Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna

The Alpha King is unavailable 35

A piercing scream shattered the evening quiet of the Stone Estate gardens. | whirled around to see Emma's small

body plunging into the Moonlit Reflection Pool, water splashing violently as she disappeared beneath

the surface.

For a split secChapter 32: A Taste of Revenge

Chapter 32: A Taste of Revenge

(Victoria's POV)

Where had Ethan disappeared to? | had only turned away for a moment to discuss the seating arrangement with

Eleanor, and he'd vanished.

| smoothed my designer dress, irritation flickering across my features. This was supposed to be my night- the

celebration of my triumph over Olivia at the Howling Moon Grand Hotel. Yet Ethan had wandered off

again.

"Have you seen Alpha Stone?" | asked a passing servant, my voice sweet but commanding.

The young wolf lowered her eyes respectfully. "I believe he went toward the kitchen, Mrs. Frost"

The kitchen? Understanding dawned on me. That's where Eleanor had sent Olivia

A malicious smile curved my lips as | gestured for Isabelle to follow me. “Let's go find our Alpha, shall we?"

Isabelle matched my stride, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "I can't believe that woman had the audacity

to touch Ethan like that in front of everyone."

"Desperation," | replied with a dismissive wave. "She knows she's losing him."

As we approached the kitchen, | slowed my steps, hearing the low rumble of Ethan's voice from within. Perfect. |

wanted to catch them together-to see Olivia put in her place.

Inside the kitchen, Ethan's enhanced werewolf hearing picked up our approaching footsteps. His body tensed

against Olivia's as he recognized my scent.

Victoria's coming," he growled, his amber eyes flashing with warning.

Olivia's emerald gaze locked with his, defiance radiating from her slender frame. "Let her

Ethan released his grip on her arms, stepping back just enough to create distance between them. Olivia swayed

slightly from the sudden loss of his support, her hand reaching for the counter to steady herself.

My heels clicked against the marble floor as | drew closer to the kitchen door. Just before | reached it, Olivia

made her move.

With deliberate slowness, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Ethan's muscular torso, pressing

her body against his. His jaw tightened, eyes darkening with anger and something else-something that made my

blood boil,

"Olivia Winters, don't mess around," he growled, the warning in his voice unmistakable.

But she didn't release him. Instead, her arms tightened around him as the swung open, reveang

kitchen door

their embrace to my shocked gaze.

| froze in the doorway, Isabelle gasping behind me.

Ethan's hands moved to Olivia's shoulders, pushing her away with barely contained frustration. His expression

was thunderous as he turned to face me.

"Victoria," he said, his voice carefully controlled. "I was just leaving"

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- Chunter 12 & Taste of He

Olivia quickly turned back to the cutting board, resuming her work as if nothing had happened. But | wasn't

fooled. | noticed how Ethan's shirt was partially unbuttoned, revealing a small red mark on his collarbone

My eyes narrowed to dangerous slits. That mark hadn't been there earlier.

Isabelle noticed it too, her face contorting with rage. "You shameless woman!" she exploded, storming past me

toward Olivia. "How dare you try to seduce the Alpha King right under our noses!"

Olivia continued chopping venison, her movements precise and controlled. "I don't know what you're talking

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about, Isabelle."

"You worthless woman” Isabelle snarled, stepping closer. "Everyone knows he doesn't want you anymore.

You're just embarrassing yourself!"

Without warning, Olivia turned and shoved a heaping spoonful of salt directly into Isabelle's open mouth.

Isabelle's eyes widened in shock as she gagged on the overwhelming taste.

"Oops," Olivia said calmly. "I thought you needed something to go with all that bitterness."

Isabelle sputtered and coughed, spitting salt onto the pristine kitchen floor. With a final hateful glare, she rushed

from the room, still gagging and spitting.

Ethan watched the scene unfold with an unreadable expression. Then, without a word, he straightened his

shirt and walked out, brushing pastin the doorway.

| remained, glaring daggers at Olivia's back. The tension between us crackled like electricity in the air.

"You think you've won something." | hissed, my perfect composure slipping. "But we both know the truth."

Olivia didn't respond, her focus seemingly absorbed by the meal preparation. The dismissal only fueled my

anger.

"This little gyou're playing-it won't work," | continued, my voice dropping to a venomous whisper. "He's

already mine."

With that, | turned and left, my heels striking the floor like punctuation marks to my threat.

Behind me, alone in the kitchen, Olivia finally paused in her work. She raised trembling fingers to her lips, wiping

away the lingering presence of Ethan with the back of her hand.

(Olivia's POV)

| arranged the final garnish on the platter of venison, my movements deliberate and precise. The tender meat

was perfectly seared, complemented by a reduction of moonlight wine and forest herbs.

Despite Eleanor's instructions, | didn't join the family at the dining table. | couldn't bear to watch Victoria simper

at Ethan while Emma played the perfect daughter.

Instead, | slipped out to Matriarch Evelyn Stone's garden. The elderly former Luna had always shown me

kindness, teachingabout the rare healing plants she cultivated here. Though she was away visiting relatives,

tending her garden broughta measure of peace.

| knelt beside a patch of moonlight herbs, gently removing weeds that threatened

to choke the delicate plants. The familiar scent of the herbs calmed my racing thoughts.

"Playing gardener now? How fitting"

Victoria's mocking voice shattered my brief moment of tranquility. | didn't look up, continuing my careful work

An

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Chapter 12 A Taste of He

among the plants.

"These herbs need attention," | replied evenly "Unlike speople who receive more than their share"

Victoria circled around me, her designer heels sinking slightly into the soft garden soil. That little display in the

kitchen was pathetic, you know"

| remained silent, focusing on a stubborn weed with unusual intensity.

