I stood at the entrance of Moonlight Fair, my eyes scanning every approaching vehicle. The pendant I''d purchased for Lily weighed in my pocket-a small tokenpared to the amusement park I''d built for her, but I hoped she would appreciate the personal touch.


    "Any sign of them yet?" I asked Maxwell, who stood dutifully beside me.


    "Not yet, Alpha King," he replied, checking his tablet. "But Ms. Winters confirmed they''re on their way."


    I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. After months of separation, I would finally see my daughter again. The ceramic coffee mug she had made-with its childish drawings and "I DAD!" inscription-had shattered something inside me when I discovered it among Olivia''s


    things. How had I missed the depth of my daughter''s love?


    "She''ll forgive me," I murmured, more to reassure myself than anything. "Children are resilient."


    Maxwell remained silent, his expression carefully neutral. I checked my phone again, refreshing the screen though I knew it would ring if Olivia called.


    "Alpha King, I believe that''s Ms. Winters'' car approaching now," Maxwell said, pointing to a


    familiar vehicle turning into the parking area.


    My heart leaped. I straightened my jacket and ran a hand through my hair, suddenly


    concerned with my appearance. Would Lily recognize me? Would she be happy to see me?


    As Olivia''s car pulled up to the curb, I rushed forward, unable to contain my eagerness. I


    reached for the back door handle, calling out with uncharacteristic tenderness.


    "Lily..."


    The door swung open, revealing


    empty child seat.


    I froze, staring at the vacant space where my daughter should have been. Confusion gave way


    to fury in an instant. I mmed the door shut with enough force to dent the frame, the metal


    groaning under my strength.


    "Where is she?" I demanded, rounding on Olivia as she emerged from the driver''s side. "Where is our daughter?"


    +15 Points


    Olivia''s face remained impassive, her emerald eyes cold as winter frost. "Ethan Stone, you


    can''t even handle one instance of this? Have you ever considered how many times you''ve


    disappointed Lily in the past five years?"


    Her words struck me like a physical blow. I took a step back, momentarily stunned by the


    usation.


    "What are you talking about?" I growled, fighting to maintain control of my temper. "I built this


    entire amusement park for her! I''ve been trying to make amends!"


    “Make amends?” Oliviaughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "Do you have any idea how many


    times Lily waited for you, just like you''re waiting now?"


    She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper that somehow cut deeper than any shout.


    "Do you know how many times she sat by the window, watching for your car, only for you to


    never show up?"


    I swallowed hard, unwilling to acknowledge the truth in her words. "That''s


    different. I was busy with pack business-"


    "Pack business," Olivia interrupted. "That''s what I told her too. That her father was


    an


    important Alpha with responsibilities to the pack."


    Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "And do you know what she said? She said she understood. At five years old, Ethan. She understood that her father was too busy for her."


    Something twisted painfully in my chest. I remained silent, unable to form a response.


    "She saved her allowance for you," Olivia continued, her voice breaking slightly. "She kept her little coins in a jarbeled ''For Daddy''s Work.'' She thought if she could help with your expenses, maybe you''d have more time for her."


    The image of a small jar filled with coins-a child''s meager savings offered up to an absent father-made my throat constrict.


    "She tried so hard to be good," Olivia said, each word driving deeper into my conscience. “She thought if she was more obedient, less demanding, you might want to spend time with her."


    I turned away,


    unable to bear the weight of her gaze. "Enough, Olivia."


    "No, not enough," she insisted. "You wanted to see Lily? Then you need to understand what


    you did to her."


    She stepped in front of me, forcing me to look at her. "She would save her treats from the training den for you. Did you know that? The other pups would eat their venison jerky and


    < Chapter 98 Reunion at Moon


    +15 Points>


    moonberry cookies right away, but not Lily. She always saved half, wrapped it carefully in a napkin, and put it in her backpack."


    "For me?" I asked, my voice barely audible.


    "For you," Olivia confirmed. "She''d say, ''Daddy works so hard, he must get hungry. And she''d


    wait to give them to you, but you never came home in time to receive them."


    Each revtion was like another nail in my coffin of guilt. I had no defense, no justification for


    my neglect.


    "And her birthday," Olivia continued, her voice trembling with emotion. "Do you remember what