Chapter 182: Sacrifice and Deception
Chapter 182: Sacrifice and Deception.
(Victoria’s POV)
Alpha King Ethan Stone stood frozen by Emma’s hospital bed, his powerful frame rigid with tension. I could see the conflict raging within him–his amber eyes darkened as his wolf paced
anxiously beneath his skin.
The revelation that James Knight would be Emma’s kidney donor had clearly shaken him to
his core.
I watched him carefully from my wheelchair, my bruised face throbbing with each heartbeat.
Was he truly hesitating because of Olivia? The thought made my wolf bristle with jealousy.
“Ethan?” I prompted softly, wheeling closer to him.
He didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on Emma’s sleeping form. The silence stretched between us,
heavy with unspoken thoughts.
Emma stirred, her blue eyes fluttering open. She immediately sensed the tension radiating
from her beloved father figure.
“Daddy, what’s wrong?” she asked, her young voice laced with concern. “Emma can be saved,
aren’t you happy?”
Her wolf pup instincts were already developing, seeking to comfort the Alpha even at her
tender age. It was remarkable how naturally she responded to pack dynamics.
Ethan’s expression softened instantly. He forced a gentle smile, reaching out to stroke her
blonde hair.
“Of course I’m happy, princess,” he assured her, his deep voice warm with affection. “This is
wonderful news.”
Emma beamed up at him, but her smile quickly faded as exhaustion overtook her again. “Will
you stay until I fall asleep?”
“I promise,” Ethan whispered, taking her small hand in his.
As Emma drifted off, I watched Ethan’s face transform. The mask of reassurance slipped
away, replaced by raw grief. His wolf whined softly beneath his skin, and I knew he was thinking of Lily–the daughter he had failed.
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+25 Points >
Only after Emma’s breathing deepened with sleep did Ethan carefully extract his hand from hers. Without a word to me, he strode from the room toward the Stone Residence Balcony.
I followed him, maneuvering my wheelchair through the doorway. The night air was cool against my skin as I found him lighting one of his Midnight Cigarettes, the blue–tinged smoke curling upward into the darkness.
“You’re hesitating because the donor is Olivia’s friend, right?” I asked directly, my wolf
calculating beneath my skin.
Ethan didn’t answer, but his silence confirmed my suspicions. The cigarette glowed brighter as he took a long drag.
“If you’re so worried, you can ask the Northern Territory Donor Registry not to tell Olivia,” I suggested, keeping my voice reasonable and calm. “When Emma is better, we’ll thank the donor anonymously. I won’t hold past grudges against her anymore.”
I watched his shoulders relax slightly, the tension easing from his powerful frame. My heart surged with secret triumph.
James Knight’s kidney would be mine to claim. I would use this sacrifice as the ultimate weapon against Olivia, revealing the truth when it would cause maximum pain. My wolf practically purred with anticipation.
(Olivia’s POV)
“Are you sure you have to leave so soon?” I asked Lucas as we stood in the departure lounge of the Northern Territory Airport.
Lucas Blackwood nodded, his gray eyes apologetic. “Patriarch Winston’s condition has worsened. I need to return to Blackwood Estate immediately.”
I understood family obligations better than most. Lucas had already done more than enough, rushing back from his territory to support me and my ailing mother.
“Thank you for everything,” I said softly.
Before boarding, Lucas pulled me into an embrace. His powerful wolf enveloped mine in a protective gesture that felt surprisingly comforting.
“Can you give me an answer when I return next week?” he asked gently, his voice low enough that only I could hear.
I knew what he was asking. The attraction between us had been building for weeks, but my heart was still healing from Ethan’s betrayal.
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+25 Points >
Lucas didn’t press further. His gray eyes were warm with understanding as he released me,
giving me space to consider his feelings.
“Safe travels,” I whispered as he turned to board.
After watching his plane depart, I drove to pick up James. Together, we headed to the Donor
Registry Headquarters.
The sterile building was quiet as we were led to a private room where the Registry Staff waited with paperwork–the Broken Pact of Sacrifice.
“Mr. Knight, I need to emphasize the seriousness of this commitment,” the staff member
explained. “While werewolves heal faster than humans, donating a kidney is still a significant sacrifice that will temporarily weaken your wolf.”
James nodded, his hazel eyes determined. “I understand the risks.”
Before signing, he hesitated. “Is it possible to know the recipient’s name? I’d just like some
connection to the person my kidney will save.”