"You think anyone was fooled?" she continued, her voice dripping with disdain. "Everyone knows you're just

Ethan's unwanted wife."

My fingers stilled among the herbs, but | kept my gaze downcast,

"A pathetic woman who couldn't even protect her own child."

My head snapped up, emerald eyes meeting her cold blue ones. "What did you

say?"

Victoria's perfect lips curved into a cruel smile. "You heard me. Poor little Lily, gone because her mother wasn't

good enough."

| rose slowly to my feet, my entire body trembling with barely contained rage. Roland Warner's dying words

echoed in my mind: "Victoria didn't want to save her own daughter... She wanted Lily dead!"

"You have no right to speak her name," | said, my voice dangerously quiet. Victoria stepped closer, emboldened

by my restraint. "It's almost poetic, isn't it?

You lose your daughter, while

Emma thrives under Ethan's protection. The daughter he actually loves."

The slap echoed through the garden like a thunderclap, the force of it snapping Victoria's head to the side.

Her perfectly manicured hand flew to her reddening cheek, shock written across her features.

"You" she gasped, but | cut her off by stepping closer, my emerald eyes cold as

ice.

"This is just the beginning!" | warned, my voice barely above a whisper,

| turned and walked away, leaving her stunned in the garden. My hand stung from

the impact, but satisfaction coursed through my veins. It was a small victory, but it tasted sweet nonetheless.

Behind me, | heard small footsteps running toward Victoria.

"Mommy! What happened?" Emma's childish voice called out.

| didn't turn back, but | could imagine Victoria gathering Emma into her arms,

using the child as both shield

and weapon.

"It's nothing, sweetheart, Victoria soothed, but her voice carried toon the

evening breeze. "That mean lady hurt Mommy, but don't worry. We'll make her sorry"

Emma's response was too quiet forto hear, but | felt a chill run down my spine nonetheless. Victoria was

dangerous enough, but I'd learned that her daughter could be equally manipulative.

(Emma's POV)

| watched the mean lady walk away from my mommy. Her red handprint was still

on Mommy's cheek, and it made my tummy feel all twisted and hot.

Nobody was allowed to hurt my mommy. Not ever.

Bil)

Ho <

Chapter 32 A tanker

Thate her," | whispered, hugging Mommy tight. Til make her cry like she made you

cry."

Mommy stroked my hair, her fingers gentle. "Emma, darling, you shouldn't say

such things"

But | could tell she didn't really mean it. Her eyes looked different-the sway

they did when she toldto practice my sad face for Daddy.

"I know what to do," I said, pulling away from her embrace. Til go now."

Mommy grabbed my arm, her eyes suddenly worried. "Emma, what are you

planning?"

| gave her my sweetest smile, the one that always made Daddy giveanything

| wanted. "Nothing bad, Mommy, | promise."

She hesitated, then released my arm. "Be careful, sweetheart."

| nodded and skipped away, following the path that the mean lady had taken. |

knew exactly where she was going to the Moonlit Reflection Pool where she often sat alone.

Sure enough, | found her standing by the water's edge, staring at her reflection.

She looked sad, which madehappy. She deserved to be sad after hurting my mommy.

| approached quietly, putting on my best nice-girl face. "Auntie Olivia," | called, my voice high and sweet.

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She turned, her body stiffening at the sight of me. | could see she didn't likecalling her "Auntie," and that

madewant to say it even more.

“Emma,” she replied, her voice careful. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

| stepped closer, my smile widening. "I wanted to see you, Auntie."

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she took in my expression. She was smart-she

could tell | was pretending. But it didn't matter. Adults always believed children in the end.

"Where's your mother?" she asked, glancing behindas if expecting Victoria to appear.

"With Daddy," | answered, watching her face closely to see if that hurt her. It did. Her eyes got darker, like when

Mommy mentioned her dead daughter.

| moved to stand right at the edge of the reflection pool, my small shoes inches

from the water. The pool was deep in the middle-deep enough that if | fell in, everyone would crunning,

"You should step back from the edge," she warned, taking a step toward me.

| widened my eyes, making them look scared. "Are you going to pushlike you pushed my mommy?"

She froze, confusion crossing her features. "I didn't-"

That was all | needed. With a perfectly timed movement, | threw myself backward

into the reflection pool, my small body creating a tic splash,

The cold water envelopedas | let out a piercing scream that would surely

bring the entire household

running.

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ond, | stood frozen in shock. Then instinct took over, and I rushed toward the

water's edge.

Before | could reach her, Victoria's voice rang out across the garden. "Help! Someone help! My daughter is

drowning!"

Servants appeared from every direction, rushing toward the commotion. Two of

them immediately jumped into the reflection pool, while others gathered around the edge.

"Save her! Save Emma!" Victoria wailed, her perfect makeup streaking down her cheeks as she sobbed

tically.

| watched as the servants pulled Emma from the water, their faces etched with

genuine concern. They wrapped her in jackets and blankets, fussing over her like she was precious pack royalty

The stark contrast to how they had treated Lily during her illness wasn't lost on

me. When my daughter had

needed help, these sservants had been distant and formal, following

Eleanor's lead in treating her as

less important.

"What happened

here?" Eleanor Stone's sharp voice cut through the chaos as

she hurried toward the scene,

Isabelle trailing behind her.

Victoria pointed a trembling finger at me. "She pushed Emma! She pushed my

baby into the water!" Eleanor's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Seize her!" she commanded without hesitation,

pointing at me.