Chapter 338
(Victoria's POV)
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My heart nearly stopped when | saw Alpha King Ethan Stone standing beside James Knight at the entrance to
Rosewood Haven.
My mind spun in panic, desperately trying to assess the situation.
When did Ethan arrive? How much had he heard?
| couldn't afford to speak rashly. Years of manipulation had taughthow to adapt quickly. | composed my
features,
transforming my expression from shock to pitiful vulnerability in an instant.
| raised my face toward Ethan, making sure he could clearly see the redness and swelling from Olivia's slaps.
Tears welled in my
eyes on command, a skill I'd perfected over the years.
"Ethan..." | called out, my voice breaking perfectly.
The tears fell right on cue, streaming down my cheeks as | made myself look as fragile and heartbroken as
possible. This was the
act that never failed-my helpless sobbing always triggered his protective instincts and fed his sense of guilt.
My wolf whimpered pathetically beneath my skin, projecting vulnerable pheromones that would reach his Alpha
senses.
As expected, Ethan stepped forward, walking straight toward me. My heart soared with triumph.
Just one tear, and he would always feel sorry for me. That had been our pattern for years.
| reached out my hand, anticipating his warm touch and comforting words. But they never came.
Instead of taking my hand, Ethan stopped just short of me, his amber eyes cold and distant. There was no
comfort, no soft words
-only disappointment radiating from him in palpable waves.
My wolf sensed the change immediately, whining in confusion at his unexpected response.
| lunged forward desperately, trying to grab his hand, but the sudden movement causedto slip from my
Raven-Trimmed
Wheelchair. | landed at his feet in an undignified heap, looking up at him expectantly.
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He didn't helpup.
The trust he had givenfor years had turned to bitter disappointment. | could almost hear his inner wolf
questioning: "Why did my Little Orange beclike this?"
He had never blamedfor our youthful betrayal-l was too young back then, he always said. But now, having
overheard
everything, his heart was breaking with disillusionment.
James Knight entered the garden behind Ethan, still dressed in his hospital-
issued Moonstone-Infused Recovery Garments with
a jacket thrown hastily over them. Instead of approaching me, he walked directly to Olivia's side.
They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, a united front, watchingcoldly.
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Chapter 338
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James understood Olivia after years of friendship. He knew she was already thoroughly disappointed in Ethan. He
had purposely
brought Ethan here so he could finally hear with his own ears what kind of she- wolf he had trusted and spoiled
for so many years.
"You've been exposed, Victoria," James said, his hazel eyes hard as stone. "No more manipulations. No more
lies."
His russet-brown wolf bristled beneath his skin, still protective of Olivia despite his own injuries.
| met Ethan's disappointed amber gaze and realized he had indeed overheard everything. My carefully
constructed world was
crumbling around me.
| dropped the act, my tears becoming genuine as | broke down completely, covering my face with my hands.
"Ethan, don't look atlike that," | sobbed. "You're tearing my heart apart. You know I'm not that kind of she-
wolf."
| gestured wildly, my desperation growing. "I only said those things because | was forced-Olivia just cat me
and hit me. My
legs are disabled, | couldn't fight back."
| pointed to my reddened cheek. "Look at my face, Olivia hitso hard. | was in
so much pain, | lost control and said those
things, but that's not how I truly feel."
My voice cracked with emotion. "I regret what happened to James, but | had no choice. You know, Emma is my
whole world."
My wolf projected desperate maternal pheromones, trying to trigger Ethan's protective instincts as | had done
countless times.
before.
"Emma is only seven-her life has just begun," | continued, painting myself as a desperate mother. "She was
dying, and we
couldn't find a matching blood type. | watched her suffer every day."
| clutched at my heart tically. "I tried everything. Olivia hatesand
refused to let James donate. She madekneel and
beg in public, and I did, but she still wouldn't help."
My voice rose with desperation. "What could | do? | couldn't just watch my daughter die..."
My wolf whined pitifully, emphasizing my maternal desperation.
Ethan's response was cold and unyielding, his Alpha energy pulsing with controlled anger. "Even so, you
shouldn't have destroyed James! You knew he was going to compete in the Crystal Competition!"
| tried to justify myself, admitting to my selfishness while spinning it as maternal devotion.
"I know | was selfish, but | only cared about my daughter's life," | pleaded. "Even if
| have to carry a lifetof guilt, I'd do it again if it means Emma survives!"
| had used similar excuses years ago to justify stealing Lily's organ donor, manipulating Ethan with the same
line: "For my pup, | can do anything."
My wolf's scent carried the bitter notes of desperation mixed with calculation. (Olivia's POV)
211
Chapter 338
| watched Victoria reach for Ethan again, her performance flawless as always. This time, he did not avoid her
touch.
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James observed this with a cold face, his hazel eyes flashing with disgust.
"Ethan Stone, you're hopeless!" he scolded, shaking his head.
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| could see the heartache in James's eyes as he glanced at me, guilt written
across his features. He was thinking about all the years
| had wasted loving a man who would never choose me.
But | was already numb to such disappointments. My wolf had retreated deep
within me, no longer howling with pain at Ethan's
betrayals.
"Let's go," | said softly to James, my emerald eyes dull with resignation.
My goal had been achieved | had exposed Victoria's true nature. Ethan's stance
no longer mattered to my wolf or to me.
As James and | turned to leave, Victoria clung desperately to Ethan's clothes, her wolf projecting frantic distress
pheromones.
"Ethan, you can't let Olivia expose me!" she cried, her voice trembling with genuine fear. "If what | said gets out,
what will happen toand Emma?” Her fingers clutched at his shirt. "She just had surgery; she can't handle
such a blow! Please, Ethan, | know | was wrong, but let Olivia sparejust this once!" | didn't bother to look
back as James and | walked out of the garden. We had already reached the gate, heading toward James
Knight's Midnight Rider Motorcycle parked outside.
Suddenly, | felt a strong grip on my wrist. Ethan had caught up to us, his Alpha strength evident in his hold.
His lips were pressed tightly together as he leaned close, his voice low and commanding, his wolf's dominance
evident in his
tone.
"Liv, givethe aurecorder."
His amber eyes locked with my emerald ones, silently acknowledging the truth
he'd finally been forced to confront about the she-wolf he had protected for so
long.
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