The Alpha King is unavailable 231
Two years ago, my life changed forever. Not just because of Lily's death, but because of what cafter.
The car accident should have killed me. My brakes failed on a winding mountain road,
sending my vehicle plummeting over the edge. By smiracle, | survived the initial impact, though the world
believed otherwise.
| stared out the window of Lucas's SUV as we approached Moonstone County Correctional Facility. The imposing
concrete structure loomed against the darkening sky, a fortress designed to contain the most dangerous wolves
in the territory.
"Are you sure about this?" Lucas asked, his gray eyes studying my face with
concern.
I nodded. "I need answers."
The investigation after my "death" had been thorough. Ethan, believing he'd lost his mate, had thrown the full
weight of his authority behind finding the culprit. The police discovered clear evidence of tampering with my
brakes.
"What exactly did the investigation find?" | asked Lucas, needing to hear it again.
Lucas's jaw tightened. "A photographer covering a local festival caught Connor Blackthorn on
camera near your car the night before the accident. When confronted with the evidence, he confessed
immediately."
"Too immediately," | murmured.
| remembered Connor clearly. He had worked as a caretaker for Dr. Rebecca Winters' father. | had reported him
after finding suspicious needle marks on Lily's arm during one of her
hospital stays.
"His motive seemed straightforward," Lucas continued. "Revenge for losing his job after your
complaint."
"But the timing was too convenient," | said, voicing the suspicion that had grown stronger since my return.
"Victoria had just threatenedat Lily's grave. Days later, my brakes fail?"
Lucas nodded grimly. "That's why | investigated a possible connection between Victoria and
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Connor."
"And you found one."
"Yes. Connor worked as a caregiver for Victoria's adoptive father before he was hired by Dr. Winters. According to
my sources, he developed feelings for Victoria during that time."
The SUV stopped at the prison's security checkpoint. Guards approached, their expressions stern as they
checked our identification.
"I'm convinced Victoria orchestrated the accident," | said quietly. "And Connor Blackthorn is the key to proving
it."
(Olivia's POV)
The prison visiting room was cold and sterile. Reinforced glass separated visitors from inmates, with intercoms
for communication. Special silver-reinforced restraints were used on werewolf prisoners to prevent shifting.
| sat rigidly in the metal chair, my heart pounding despite my outward calm. Lucas stood behind me, a
reassuring presence at my back.
The door on the other side of the glass opened. Two guards led in a man in an orange jumpsuit, his hands and
feet bound with silver-lined shackles. Connor Blackthorn.
He looked thinner than | remembered, his face gaunt and his eyes haunted. When
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he saw me, he froze mid-step, his eyes widening with shock.
"You're alive," he whispered, the.words barely audible through the intercom.
I leaned forward. "Hello, Connor."
His shock quickly transformed into rage. He lunged forward, only to be yanked back by the
guards.
"I was set up!" he shouted, his voice distorted through the speaker. "They toldyou were
dead! If you're alive, | deserve a retrial!"
The guards struggled to restrain him as he thrashed against his bonds.
"Who set you up, Connor?" | asked calmly.
"You know who!" he snarled. "She promised me-" He cut himself off, his eyes darting
nervously to the guards.
"What did Victoria promise you?" | pressed.
< Chapter 127 Prison Visit
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Connor's face contorted with fury. "I'm not saying another word without my lawyer.
I want a retrial! | want out of here!"
He rattled against his restraints with such violence that additional guards rushed
in. As they dragged him away, he continued shouting.
"I was set up! I'm innocent!"
| remained seated, watching impassively as Connor disappeared through the door. Only when it closed behind
him did I allow myself a small smile.
"You didn't get much from him," Lucas observed as we walked back to the SUV.
"| got exactly what | needed," | replied. "His reaction confirms my suspicions. And now he'll
request a retrial."
Lucas raised an eyebrow. "You want him released?"
"Once free, he'll contact Victoria," | explained. "Either to confront her for betraying him or to collect whatever
she promised him. Either way, it gives us the evidence we need."
"It's risky," Lucas warned. "Connor is dangerous, especially to you."
| met his concerned gaze with determination. "Srisks are worth taking to expose
Victoria's schemes once and for all."
(Ethan's POV)
The call from Chief Walter Garrison cas | was reviewing quarterly reports for Stone Pack. Enterprises. My
wolf had been restless all day, sensing something was wrong.
"Alpha King Stone," Garrison's voice was tense. "Connor Blackthorn has requested a retrial."
My grip tightened on the phone. "On what grounds?"
"Olivia Winters is alive," Garrison replied. "He claims he was set up, that he's innocent of the
attempted murder charge."
Rage surged through me. Connor Blackthorn had nearly taken Olivia fromonce. | wouldn't
give him another chance.
"| don't care what it takes, Garrison," | growled, my Alpha voice making the police
chief flinch.
even through the phone. "That man stays behind bars."
"Yes, Alpha King," Garrison replied quickly. "I'll handle it personally."
| ended the call and slammed my fist on the desk, cracking the polished wood.
