"Are you absolutely sure that's what happened?" I pressed gently.
Victoria's fingers tightened around mine. âEthan, please. Why are you questioning her like this?
She was traumatized by that incident."
"I just want to understand-"
"Why don't you ask Lily then?" Victoria suggested, her tone innocent despite the cruelty of her words. She knew perfectly well that Lily was no longer alive to defend herself.
Emma's eyes filled with tears. "Alpha, don't you believe Emma? Do you think Emma is a lying bad girl?"
The sight of her distress made my resolve crumble. I reached back to pat her knee
reassuringly.
"No, of course not. I believe you, Emma."
Victoria relaxed beside me, her thumb stroking the back of my hand. "It was probably just a
misunderstanding between children. These things happen."
I nodded, though doubt lingered. Perhaps that was all it had been-a childish misunderstanding that I had blown out of proportion due to my own prejudices. I had been quick to believe the worst of Lily, assuming she had inherited Olivia's supposed jealousy and
vindictiveness.
I averted my gaze, uncomfortable with the intimacy of the moment. "Emma's asleep. I should get back to the pack house."
Victoria stepped forward, closing the distance between us. Her arms slid around
my waist, her body pressing against mine as she looked up at me with undisguised longing.
"Ethan..." Her voice was husky, inviting. "Stay tonight, okay?"