(Victoria''s POV)


    I adjusted my dark sunsses and pulled my hood lower over my face as I


    watched from my


    hidden position near the yground. The disguise was simple but effective-no one at the


    Crescent Moon Training Den would recognize me.


    My eyes narrowed as I spotted Emma ying alone near the swings. She looked so small, so


    vulnerable. Perfect.


    I''d already done my part, whispering poisonous words to the Timber Triplets earlier. Those three young wolves were known troublemakers, and it hadn''t taken much to set them against


    Emma.


    "I heard her mother''s just the Alpha''s mistress," I''d told them, my voice dripping with false


    sympathy. "Poor Emma doesn''t even have a real father. Just a half-breed with no ce in the


    pack."


    Now I watched as they approached my daughter, their young faces twisted with cruel intent. My wolf purred with satisfaction inside me. Everything was going ording to n.


    "Hey, half-breed!" the tallest triplet called out to Emma. "Where''s your Alpha daddy today? Oh


    wait, you don''t have one!"


    Emma''s head snapped up, her small face hardening. "I do have a father!"


    The triplets circled her like predators, pushing her until she fell to the ground. Emma''s palms scraped against the rough pavement, but she didn''t cry. She remembered my lessons well-l


    hated tears.


    "Liar!" one of the triplets sneered. "Everyone knows your mom''s just the Alpha''s W***e!"


    I saw Emma''s face flush with anger. My daughter might be young, but she had inherited my temper. Her small wolf stirred beneath her skin, responding to her emotions.


    "My father loves me and my mother!" Emma shouted, lunging at the nearest triplet.


    I smiled behind my disguise. She was ying her part perfectly, even though she had no idea


    she was in a y of my making.


    The fight escted quickly. Emma was brave, but she was outnumbered. The triplets pushed


    her down again, harder this time. One of them kicked her in the side, and I heard Emma''s


    pained gasp.


    "Your mother''s a home-wrecker!" they taunted. "And you''re nothing but a mistake!"


    +8 Paints >


    I watched dispassionately as my daughter was beaten. The kick to her spleen was particrly


    vicious-exactly what I needed. My wolf''s eyes gleamed with satisfaction.


    Miss Abigail Parker finally noticed themotion and rushed over, her face flushed with


    rm.


    "Stop this immediately!" she shouted, pulling the triplets away from Emma.


    Emmay curled on the ground, clutching her side. There was dirt on her face and tears in her


    eyes, but she still refused to cry openly. I''d trained her well.


    “Emma, are you alright?" Miss Parker knelt beside her, her voice gentle.


    Emma shook her head, her face contorted with pain.


    "I''m calling your mother right away," Miss Parker said, helping Emma to her feet.


    That was my cue. I slipped away quickly, discarding my disguise in a nearby trash can before hurrying back to my car. By the time my phone rang, I was already driving back toward the


    training den, a concerned expression carefully arranged on my face.


    "Ms. Frost? This is Miss Parker from Crescent Moon Training Den. There''s been an incident involving Emma."


    I gasped dramatically. "What happened? Is she okay?"


    "She was attacked by some other pups. She''s in the infirmary now."


    "I''ll be right there!" I eximed, injecting just the right amount of panic into my voice.


    I ended the call and allowed myself a small, satisfied smile. My wolf purred with contentment. Everything was going exactly as nned.


    When I arrived at the Crescent Moon Training Den, I rushed through the doors, my face a perfect mask of maternal concern. My wolf projected protective energy as I hurried to the infirmary.


    "Emma!" I cried, rushing to embrace my daughter who sat on an examination table.


    Emma winced at my touch but didn''t pull away. Her eyes were still dry, but her face was pale with pain.


    +8 Points >


    "Ms. Frost," Miss Parker approached me, her expression grave. "I''m so sorry this happened. We''ve already disciplined the pups responsible."


    Healer Grace Thompson stood nearby, her hands sped in front of her. "I''ve examined Emma, but I''m concerned about the blow to her side. I rmend taking her to the Silvercrest Pack


    Medical Den for a more thorough examination."


    I nodded, my eyes filling with perfectly timed tears. "Of course. Her father and I won''t let this


    matter rest, I assure you."


    I saw the surprise flicker across Miss Parker''s face at my mention of Emma''s father. Good. Word would spread quickly.


    "I''ll take care of my daughter now," I dered, lifting Emma carefully into my arms.


    Emma buried her face against my neck as I carried her out to the car. Once we were alone, she finally let out a small whimper of pain.


    "Mommy, it hurts," she whispered, her small wolf whimpering beneath her skin.


    I pulled over to the side of the road, not tofort her, but to make sure she understood her


    role.


    "Listen to me, Emma," I said, my voice firm. "Save your tears for your father. When we see Alpha King Ethan Stone, I want you to cry and tell him everything that happened."


    Emma looked at me with confusion. "But you always say crying is for the weak." "Not today," I replied, brushing her hair back from her face. "Today, I need you to cry. I need you to make your father feel sorry for you. Can you do that for Mommy?"


    Emma nodded slowly, wincing as another wave of pain hit her.


    "Good girl," I said, starting the car again. "Remember, our future depends on your performance


    today."


    My wolf''s eyes gleamed with determination as I pulled out my phone and called Ethan.


    "Ethan!" I cried, my voice breaking with practiced emotion. "Something terrible has happened


    to Emma! She was attacked at the training den!"


    "What?" Ethan''s voice was sharp with concern. "Is she alright?"


    "I don''t know," I sobbed. "She''s in pain. I''m taking her to the medical den now."


    "I''ll meet you there," he said immediately. "I''m already at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den. I''ll have Dr. Jonathan Rivers waiting."


    < Chapter 75 A Mother''s Sche....


    +8 Points>


    I ended the call, satisfaction coursing through me. Ethan had dropped everything


    for Emma.


    For us.


    As we drove to the medical den, I nced in the rearview mirror and caught sight


    of Olivia


    Winters standing near the entrance. Perfect timing. She would witness Ethan''s concern for


    Emma firsthand.


    I watched as Olivia''s face paled at the sight of Ethan rushing to meet our car, his expression


    frantic with worry. Her wolf seemed to retreat deeper within her as she turned and


    walked