gap in the curtains, illuminating her face. Her lips had regained their color after a night''s rest, no longer the pale, bloodless things they''d been when I''d found her in the hospital.


    My thumb unconsciously traced their outline, the gentle rise and fall of her breath against my palm a tantalizing sensation. I swallowed hard, my control slipping.


    I tilted her chin up slightly, my lips descending in a fervent kiss. Initially, I tried to be gentle, not


    wanting to wake her.


    But Olivia''s eyes suddenly fluttered open. A momentary confusion cleared quickly as she realized what was happening. Her expression turned icy.


    "Ethan Stone, get off me!" she demanded, her voice hoarse but firm.


    I pulled back slightly, surprised by her vehemence. Her emerald eyes zed with fury as memories of the previous night flooded back.


    "How dare you touch me after what you did?" she spat, her voice trembling with rage.


    Before I could respond, her hand connected with my cheek in a stinging p. The sound


    echoed in the quiet room.


    My face darkened. "Olivia Winters!" I growled, my amber eyes narrowing.


    "Get off!" she repeated, her voice even colder.


    She struggled against me, but I wouldn''t budge, my strength easily overpowering her. My expression grew dangerous, and I could see fear flicker in her eyes.


    She stopped struggling and pressed the call button for assistance. The revulsion in her eyes


    was palpable.


    The realization made my expression harden. I gave her onest look before getting out of bed, grabbing my ck Alpha Overcoat, and storming out of the room without a backward nce.


    < Chapter 74: Suspicions and C...


    (Olivia''s POV)


    A pack healer rushed in immediately after Ethan left, her eyes wide with concern.


    +8 Points >


    "Luna Winters, are you alright?" she asked anxiously, scanning me for any signs of distress.


    I forced a smile. "I''m fine. I identally pressed the button."


    The healer''s shoulders rxed. "It''s no trouble at all, Luna. Dr. Marcus Fletcher will be by


    shortly for a check-up before you can be discharged."


    I nodded, feeling much better physically, though my heart still ached for my lost pendant containing Lily''s ashes. After the healer left, I changed into the clothes Lucas ckwood had


    sent over.


    The soft fabric felt like a shield against the world as I prepared to leave the Silvercrest Pack


    Medical Den. I couldn''t stay here, not with Ethan so close. Not after what he''d done.


    My fingers instinctively reached for the spot where my pendant should have been. The


    emptiness there mirrored the hollowness in my chest.


    I would find a way to retrieve Lily''s ashes from the Moonlit Reflection Pool. I had to. But first, I


    needed to regain my strength.


    With a deep breath, I stepped out of the Recovery Chamber and made my way toward the exit,


    determined to put as much distance between myself and Ethan Stone as possible.


    (Victoria''s POV)


    I paced the length of my bedroom at Rosewood Haven, sleep eluding me as images of Ethan


    tending to Olivia yed on repeat in my mind.


    The tenderness in his touch. The vulnerability in his expression. The intimacy of the moment.


    It should have been me. It should always be me.


    As dawn broke, I emerged from my room, exhausted but resolute. Emma had already dressed


    herself and gone downstairs for breakfast.


    Martha Wilson, our housekeeper, greeted me in the hallway. "Good morning, Ms. Frost. Emma


    is ready for the Crescent Moon Training Den. Shall I call the driver?"


    I nodded absently. "Yes, please do."


    Knowing I wouldn''t be taking her to the training den today, Emma hadn''t disturbed


    me. She


    was a good girl that way, understanding when to give me space.


    +8 Points


    As soon as Emma left with Martha, I got in my car and drove straight to the training den. I needed to see Ethan, to force him to publicly acknowledge our rtionship and Emma as his


    daughter.


    No more shadows. No more secrets. It was time for Ethan to choose, once and for


    all.


    As I drove, I rehearsed what I would say to him. How I would remind him of our


    history, our bond, our love. How I would make him see that Olivia was manipting him, using her injuries


    to gain his sympathy.


    It was time for Olivia Winters to learn her ce once and for all.