The thought of
< Chapter 127. Prison Visit
Connor Blackthorn walking free made my wolf howl with protective fury.
Olivia was alive. My mate had returned from the dead, only to reveal she was engaged to Lucas Blackwood. The
pain of that revelation had been consumingsince the night of Gwendolyn's gathering.
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But regardless of her feelings toward me, | would protect her. Connor Blackthorn would remain imprisoned if |
had to tear down the justice system with my bare hands.
(Victoria's POV)
| sat in my wheelchair outside Ethan's office, my ear pressed against the door. His
angry voice carried clearly through the wood.
"I don't care what it takes, Garrison. That man stays behind bars."
Relief washed over me. Connor Blackthorn's continued imprisonment was
essential to my plans. He knew too much about my past, about my connection to
him.
| had used Connor's obsession withto orchestrate Olivia's accident. It had been perfect- Olivia eliminated,
Connor imprisoned, andpositioned as Ethan's devoted support during his grief.
For two years, everything had gone according to plan. Until Olivia Winters rose from the dead.
| wheeled myself away from Ethan's door, my mind racing. Olivia had always been smarter than | gave her credit
for. If she connectedto Connor, everything I'd built could crumble.
My phone buzzed with a notification. | opened it to find a social media post showing Olivia and Lucas Blackwood
at a charity gala. The powerful Alpha was tenderly caring for her injured leg, his gray eyes fixed on her face with
obvious devotion.
Jealousy burned through me. Not because | wanted Lucas-I had Ethan, after all-
but because Olivia had found happiness despite everything I'd done destroy
her.
The images showed them laughing together, touching casually, looking for all the world like a loving couple. The
caption read: "Alpha Lucas Blackwood and his fiancée, the miraculously returned Olivia Winters, grace the
Northern Territory Charity Gala."
| scrolled through the comments, my anger growing with each one.
“They make such a beautiful couple!" "She deserves happiness after everything she's been through." "Alpha
Blackwood looks completely smitten!”
| closed thewith a vicious swipe. Olivia Winters would not win. Not again,
< Chapter 127 Prison Visit
| composed myself, smoothing my hair and pinching my cheeks for color. Then | knocked
gently on Ethan's door before entering.
"I'm going out for sfresh air," | informed him with practiced sweetness.
Ethan looked up, his amber eyes distant. "Take Maxwell with you."
| nodded, hiding my triumph. Maxwell was easy to manipulate-a few tears about feeling confined, and he'd give
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It was tto confront Olivia and remind her who truly held power in this territory.
(Olivia's POV)
Lucas and | sat at a corner table in Moonstone Dining Hall, discussing our next steps regarding Connor
Blackthorn. The elegant restaurant was relatively empty for a weekday afternoon, allowing us privacy for our
conversation.
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"My legal team is monitoring his retrial request," Lucas said, his voice low. "If necessary, | can expedite the
process through my connections."
| nodded, taking a sip of my tea. "The sooner he's out, the sooner-"
| broke off as the restaurant's atmosphere shifted. Heads turned toward the
entrance, where Victoria Frost sat in her wheelchair, flanked by two burly bodyguards.
"Speaking of the devil," Lucas muttered.
Victoria spotted us immediately. With a gesture to her guards, she wheeled herself directly to.
our table, a saccharine smile on her face.
"Olivia, what a pleasant surprise," she said, her voice dripping with false warmth. "And Alpha Blackwood. How
cozy."
Lucas's eyes narrowed. "Miss Frost. To what do we owe this interruption?" Victoria's smile didn't waver. "Actually,
| was hoping for a private word with Olivia. Girl talk, you
understand."
"Whatever you have to say to Olivia, you can say in front of me," Lucas stated firmly, his
protective instinct evident in his rigid posture.
| placed a hand on his arm. "It's alright, Lucas. | can handle this."
Victoria's eyes gleamed with triumph. "There's a private dining room available.
Just a quick
chat between old... friends."
| stood, meeting her gaze steadily. "Lead the way."
Lucas caught my hand. "Olivia-"
"I'll be fine," | assured him, my emerald eyes flashing with determination. "This is
long overdue."
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Victoria instructed her bodyguards to remain outside the private dining room but
stay close. As the door closed behind us, she wheeled herself to the center of the
room and removed a small device from her purse.
"Signal jammer," she explained, activating it. "No recordings. Just us."
| watched her calmly, my hand slipping into my pocket where I'd placed a small
cloth earlier. | had anticipated this confrontation.
"You've been busy since your miraculous return," Victoria said, her false smile
dropping. "Stealing my crystal design commission, parading around with Lucas Blackwood-"
Before she could continue, | moved swiftly forward. In one fluid motion, | pulled the cloth from my pocket and
gagged her, simultaneously grabbing a fistful of her perfectly styled hair. Victoria's eyes widened in terror as |
yanked her from the wheelchair. Without the use of her legs, she was helpless, crumpling to the floor with a
muffled cry.
| knelt beside her, keeping my grip on her hair tight enough to hurt.