Chapter 176: Victoria’s Imprisonment
Chapter 176: Victoria’s Imprisonment
(Olivia’s POV)*
“What proof do you have that I’m not Little Orange?” Victoria challenged, her wolf radiating
confidence and arrogance.
Her lips curled into a provocative smirk as she moved closer to Ethan, deliberately releasing
possessive pheromones that made my stomach turn. She was relishing my apparent helplessness, thinking she had me cornered.
A
I clenched my fists, realizing I lacked concrete evidence about the moonstone pendant. My
mother had been about to tell me everything before Victoria’s scheme put her in a coma.
“You want proof?” I said, my voice steady despite my wolf bristling beneath my skin. “Let’s
focus on what we do have evidence for–your involvement in my mother’s condition.”
Victoria’s smirk faltered slightly. “What are you talking about?”
I pulled out my phone, my emerald eyes never leaving her face. “I’m calling Chief Walter
Garrison right now. Let’s see what the Territory Enforcers have to say about you instructing
Edith Barnes to harm my mother.”
Victoria’s eyes widened with genuine shock before she quickly composed herself. “This is
ridiculous! I had nothing to do with what happened to your mother!”
She turned to Ethan, her wolf whining pathetically. “Ethan, you can’t possibly believe this!”
(Ethan’s POV)
I I watched the confrontation unfold, my wolf unusually quiet beneath my skin. For years, I’d
trusted Victoria without question, but Sarah Barnes‘ confession and Olivia’s unwavering
conviction had planted seeds of doubt.
“Actually,” I said, my amber eyes serious as I addressed Victoria, “there was a hidden pinhole
surveillance camera in Evelyn’s Hospital Ward.”
Victoria’s face paled visibly. “What?”
“And Edith Barnes has already confessed to following your instructions,” I continued,
maintaining a neutral stance. My wolf remained uncharacteristically restrained as I studied
her reaction.
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“That’s–that’s absurd!” Victoria stammered, her usual composure cracking. “She’s lying!
They’re all lying!”
“The Territory Enforcers‘ investigation will reveal the truth,” I stated firmly.
+25 Points
Victoria’s eyes darted between Olivia and me, realizing I wasn’t immediately jumping to her
defense. She clutched my arm desperately.
“But what about Emma?” she pleaded, her voice breaking. “She needs me! Her wolf recognizes
only me as her mother!”
I felt a pang of concern for the young pup who had become so important to me. Emma would
indeed be distressed by Victoria’s absence, but if Victoria had truly attempted to murder
Evelyn Winters…
A
“I will personally care for Emma during your absence,” I assured her, my Alpha presence commanding as I made the decision.
Victoria’s scent shifted, notes of fear and anger mixing with her usual floral perfume. For the first time, I found myself questioning everything I thought I knew about her.
Olivia stood tall, her emerald eyes flashing with vindication. There was something hauntingly
familiar about her determination, something that called to my wolf in ways I couldn’t explain.
“Chief Garrison will be here shortly,” Olivia said, her voice steady. “I suggest you prepare
yourself, Victoria.”
The tension in the room was palpable as we waited, each lost in our own thoughts. My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, torn between loyalty to Victoria and the growing suspicion
that I had been blind for far too long.
When Chief Walter Garrison arrived with two Territory Enforcers, Victoria’s mask of innocence slipped further. Her wolf projected distress pheromones so strongly that even the human
officers seemed affected.
“Victoria Frost,” Chief Garrison announced formally, “you’re being detained for questioning regarding the attempted murder of Evelyn Winters.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with tears as she looked at me pleadingly. “Ethan, please! Don’t let them
do this!”
I remained silent, my decision already made. The Territory Enforcers would conduct their investigation, and justice would be served–regardless of who Victoria truly was to me.
At the Shadowfall Detention Center, Olivia and I gave our statements separately. Chief
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+25 Points >
Garrison, acutely aware of my position as Alpha King, approached me with deferential body
language.
“Alpha King Stone,” he said quietly, “given your… relationship with Ms. Frost, how would you like us to proceed?”
I understood his meaning immediately. As Alpha King, I could influence the investigation if I
chose to. Victoria clearly expected me to do exactly that.
“Proceed according to protocol, Chief,” I replied firmly. “No special treatment.”
Victoria, who had been watching our interaction from across the room, looked stricken. She hurried over, her wolf projecting distress pheromones.
A
“Ethan, please use your influence!” she begged, her voice low and urgent. “Don’t let them keep me overnight–Emma needs me! Her wolf will panic without sensing mine nearby.”
