Chapter 13: Shattered Bonds
Chapter 13: Shattered Bonds
(Samantha’s POV)
I brushed past Ethan, ignoring his questioning gaze as I entered Blackwood Manor. His scent–that familiar blend of forest and spice–filled the air, but instead of comfort, it now brought only bitterness.
I set down the Moonlight Espresso cup on the entryway table and hung up my coat, aware of Ethan’s eyes tracking my every movement. The handkerchief with Hector’s sandalwood scent was still clutched in my hand, and I deliberately
placed it beside the coffee cup.
Walking to the kitchen, I poured myself a glass of water, listening to Ethan’s footsteps following behind me. The tension
between us was palpable, heavy enough to make breathing difficult.
“Sam, tonight I…” Ethan began, his tone softer now, trying to sound reasonable after his earlier display of possessiveness.
I turned to face him, a sardonic smile playing on my lips. “Your surprise was preempted.”
The glass was cool against my palm as I took a slow sip, watching his expression shift from conciliatory to confused.
“What do you mean?” he asked, taking a step closer.
I maintained my distance, moving around the kitchen island to keep it between us. “Your sister made sure I wouldn’t arrive
on time.”
“Olivia?” His brow furrowed. “What does she have to do with this?”
I laughed, the sound hollow and brittle in the quiet kitchen. “She called me about a supposed car accident this afternoon. Kept me busy with insurance paperwork until well after eight.”
Understanding dawned on his face, followed quickly by anger. “Sam, I didn’t-”
“She deliberately led me away,” I continued, cutting him off. “Gave you and Rebecca plenty of time together before I
showed up.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “I had nothing to do with that.”
“Of course not,” I replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Just like you had nothing to do with the pregnancy announcement. Just like you had nothing to do with keeping me in the dark while everyone else in the Blackwood Pack
knew.”
“That’s not true.” Ethan slammed his palm on the counter, the sound echoing through the kitchen. “Olivia overheard my
conversation with James about the fireworks show. She acted without my knowledge or consent.”
His eyes burned with intensity as he continued, “And I never told her about Rebecca’s pregnancy. That information was
strictly confidential.”
I gripped the glass tighter, feeling my control slipping. “So what? You expect me to believe that your own sister arranged
this elaborate setup just to hurt me? That she somehow knew about Rebecca being pregnant without you telling her?”
“Yes,” he said firmly. “Because that’s exactly what happened.”
The rage that had been simmering inside me all evening finally boiled over. With a swift motion, I threw the water in his
face.
He didn’t flinch as the liquid dripped down his features, darkening his shirt. His eyes never left mine.
Chapter 13 Shattered Bonds
*** Pundit
“Thelped you build the Blackwood Pack from nothing.” I hissed. “I stood by you when we had nothing but dreams and determination. And this is how you repay me?”
I stepped closer, no longer afraid of his presence. “You’ve trapped me in a gilded cage of a marriage while you create an
heir with another woman.”
My voice rose with each word. “Did you think I wouldn’t find out? Did you think I’d just accept it? That I’d stay the obedient Luna while you parade your pregnant mistress around?”
“She’s not my mistress,” Ethan growled. “She’s a surrogate, nothing more.”
“A surrogate I never agreed to!” I shouted. “A decision you made without me, behind my back!”
My hands trembled with fury as I continued, “I won’t tolerate your betrayal and deception anymore. I’m going back to my healing practice, and you will not hinder me.”
I took a deep breath, trying to steady my voice. “The fireworks were beautiful tonight. But you know what? The ones you arranged for me when we were teenagers were more beautiful.”
The memory of that night–our first official date, when Ethan had surprised me with a private fireworks display–flashed through my mind. We had been so young, so full of hope.
“Ethan, we can’t go back,” I said softly. “So, let me go.”
Without waiting for his response, I turned and walked away, heading for the bedroom. Each step felt heavier than the last, as if I were wading through the wreckage of our relationship.
Behind me, I left Ethan standing in the kitchen, water still dripping from his face, looking utterly heartbroken and alone.
(Ethan’s POV)
I stood motionless in the kitchen–long after Samantha had disappeared upstairs. The water had dried on my face, but the
chill of her words remained.
My gaze fell on the Moonlight Espresso cup she’d left on the entryway table. The Moonlight Airport Café logo was clearly
visible on its side.
Something didn’t add up.
Golden Sands Cove was at least forty minutes from Blackwood Manor. Samantha had left the beach around 8:30 PM, yet she’d arrived home just before me. There hadn’t been enough time for her to stop at the airport café.
Unless she hadn’t gone directly to Golden Sands Cove after leaving Olivia.
The handkerchief beside the cup caught my attention. I picked it up, the unfamiliar sandalwood scent confirming my suspicions. Samantha had been with another man.
I pulled out my phone and dialed James. “I need you to check all flights from the Eastern Territories to the Northern
Territories in the last 48 hours.”
“Sir?” James sounded confused. “May I ask why?”
“Just do it,” I snapped, my patience wearing thin.
There was a brief pause before James replied, “I’m afraid we have a bigger crisis on our hands right now.”
My grip tightened on the phone. “What happened?”
“Rebecca Taylor has taken advantage of the planned announcement of your anniversary with Luna Reed, James explained, his voice tense. “She’s released a photo of you seemingly proposing to her at Golden Sands Cove.”
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< Chapter 13: Shattered Bonds
Cold fury washed over me. “How did she get authorization for that?”
+18 Puntos)
“Olivia,” James said simply. “She authorized the release of the photo through the pack’s communications department. They used an image of you kneeling with the roses.”
I closed my eyes, struggling to contain my anger. “The Willis deal?”
“In jeopardy, James confirmed. “Victor Willis called an hour ago, questioning the stability of our leadership. The partnership we’ve been working on for two years could collapse.”
The Willis deal was crucial for expanding our territory into the European market. Without it, years of diplomatic efforts would be wasted.
*Handle the PR crisis,” I ordered, my voice cold. “Prepare Rebecca’s transfer papers to another territory–somewhere remote. And find my sister.”
“Already on it,” James assured me. “And sir, about checking those flights-”
“Do it anyway,” I interrupted, “I want to know who’s been visiting from the East.”
After ending the call, I grabbed my keys and headed for the door. I needed to clear my head, to strategize away from the lingering scent of Samantha’s anger and disappointment.
As I climbed into my Phantom SUV, I caught a glimpse of her watching from the bedroom window, October sitting faithfully beside her.
The engine roared to life, and I pulled away from Blackwood Manor, my posture rigid with barely contained rage.
(Samantha’s POV)
I watched Ethan drive away, his Phantom SUV disappearing down the long driveway. Even from a distance, his posture radiated anger.
October whined softly beside me, sensing my distress. I scratched behind her ears, finding comfort in her simple
affection.
“It’s okay, girl,” I murmured. “We’ll figure this out.”
My phone chimed with a news alert. Reluctantly, I opened it to find multiple articles proclaiming Rebecca Taylor as the
new Mrs. Blackwood. The photo showed Ethan on one knee, offering roses to Rebecca against the backdrop of
ceremonial fires.
The caption read: “Alpha King Ethan Blackwood proposes to Rebecca Taylor after months of secret romance. Sources
confirm former Luna Samantha Reed has been aware of the relationship.”
I stared at the screen in disbelief. The manipulation was obvious to anyone who knew the truth, but to the public, it would
appear that Ethan had moved on with my blessing.
Would he clarify the situation? The Willis deal was important to him–years of negotiation and planning. Having his personal life thrown into scandal could jeopardize everything he’d worked for.
My phone chimed again, this time with a message from Hector:
“Are you asleep?”
