Chapter 158: Rekindled Hope
Chapter 158: Rekindled Hope
(Connor’s POV)
I forced my battered body through the sterile corridors of the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den,
each step sending waves of pain through my broken ribs. The scent of antiseptic burned my
sensitive wolf nose, but I pushed forward with single–minded determination.
Reaching Victoria’s ward in the Healing Den, I paused to catch my breath. My wolf whimpered
beneath my skin, urging me to rest, to heal. I ignored its pleas.
With trembling hands, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The sharp smell of silver
residue from Victoria’s self–inflicted wound made my wolf recoil instinctively.
I locked the door behind me, leaning against it for support as my legs threatened to give way.
Victoria lay in the hospital bed, her bandaged wrist prominently displayed on the white sheets.
“Where’s Emma?” I demanded, my voice rough with worry. “Is she alright now? Is she feeling
very uncomfortable?”
My wolf paced anxiously beneath my skin, desperate for news about the young pup I’d grown
to care for despite everything. Emma might not be my biological daughter, but my wolf had
formed a protective bond with her that I couldn’t ignore.
Victoria remained suspiciously silent, her eyes darting around the room as if searching for
hidden surveillance devices. Her wolf’s scent carried notes of paranoia and fear.
Understanding her concern, I pushed myself away from the door and scanned the room with
my enhanced werewolf senses. I listened for any electronic hums, sniffed for the telltale scent
of recording equipment.
“There’s no one listening,” I assured her, my voice dropping to a whisper. “No recording devices
either.”
Only then did Victoria relax slightly, though her wolf remained on edge. She adjusted her
position in the bed, wincing as the movement disturbed her injured wrist.
“Emma is fine,” she finally said, her voice low. “She’s with Dorothy at Rosewood Haven.”
Relief washed over me, my wolf momentarily calming at the news. At least Emma was safe, away from all this chaos.
<Chapter 158: Rekindled Hope
+25 Points >
“Ethan came to see me after you left,” Victoria continued, unable to hide the bitterness in her scent. “He promised to continue caring for me and Emma despite everything.”
Her eyes flashed with a mixture of triumph and disappointment as she added, “He said he would take care of us for the rest of our lives.”
I studied her face, noting the subtle signs of distress beneath her carefully composed expression. Something had happened between her and Ethan–something that had shaken her
confidence.
Despite my distrust of Alpha King Ethan Stone, I felt a measure of relief knowing Emma would be provided for. Whatever happened between the adults, at least the innocent pup wouldn’t
suffer.
I leaned closer to Victoria, my eyes flashing with dangerous intent. My wolf growled softly, protective instincts overriding my physical pain.
“Listen carefully,” I threatened, my voice barely audible. “If anything happens to Emma, I won’t spare you.”
Victoria’s eyes widened slightly, her wolf recognizing the genuine threat in my words. She
knew I meant every word.
(Olivia’s POV)
The steering wheel felt cold beneath my white–knuckled grip as I drove aimlessly through Shadow Creek. My wolf howled with grief and rage beneath my skin, pushing dangerously
close to the surface.
Connor’s betrayal replayed in my mind like a cruel loop. The evidence I had been counting on-
the proof that would finally expose Victoria’s role in Lily’s death–had crumbled to dust before
my eyes.
“Damn it!” I slammed my palm against the steering wheel, tears of frustration blurring my
vision.
My wolf surged forward in response to my emotional turmoil, momentarily taking control. The
car swerved dangerously, nearly colliding with an oncoming vehicle on Shadow Creek
Highway.
The blaring horn snapped me back to reality. I jerked the wheel, narrowly avoiding the
accident, and pulled over to the side of the road.
My heart pounded in my chest as I fought to regain control. I caught my reflection in the
< Chapter 158 Rekindled Hope
+25 Points >
rearview mirror–my emerald eyes showed a dangerous wildness, my wolf too close to the
surface.
“Control,” I whispered to myself, taking deep breaths until the feral gleam receded. “Control.”
I couldn’t afford to lose myself now, not when Lily still needed justice. Not when Victoria
remained unpunished for her crimes.
