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(Victoria’s POV)
“He never mentioned this to me, how could he know? How much does he know?” I whispered, my fingers trembling as I clutched. my phone.
My mind raced through every conversation, every interaction where I might have slipped. I’d been so careful about the kidney donor situation. The doctors involved had been paid handsomely for their silence, and the paperwork had been buried deep in the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den’s archives.
My phone chimed again with another message from Connor Blackthorn. The sound sent a jolt of fear through my body. I stared at the illuminated screen, dreading what additional information he might possess.
With a deep breath, I opened the message.
“I want 500,000 dollars and Emma. We’ll leave Shadow Creek together, and you’ll never hear from us again. Otherwise, Ethan
learns everything tomorrow.”
My heart pounded against my ribcage. The amount wasn’t the issue–I could access that much through my various accounts. But
Emma? Give up Emma?
She was my most valuable asset, my guarantee of Ethan’s continued protection and favor. Without Emma, I would lose my hold
over the Alpha King.
Yet Connor’s threat was too dangerous to ignore. If Ethan discovered I had deliberately redirected Lily’s kidney donor to Emma,
even his obsession with me wouldn’t protect me from his wrath.
I needed to buy time.
“Give me some time,” I texted back, my fingers trembling slightly. “I’ll talk to Emma and convince her to go with you willingly.
She’ll listen to me. As long as she takes the initiative to follow you, Ethan won’t object.”
After what felt like an eternity, Connor’s reply appeared: “Fine. But don’t lie to me again. This is your last chance.”
(Ethan’s POV)
I carried Evelyn Winters‘ unconscious form into the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, my wolf senses alert to her weakening heartbeat. Olivia ran alongside me, her face pale with fear.
Dr. Harrison Fletcher was already waiting at the entrance, his medical bag in hand. His expression remained professionally neutral, but I caught the flash of concern in his eyes as he assessed Evelyn’s condition.
“Treatment Room 3,” he ordered, leading the way through the sterile corridors.
The medical staff moved with practiced efficiency, transferring Evelyn to a gurney and wheeling her into the emergency treatment room. I stood back, allowing them space to work while keeping a protective eye on Olivia.
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Her slender frame trembled as she watched the medical team surround her mother. The scent of her fear and grief hung heavy in
the air, stirring something protective in my chest.
“She’ll be alright,” I said, the words emerging more gruffly than intended.
Olivia didn’t acknowledge me, her emerald eyes fixed on her mother’s pale face. The distance between us felt insurmountable,
despite standing mere feet apart.
After what seemed like hours, Dr. Fletcher approached us, his expression cautiously optimistic.
“We’ve stabilized her,” he reported. “Fortunately, you got her here in time. Any longer, and her condition might have
deteriorated beyond our ability to help.”
Olivia’s shoulders sagged with relief. “Can I see her?”
Dr. Fletcher nodded. “She’s regaining consciousness now. But I should warn you–she’s still insisting on being discharged.”
Olivia’s face crumpled. “I’ll talk to her.”
I followed at a distance as she entered her mother’s room. Evelyn lay propped against pillows, her complexion ashen but her eyes
clear and determined.
“Mom,” Olivia began, taking her mother’s hand. “You need to stay here. You need the surgery.”
Evelyn shook her head weakly. “Not at this price, Olivia. Not if it means you’re forced to endure his presence.”
Her gaze flicked to me, standing in the doorway, before returning to her daughter.
“Mom, nothing is more important than your health,” Olivia pleaded, her voice breaking. “I’ve already lost Lily. I can’t lose you
too.”
Tears spilled down her cheeks, and the sight sent a sharp pain through my chest. Despite everything between us, I couldn’t bear
to see her suffer more loss.
Evelyn’s expression softened at her daughter’s distress. I could see her resolve wavering, torn between principles and
practicality.
“Mrs. Winters,” I said, stepping forward. “I understand your concerns.”
Both women turned to look at me, Olivia with suspicion, Evelyn with open hostility.
“I won’t force Olivia anymore,” I promised, meeting Evelyn’s gaze directly. “You can stay here and recover. I’ll ensure you receive the best care without any… conditions attached.”
Surprise flickered across Olivia’s face, quickly replaced by wariness. She didn’t believe me–and why should she? I’d given her
little reason to trust my word.
“And I’m supposed to believe that?” Evelyn asked, voicing her daughter’s unspoken doubt.
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“You don’t have to believe me,” I replied evenly. “But your daughter needs you alive and well. That’s more important than any conflict between us.”
I turned to leave, unwilling to cause more distress with my presence. “I’ll be nearby if you need anything,” I added, directing the
comment to Olivia.
In the corridor, I leaned against the wall, suddenly exhausted. The events of the day had taken their toll, even on my Alpha
stamina.
I remained in the waiting area, unwilling to stray far during this crisis. The medical den’s antiseptic scent brought unwelcome memories of Lily’s final days–days I had largely spent elsewhere, with Victoria and Emma.
The weight of my failures pressed down on me, heavier than any Alpha responsibility I’d ever carried.
My phone vibrated with a message from Dr. Fletcher: “Need to speak with you urgently. Mrs. Winters‘ room.”
I rushed back, concern quickening my steps. Had Evelyn’s condition worsened?
When I entered the room, I found Dr. Fletcher standing beside Evelyn’s bed, with Olivia seated on the other side. All three looked
up at my arrival.
“Alpha Stone,” Dr. Fletcher began, his tone formal. “I believe there’s been a misunderstanding that needs clarification.”
I frowned, uncertain what he meant.
“I’ve just explained to Mrs. Winters and Olivia that you never instructed us to withhold the surgery,” he continued. “In fact, the
delay was entirely due to your specific requirements for her treatment.”
Olivia’s eyes widened in confusion. “What requirements?”
Dr. Fletcher turned to her. “Alpha Stone has been procuring specialized medicine from abroad—a rare moonlight herb extract that significantly improves the success rate for this particular procedure. It’s not standard protocol, but he insisted on having it
available before we proceeded.”
“He knows how important you are to Olivia,” Dr. Fletcher explained to Evelyn, “so he wanted to ensure everything was perfect before proceeding with the surgery. You’ve all misunderstood him.”
As he spoke, Dr. Fletcher gestured emphatically, accidentally catching the chain around my neck. The movement pulled my Ancestral Moonstone Amulet from beneath my shirt, exposing it to view.
The one that my childhood friend “Little Orange” gave to me.
