(Victoria''s POV)


    I sank back against the hospital pillows, feeling the silver burn still throbbing in my wrist. The pain was excruciating, but it had


    served its purpose. Ethan believed me-for now.


    My wolf whimpered beneath my skin, weakened by the silver exposure but still alert. Still calcting. I needed to think clearly despite the fog of pain medication.


    The clock was ticking. Connor''s threat hung over me like a guillotine de. If he truly had evidence linking me to Lily''s death, my


    carefully constructed world would shatterpletely.


    I nced at my bandaged wrist, remembering the moment I''d pressed the Silver- Edged Hunting Knife against my skin. The pain had been worth it to see the horror in Ethan''s eyes, to hear those precious words: "I believe you."


    But how long would that beliefst if Connor delivered his evidence?


    My wolf snarled at the thought of imprisonment. After years of luxury at Rosewood Haven, surrounded by the finest things, the


    thought of confinement was worse than death. The privileges of being the Alpha King''s favored female had be my right, my


    expectation.


    I couldn''t go to jail. I wouldn''t.


    Emma sat quietly in the corner of the room, her small hands folded in herp. My daughter-no, my leverage. Connor would do


    anything for her. That was his weakness, and I needed to exploit it now more than ever.


    "Emma," I called softly, making my voice weak and maternal. "Come here, darling,"


    She approached cautiously, her eyes wary. Even at her young age, she''d learned to read my moods with frightening uracy.


    "I need you to do something very important for Mommy," I whispered, gesturing for her toe closer.


    Emma leaned in, her wolf submissively lowering its head beneath her skin. Good. She knew better than to defy me..


    "You''re going to call your father," I instructed, my voice low and urgent despite my weakened state. "And you''re going to tell him


    something very specific."


    Emma''s eyes widened, "What should I say, Mommy?"


    I reached for my phone on the bedside table, wincing dramatically at the


    movement. "Tell him if he gives the evidence to Alpha.


    Stone, you''ll hurt yourself."


    Emma hesitated, her young wolf whimpering with confusion. "But-”


    My eyes Hashed dangerously. "Make him believe it, pup.


    She flinched at my tone but nodded in submission. I handed her the phone, my fingers brushing against hers


    -30 Bonus


    "Say exactly what I tell you," I whispered, leaning close to her ear. "Tell him you can''t live without me. That if I go to jail, you''ll follow me one way or another."


    Emma''s hands trembled as she took the phone. I watched her dial Connor''s number, satisfaction curling through me. Connor''s


    love for Emma was his greatest weakness-and my salvation


    Just as Emma pressed the call button, movement at the doorway caught my attention.


    Connor stood there, his face hardening as he took in the scene before him. How long had he been listening? Panic surged through


    me, my wolf snarling defensively within.


    "What are you doing here?" I demanded, my voice sharper than I intended.


    In my agitation, I violently pushed Emma from the chair beside my bed. She fell awkwardly, twisting her ankle as she hit the


    floor.


    Emma yelped in pain, her wolf instinctively curling into a submissive posture. The sound drew Connor''s full attention, his eyes


    narrowing as he assessed his daughter''s condition.


    "Emma was just leaving," I said quickly, attempting to smooth over the moment. "She tripped, that''s all. Clumsy girl."


    Connor ignored mepletely, his focus entirely on our daughter.


    (Connor''s POV)


    "Emma,e here," I said softly, kneeling down despite the pain in my ribs.


    My wolf surged with protective instincts as I examined her injured ankle. It was already swelling, the skin turning an angry red. The sight of her pain tore at me, strengthening my resolve against Victoria''s maniptions.


    Emma limped toward me, her small face contorted with difort. When she reached me, she wrapped her arms around my


    neck, pressing her body close to mine.


    "Please, don''t give the evidence to Alpha Stone," she whispered, her lips brushing against my cheek in a desperate kiss. "If you


    do, Mommy says she''ll


    die."