I felt Olivia trembling behind me, her fury radiating in waves as Ethan's Alpha
command hung in the air between us. Her hatred for him seemed to intensify with each passing second of his
coercion.
My heart ached for her. I tightened my grip on her hand when she tried to pull away, responding to Ethan's command.
"Liv, don't go. Let me handle this. I won't let anything happen to your mother," I promised, my eyes locked on hers.
I was genuinely concerned that Ethan's pressure would cause her illness to
relapse-the same condition that had nearly claimed her after Lily's death. I couldn't bear to see her suffer that
way again.
(Olivia's POV)
I looked at Lucas with tearful eyes, feeling utterly powerless against Ethan's influence over Silvercrest territory. I hadn't anticipated his continued harassment after returning to Shadow Creek, especially given the rumors about him and Victoria.
"How can you be so shameless?" I spat at Ethan, my voice trembling with rage.
Lucas squeezed my hand reassuringly. "Trust me," he said, his gaze gentle yet firm.
I held his hand tighter, silently conveying my trust. Deep down, I believed Lucas wouldn't jeopardize my mother's health the way Ethan had.
Ethan noticed our interaction, his amber eyes narrowing dangerously. "I won't ask again," he said, his voice growing colder.
Just then, his phone rang. He ignored it at first, but when it rang a second time, he reluctantly
checked the screen.
"What is it, Maxwell?" he answered sharply.
I watched his expression change as he listened to whatever Maxwell Chen was saying. His jaw tightened visibly.
"What do you mean the project is halted?" he demanded. "Who authorized that?"
1/6
She didn't stand when I approached, merely indicating the chair across from her with a slight
gesture.
"Miss Winters," she greeted, her refined voice barely masking her disapproval. "Thank you for
coming."
I sat down cautiously. "Mrs. Blackwood."
She studied me with critical eyes. "I'll be direct. You are unworthy of my son."
The bluntness of her statement took me by surprise, though I shouldn't have been shocked.
"When I heard you had jumped into the Moonstone River, I was relieved," she continued coldly. "Your reappearance has been... disappointing."
I felt my wolf bristle defensively. "I never asked for Lucas's attention."
Margaret's perfectly manicured hand waved dismissively. "My son is the Alpha of
the
Moonstone Pack. His actions now affect both Blackwood Pack Enterprises and Stone Pack
Enterprises."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "I understand you spent the night at Ethan Stone's residence
recently."
I stiffened. "Nothing happened between us."
"That hardly matters," Margaret replied. "The appearance of impropriety is enough. Lucas is risking everything for a woman who still runs to her mate when called."
Her words stung because they contained a kernel of truth. I had gone to Ethan's apartment,
even if it was under duress.
"The Blackwood bloodline has maintained its territory for over a century," she reminded me.
"One woman's drama should not jeopardize generations of stability."
I retreated slightly in my chair, suddenly understanding the gravity of the situation. Lucas wasn't just risking his reputation for me-he was risking his pack's standing. Before I could respond, the door to the tea parlor opened. Lucas strode in, immediately filling
the room with his presence.
"That's enough, Mother," he said, his voice carrying the quiet authority of an Alpha.
Margaret's expression remained composed, but I could see the tension in her shoulders.
3/6
Outside, Lucas tried to comfort me. "I'm sorry about my mother. Please ignore
what she said."
I pulled my hand from his grasp. "Lucas, you need to stop whatever you're doing
against
Ethan."
"Why?" he asked, genuinely confused.
"Because your mother is right," I insisted. "You're risking too much for me. The
Blackwood
Pack-"
"Will be fine," he interrupted firmly.
I pressed him further. "You're damaging pack alliances. That affects everyone
under your
protection."
Lucas sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yes, there's some risk to the pack.
I won't deny
that."
"Then why?" I demanded. "Why would you do this?"
"Because you deserve better," he said simply. "And I won't abandon you the way
he did."
I shook my head, emerald eyes reflecting my concern. "It's not worth it, Lucas."
"It is to me," he replied, reaching for my hand again and holding it tightly. "I'm not
letting go,
Olivia."
I resolutely pulled away, unwilling to be the cause of trouble for him and his pack.
As I turned
to leave, Ethan's Shadow Ghost pulled up beside us.
He rolled down the window, his amber eyes cold as ice. "Get in," he ordered. Overwhelmed by anger and frustration, I grabbed my Crystal-Studded Designer Handbag and
threw it at him with all my strength.
Ethan caught the bag with ease, opened the car door, and waited for me with the patience of a predator. "Don't make this more difficult than it needs to be."
I ignored him and stepped to the curb, hailing a passing taxi. As I climbed in, I saw
Ethan's car
turn to follow.
Suddenly, there was a loud crash. Lucas had deliberately rammed his Armored
SUV into the
4/6
There was a small cut on his forehead from the earlier collision, but he seemed
otherwise
unharmed. His gaze shifted from me to James, narrowing dangerously.
"Get your hands off my mate," he growled.
James's eyes flashed with protective fury. Without warning, he grabbed a bottle
from the table
and struck. Ethan over the head with it, the glass shattering on impact.