Chapter 43: The Sting of Betrayal 

Chapter 43: The Sting of Betrayal 

(Olivia’s POV) 

“Let’s go home. 

Three simple words from Ethan’s lips to Victoria, yet they pierced my heart like silver. I kept my eyes fixed on my plate, refusing to watch as he wrapped his arm around Victoria’s waist, supporting her “drunken” form. 

I could feel his amber eyes on me as they passed, but I wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing my pain The venison on my plate suddenly looked unappetizing, the moonberry sauce congealing into a dark pool. 

The click of Victoria’s designer heels faded as they exited the private dining room of Amber Crest Restaurant. Only when I was certain they were gone did I allow myself to take a breath. 

“Well, that was unexpected,” Sophia Hughes whispered beside me, her eyes wide with excitement. “Alpha Stone himself! Can you believe it?” 

I managed a noncommittal hum, taking another sip of wine despite my better judgment. The alcohol burned down my throat, dulling the sharper edges of my humiliation. 

With Ethan and Victoria’s departure, the atmosphere in the room shifted. The oppressive tension dissipated, replaced by animated chatter as my colleagues resumed their conversations with renewed vigor. 

“I think this calls for another toast,” Sophia announced, standing up with her wine glass held high. Her cheeks were flushed from the alcohol, her eyes bright. 

The others quickly followed suit, raising their glasses in anticipation. 

“To new beginnings and successful designs!” Sophia declared. 

“To new beginnings!” everyone echoed. 

I forced a smile and raised my glass, taking a careful sip. The room had already started to spin slightly, and I knew I needed to be cautious. My wolf form might have enhanced healing abilities, but my human form had embarrassingly low alcohol tolerance. 

“Are you 

alright, Olivia?” Sophia asked, noticing my careful sipping. “You’ve barely touched your food.” 

“I’m fine,” I lied. Just savoring the experience.” 

The dinner continued for another hour, with conversations flowing more freely now that the Alpha King was gone. Design concepts were discussed, office politics analyzed, and personal stories shared. I participated minimally, my mind still replaying the moment Ethan had chosen Victoria over me yet again. 

As the evening drew to a close, the bill was settled–on Ethan’s tab, as Victoria had so generously announced 

-and people began making arrangements to get home. 

“We can share a ride,” offered one of the male designers from the crystal testing department. Two others nodded in agreement. 

I glanced at the three men, all slightly intoxicated and watching me with varying degrees of interest. The thought of being confined in a car with them made me uncomfortable. 

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“Thank you, but my friend is picking me up, I lied smoothly, avoiding direct eye contact. “He should be here any minute.” 

They seemed disappointed but didn’t press the issue. As they gathered their belongings and headed out, I remained seated, pretending to check my phone. 

When the last of them had left, I exhaled deeply, relieved to be alone. The alcohol in my system was making it difficult to think clearly, and I needed fresh air. 

I made my way outside to the garden adjacent to Amber Crest Restaurant. The night air was cool against my flushed skin, and I welcomed the sensation 

The garden was beautifully maintained, with moonflowers blooming under the night sky. Their subtle fragrance helped clear my head slightly as I walked toward a decorative fountain at the center. 

I reached the fountain and leaned over, cupping my hands to collect some water. The cold liquid felt refreshing as I splashed it on my face, though it did little to dispel the alcohol’s effects. 

Moonlight illuminated my reflection in the rippling water. I looked tired, my emerald eyes shadowed with 

exhaustion and hurt. 

“Pull yourself together, Olivia,” I whispered to my reflection. “You’re stronger than this.” 

I spotted a stone bench nearby and decided to sit down until I felt steady enough to call for a ride. The simple 

task of walking straight suddenly seemed monumental. 

…..on 

“One… two…. three…” I counted my steps carefully, focusing intently on placing one foot in front of the other 

By the time I reached “seven,” the garden had begun to spin more violently. I blinked hard, trying to regain my 

focus. 

“Eight…” I whispered, taking another wobbly step forward. 

Instead of finding empty space, I collided with something solid–a broad chest clad in expensive fabric. My hands instinctively clutched at the formal jacket for support, and a familiar scent enveloped me. 

(Victoria’s POV) 

I leaned against Ethan in the underground parking garage, playing the role of the intoxicated damsel to perfection. Maxwell Chen, Ethan’s ever–efficient assistant, held the car door open with his usual stolc 

expression. 

“Thank you, Max,” I purred, making sure to stumble slightly as Ethan guided me into the backseat of his sleek 

black SUV. 

I felt a surge of triumph as Ethan slid in beside me. Once again, I had succeeded in pulling him away from 

Olivia, away from his responsibilities to her. It was becoming almost too easy 

As Maxwell closed the door and moved to the driver’s seat, I shed my designer jacket with a dramatic sigh. 

