Chapter 32: A Taste of Revenge 

Chapter 32: A Taste of Revenge 

(Victoria’s POV) 

Where had Ethan disappeared to? I had only turned away for a moment to discuss the seating arrangement with Eleanor, and he’d vanished. 

I 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?” I 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 I 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,” I replied with a dismissive wave. “She knows she’s losing him.” 

As we approached the kitchen, I slowed my steps, hearing the low rumble of Ethan’s voice from within. Perfect. I 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 I drew closer to the kitchen door. Just before I 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. 

I 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” 

+ R D 

– Chunter 12 & Taste of He 

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

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 past me in the doorway. 

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

“You think you’ve won something.” I 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 game you’re playing–it won’t work,” I continued, my voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “He’s already mine.” 

With that, I 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) 

I 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, I didn’t join the family at the dining table. I couldn’t bear to watch Victoria simper at Ethan while Emma played the perfect daughter. 

Instead, I slipped out to Matriarch Evelyn Stone’s garden. The elderly former Luna had always shown me kindness, teaching me about the rare healing plants she cultivated here. Though she was away visiting relatives, tending her garden brought me a measure of peace. 

I 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. I didn’t look up, continuing my careful work 

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Chapter 12 A Taste of He 

among the plants. 

“These herbs need attention,” I replied evenly “Unlike some people 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” 

I 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 I 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.” 

I 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,” I 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 I cut her off by stepping closer, my emerald eyes cold as ice. 

“This is just the beginning!” I warned, my voice barely above a whisper, 

I 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, I heard small footsteps running toward Victoria. 

“Mommy! What happened?” Emma’s childish voice called out. 

I didn’t turn back, but I 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 to me on the evening breeze. “That mean lady hurt Mommy, but don’t worry. We’ll make her sorry” 

Emma’s response was too quiet for me to hear, but I 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) 

I 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. 

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Chapter 32 A tanker 

Thate her,” I 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 I could tell she didn’t really mean it. Her eyes looked different–the same way they did when she told me to 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?” 

I gave her my sweetest smile, the one that always made Daddy give me anything I wanted. “Nothing bad, Mommy, I promise.” 

She hesitated, then released my arm. “Be careful, sweetheart.” 

I nodded and skipped away, following the path that the mean lady had taken. I knew exactly where she was going to the Moonlit Reflection Pool where she often sat alone. 

Sure enough, I found her standing by the water’s edge, staring at her reflection. She looked sad, which made me happy. She deserved to be sad after hurting my mommy. 

I approached quietly, putting on my best nice–girl face. “Auntie Olivia,” I called, my voice high and sweet. 

She turned, her body stiffening at the sight of me. I could see she didn’t like me calling her “Auntie,” and that 

made me want to say it even more. 

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

I 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 I was pretending. But it didn’t matter. Adults always believed children in the end. 

“Where’s your mother?” she asked, glancing behind me as if expecting Victoria to appear. 

“With Daddy,” I answered, watching her face closely to see if that hurt her. It did. Her eyes got darker, like when Mommy mentioned her dead daughter. 

I 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 I fell in, everyone would come running, 

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

I widened my eyes, making them look scared. “Are you going to push me like you pushed my mommy?” 

She froze, confusion crossing her features. “I didn’t-” 

That was all I needed. With a perfectly timed movement, I threw myself backward into the reflection pool, my small body creating a dramatic splash, 

The cold water enveloped me as I let out a piercing scream that would surely bring the entire household 

running. 

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