"He attacked me like a wild animal!" I sobbed, clutching Ethan''s arm as tears streamed down
my
face. "She knew I couldn''t defend myself with my paralyzed legs!"
My wolf whimpered pathetically inside me, ying up our victimhood. The bruises
on my face were already darkening, and I made sure to wince dramatically whenever I shifted in my
wheelchair.
"She dragged me across the floor by my hair," I continued, voice breaking. "mmed my head
against the wall. Called me horrible names!"
I looked up at Ethan through tear-soakedshes, expecting to see his amber
eyes darkening with protective rage. Instead, his expression remained eerily calm, almost detached.
"Are you even listening?" I demanded, my voice rising with hysteria. "Your mate tried to kill
me!"
Ethan''s jaw tightened. "I heard you, Victoria."
His wolf''s energy remained controlled, contained. Not at all the reaction I''d anticipated.
"And?" I prompted, squeezing his arm harder.
"And you provoked her," he stated tly. "Again."
I recoiled as if pped. "What?”
"Victoria, two years ago I told you to stay away from Olivia and not appear in her territory," he said coldly. "Yet you deliberately sought her out today."
Horror dawned as I realized Ethan was siding with Olivia.
"You had bodyguards," he continued, his voice hardening. "Who conveniently waited outside
while you requested a ''private conversation'' with my mate."
"I was trying to make peace!" I protested.
Ethan''sugh was short and bitter. "We both know that''s not true."
My wolf bristled beneath my skin, indignation rising. "I''m pressing charges," I dered. "The Northern Territory Enforcers will—”
Chapter 129 Wounded Pride
"Will what?" Ethan interrupted. "Arrest the Luna of Silvercrest Pack based on your word
alone?"
Dr. Samuel Wilson chose that moment to enter with my medical report. I straightened, anticipating vindication.
"The examination isplete, Alpha King," Dr. Wilson said professionally. "Miss Frost''s
injuries are superficial-bruising to the face and torso, minor contusions. Nothing that qualifies as even light injuries under Northern Territory werewolfw."
My mouth fell open in shock. "That''s impossible! I''m in agony!"
Dr. Wilson''s expression remained neutral. "The pain you''re experiencing is likely due to your pre-existing condition, not today''s altercation."
Fury bubbled inside me. That b***h Olivia had calcted everything perfectly- hurting me enough to satisfy her revenge while staying just under the legal threshold for assault charges.
"This is outrageous," I hissed. "I demand a second opinion!"
"Victoria, don''t make a fuss," Ethan said with finality. "I''ll take you home to rest. I''ll handle the
Territory Enforcers'' report."
My wolf snarled internally but submitted to the Alpha''smand. I nodded stiffly, swallowing
my rage.
"Thank you, Ethan," I managed, voice honeyed despite my fury. "You''re always so good to me."
Ethan''s expression remained unreadable as he wheeled me toward the exit.
The drive to Rosewood Haven passed in tense silence. My mind raced with ns for revenge,
each more vicious than thest. Olivia Winters would pay for this humiliation.
Once we arrived, Ethan personally wheeled me inside, his movements efficient rather than
tender.
"I''ll call the Enforcers and ensure this matter is closed," he stated, already pulling out his
phone.
"But Ethan-"
"No, Victoria," he cut me off firmly. "This ends now. You provoked Olivia, and you''re fortunate
she showed restraint."
Restraint? My face throbbed with pain. This was his idea of restraint?
"Rest," he ordered, turning to leave. "And stay away from Olivia."
< Chapter 129: Wounded Pride
+8 Points >
The door closed behind him with quiet finality.
Alone in my bedroom, rage consumed me. Olivia had manipted the situation perfectly. She''d beaten me in front of Lucas ckwood, humiliated me, and still emerged meless in
Ethan''s eyes.
My wolf howled with fury inside me. I changed into my Midnight Seduction Nightgown, its ck silk cool against my bruised skin. Taking a seductive selfie that strategically hid the
worst of my bruises, I sent it to Ethan with the message: “Missing you already. Come back
tonight?"
The response wasn''t from Ethan.
My phone rang, disying an unknown number. I answered cautiously.
"Victoria Frost, didn''t you say you wouldn''t let me go?"
Olivia''s mocking tone filled me with dread. Her voice carried the unmistakable satisfaction of
a predator who had cornered its prey.
"How did you get this number?" I demanded.
"The same way I got into the private dining room with you," she replied smoothly.
"I nned it."
My fingers tightened around the phone. "You won''t get away with this. Ethan-" "Ethan what?" she interrupted. "Will protect you? He just left you alone, didn''t he?" The truth of her words stung worse than my bruises.
"You think you''re so clever," I spat. "But you''ve made a powerful enemy." Olivia''sugh was light, unconcerned. "I calcted exactly how much force to use, you know. Just enough to hurt your pride without crossing legal boundaries."
"That''s right. What can you do to me?" she continued, her voice dripping with confidence. "Nothing. Just like you could do nothing when I dragged you across that floor."
"You b***h!" I screamed, my partially paralyzed body trembling with rage.
"Careful, Victoria," Olivia warned, her tone suddenly dangerous. "Next time, I might not be so merciful."
The line went dead.
With a howl of fury, I hurled my phone against the wall. It shattered, pieces scattering across the floor like my dignity.
< Chapter 129. Wounded Pride
+8 Points >
Meanwhile, in her cottage at Maple Grove, Olivia Winters slept soundly, her wolf
content and
undisturbed by the night''s events. The victory had settled some of the pain of Lily''s death,
allowing her a rare night of peaceful rest.
