I pulled her close, kissing her forehead. "Very soon, sweetheart. Just a few more days."
On the terrace, I could see Ethan pacing as he spoke on his phone. His shoulders were tense,
his free hand clenched into a fist.
"What''s wrong with Daddy?" Emma whispered, following my gaze.
I forced a smile. "Nothing, darling. He''s just busy with pack business."
But my wolf knew better. Ethan was still haunted by doubts about Lily. I needed to distract
him, keep him focused on our future.
When he returned, his expression was troubled. "I need to go," he said abruptly.
"But we were supposed to discuss the ceremony details," I protested, reaching for his arm.
He pulled away. "Tomorrow. I''ll call you tomorrow."
I watched him leave, my triumph suddenly tasting bitter. He was going to her again. I could
sense it.
(Ethan''s POV)
I drove to Maple Grove, my wolf restless beneath my skin. Maxwell''s report had disturbed me
more than I wanted to admit.
Using my Alpha authority, I entered Olivia''s apartment. Her scent hit me
immediately -
moonflowers and grief, abination that made my wolf whine.
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I followed the scent to her bedroom, where I found Lily''s Memorial Portrait on the nightstand. The photograph showed a small, frail girl with my eyes and Olivia''s smile.
The moonflowers surrounding the frame remained fresh despite the passing of time werewolf tradition for honoring the deceased.
My wolf whined in confusion as I stared at the image. If Lily was truly gone, why couldn''t I remember her funeral? And if she wasn''t, why would Olivia create such an borate deception?
I picked up the frame, my fingers tracing the child''s face. Something about her eyes - my eyes
stirred a memory just beyond my reach.
"Where are you, Lily?" I whispered, my wolf howling with a grief I didn''t understand.
I set the portrait down carefully and searched the apartment for more evidence. In
a drawer, I found a small stuffed wolf, worn with age and love.
The tag read: "To Lily, Happy Birthday, Love Daddy."
I didn''t remember buying it. I didn''t remember giving it to her. But it was in my handwriting.
My phone rang - Victoria calling again. I silenced it, suddenly unable to bear her voice.
What had I done? What had I forgotten?
(Olivia''s POV)
On the morning of the ceremony, I stood before my mirror, assessing my appearance with
critical eyes.
The pristine white dress and coat I''d chosen symbolized both mourning and purity in werewolf
culture. The elders would understand the message immediately.
My chestnut hair fell in soft waves around my shoulders. My emerald eyes were clear and
determined, no longer clouded by tears.
I carefully ced Lily''s death certificate and Emma''s paternity test results into my Crystal-Studded Designer Handbag. These papers would change everything.
My wolf was unusually calm, having moved beyond grief to cold determination. We had
suffered enough - watched as Victoria took everything that should have been ours, as Ethan
neglected our daughter in favor of another man''s child.
"Today, Lily," I whispered to my daughter''s portrait. "Today we get justice."
I touched the Memorial Portrait gently before turning away. My phone buzzed with
a message
425
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from Lucas: "Are you sure about this?"
I typed back quickly: "More sure than I''ve ever been."
With a deep breath, I grabbed my keys and walked out the door. My wolf moved
with purpose, no longer afraid of the confrontation ahead.
The time for hiding in the shadows was over. Today, I would step into the light and speak the truth, no matter the consequences.
With my head held high and my wolf''s strength flowing through me, I drove towards the
Silvercrest Pack House, ready to confront the Alpha King with the truth that would shatter his
carefully constructed world.