As I strode toward the emergency area, raised voices caught my attention. Turning a corner, I found a scene that made my wolf surge with protective rage.


    (Ethan''s POV)


    Olivia stood with her back against the wall, her small frame dwarfed by my father''s imposing presence. Elder Richard Stone loomed over her, his face contorted with anger.


    "You have no right to be here!" he snarled. "After your disgraceful behavior at the banquet, you should be groveling for forgiveness, not parading around as if you still matter to this family!"


    Olivia''s emerald eyes shed defiance despite her obvious exhaustion. "I''m here for Matriarch Evelyn. Nothing else matters right now."


    My father''s face darkened dangerously. "You dare speak to me with such disrespect? I was Alpha of this pack before you were born, girl!"


    "And I am Matriarch Evelyn''s granddaughter by mating," Olivia replied steadily. "I won''t leave


    until I know she''s alright."


    < Chapter 86: Lily''s Death Reve


    +8 Points >


    Elder Richard turned to the two enforcers nking him-Marcus ckwell and Dominic Walsh, both known for their brutal efficiency.


    "Remove her," he ordered coldly. "Use whatever force necessary."


    Marcus stepped forward, his meaty hand reaching for Olivia''s arm. Dominic moved to her


    other side, effectively trapping her.


    Something primal and protective erupted within me. In three long strides, I crossed the space between us, inserting myself between Olivia and the enforcers.


    "Stand down," Imanded, my Alpha authority radiating through the room.


    Marcus froze, his hand still outstretched. Dominic took a cautious step back, recognizing the dangerous glint in my eyes.


    "Ethan," my father began, his tone shifting to one of forced patience. "This woman has repeatedly disrespected our family. She needs to be taught her ce."


    I turned to face him fully, my voice deadly quiet. "No one touches my mate. No one."


    The corridor fell silent, medical staff and pack members alike watching the confrontation with wide eyes. My father''s face flushed with anger, but even he wouldn''t challenge me directly- not when my Alpha power was pulsing so visibly around me.


    Without taking my eyes off the enforcers, I spoke to Olivia over my shoulder. "Are you alright?".


    "I''m fine," she replied, her voice cool and distant. "I don''t need your protection."


    Her rejection stung, but I understood it. I had failed to protect her when it mattered most.


    "Nevertheless, you have it," I said simply.


    My father''s eyes narrowed at our exchange. "This is absurd. She publicly humiliated Victoria, disrupted Emma''s ceremony, and now she''s interfering with family matters again."


    "Grandmother is her family too," I reminded him. "And she stays."


    Marcus and Dominic looked to my father for direction, clearly torn between his orders and my


    authority.


    "Leave us," Imanded them. "Now."


    They retreated reluctantly, disappearing down the corridor. My father remained,


    his jaw clenched with barely contained fury.


    "This isn''t over," he warned before stalking away.


    12


    I turned to Olivia, careful to maintain the distance she clearly wanted. "Any news about


    Grandmother?"


    48 Points >


    She shook her head, her expression guarded. "Dr. Bet and Dr. Fletcher are with her now."


    Wepsed into ufortable silence, standing side by side yet worlds apart as we waited for


    news.


    (Olivia''s POV)


    The minutes crawled by like hours as we waited outside the emergency room. Though Ethan


    stood barely an arm''s length away, the distance between us felt insurmountable.


    kept my eyes fixed on the emergency room doors, refusing to acknowledge his presence. My


    mind raced with worry for Matriarch Evelyn, the only member of the Stone family who had


    shown me genuine kindness.


    Bernard had briefly exined what happened-how she had discovered Lily''s grave and


    copsed from the shock. The thought of her learning about Lily''s death this way, alone in the


    cemetery, made my heart ache.


    "She loved Lily very much," I said softly, breaking the silence despite myself.


    Ethan''s amber eyes turned to me, surprise evident in his expression. "I remember her holding


    Lily when she was born. She wept with joy."


    The memory pierced my heart. Those early days had been so full of hope, before everything


    fell apart.


    "She used to tell Lily stories about the ancient wolf packs," I continued, the words spilling out


    unbidden. "Lily would sit on herp for hours,pletely entranced."


    A muscle twitched in Ethan''s jaw. "I didn''t know that."


    "There''s a lot you didn''t know," I replied, the brief moment of shared remembrance evaporating.


    Before he could respond, the emergency room doors swung open. Dr. Harold Bet emerged,


    followed closely by Dr. Marcus Fletcher. Both looked tired but not defeated.


    "How is she?" I asked immediately, stepping forward.


    Dr. Bet offered a reassuring smile. "Stable. The shock triggered a minor cardiac event, but


    we''ve managed to stabilize her condition."


    "Will she recover fully?" Ethan asked, his voice tight with concern.


    Dr. Fletcher nodded. "With proper rest and care, yes. But she''ll needplete


    rest to recover


    < Chapter 86 Lily''s Death Reve..


    +8 Points 2


    from the emotional shock. No visitors except immediate family, and absolutely no


    stress."