The staff member shook her head. “I’m sorry, but pack privacy policies prevent us from
disclosing that information unless both parties consent after the surgery.”
James accepted this with a shrug. “That’s alright. Knowing I’m helping someone is enough.”
He picked up the pen, his russet–brown wolf at peace with the decision. Just as the pen touched paper, the glass door swung open.
Alpha King Ethan Stone entered, his dominant wolf presence instantly filling the room. Both
James and I bristled with hostility, our wolves instinctively defensive.
“I need to speak with you before any signatures are made,” Ethan announced, ignoring our
coldness.
James set down the pen, his hazel eyes narrowing. “What do you want, Stone?”
Ethan’s amber gaze shifted between us, his expression uncharacteristically vulnerable. “The recipient is Emma Frost.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. Emma–Victoria’s daughter. The girl who had benefited from Lily’s suffering.
“I couldn’t let you make this sacrifice without knowing who would benefit,” Ethan continued, his voice strained. “Nor could I bear to deceive Olivia again. My wolf couldn’t stomach another betrayal of my mate.”
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James recoiled as if slapped. “Emma Frost?” he repeated, disgust evident in his voice.
His russet–brown wolf hackles raised beneath his skin. With a swift motion, he tore the
agreement in half.
“Donate to Emma Frost? Never in this life!” he declared, grabbing my arm and pulling me
toward the door.
+25 Points >
Ethan reached for me, but I shook him off, my emerald eyes icy with hatred. Emma’s fate was no longer my concern. My wolf snarled beneath my skin at the reminder of Victoria’s cruelty.
Out in the corridor, James leaned against the wall, looking physically ill.
“I almost gave my kidney to that manipulative b***h’s daughter,” he muttered, running a hand through his dark hair. “Moon above, what a disaster that would have been.”
Despite his dislike for Ethan, James grudgingly admitted, “For once, the Alpha King did the right thing. Victoria would have used this against you forever.”
I nodded, still processing the near miss. “Let’s get out of here.”
(Victoria’s POV)
“What do you mean he withdrew?” I demanded, clutching my phone so tightly my knuckles
turned white.
The nurse’s voice was apologetic. “Mr. Knight has decided not to proceed with the donation
after learning the recipient’s identity.”
Panic seized me. Emma was my last bargaining chip, my shield against collapse in pack hierarchy. Without her, I would lose everything I’d worked for.
I immediately called Ethan, tears streaming down my face. “What have you done?” I sobbed
when he answered. “Why did you tell him the truth?”
Ethan’s voice was calm yet resolute. “I told him. But don’t worry, I’m searching throughout the
Northern Territories for a matching donor. I won’t let Emma be harmed.”
I wanted to scream at him, to rage against his betrayal, but I knew that would only push him further away. Instead, I forced myself to sound composed.
“I understand,” I said softly. “I’ll keep this from Emma for now. She’s old enough to understand
death, even as a young wolf.”
After hanging up, I wiped away my tears and wheeled myself back to Emma’s room. My wolf’s movements were predatory even from my wheelchair as I approached my sleeping daughter.
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Looking at her pale face, I felt no pity–only calculation. I gently shook her awake.
+25 Points >
“Emma, sweetheart,” I cooed, stroking her blonde hair. “Mommy needs you to do something
very important.”
Emma blinked up at me, instantly alert. “What is it, Mom?”
“I need you to be very brave,” I said, my voice honey–sweet. “And I need you to do exactly as I say, no matter what. Can you do that for me?”
Emma nodded eagerly, desperate for my approval. “As long as it makes you happy, Mom, I’ll
do anything.”
I smiled, leaning closer to whisper my instructions. My wolf silently howled with dark purpose
as I set my next plan in motion.
(Ethan’s POV)
I collapsed onto my bed at Moonlight Manor, exhaustion weighing heavily on my shoulders. The day had been a series of impossible choices, each one tearing at my already fractured
soul.
My wolf paced restlessly beneath my skin, unable to settle. Images of Emma’s pale face
alternated with memories of Lily in her final days. Two innocent pups, both suffering because
of adult failures.
The distinctive ringtone of my Alpha Phone cut through the silence. I grabbed it from the
nightstand, instantly alert when I saw Victoria’s name on the screen.
“Ethan,” Victoria’s voice broke through in panic and desperation. “Come to the Medical Den
quickly… Emma is in critical condition…”
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My wolf instantly surged to full alertness, protective instincts overwhelming any lingering doubts as I rushed to respond to the crisis.
