Chapter 253
(Emma’s POV)
“No.” I shook my head without hesitation, keeping my eyes fixed on Ethan.
I knew what would happen if I told the truth. Mom had warned me many times about our “special treatments.” I’d lose
everything–my home, my status, and most importantly, Alpha Ethan Stone’s protection.
I clung tighter to Ethan’s arm, feeling the strong muscles beneath his sleeve. He was power and safety. He was the Alpha King of
the Silvercrest Pack.
“Emma, are you sure?” Ethan asked gently, his amber eyes searching mine. “You can tell me anything, sweetheart. I’ll always
protect you.”
I nodded firmly, making sure my face showed no doubt. “I’m sure, Daddy. Mommy never hurts me.”
The words tasted bitter in my mouth, but I kept my expression innocent. I learned long ago how to lie convincingly.
“See?” Mom’s voice came from behind Ethan, sounding relieved and hurt at the same time. “How could you believe such terrible
things about me?”
I pressed my face against Ethan’s chest so no one could see my expression. I didn’t want to look at the man on the floor who
claimed to be my real father.
(Connor’s POV)
Rage surged beneath my skin as I watched my daughter lie to protect Victoria. My wolf snarled inside me, desperate to break free
and protect our pup.
“Emma, you don’t have to be afraid anymore,” I urged, softening my voice as I addressed my biological daughter. “I’m your real
father, and I promise I’ll protect you. Just tell the truth about what Victoria has done to you.”
Emma’s small face contorted with anger and fear. She shook her head vehemently, pressing herself closer to Ethan Stone.
“No! You’re lying! Alpha Ethan is my daddy!” Tears streamed down her face as she buried herself deeper into Ethan’s protective embrace. “I don’t want any other daddy!”
Each word was like a knife to my heart. This was my flesh and blood rejecting me completely. The bond that should have existed between us had been severed by Victoria’s manipulation.
Ethan’s powerful arms enveloped Emma’s small frame. “It’s okay, Emma. I’m right here,” he murmured, his eyes cold as they
met mine over her head.
I saw something flicker in Emma’s eyes beneath her tears. Even at her young age, she understood power. Ethan Stone was the Alpha King, the most powerful wolf in the Northern Territory. I was just a disgraced wolf with a criminal record.
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Chapter 253
“You’ve scared her enough,” Ethan growled at me, his voice dangerous. “Security, get him out of my sight.”
+30 Bonus
Victoria seized the opportunity presented by Emma’s performance. Tears welled in her eyes as she stepped forward, her hands
trembling dramatically.
“How could you believe such terrible accusations?” she sobbed, her voice breaking perfectly. “Emma’s injuries came from a
misunderstanding with her teacher at the Crescent Moon Training Den.”
I watched Olivia Winters observing the scene with calculating emerald eyes. She recognized, as I did, how Ethan’s trust in Victoria
was being skillfully rebuilt through Emma’s manipulation.
“What about the video?” I demanded, refusing to back down despite the pain shooting through my ribs. “It clearly shows Victoria
forcing Emma to stand barefoot in the snow. How do you explain that?”
Victoria’s expression shifted seamlessly from hurt to earnest explanation. “That day, I had a terrible migraine. I collapsed in the
house,” she said, placing a delicate hand on her forehead. “Emma ran outside to find help, forgetting her shoes in her panic.”
“That’s right,” Emma chimed in immediately, her voice small but determined. “Mommy was sick. I was trying to find someone to
help her.”
The practiced way they delivered their story made my stomach turn. How many times had Victoria coached Emma on what to say
if they were ever caught?
“You’re both lying,” I growled, wincing as pain shot through my ribs. “The video shows Victoria dragging Emma outside and
forcing her to stay there!”
Ethan’s expression hardened. He turned to his security team. “Take him to Shadowfall Detention Center. We’ll sort this out
properly through pack law.”
Two burly wolves moved toward me, their faces grim. I struggled to stand, knowing what awaited me in that place. I’d never see Emma again.
As the guards reached for me, Olivia stepped forward. Her own security detail flanked her as she blocked their path.
(Olivia’s POV)
“I’m taking Connor Blackthorn with me,” I stated firmly, locking my emerald eyes with Ethan’s amber ones. “And if you try to
press charges against him, I’ll make sure the entire Northern Territory learns that Emma isn’t your biological daughter.”
The threat hung in the air between us. I watched Ethan’s face carefully, noting the flicker of concern that passed through his eyes.
He positioned himself protectively in front of Emma, shielding her from the painful truth. “Olivia, please,” he pleaded, his voice
uncharacteristically soft. “Don’t do this to the child. She’s innocent in all this.”
For a moment, I almost wavered. Emma was just a child, manipulated by Victoria just as Ethan had been. But then I remembered
my own daughter–Lily, who had died while Ethan lavished attention on Emma.
“Just like Lily was innocent?” I retorted, my voice sharp with grief and anger.
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The name of our deceased daughter hit Ethan like a physical blow. I saw him flinch, his face paling slightly.
His anger visibly deflated, his shoulders slumping slightly. “You’re right,” he admitted quietly. “I failed Lily. But please, don’t
punish Emma for what Victoria and I have done.”
The rare admission of guilt caught me off guard. In all the years since Lily’s death, Ethan had never acknowledged his failure to
our daughter so directly.
But I couldn’t afford to let sentiment cloud my judgment. I turned my attention to Victoria, who watched our exchange with calculating eyes.
“You claim to love your daughter so much,” I challenged, my voice razor–sharp. “Prove it. If you truly care about Emma’s wellbeing, you’ll let Connor go without charges.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed slightly as she quickly calculated her options. I could almost see the thoughts racing behind her
carefully composed expression.
With practiced martyrdom, she touched Ethan’s arm. “Let him go,” she whispered, her voice trembling perfectly. “For Emma’s
sake. We can’t risk her reputation in the pack.”
She turned tearful eyes to Ethan. “Please, I couldn’t bear to see her suffer any more.”
I watched as Ethan’s resolve crumbled under Victoria’s performance. His concern for Emma’s welfare was genuine, even if his
judgment was clouded by Victoria’s manipulation.
“Fine. Release him,” he commanded his security team, his voice tight with reluctance.
The security wolves stepped back reluctantly, clearly unhappy with the order but unwilling to disobey their Alpha.
Connor stumbled toward me, his face bloody and bruised. My security team moved to support him, helping him stand upright.
“This isn’t over,” Ethan warned, his amber eyes flashing dangerously. “If he comes near Victoria or Emma again—‘
“He won’t,” I interrupted coolly. “Unless Victoria invites him again.”
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Victoria’s face flushed with anger, but she quickly composed herself. “I would never,” she whispered, her voice dripping with
false innocence.
Emma watched the exchange with wide, frightened eyes. She clung to Ethan’s leg, but I caught her glancing at Connor with
something that might have been curiosity.
Having achieved my goal, I allowed a satisfied smile to cross my face as Connor moved to stand beside me. “Very satisfied,” I
remarked, my expression mockingly triumphant.
I knew Ethan, in his love for Emma, wouldn’t gamble with the child’s future. And Victoria, desperate to maintain her image as a
loving mother, had no choice but to concede.
I had successfully secured Connor’s freedom.
