I stood in the doorway of my bedroom, watching Ethan''s reaction as his amber eyes took in my appearance. The midnight blue nightdress had been chosen specifically for this moment- the silky material clung to every curve of my body, the neckline plunging low enough to reveal


    the swell of my breasts.


    "Emma''s asleep," he said, averting his gaze: "I should get back to the pack house."


    I moved forward with practiced grace, closing the distance between us. My arms slid around his waist as I pressed my body against his, looking up with undisguised longing.


    "Ethan..." I made my voice husky, inviting. "Stay tonight, okay?"


    I was confident in my allure. After all, Ethan Stone had always desired me. We shared a history that predated his idental mating with Olivia Winters. He had loved me first, had chosen me first. That bond couldn''t be broken by a mere technicality.


    I leaned in, tilting my face toward his. My scent-deliberately enhanced with a subtle perfume that I knew he liked-surrounded us both. My lips parted slightly, invitingly.


    "Victoria."


    His voice was calm and clear. There was no trace of conflicted desire in his amber eyes, only rationalposure as he gently but firmly removed my arms from around his waist.


    I felt tears welling in my eyes, genuine confusion and hurt washing over me. "What''s wrong?"


    Ethan took a step back, creating distance between us. "I need to get back."


    "Ethan," I whispered, a tear sliding down my cheek. "Do you not want me because of what happened five years ago when you identally mated with Olivia? Do you find me repulsive


    now?"


    (Ethan''s POV)


    "Victoria." My voice deepened with displeasure at her words.


    I watched as panic shed across her face, her posture immediately shifting to one of


    submission. This was a side of Victoria I''d seen before-the calcted vulnerability that


    emerged whenever she sensed my disapproval.


    < Chapter 89 Rejected Advances


    +15 Points >


    "Ethan, I''m sorry," she pleaded, her voice trembling. “I shouldn''t have said that. Don''t be angry."


    She lowered her stance submissively, her eyes wide and appealing. "You know I love you.


    We''ve loved each other since we were young. Why won''t you stay with me? You and Olivia are


    separated now. There''s nothing stopping us from being together."


    I remained silent, momentarily stunned by her question. Why couldn''t I bring myself to be


    intimate with Victoria? I had told myself for years that I loved her, that she was the one I truly


    wanted.


    I didn''t dislike Victoria. I never minded that night five years ago when I was drugged and


    identally mated with Olivia. If anything, I med myself for not being there for Victoria


    when she needed me most.


    So why did I keep pushing her away?


    Victoria pressed closer, sensing my hesitation. Her hand came up to rest against my chest,


    her touch light but insistent. "Ethan, please..."


    I instinctively stepped back again, creating distance between us. "Victoria, I haven''t found Lily


    yet. I don''t have the energy for this right now."


    Relief washed over me as the words left my mouth. Yes, that was it-I was preupied with


    finding my daughter. That exined my reluctance.


    Victoria''s expression softened with understanding. "Of course. Lily is important, Ethan. I''ll wait


    for you."


    I nodded, my mind already drifting to thoughts of my daughter. Where could she be? Why was


    Olivia hiding her from me?


    "Goodnight, Victoria," I said simply, turning to leave Rosewood Haven.


    (Victoria''s POV)


    I watched him walk away, his broad shoulders disappearing down the hallway. The moment


    the front door closed behind him, my sympathetic expression vanished.


    My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms until small crescents of blood


    appeared. Rage bubbled inside me, hot and poisonous.


    Once again, Olivia Winters hade between us. Even in her absence, she managed to keep


    Ethan from me. And now this obsession with finding Lily-a child who had never meant anything to him while she was alive.


    I had been so close. If I could just get Ethan to stay one night, to share my bed again, I might


    < Chapter 89. Rejected Advances


    +15 Points


    conceive his son. A male heir would secure my position in the Stone family and the Silvercrest Pack hierarchy forever.


    But no. He was too preupied with Olivia and Lily to see what was right in front


    of him.


    My perfectly manicured nails dug deeper into my palms as resentment filled every fiber of my being.


    (Olivia''s POV)