(Olivia''s POV)


    "What proof do you have that I''m not Little Orange?" Victoria challenged, her wolf radiating confidence and arrogance.


    Her lips curled into a provocative smirk as she moved closer to Ethan, deliberately releasing possessive pheromones that made my stomach turn. She was relishing my apparent helplessness, thinking she had me cornered.


    I clenched my fists, realizing Icked concrete evidence about the moonstone pendant. My mother had been about to tell me everything before Victoria''s scheme put her in aa.


    "You want proof?" I said, my voice steady despite my wolf bristling beneath my skin. "Let''s focus on what we do have evidence for-your involvement in my mother''s condition."


    Victoria''s smirk faltered slightly. "What are you talking about?"


    I pulled out my phone, my emerald eyes never leaving her face. "I''m calling Chief Walter Garrison right now. Let''s see what the


    Territory Enforcers have to say about you instructing Edith Barnes to harm my mother." 1


    Victoria''s eyes widened with genuine shock before she quicklyposed herself. "This is ridiculous! I had nothing to do with what happened to your mother!"


    She turned to Ethan, her wolf whining pathetically. "Ethan, you can''t possibly believe this!"


    (Ethan''s POV)


    I watched the confrontation unfold, my wolf unusually quiet beneath my skin. For years, I''d trusted Victoria without question,


    but Sarah Barnes'' confession and Olivia''s unwavering conviction had nted seeds of doubt.


    "Actually," I said, my amber eyes serious as I addressed Victoria, "there was a hidden pinhole surveince camera in Evelyn''s Hospital Ward."


    Victoria''s face paled visibly. "What?"


    "And Edith Barnes has already confessed to following your instructions," I continued, maintaining a neutral stance. My wolf


    remained uncharacteristically restrained as I studied her reaction. (1


    "That''s that''s absurd!" Victoria stammered, her usualposure cracking. "She''s lying! They''re all lying!"


    "The Territory Enforcers'' investigation will reveal the truth," I stated firmly.


    Victoria''s eyes darted between Olivia and me, realizing I wasn''t immediately jumping to her defense. She clutched my arm


    desperately.


    “But what about Emma?" she pleaded, her voice breaking. "She needs me! Her wolf recognizes only me as her mother!"


    I felt a pang of concern for the young pup who had be so important to me. Emma would indeed be distressed by Victoria''s


    absence, but if Victoria had truly attempted to murder Evelyn Winters...


    "I will personally care for Emma during your absence," I assured her, my Alpha presencemanding as I made the decision.


    Victoria''s scent shifted, notes of fear and anger mixing with her usual floral perfume. For the first time, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about her.


    Olivia stood tall, her emerald eyes shing with vindication. There was something hauntingly familiar about her determination, something that called to my wolf in ways I couldn''t exin.


    "Chief Garrison will be here shortly," Olivia said, her voice steady. "I suggest you prepare yourself, Victoria."


    The tension in the room was palpable as we waited, each lost in our own thoughts. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, torn


    between loyalty to Victoria and the growing suspicion that I had been blind for far too long. 1


    When Chief Walter Garrison arrived with two Territory Enforcers, Victoria''s mask of innocence slipped further. Her wolf


    projected distress pheromones so strongly that even the human officers seemed affected.


    "Victoria Frost," Chief Garrison announced formally, "you''re being detained for questioning regarding the attempted murder of


    Evelyn Winters."


    Victoria''s eyes filled with tears as she looked at me pleadingly. "Ethan, please! Don''t let them do this!"


    I remained silent, my decision already made. The Territory Enforcers would conduct their investigation, and justice would be


    served-regardless of who Victoria truly was to me.


    At the Shadowfall Detention Center, Olivia and I gave our statements separately.


    Chief Garrison, acutely aware of my position as


    Alpha King, approached me with deferential bodynguage.


    "Alpha King Stone," he said quietly, "given your... rtionship with Ms. Frost, how would you like us to proceed?"


    I understood his meaning immediately. As Alpha King, I could influence the investigation if I chose to. Victoria clearly expected


    me to do exactly that.


    "Proceed ording to protocol, Chief," I replied firmly. "No special treatment."


    Victoria, who had been watching our interaction from across the room, looked stricken. She hurried over, her wolf projecting


    distress pheromones.


    "Ethan, please use your influence!" she begged, her voice low and urgent. "Don''t


    let them keep me overnight-Emma needs me!


    Her wolf will panic without sensing mine nearby."


    I looked into her eyes-eyes I had trusted implicitly for years-and felt my resolve strengthen.


    "Victoria, my priority is uncovering the truth," I said, my voice carrying the unmistakable weight of an Alpha''s decision. “Emma


    will be safe with me."