Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna

The Alpha King is unavailable 83

No matter whether he letwhip him in the Stone Ancestral Hall, or was now gently caring for my wounds, |

knew the truth. The purpose was simply to soften my heart, to makevoluntarily agree to release Victoria

Frost

Five years ago, | would have fallen for it. | would have interceded for him whenever Matriarch Evelyn wanted to

punish Victoria. | had loved my mate so pathetically back then, my wolf completely devoted to him despite his

neglect

Not anymore. Lily's death had changed everything.

"Victoria is suffering." Ethan said, interrupting my thoughts. "She's a concerned mother, worried about Emma."

My face darkened completely, emerald eyes flashing with suppressed rage. "I'll say it again, if you wantto

release Victoria early from that basement, keep dreaming."

| threw off the moonlight thermal blanket and got up despite my weakness. My bandaged fingers throbbed

with pain as | stood.

Ethan moved quickly, trying to stop me. "You're still weak. The doctor said="

"Don't touch me," | hissed, pushing him away. My voice was cold as ice.

| headed for the door, determined to put distance between us. Before | could reach it, a distinctive ringtone filled

the room.

Ethan's Alpha phone was ringing. He answered immediately, his face softening as Emma's voice cthrough.

"Daddy, where's mommy?" The child was crying hysterically. "I want mommy, where is she?"

"Don't worry, princess," Ethan soothed. "Your mother will be at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den soon. |

promise.

He hung up and grabbed his jacket, heading for the door without another glance in my direction.

| moved quickly, my bandaged hand gripping his arm. "Victoria's punishment tisn't up yet."

Ethan pulled away from my grasp, his amber eyes cold as winter. "Enough, stop making trouble!" he growled,

and left.

| stood frozen, watching him choose Victoria yet again. Sthings never change.

From the landing, | watched as Matriarch Evelyn intercepted him downstairs. Her elderly frstill

commanded respect from the Alpha King.

"The punishment isn't complete, she stated firmly.

Ethan's face hardened. "Victoria has been punished enough."

“Has she?” Matriarch Evelyn's voice was sharp. "After everything she's done?"

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Ethan sighed impatiently. "I won't do it again in the future."

With that single sentence, he dismissed all the suffering | had endured in the Shadowcrypt Dungeon, Matriarch

Evelyn's expression darkened completely, her wolf's disapproval obvious in her eyes.

(Matriarch Evelyn's POV)

| stared at my grandson, barely recognizing the man he had become. The boy | raised would never have been so

callous

"Letask you one last tabout your feelings toward Olivia," | said, keeping my voice steady despite my

disappointment. "If you have no interest in your true mate, | will arrange meetings with eligible Alphas from

allied packs for her."

Ethan paused briefly, his wolf bristling at my words. His eyes flickered up to where Olivia stood on the second-

floor landing.

"Grandmother, don't waste your effort," he sneered. "She won't accept another Alpha."

The certainty in his voice was absolute. He truly believed Olivia's wolf was too deeply bonded to his to consider

another mate, despite their troubled relationship.

| followed his gaze to Olivia, noting the hurt that flashed across her face before she masked it. | had been

testing my grandson by mentioning potential meetings with other Alphas, hoping to provoke sprotective

instinct.

Instead, he chose Victoria without hesitation.

My decision was made.

| approached Olivia slowly, climbing the stairs with deliberate steps. "My dear, |

will find you a worthy Alpha who will appreciate your strength."

Olivia shook her head, her wolf instinctively recoiling. "No, Grandmother. | don't want another mate."

“I understand,” | said gently. "But | want someone to protect you, especially since | won't be around forever."

| took her bandaged hands in mine, careful not to cause pain. "Promiseyou'll at least meet with the Alpha

I've chosen. For my peace of mind."

Her emerald eyes searched mine, finding only genuine concern. Finally, she nodded. "For you, Grandmother."

Her wolf whined in distress at the mere thought, but her rational mind had made its choice.

(Ethan's POV)

| returned to the Shadowcrypt Dungeon where Victoria was being held. The Shadow Guard, following

Grandmother's instructions, didn't stopthis time.

When | opened the door, the sight beforestopped my heart.

Victoria, who feared snakes above all else, was lying on the ground with several vipers crawling on and around

her. Her pupils were dilated with terror, her wolf completely subdued by primal fear.

Upon seeing me, she whispered my nwith her last breath, reaching forweakly.

"Ethan... help me..."

| rushed to her, kicking snakes away as | lifted her into my arms. Her body was cold, trembling violently

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against mine.

| carried her out, kicking two of The Shadow Guard on my way. "If she dies, none

of you will live to see

tomorrow" | snarled.

Their faces remained impassive, but | didn't care. My only focus was getting Victoria to safety

| rushed her to the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, her fragile form cradled against my chest.

(Victoria's POV)

After examination, the doctor confirmed | was physically fine but mentally distressed. My wolf was still

cowering within me, traumatized by the snakes.

"Emma," | whispered weakly. "I need to see my daughter. She'll cry without me

Ethan nodded, his face tight with concern. He arranged for Emma to be brought to my hospital room

immediately

When she arrived, my daughter flung herself at me, her small face wet with tears. "Mommy! | was so scared!"

"I'm here now, baby," | soothed, stroking her hair. "Mommy's here." Emma curled against my side, her small form

pressed protectively against me. Soon, her breathing evened out as she fell asleep.

Once she was sleeping soundly, | collapsed into Ethan's arms, allowing my trembling to intensify. "Why would

she do this to me?" | sobbed. "She knows I'm terrified of snakes!"

Ethan's arms tightened around me. "I don't know"

"She wanted to kill me," | continued, tears streaming down my face. Those snakes

could have been

venomous!"

| felt his temperature dropping-a sign of his wolf's rage. Perfect.

"She'll pay for this, he growled softly.

| buried my face against his chest, hiding my smile. My plan was working perfectly.

(Olivia's POV)

That night, | stayed in my own room in Matriarch Evelyn's Villa rather than in Ethan's private residence. Despite

the moonberry sleeping tea Grandmother had arranged for me, | couldn't sleep.

Every t| closed my eyes, | saw visions of the Shadowcrypt Dungeon when | had been imprisoned there. The

rats scurrying across my skin, their sharp teeth nipping at my flesh..

| finally took two herbal pills from my bag that I'd created from my healing crystal knowledge. The calming effect

spread through my body slowly.

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