I dressed in traditional white mourning clothes, the color of grief in werewolf culture. My wolf was subdued, sharing my sorrow as I made my way to the Stone Ancestral Hall where the ceremony would be held.


    As I approached the entrance, Eleanor Stone and Isabelle stepped into my path, their faces


    twisted with hatred.


    "Get out! You killed Grandmother, and you still have the nerve toe!" Eleanor snarled, her


    eyes shing with anger.


    I tried to move past them without engaging. I was here to pay my respects to Matriarch Evelyn, not to fight with her family.


    "Your.usations drove her to confront Victoria," Isabelle added, her voice dripping with


    venom. "Her death is on your hands."


    I kept my gaze fixed ahead, refusing to be baited. My wolf remained quiet, too numb with grief to respond to their provocations.


    Eleanor, enraged by my silence, shoved me roughly. I stumbled backward, nearly falling before a strong hand caught my elbow.


    Ethan had appeared beside me, his face stern as he steadied me. "Enough," he said, his voice carrying the unmistakable authority of an Alpha.


    Eleanor faltered, clearly not expecting his intervention. "But Ethan, she-"


    "Is the mother of my daughter," Ethan cut her off, his eyes shing dangerously. "And Lily was Grandmother''s great-granddaughter. Olivia has every right to be here."


    < Chapter 110: Despair


    +15 Points


    His words silenced both women, though their eyes still burned with resentment. Ethan''s hand


    remained on my elbow as he guided me past them into the hall.


    I pulled away from his touch as soon as we were inside. "I don''t need your protection," I said


    coldly.


    Ethan nodded, stepping back. "As you wish."


    The funeral ceremony was borate, befitting Matriarch Evelyn''s status. I knelt in


    a corner,


    away from the main gathering, offering my prayers in solitude. My wolf mourned silently


    within me, grieving for the kind old woman who had been the only one to believe


    us.


    Hours passed, and gradually the mourners departed. I remained kneeling, lost in memories of


    Matriarch Evelyn''s kindness toward Lily and me.


    "Olivia."


    I looked up to find Ethan standing over me, his face drawn with exhaustion and grief.


    "Everyone has left," he said quietly. "You should rest."


    I rose stiffly, my injured leg protesting after hours of kneeling. "I''m leaving now."


    Ethan hesitated, then offered, "You can stay at the Alpha''s Private Residence tonight. It''ste,


    and you shouldn''t drive with your injury."


    I looked at him coldly, my heart hardened against his bted concern. "No, thank you. I prefer


    to be alone."


    Without waiting for his response, I turned and limped toward the exit. My wolf, once so responsive to Ethan''s presence, remained silent and withdrawn.


    Outside, the night air was cool against my tear-stained face. I made my way to my car, each step a reminder of the physical and emotional pain I carried.


    As I drove away from the Stone Estate, my mind was a whirlwind of grief and guilt. If only I''d been more vignt about Lily''s donor. If only I''d discovered Victoria''s scheme sooner. If only I''d been able to convince Matriarch Evelyn to wait for solid proof before confronting Victoria.


    So many "if onlys," and all of them useless now.


    My wolf howled mournfully inside me as I med myself for Lily''s unwavering faith in Ethan''s love, a love I now realized had never truly existed. I had encouraged that faith, telling her


    stories of her father''s strength and kindness, even as he neglected us for Victoria and Emma.


    "I''m sorry, Lily," I whispered to the empty car. "I''m so sorry I couldn''t save you."


    < Chapter 110 Despair


    +15 Points


    The road blurred before me as fresh tears filled my eyes. I drove aimlessly, with no destination


    in mind, just needing to be away from the Stone family and their cold rejection.


    Eventually, I found myself near the Silvermoon River. I pulled over, drawn to the sound of rushing water. Getting out of the car, I limped to the edge of Moonstone Bridge, looking down


    at the dark waters below.


    The river was swollen from recent rains, its currents swift and dangerous. As I watched the


    water swirl and churn, a strange calm settled over me.


    What was I fighting for anymore? Lily was gone. Matriarch Evelyn was gone. Victoria had won, securing her ce at Ethan''s side while I was left with nothing but grief and bitter memories.


    The urge to end my suffering became overpowering, my wolf no longer fighting against the


    crushing despair. For the first time since Lily''s death, my wolf and I were in perfect agreement.


    I reached for the Lily''s Ashes Crystal Pendant around my neck, the small container that held a portion of my daughter''s remains. The crystal felt warm against my palm, almost as if it


    contained some essence of Lily''s spirit.


    "Lily, Mommy is sorry..." I whispered, tears streaming down my face. "Mommy ising to be with you."


    I climbed onto the bridge railing, my injured leg screaming in protest. The pain didn''t matter


    anymore. Nothing mattered except being reunited with my daughter.


    Clutching Lily''s Ashes Crystal Pendant, I closed my eyes and fell into the swirling waters


    below.