Chapter 4
I arrived atHawthorne Manoraround 11 AM.
As | approached the main entrance, a sweet, overly cheerful voice drifted out through the partially open
windows.
“Yay! | won again!” The girl's tone was playful, but there was a flirtatious edge to it, the kind meant to tease a
lover. “Are you lettingwin on purpose, Ethan?”
| paused, my hand hovering over the door handle. | didn’t need to see her to know who it was.
Chole Windsor.
| realized the real purpose of Melina, she wanted to humiliated me..
| took a slow breath, letting Yve’s quiet growl settle in my chest, then pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Ethan was in the living room, his head turning sharply when he caught sight of me. For a moment, his eyes
flickered with surprise, quickly masked by a flash of annoyance. “What are you doing here?”
I walked in, slipping my sunglasses off and tucking them into the pocket of my loose white T-shirt. | hadn't
bothered with makeup today, just jeans and a comfortable shirt. | met his eyes, “Your mom didn’t tel you? She
called me.” | continued, “Didn’t know you were back from London so soon. Or are you a magician now, managing
to be in two places at once?”
His jaw tightened, a flicker of guilt flashing in his eyes. He didn’t respond.
Before he could recover, Chole stood up from the plush velvet sofa. She brushed an invisible speck of dust off
her thigh, showing off her perfectly manicured fingers.
“Hi,” she extened her hand, stepping closer with a bright smile. “I'm Chole Windsor. It's nice to meet you.”
| looked at her outstretched hand for a second, then deliberately ignored her.
Melina entered the room. She wore a tailored black dress, her hair swept back in a flawless chignon, a perfect
image of power and control. Her eyes moved overbriefly before settling on Chole.
“Chole, darling,” she said, taking Chole’s hand in both of hers,”l hope you're having a good ttoday. Make
your- self at home. This is your house too.”
| felt a muscle in my jaw tighten, but | kept my face neutral.
Melina’s eyes flicked to me, her expression cooling instantly.” Ah, Olivia. You're here.”
0.0 %
13:18
0000000000 0
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
She turned back to Chole, her tone still warm.” This is Ms. Hawthorne, the manager of the Hawthorne Group.
She's here on business.”
It took every ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes. She made it sound like | was just another employee,
someone here to deliver a report, not the Luna of the pack or her son’s wife. It was a subtle dismissal, a
deliberate way to tell Chole that | was no threat.
| ignored her, my eyes drifting back to Ethan. He didn’t even try to defend my position.
“Didn’t you say we had business to discuss? Let's get it over with.”
Melina’s smile tightened slightly.” We can discuss it another day. You're here now, so why not join us for a meal?”
| exhaled slowly, already tired of this charade.”I’'m not here for a meal, Melina. | have other things to do.” |
turned to leave, my back already to them.
Her voice sharpened, “I am still the pack luna, Olivia, and | have asked you politely to stay. What is this attitude
of yours? No manners at all.”
| paused, my hand stilling on the back of a leather chair. | turned slowly, meeting her icy stare with one of my
own. “Fine. I'll stay for a meal.” | met her gaze without blinking.”Just make sure you don’t regret it.”
Chole, sensing the tension, quickly tried to lighten the atmosphere, “Oh, that’s perfect. | was just telling Ethan
how much I enjoyed winning our little gof Silver Moon Toss earlier. I'd love to keep playing.”
| glanced at the balcony where a polishedSilver Moon Tosstarget stood, several delicate gold rings stacked neatly
be- side it. | hadn't even noticed it before. Clearly, it was something new- probably Chole’s idea.
Silver Moon Tosswas a light social competition often played atwerewolf gatherings. The rules were simple —
players took turns tossing three golden rings, trying to encircle the movingMoon Pillarfive meters away. It
required precision and rhythm, often used to showcase coordination between couples.
Chole’s eyes lit up when she sawlooking at the ring toss setup.”Oh, Olivia, do you know how to playSilver
Moon Toss?”
| met her gaze, catching the hint of challenge behind her bright smile. “Only a little,” | replied, letting my eyes
linger on her for a beat.”Wanna play?”
Ethan's jaw tightening as he shota warning look.
“Of course. Shall | go first, or would you like the honor?” Chole adjusted one of the gold rings on the table, her
confi- dence flaring.
“Go ahead. I'll watch.” | stepped back, casually folding my arms.
Chole’s smile widened, clearly pleased with herself. She stepped into position, her posture perfect, each
movement precise. She took a steadying breath, then flicked her wrist. The golden ring sliced through the air,
narrowly missing the Moon Pillar, landing just a few centimeters off.
30.2%
13:18
Chapter 4
She turned back to me,” Almost nailed it.”
Behind her, Melina’s eyes followed the ring,” Chole. So graceful.”
Chole gave a appreciative nod, clearly loving the praise.
288 Vouchers
| didn't bother with any of the
theatrics. | stepped forward, picked
up a ring, and tossed iCyitholt Hidch
thoyghtNTR Ying cut through the air
cleanly, glinting in the sunlight before
slipping perfectly around the Moon
Pillar with a clear, satisfying clink.
Chole’s smile froze for a second, her fingers tightening around the ring she still held. She forced a thin, strained
smile. “Lucky shot.”
| let a careless smile spread across my lips, leaning back slightly.” Maybe.” | shrugged, “Last t| played this
was at the Alpha Foundation dinner with Ethan.”
The remark hit its mark. Chole’s face tensed, her grip on the ring tightening as she prepared for the next throw.
Melina stepped in quickly,” Dear, it’s just a game. The important thing is to have fun.”
| shrugged, stepping back.” Of course. But speople get carried away too easily.”
| didn’t miss the way Melina’s eyes flicked to Ethan, a silent accusation in them.
In the next few rounds, | almost hit
every ring, each one sliding smoothly
around theMoon RHla@th@ Eley!
setisfy ING 2K Meanwhile, Chole’s
throws grew increasingly off-target,
her rings clattering against the base
or falling short entirely. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
| noticed the slight tremble in her fingers as she reached for another ring, her forced smile tightening with every
miss, her eyes flashing with barely concealed frustration.
Melina’s expression grew more strained with each missed attempt, her jaw clenching tighter every t| hit my
mark. She glanced at Ethan, as if hoping for sintervention, but he remained silent.
| stepped back, dusted my hands
lightly, then walked to the nearby
sofa. | set my fipal 1#o6-do/m on the
oBlished side table, folding my hands
neatly in my lap, my eyes meeting
theirs without flinching. The content
is on novelenglish.net! Read the latest
chapter there!
“Want to keep playing?” | asked, my tone light, almost bored.
Chole’s hand curled tightly around the last ring, her knuckles turning pale, lips pressed into a thin, strained line.
Melina shota sharp, furious look, her eyes narrowing into thin, dangerous slits.
68.9 %
13:18
Olivia's POV