(Olivia''s POV)
Morning sunlight streamed through my kitchen window as I carefully arranged
fresh
moonberries atop a stack of fluffy pancakes. The rare berries had cost a small fortune, but my
mother deserved something special.
I packed the breakfast into my Crystal-Infused Thermal Food Container, ensuring
it would stay warm during the drive to Crescent Moon Medical Center.
My mother''s face lit up when I entered her room. "Olivia! What a lovely surprise."
"Good morning, Mom," I said, kissing her cheek. "I brought your favorite." Evelyn Winters'' eyes widened at the sight of the moonberry pancakes. "Oh, sweetheart, you
shouldn''t have!"
"You''re worth it," I insisted, setting up the small tray across herp.
After breakfast, I helped her into a wheelchair for our daily walk in the Silvercrest Medical Garden. The spring air was fresh, carrying the scent of blooming flowers..
We paused near a small yground where two young pups were interacting-or rather, one was attempting to interact while the other remained aloof.
"Hi! I''m Ruby!" the little girl announced, her patient gown fluttering as she bounced excitedly.
"What''s your name?"
The boy, thin and pale in his matching gown, merely nced at her before looking
away.
"I''m here because my tummy gets sick sometimes," Ruby continued, undeterred
by his silence. "Is that why you''re here too?"
My mother chuckled softly beside me. "She reminds me of you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Me?"
"Mmmm," she nodded. "Always trying to befriend the quiet ones. Remember that
boy everyone
called ''Ice Cube Brother''?"
The memory made me smile. "Marcus. He wouldn''t talk to anyone."
"But you were determined," Mom said, her eyes warm with reminiscence. "Every
day, you''d sit with him at lunch, chattering away while he ignored you."
*8 Points
< Chapter 129 Wounded Pride
“Until he didn''t,” I finished. "It took three months before he finally spoke to me."
We watched as Ruby offered the silent boy a small flower she''d picked. After a moment''s
hesitation, he epted it.
"Even as a pup, your wolf recognized kindred spirits who needed connection," Evelyn said
softly, her eyes misty with memories. "Thatpassion is still in you, Olivia.
Despite
everything."
I squeezed her hand, throat tight with emotion.
After leaving the medical center, I drove to Moonstone Dining Hall for my meeting
with Gwendolyn Pierce. The influential she-wolf was already seated at our reserved table, elegant as always in a tailored suit.
"Olivia, darling," she greeted, air-kissing both my cheeks. "You look radiant today."
I smiled, sliding into my seat. "Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."
"When ites to talent like yours, I make time," she replied, gesturing to the portfolio I''d brought. "Show me what you''ve done with my suggestions."
For the next hour, we discussed the adjustments I''d made to my healing crystal
designs. Gwendolyn''s eyes lit up with each new sketch I revealed. "Brilliant," she dered, examining a particrly intricate design. "The energy flow is perfectly bnced now."
"I incorporated the moonstone configuration you rmended," I exined. "It amplifies the healing properties significantly."
Gwendolyn nodded approvingly. "I''d like to showcase these at my next gathering.
The Pierce Pack''s endorsement couldunch your independent career."
My heart leaped at the opportunity. "I''d be honored."
After our productive lunch, I returned to my cottage, energized by Gwendolyn''s
enthusiasm. I spread my designs across my desk, eager to refine them further.
My phone buzzed with a message from Hunter Morgan: "Stone blocked ckthorn''s retrial petition. Judge denied without hearing. Call me."
My stomach dropped. Connor ckthorn was crucial to my ns to expose Victoria''s role in Lily''s death. If Ethan was interfering...
Without hesitation, I dialed Ethan''s number. He answered on the second ring.
< Chapter 129: Wounded Pride
"Olivia," he greeted, his deep voice sending an unwee shiver down my spine.
"Stay out of Connor ckthorn''s case," I demanded, skipping pleasantries.
There was a pause. "I''m protecting you."
+8 Points >
Points>
"I don''t need your protection," I snapped, my emerald eyes shing with
determination. "I need
the truth."
"The truth?" Ethan''s voice hardened. "The truth is that Connor ckthorn tried to
kill you. He
belongs behind bars."
"That''s not your decision to make!"
"As Alpha King, many things are my decision," he replied coolly. "Including the
safety of my
mate."
My wolf bristled at his possessive tone. “I''m doing this for my own reasons,
Ethan."
"I''m doing this for your own good, don''t be ungrateful," he stated firmly, his Alpha authority
evident even through the phone.
Our conversation quickly escted into a heated argument.
"You have no right to interfere in my affairs," I snarled. "Not after everything you''ve
done."
"Everything I''ve done?" Ethan''s voice rose. "I''ve kept you safe, even when you didn''t know it!"
"Safe?" Iughed bitterly. "Where was this concern when Lily was dying? When I was grieving
alone?"
The mention of our daughter created a heavy silence.
"If you''re really doing this for me, why are you and Victoria still alive?" I finally
said, my wolf''s pain breaking through my human control. The words hung between us, raw and terrible.
Ethan''s breathing was the only sound for several long moments. "I still have pack business to attend to," he finally said, his voice carefully
controlled. "If you want to talk about this,e to my residence tonight." His Alpha voice slipped into the request, making it moremand than invitation.
He hung up abruptly, leaving me staring at my phone in frustration.