I caught Olivia as she copsed, my reflexes acting before my mind could process what was happening. Her slight weight fell against me, her body limp and fragile in my arms.


    "Olivia!" I called out, panic rising in my throat as I cradled her against my chest.


    Her face was pale, dark circles prominent beneath her closed eyes. The sight of her unconscious form triggered something primal within me, my wolf howling with distress beneath my skin.


    "What happened to her?" Lucas ckwood demanded, stepping forward with concern etched across his features.


    I growled low in my throat, my wolf bristling at his proximity. "Stay back, ckwood. She''s my mate. I''ll take care of her."


    "You''ve done enough damage,” he retorted, his gray eyes shing with anger. “Let me help her."


    "She doesn''t need your help," I snarled, lifting Olivia''s unconscious form closer to my chest. "She needs rest and proper care, which I will provide."


    ra Wilkins approached cautiously, her elderly face creased with worry. "The poor dear has been through so much. Please take good care of her."


    I nodded curtly, turning away from ckwood''s prating gaze. As I carried Olivia to my Shadow Ghost, I could feel his eyes tracking our every movement. "This isn''t over, Stone," he called after me, his voice carrying a clear warning.


    I didn''t respond, focusing instead on securing Olivia in the passenger seat, making sure she wasfortable before closing the door. My wolf was restless, torn between territorial rage at ckwood and deep concern for my mate.


    As I drove away, I couldn''t help ncing at Olivia''s unconscious form. Her chestnut hair fell across her face, and I gently brushed it away with one hand, my chest tightening at how vulnerable she looked.


    What had I done to her? To us?


    The drive to Imperial Gardens passed in a blur of conflicting emotions. By the time I carried


    < Chapter 84 Shattered Pieces


    +8 Points


    her inside, my mind was racing with worry and regret.


    I gently ced Olivia on the sofa, my hands lingering longer than necessary. She looked so small, so broken. I immediately called Dr. Harold Bet, who arrived within minutes.


    "What happened?" he asked, his experienced eyes already assessing Olivia''s condition.


    "She copsed," I exined, pacing anxiously as he examined her. "We were... arguing."


    Dr. Bet''s hands moved efficiently, checking her pulse, her breathing, her temperature. His expression grew increasingly concerned.


    "Her condition has worsened," he finally said, looking up at me with grave eyes. "Theck of rest and emotional stress have taken their toll. She''spletely exhausted."


    The words hit me like a physical blow. I had done this to her. My actions, my neglect, my anger -they had all contributed to breaking down the strong, vibrant woman I had mated.


    "What can we do?" I asked, my voice uncharacteristically uncertain.


    "I''ll administer a sedative to help her sleep and allow her to recover," Dr. Bet replied, preparing an injection. "But what she really needs is peace, Alpha. Her body and wolf are both


    at their limits."


    I watched as he administered the medication, my wolf whining with distress beneath my skin. When Dr. Bet finally packed up his bag and left with instructions for her care, I sat beside her, studying her face.


    Tear tracks still marked her cheeks, evidence of the pain I had caused her. Without thinking, I leaned down and gently kissed them away, my lips brushing her skin with uncharacteristic


    tenderness.


    "What happened to you?" I whispered, my voice barely audible even to my own


    ears.


    My mind shed back to the broken mug on the cobblestones. Lily''s mug. My daughter''s gift that I had destroyed without a second thought.


    The realization of what I had done-not just today, but over the past five years- crashed over


    me like a tidal wave. I had failed them both sopletely.


    My phone buzzed in my pocket, interrupting my thoughts. Victoria''s name shed on the


    screen. I answered with reluctance.


    "What is it?" I asked, my voice low to avoid disturbing Olivia.


    "Ethan, Emma is asking for you," Victoria''s voice came through, sweet and pleading. "She''s


    < Chapter 84: Shattered Pieces