NovelFinishThe Alpha King is unavailable 82
| felt a flicker of defensiveness rise inside me. ‘Grandmother, it has nothing to do with Victoria."
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "Nothing to do with Victoria? Who poisoned you against Olivia? Who convinced
you she was quilty without evidence?"
Dr. Bennett cleared his throat uncomfortably Perhaps this discussion could wait until the patient is stable?"
Grandmother's lips pressed into a thin line. "You're right, Harold. My grandson's blindness can be addressed
later
She turned to leave, but her legs wobbled slightly. Bernard Sheppard appeared at her side, offering his arm
for support
"You should rest, Grandmother," | said, truly concerned. "This stress isn't good for you either"
She paused, her amber eyes-so like my own-studying me. "You're worried aboutnow? What about your
wife?
"Olivia will worry if she wakes and finds you've collapsed,” | replied softly
Something in my voice must have reached her. She nodded slowly. Take care of her, Ethan. For once in your life,
put her first"
After they left, | removed my blood-soaked shirt. | winced as the fabric pulled away from my raw wounds.
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The mirror reflected fresh lash marks crisscrossing my back. They overlaid older, unhealed ones from previous
incidents when I'd let Olivia vent her anger at me.
Dr. Bennett returned with his medical bag. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of my back. These need
treatment, Alpha."
| nodded silently and submitted to his care. The special healing salve burned at first contact with my torn
flesh.
Then it cooled, bringing blessed relief to my wounds. The pain dulled to a manageable throb.
When he finished, he packed his supplies and headed for the door. "Take care of her," he said, echoing
Grandmother's words. "Her heart can't take much more strain,"
After he left, | turned my attention to Olivia. Her bandaged fingers caught my eye- white gauze wrapped
around each digit.
Carefully, | unwrapped them. The raw torn skin beneath made my stomach clench with guilt.
She had clawed desperately at the stone walls of her prison until her fingers bled. Until her nails broke and tore
away from the beds. | had done this to her.
A soft knock announced Grandmother's return. Without waiting for permission, she entered with her phone in
hand.
"You should see this," she said, her voice unusually gentle.
She held out her phone showing photos of the basement where Olivia had been confined. The images were stark
and damning.
Bloody scratches marked the walls where she had tried to escape. Chunks of fingernails were embedded in
the stone. Dark stains showed where she had bled onto the floor.
"She begged you," Grandmother said quietly. "She reminded you of her fear. And still, you locked her in."
| couldn't speak. My throat felt tight with an emotion | refused to name.
"Take good care of your wife, Ethan," Grandmother said, her voice softening. She deserves that much, at
least
After she left, | sat beside Olivia with Dr. Bennett's healing salve in my hand. | began applying it to her damaged
fingers with gentle movements.
As | worked, a memory surfaced unexpectedly. Lily, our daughter, watching wide- eyed as Olivia burned her hand
making special tea during one of the child's fevers.
Without hesitation, Lily had taken her mother's injured hand and blown on it gently. Her small face was
serious with concentration.
"Mommy, does it still hurt?" she had asked, her innocent eyes filled with concern.
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"No, baby" Olivia had replied, her smile radiant despite her pain. "Your magic breath made it all better."
Without thinking. | found myself copying my daughter's gesture. | blew softly on Olivia's fingers while
applying the healing salve.
The memory of Lily was so vivid it made my chest ache. Our daughter had been gone for months, yet the pain
felt fresh
Why hadn't | been there more for them? Why had I let Victoria cbetweenand my family?
A slight movement caught my attention. Olivia's eyelashes fluttered as consciousness returned.
Confusion clouded her features as she sawtending to her wounds. "Grandmother?" she murmured,
disoriented.
"No," | replied softly. "It's me, Ethan."
Recognition dawned in her eyes, followed immediately by wariness. She pulled
her hand away from my touch
as if burned.
Her expression hardened into a mask of distrust. The brief vulnerability I'd glimpsed vanished completely.
"Ethan Stone, don't be hypocritical in front of me, | don't need it," she said coldly. "Give up, | won't agree to let
Victoria Frost out of that basement."
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