Chapter 408
Once beyond pack jurisdiction, she thought she could start a new life. She was reveling in the belief that I would suffer while Ethan grieved, and she would live freely in human society.
However, the destination was not the civilized country Victoria desired, but the lawless Bloodfang Territory in the savage lands beyond werewolf civilization. A hellish existence awaited her among the rogue packs that controlled human trafficking operations.
Hearing that Victoria had unknowingly sent herself to the Savage Lands and imagining the horrors of being enslaved by feral wolves, my expression softened. My wolf settled with grim satisfaction.
“This won’t implicate the Blackwood Pack, will it?” I asked, still concerned for Lucas’s standing among the Northern Territory Alphas.
“No, she contacted the traffickers herself through Derek Walsh’s criminal connections. The Blackwood Pack has no involvement,” Lucas reassured me, his gray eyes reflecting the same cold justice that Ethan Stone would have demanded.
Both Alphas shared the sentiment that Victoria’s evil nature made a quick death too merciful. They wanted her to suffer a fate worse than any pack punishment.
However, even if she were captured, her documented mental instability would prevent proper sentencing under human law. The suffering available in civilized territory was too limited for her crimes.
Someone like Victoria was perfectly suited for the Savage Lands, where rogue wolves showed no mercy to those who harmed pups. Only then did I feel truly relieved, my wolf finally at peace knowing the threat was eliminated.
(Third Person’s POV)
Mentioning the fire from the previous night, Lucas thought of Ethan Stone’s heroic actions. He looked at Olivia and asked, “Olivia, Alpha Stone is also recovering in this medical center. Should I accompany you to visit him?”
He felt genuine gratitude toward the Silvercrest Alpha for rushing into the burning building to save them without hesitation, despite their rivalry.
Evelyn quickly interjected, “Alpha Stone already visited us earlier. Olivia has already seen him.”
She understood Lucas’s meaning, but she didn’t want Olivia to know the full extent of Ethan’s sacrifice. Her daughter was finally making progress with Lucas and planning to start fresh.
Evelyn understood Olivia too well – she cared too deeply about Lily’s memory, and would never forgive Ethan for their daughter’s death. However, Evelyn had witnessed how deeply Olivia had once loved the Alpha King.
During her recent coma caused by Victoria’s actions, Ethan had maintained a constant vigil, massaging her hands while speaking of his regrets. His remorse revealed the depth of Olivia’s former love for him.
He had been the first Alpha to capture her heart completely, filling her thoughts and dreams. It would be impossible for her to forget him entirely.
Olivia was simply forcing herself not to love again. If she learned that Ethan had risked his life to save them, Evelyn feared her daughter would be moved and her feelings for the Alpha King would rekindle.
If Olivia couldn’t release her grief over Lily’s death but found herself drawn to Ethan again, she would only suffer more emotional turmoil. Evelyn preferred that Olivia remain unaware and find happiness with Lucas.
Lucas observed Olivia’s obvious change in expression at the mention of Ethan’s name – her wolf’s reaction was unmistakable even through their developing mate bond. He decided not to pursue the topic further.
Thomas Griffin completed the discharge procedures, and the three of them left Crescent Moon Medical Center together.
From his window in the Silvercrest Pack Medical Ward, Ethan Stone sat in his wheelchair, watching as Lucas escorted Olivia and Evelyn to his Armored SUV. The gentle smile Olivia gave the Blackwood Alpha – the same she–wolf who had once looked at only him with such warmth – now directed that affection toward
another.
Ethan’s hands tightened on his wheelchair’s armrests, his wolf howling silently in defeat.
Maxwell Chen approached with urgent news: “Alpha, I discovered that Victoria Frost was smuggled out of the territory. She was deceived – not taken to the safe haven she expected, but toward the Bloodfang Territory in the northern savage lands.”
“Contact whoever controls those trafficking operations. I want her to experience a fate worse than death,” Ethan commanded, his amber eyes burning with cold
fury.
“Yes, Alpha!” Maxwell left to make the necessary arrangements,
After ensuring Victoria’s punishment was secured, Maxwell returned to wheel Ethan into the surgical chamber where Dr. Marcus Fletcher waited to attempt saving the Alpha King’s silver–poisoned leg
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