+15 Bonus


    The next morning, I returned to find Lucas exactly where I''d left him, his vignt presence unchanged despite the hours that had


    passed.


    "You stayed all night," I observed, setting down my bag.


    "I said I would,” he replied simply, rising from the chair. "Your mother''s condition is stable. There''s been no change."


    I nodded, both relieved and disappointed. Stable meant she wasn''t getting worse, but she also wasn''t waking up.


    "You must be hungry," Lucas said, checking his watch. "The private dining area should be open. Join me for breakfast."


    It wasn''t really a question, but I found I didn''t mind hismanding tone. After the emotional roller coaster of the past few days,


    there was somethingforting about not having to make decisions.


    The medical den''s private dining area was quiet, reserved for pack officials and special guests. Lucas had already arranged for


    food to be waiting for us-a selection of fresh fruits, venison sausage, and warm bread.


    As we ate, Lucas pushed a thermos toward me. "Spiced Longan-Ginger Red Date Tea," he exined. "It helps with the pain.


    I looked at him in surprise. "How did you know?"


    A hint of a smile touched his lips. "Your scent changes slightly. Most wolves wouldn''t notice, but I pay attention."


    I felt my cheeks warm at his admission. The fact that he had noticed such a personal detail about me was both embarrassing and


    oddly touching.


    "Thank you," I said, pouring the fragrant tea. The warm, spicy aroma was immediately soothing.


    Lucas nodded, his usually intimidating demeanor softened in the morning light. "We should visit the Shadow Creek Police Precinct after breakfast. I want to hear directly from the officers about Victoria''s detention''


    I agreed, taking a sip of the tea. The blend of herbs immediately eased the cramping pain I''d been trying to ignore.


    "James Knight arrived while you were sleeping," Lucas informed me. "He''s with your mother now."


    I nearly choked on my tea. "James is here? When did he get back?"


    "Early this morning. He seems quite protective of you and your mother."


    There was a note in Lucas''s voice I couldn''t quite identify-not jealousy, exactly, but something close to it.


    After finishing our meal, we prepared to leave for the police precinct. We stopped by my mother''s room first, where James sat vigntly by her bedside.


    James looked up as we entered, his amber-flecked eyes serious for once. He held a baseball bat across hisp-Knight''s Midnight


    Defense Bat, as he called it.


    +15 Bonus


    "Liv," he greeted me, his usual flirtatious tone absent. "How are you holding up?"


    "I''m managing," I replied, touched by his concern. "Lucas and I are heading to the police station to check on Victoria''s case."


    James nodded, his grip tightening on the bat. "No one will get past me. Go find justice for Mother Winters."


    His determination was clear, and I felt a surge of gratitude for his loyalty. Between Lucas and James, my mother would be well-


    protected in my absence.


    At the Shadow Creek Police Precinct, we were immediately escorted to a private meeting room. To my surprise, Ethan Stone was already there, deep in conversation with Officer Daniel Brooks.


    Officer Brooks looked up as we entered, his expression professionally neutral. "Ms. Winters, Mr. ckwood, thank you for


    "We''ve made significant progress in the investigation," Officer Brooks began. "I was just informing Alpha King Stone that Victoria Frost is innocent of the attack on Evelyn Winters."


    The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?" I gasped, fury surging through me.


    Before I could stop myself, 1 lunged forward and pped Ethan across his face, the sound cracking through the room.


    "How dare you continue to protect her!" I snarled, my emerald eyes shing dangerously. "After everything she''s done, you''re still defending her?"


    Ethan''s wolf surged beneath his skin, his eyes shing with anger at the public challenge. But before he could respond, Lucas stepped between us, his powerful presence creating a buffer.


    The officer cleared his throat, clearly ufortable with the tension between two powerful Alphas and myself.


    "Ms. Winters,” he exined carefully. "We''ve found the real culprit."


    My anger faltered, confusion taking its ce. “What do you mean?"


    "If you''ll follow me," Officer Brooks said, gesturing toward the door, "I think it''s best


    if you see for yourself."


    He led us down a corridor to Interrogation Cell 7. Through the one-way ss, I could see a man sitting at a metal table, his hands cuffed.


    I gasped as recognition dawned. "Connor ckthorn?"


    "We''ve discovered that Mr. ckthorn orchestrated the smear campaign against you," Officer Brooks exined. “He also bribed Edith Barnes to harm your


    mother."