I looked into her eyes–eyes I had trusted implicitly for years–and felt my resolve strengthen.
“Victoria, my priority is uncovering the truth,” I said, my voice carrying the unmistakable weight of an Alpha’s decision. “Emma will be safe with me.”
Her face transformed, disappointment and rage flashing across her features before she could mask them. Her wolf snarled beneath her skin, a reaction that surprised me with its intensity.
Officer Benjamin Trent stepped forward. “Ms. Frost, this way please.”
As Victoria was led away, Olivia watched with visible relief washing through her. She left the center with her head held high, and I followed at a respectful distance, my mind churning with
unanswered questions.
Outside, I caught up to Olivia as she headed toward her car. “I’ll drive you back to the Medical
Den.”
She hesitated, clearly reluctant to accept my offer. “That’s not necessary.”
“I insist,” I said, my tone brooking no argument. My wolf was restless with unresolved questions, and I needed answers only she could provide.
Reluctantly, she followed me to my Midnight Maybach. The drive began in tense silence, the air between us heavy with unspoken words.
“Why are you so convinced Victoria isn’t Little Orange?” I finally asked, my knuckles white on
the steering wheel.
Olivia remained defiantly silent, her wolf projecting walls of emotional distance. The scent of
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her determination filled the car, mingled with something else–vindication.
“Olivia,” I pressed, “if you know something-”
“I’ve said all I need to say for now,” she interrupted, her voice cool. “The evidence against Victoria speaks for itself.”
+25 Points >
I wanted to push further, but something held me back. My wolf sensed that forcing the issue would only drive her further away.
When we arrived at the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den, Olivia immediately exited the vehicle
without a backward glance. I watched her disappear through the entrance, her scent trailing
notes of determination and vindication.
Sighing heavily, I called Maxwell Chen. “Meet me here. I need to go to Crescent Moon Medical
Center to check on Emma.”
(Victoria’s POV)
The harsh fluorescent lights of the Shadowfall Detention Center made my skin look sickly
pale. I wrinkled my nose at the stench of unwashed bodies and cheap moonlight wine that
permeated the air.
This was beneath me. I, Victoria Frost, did not belong in a place like this, surrounded by
common criminals and rogue wolves.
“Move it,” the guard growled, shoving me toward the cell block.
My wolf bristled at the disrespect. Didn’t he know who I was? I was practically the Luna of the
Silvercrest Pack, the most powerful pack in the Northern Territory!
The cell door clanged shut behind me, and I found myself facing a dozen pairs of hostile eyes. Female wolves of various ranks lounged on metal bunks, their gazes calculating as they
assessed the newcomer.
I lifted my chin, my natural arrogance asserting itself despite my circumstances. These mongrels needed to understand their place.
“What are you looking at?” I snapped at a muscular she–wolf with a jagged scar across her cheek. She was clearly one of The Crescent Sisters, a notorious group of female rogues.
The she–wolf’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Fresh meat,” she growled, her wolf surging
beneath her skin.
I scoffed, failing to recognize the genuine threat. “Keep your mongrel stench away from me.”
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The cell went deadly silent. Too late, I realized my mistake.
+25 Points >
The scarred she–wolf lunged forward with werewolf speed, her fist connecting with my jaw before I could react. Pain exploded across my face as I stumbled backward.
“Who do you think you are?” she snarled, her wolf raging beneath her skin. “You think your
fancy clothes and Alpha’s protection mean anything in here?”
I tried to fight back, but my wolf–accustomed to dominance through manipulation rather than
true strength–was no match for hers. She grabbed my hair, yanking my head back painfully.
“Look, sisters,” she called to the others, “the Mistress Luna thinks she’s better than us!”
8
The other inmates circled me, their wolves sensing weakness and moving in for the kill. One
grabbed my arms while another landed a punch to my stomach that left me gasping for air.
“Not so high and mighty now, are you?” the scarred she–wolf taunted, landing another blow
that split my lip.
Blood trickled down my chin as they dragged me across the cell floor toward the corner where
a Rusted Iron Detention Bucket sat. The stench was overwhelming, even to my weakened wolf
senses.
“Perfect place for trash like you,” one of them sneered, shoving me down next to the bucket.
My stomach heaved at the foul odor. I tried to crawl away, but a boot on my back kept me
pinned in place.
“Stay where you belong,” the scarred she–wolf commanded, her dominance pheromones filling
the cell.
Unable to escape the stench, I vomited repeatedly, my body convulsing as my stomach
emptied itself. The other inmates laughed, enjoying my humiliation.
