had failed Lily in every possible way.
“I made the call,” I admitted, my voice hollow. “I told Nathan to do whatever was necessary to
save Emma.”
I released Victoria’s wrists and stepped back, unable to bear her touch any longer. The weight
of my guilt was crushing.
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+15 Points >
“I didn’t know about Lily then,” I continued. “But that’s no excuse. I should have been there for her. I should have kept my promise.”
Victoria reached for me, her eyes still wet with tears. “We both made mistakes, Ethan. But we
can make it right.”
She took a tentative step toward me. “I’ll go to Olivia. I’ll apologize. I’ll even atone with my life
if that’s what she wants.”
“No.” My voice was firm, carrying the unmistakable command of an Alpha. “You will not
contact Olivia. Not now, not ever.”
Victoria flinched at my tone. “But Ethan-”
“I will speak to her myself,” I said, cutting her off. “I will formally mark her as my Luna, giving
her the legitimate status in the pack she deserves.”
Victoria’s eyes widened in shock. “What? But what about us? What about Emma?”
“Emma will always be important to me,” I assured her. “But Olivia is my true mate, the mother
of my child. I’ve failed them both for too long.”
I turned toward the door, unable to look at Victoria any longer. The woman I had protected and
cherished for years now seemed like a stranger to me.
“I’m sorry,” I said simply, my Black Alpha Overcoat swirling around me as I strode out.
I left Victoria standing there, her expression a mixture of shock and fury. But I couldn’t concern
myself with her feelings now. I had a mate to win back, and years of neglect to make up for.
(Olivia’s POV)
I cradled my phone against my ear as I stirred the pot of venison stew simmering on my
stove. The rich aroma of herbs filled my cottage at Maple Grove.
“How are you feeling today?” I asked, my emerald eyes reflecting genuine concern. “Any
better?”
Lucas Blackwood’s deep voice came through the speaker. “The fever’s gone, but I still don’t have much of an appetite.”
I frowned slightly. “You need to eat to regain your strength. The silver poisoning took a lot out
of you.”
“I know,” he sighed. “Hospital food isn’t exactly appetizing, though.”
I smiled despite myself. “I could prepare something for you. I have some special herbs that
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would help with your recovery.”
+15 Points
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Would you mind if I came to you instead?” Lucas asked, his voice revealing his desire to dine with me rather than simply receiving food. “I’ve been cooped up in that hospital room for days. Some fresh air would do me good.”
I hesitated for just a moment. Having Lucas Blackwood, Alpha of a rival pack, in my home was unusual to say the least. But after everything we’d been through, the pack boundaries between us seemed less important.
“Of course,” I found myself saying. “I’ll have dinner ready in an hour.”
True to his word, Lucas arrived exactly an hour later. He looked better than I expected, though still paler than usual. His tall frame filled my doorway as I welcomed him in.
“Something smells amazing,” he commented, following me to the kitchen.
I gestured to the pot on the stove. “Venison stew with moonlight herbs. It should help restore your strength.”
Lucas rolled up his sleeves. “Can I help?”
I raised an eyebrow in surprise. “An Alpha who cooks?”
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “I live alone. It was either learn to cook or starve.”
We worked side by side, preparing the rest of the meal together. The atmosphere was warm and comfortable, surprisingly natural despite our different pack affiliations.
Over dinner, we talked about everything except pack politics and our complicated lives. It felt good to laugh again, to enjoy simple conversation without the weight of grief and betrayal hanging over me.
“Thank you for this,” Lucas said as we finished our meal. “Not just the food, but… this.” He gestured between us. “It’s been a long time since I’ve felt this comfortable with someone.”
I smiled, feeling a warmth that had nothing to do with the food. “Me too.”
After helping me clean up, Lucas reluctantly prepared to leave. “I should go. It’s getting late.”
I walked him to the door, suddenly aware of how much I’d enjoyed his company. “Take care of yourself. Doctor’s orders.”
He smiled down at me, his eyes lingering on mine for a moment longer than necessary. “I will. Goodnight, Olivia.”
After Lucas left, I busied myself with tidying up the kitchen, his scent still lingering in my
< Chapter 117: Confrontation a..
+15 Points >
cottage. The evening had been unexpectedly pleasant, a brief respite from the pain that had
dominated my life for so long.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I smiled, assuming Lucas had forgotten
something.
“Did you forget-” I began as I opened the door, but the words died on my lips.
Ethan Stone stood on my doorstep, his powerful frame silhouetted against the moonlight. My
welcoming smile vanished instantly.
I tried to shut the door, but he stopped it with one hand, his strength easily preventing me from
closing it.
“Olivia, please,” he said, his voice low and urgent. “I need to talk to you.”
“Get lost!” I replied curtly, my emerald eyes flashing with fury.
He had the audacity to look hurt. “Olivia, I know I’ve made mistakes. Terrible mistakes. But I
want to make things right.”
I laughed bitterly. “Now? After everything? I begged you to investigate Victoria, to listen to me
about Lily, and you chose her. Every. Single. Time.”
“I know,” he admitted, his amber eyes filled with regret. “I was blind. But I see the truth now.
About Victoria, about Lily… about us.”
He took a step closer, his familiar scent washing over me. Once, that scent had meant safety,
home, love. Now it only reminded me of betrayal.
“I want to make amends,” he continued. “I want us to start over. We could even… have another
child together.”