“It’s so warm in here,” I murmured, deliberately exposing more skin as I leaned closer to Ethan. I plac 

hand on his thigh, my touch light but suggestive. 

Ethan remained still, his amber eyes unreadable as they stared straight ahead. I had expected him to be at least slightly affected by my proximity, but he seemed completely unmoved. 

“Chen,” Ethan’s voice cut through the silence, startling me. “Take Ms. Frost home.” 

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I froze, my hand still on his thigh. “But Ethan,” I protested, dropping the pretense of intoxication. I thought we 

were going back to your place.” 

“I have business to attend to,” he replied, his voice devoid of emotion 

Before I could respond, he had opened the door and stepped out of the vehicle. I watched in disbelief as he 

shut the door firmly behind him. 

“Wait!” I called out, but he was already walking away, his powerful figure disappearing into the shadows of 

the parking garage. 

I 

I sat back against the leather seat, my carefully constructed facade crumbling. Had he seen through my act? 

Was he still angry about the Pack Healer’s Crystal Competition? 

“Would you like me to take you home now, Ms. Frost?” Maxwell asked from the front seat, his voice professional and detached. 

I swallowed my frustration and nodded. “Yes, please.” 

As the car pulled away, I stared out the window, my reflection staring back at me with worried eyes. For the first time, I felt a flicker of doubt about my hold on Ethan Stone. 

(Olivia’s POV) 

The solid chest I had collided with belonged to none other than Ethan Stone. His amber eyes looked down at 

me with a mixture of coldness and amusement as I clutched his formal jacket for support. 

“Counting steps now, are we?” he asked, his deep voice vibrating through his chest. 

I 

I immediately tried to push away, but my inebriated state made the movement too forceful, I stumbled 

backward, nearly falling before Ethan’s strong hands caught my elbows. 

“Let go,” I demanded, my voice sounding slurred even to my own ears. 

“So you can fall flat on your face? I think not,” Ethan replied, his grip remaining firm. 

The moonlight illuminated his features, highlighting the sharp angles of his face. He looked unfairly handsome, his black hair slightly tousled by the night breeze. 

“Where’s Victoria?” I asked bitterly. “Shouldn’t you be taking her home?” 

A shadow crossed Ethan’s face. “Victoria is on her way home.” 

I laughed, the sound hollow and pained. “So you’ve come to check on your other responsibility? How dutiful of you, Alpha King.” 

I tried again to pull away, and this time Ethan released me. Without his support, I swayed dangerously, the garden spinning around me. 

“You’re drunk,” he stated flatly. 

“How observant,” I shot back. “Did you figure that out all by yourself?” 

My foot cat on 

I took an unsteady step toward the stone bench, determined to reach it without his help. My foot ca 

an uneven paving stone, and I pitched forward. 

Once again, Ethan was there, catching me before I could hit the ground. This time, he didn’t just steady me- he swept me into his arms, cradling me against his chest. 

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“Put me down! i protested, pushing weakly against him, 

“Stop struggling,” he commanded, his Alpha voice sending a shiver down my spine. 

I fell silent, too dizzy and too tired to fight anymore. The steady rhythm of his heartbeat against my ear was 

oddly comforting. 

“Why are you here?” I asked quietly after a moment. “Why aren’t you with her?” 

Ethan didn’t answer immediately. He carried me to the stone bench and set me down gently, then took a seat. 

beside me. 

“You shouldn’t drink if you can’t handle it,” he said, ignoring my question. 

I turned my face away from him, staring at the moonflowers that lined the garden path. “You didn’t answer 

my question.” 

“I don’t owe you an explanation for my actions, he replied coldly. 

The familiar sting of rejection washed over me. Of course he wouldn’t explain. He never did. 

“Then leave,” I whispered. “Go back to Victoria. She needs you more than I do.” 

Ethan remained seated, his presence both comforting and torturous. The silence between us stretched, filled with unspoken words and buried emotions. 

“Can you walk?” he finally asked, his voice softer than before. 

I nodded, though I wasn’t entirely sure. “I just need a minute.” 

“I’ll wait,” he said simply. 

We sat there under the moonlight, the fragrance of moonflowers enveloping us in a sweet cocoon. For a brief moment, I could almost pretend we were just Ethan and Olivia again, not the Alpha King and his discarded 

mate. 

I closed my eyes, fighting back tears that threatened to fall. When I opened them again, I carefully counted 

my steps once more. 

“One… two… three…” I whispered, focusing intently on each placement of my feet. 

Ethan watched me with a mixture of coldness and amusement. As I reached “eight,” I stumbled forward, directly into Ethan’s broad chest, my hands instinctively clutching his formal jacket for support. 

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