(Olivia''s POV)


    "But the person my mother''s caregiver personally identified yesterday was clearly Victoria..." I argued, my emerald eyes shing


    with fury as I faced the Territory Enforcers.


    My wolf simmered beneath my skin, desperate to break free and seek justice for my mother. The sterile walls of the Shadow Creek


    Police Precinct seemed to close in around me as the officers exchanged ufortable nces.


    "Ms. Winters," Officer Brooks exined patiently, "we''ve thoroughly investigated the housekeeper''s testimony. It appears her identification was based on hearsay and a misunderstanding."


    I shook my head vehemently. "That''s impossible. Edith Barnes specifically told me


    "She formed her conclusions after overhearing your usations against Victoria at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den," Officer


    Benjamin Trent interjected. "Our investigation confirms that Connor ckthorn was the sole person who contacted her


    regarding your mother."


    My hands clenched into fists as I struggled to maintain control. "You can''t possibly believe that. Connor is clearly just a pawn in


    Victoria''s scheme!"


    Lucas ckwood stood silently beside me, his powerful presence offering silent support. I could sense his wolf''s protective


    instincts responding to my distress.


    "Ms. Winters," Officer Brooks continued, his tone sympathetic but firm, "we understand your concern, but we must follow the


    evidence. Connor ckthorn has confessed to orchestrating the entire plot."


    My wolf howled with protective rage beneath my skin. "Please," I pleaded, "you need to investigate further. Victoria Frost is manipting this situation, just as she''s manipted everything else!"


    (Connor''s POV)


    tent any longer.


    "Victoria had nothing to do with this!" I shouted, unable to remain silent any longer.


    Blood trickled from my split lip as I sat handcuffed to the metal interrogation table. My wolf projected defensive pheromones, filling the small room with the scent of desperation.


    "This is all on me," I insisted, meeting Olivia''s furious gaze. "Victoria is innocent."


    Ethan Stone''s amber eyes narrowed dangerously as he stepped closer to me. His Alpha presence filled the room, making it difficult to breathe.


    "Exin yourself," hemanded, his voice carrying the unmistakable timbre of an Alpha order.


    I swallowed hard, tasting copper. "I did this to protect Emma. She''s my daughter, and Victoria is the only mother she''s ever known."


    +15 Bonus


    The room fell silent at my confession. Olivia''s emerald eyes widened in shock, while Ethan''s face darkened with rage.


    "If Victoria''s maniptions were exposed, you would abandon Emma," I continued, my wolf''s eyes gleaming with desperate conviction. "I couldn''t let that happen. My daughter deserves health and security within the pack."


    I turned my attention back to Olivia, hatred burning in my gaze. "This is your fault, Olivia Winters. You''ve been trying to destroy Victoria from the beginning, just because Ethan chose her over you!"


    Ethan''s wolf surged forward at my usation. With a snarl of pure Alpha rage, he kicked me with such force that my chair toppled backward. Blood sprayed from my mouth, spattering across the interrogation room floor.


    "You dare speak to her that way?" Ethan growled, his amber eyes glowing with fury.


    Officer Brooks quickly stepped between us. "Alpha King Stone, please! This is a police precinct!"


    (Olivia''s POV)


    I maintained myposure despite Connor''s provocation, though my wolf simmered just beneath the surface, demanding retribution for his lies.


    "Where did the moneye from?" I asked, my voice steady despite my inner turmoil. "The half-million dors used to bribe Edith Barnes-that had toe from Victoria."


    Connor Shot


    spat blood onto the floor, his defiant gaze never leaving mine. "Think whatever you want. I''m the one who paid Edith."


    Ethan stepped forward, his Alpha presence filling the room as he turned to face me. "Enough, Olivia."


    Hismanding tone made my wolf bristle with indignation. "The money was indeed from Victoria," he admitted, "but it was intended for Connor to leave Silvercrest Territory, not to harm your mother."


    I stared at him in disbelief. "And you believe that?"


    ng you to drop this matter," Ethan said firmly. "I give you my word that I will personally ensure justice for your


    "I''m asking


    mother''


    gray eyes held a warning


    Lucas moved closer to me, his powerful Alpha scent providingfort as my frustration mounted. His gray eyes as he assessed the situation.


    The door to the interrogation room opened, and Victoria entered in her Raven- Trimmed Wheelchair. Her face was pale and drawn, with visible bruises marring her usually perfectplexion. Her wolf projected vulnerability pheromones that filled the


    Toum.


    "Ethan," she whimpered, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please take me back to the Medical Den. I don''t feel well."


    Ethan''s protective instincts responded instantly to her distress. He moved to her side, his hand gently touching her shoulder. "Of course. We''re leaving now."


    "You can''t be serious," I protested, unable to believe what I was witnessing. "She''s manipting you again!"


    +15 Bonus


    Ethan''s jaw tightened as he turned to face me. "Victoria spent the night in detention because of your usations. She deserves


    medical attention."


    Victoria''s eyes met mine briefly, and I caught a sh of triumph beneath her carefully constructed mask of suffering. My wolf howled with rage at the injustice.


    "This isn''t over," I warned, my emerald eyes shing dangerously. Ethan''s patience visibly thinned. "It is over, Olivia. The Territory Enforcers have made their determination."


    My wolf surged forward, desperate to challenge his authority. "You can''t just let her walk away from this!"


    "Enough!" Ethan ordered, his voice carrying the Alpha timbre that made even Lucas''s wolf take notice. "Victoria spent the night in the Shadowcrypt Dungeon because I failed to question her more thoroughly. I won''tpound that mistake by prolonging her suffering."


    Lucas stepped forward, his gray eyes narrowing as he studied Victoria. "Impressive performance," hemented coldly. "The bruises are a nice touch."


    Victoria flinched, her wolf projecting fear pheromones that made Ethan''s protective instincts re even stronger.


    rself, ckwood." Ethan warned, his amber eyes faING R


    II


    his amber eyes shing. "You''re blindly siding Olivia without considering the


    "And you''re blindly protecting Victoria," Lucas countered, his powerful presence a direct challenge to Ethan''s authority.


    Officer Brooks cleared his throat, clearly ufortable with the tension between two powerful Alphas. "Gentlemen, please. We''ve conducted a thorough investigation and found no evidence linking Ms. Frost to the attack on Evelyn Winters."


    I recognized the futility of my efforts against packw enforcement. With a heavy heart, I watched as Ethan wheeled Victoria toward the door, her rival having once again escaped ountability.