After several minutes of focused breathing, I felt stable enough to continue driving. Instead of
returning home, I headed to Canis Enterprises. Work had always been my sanctuary, the one
place where I could lose myself in something productive.
The office was quiet when I arrived, most employees having left for the day. I welcomed the
solitude, immediately immersing myself in my healing crystal designs.
The intricate patterns required such concentration that my wolf finally settled, allowing me a
few hours of respite from my emotional turmoil. The familiar rhythm of sketching, calculating
energy flows, and adjusting crystal alignments soothed my frayed nerves.
After several hours, I stretched my stiff muscles and checked my phone. Several missed calls from Lucas Blackwood lit up the screen.
I returned his call, surprised when he answered immediately despite the late hour.
“Olivia,” his deep voice rumbled through the phone, sending an unexpected warmth through
- me. “I was concerned when you didn’t answer.”
“I’ve been working,” I explained, touched by his concern. “Lost track of time.”
“I took the liberty of ordering from Amber Crest, Lucas said. “Their venison is particularly good for healing. It should be arriving at your office shortly.”
As if on cue, a gentle knock sounded at my door. A delivery person stood outside with several
containers of food.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I said, accepting the delivery with a nod of thanks.
“I wanted to,” Lucas replied simply. “Also, I’ll be returning to Shadow Creek in three days.”
I frowned, surprised by this news. “That’s much sooner than you planned. Is everything alright with your grandfather?”
“Patriarch Winston is stable, Lucas assured me. “The business matters were resolved more quickly than anticipated.”
Concern for his well–being made me soften my voice. “Your grandfather will understand if
you
315
<Chapter 158: Rekindled Hope
need more time. Don’t overexert yourself.”
+25 Points >
“I appreciate your concern,” he said, his wolf’s energy steady and calm through our connection. “But I’m fine. I’ll see you when I return.”
After exchanging a few more words, we ended the call. I opened the containers Lucas had
sent, savoring the rich flavors of perfectly prepared venison and roasted vegetables.
My wolf strengthened from the nourishment, its presence settling more comfortably within
- me. With renewed energy, I decided to visit my mother at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den.
Evelyn Winters looked better than she had in days, her color improved and her smile genuine
when I entered her room. Seeing her recovery brought the first real smile to my face since Connor’s betrayal.
“You look tired, dear,” she observed, patting the edge of her bed.
I sat beside her, taking her hand in mine. “I’m fine, just working hard.”
“Too hard,” she chided gently. “You need to rest.”
I squeezed her hand, grateful for her maternal concern. ‘I will. You focus on getting better,
alright? Don’t worry about pack news or anything upsetting.”
After speaking with Dr. Harrison Fletcher about my mother’s improving condition, I left the
hospital with a lighter step than before. At least one thing in my life was going well.
Night had fallen by the time I reached my cottage at Maple Grove. As I approached my door, a familiar scent made my wolf instantly alert.
Pine, power, and the sharp tang of moonberry wine.
Alpha King Ethan Stone was waiting for me, his powerful frame leaning against the wall
beside my door. The moonlight cast harsh shadows across his face, highlighting the tension in his jaw.
I approached cautiously, my wolf wary and alert. Ethan’s amber eyes tracked my movement,
their usual sharpness dulled slightly by alcohol.
Before I could speak, he moved with supernatural speed, closing the distance between us in a
heartbeat. Strong arms pulled me into a tight embrace, his scent enveloping me completely.
Pine, power, and moonberry wine–the scent brought unwanted memories of our past together,
of happier times before Lily’s illness, before Victoria’s manipulation had torn us apart.
*Ethan Stone, let me go.” I demanded firmly, keeping my voice steady despite the turmoil his
< Chapter 158 Rekindled Hope
touch created within me.
I didn’t struggle, recognizing the futility of fighting against his Alpha strength. My wolf,
traitorously, wanted to lean into his embrace, to accept the comfort he offered.
+25 Points >
Ethan buried his face in my neck, where our mating mark had once been prominent. His breath was warm against my skin as he murmured, his voice rough with emotion and alcohol.
“Liv, let’s start over.”
