Chapter 63: A Silent Challenge
Chapter 63: A Silent Challenge
(Ethan’s POV)
I entered the Grand Reception Hall with measured steps, my eyes immediately finding Olivia sitting beside. Lucas Blackwood on the sofa. My grandmother sat between them, her face alight with satisfaction.
The sight of them together sent a surge of possessive rage through my veins. Lucas Blackwood had no right to be here, in my territory, near my mate.
With deliberate slowness, I unbuttoned the top of my shirt, revealing the fresh bite marks on my neck-
evidence of my recent encounter with Victoria. The message was clear to any Alpha male: I was sexually
active and claiming my territory.
Lucas’s eyes narrowed slightly as he caught sight of the marks. Message received.
“Ethan, you’re just in time,” Grandmother said, oblivious to our silent exchange. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she gestured between Olivia and Lucas, “I know you and Lucas are business rivals, but from now on, the Stone and Blackwood families will be one.”
I kept my expression neutral, though my wolf snarled beneath the surface. Grandmother had always been fond of Olivia, but this was taking things too far.
“Be mindful,” she added, wagging a finger at me, “and don’t make things difficult for Olivia.”
Her meaning couldn’t have been clearer. She was suggesting a marriage between Olivia and Lucas.
“Is that so?” I replied, my voice deceptively calm. My amber eyes fixed on Olivia, silently commanding her to deny it.
Olivia shifted uncomfortably under my gaze. I could see the conflict in her eyes–the desire to defy me warring with her instinct for self–preservation.
“Grandmother,” I continued, not taking my eyes off Olivia, “I wasn’t aware you were arranging meetings. between my wife and other men.”
Grandmother waved her hand dismissively. “It was a happy coincidence. Lucas came to visit me, and Olivia happened to be here.”
“A coincidence,” I repeated, my tone making it clear I didn’t believe that for a second.
Lucas set down his teacup with deliberate precision, “It was indeed unexpected, but I’m grateful for it.”
His confident directness grated on my nerves. He turned to face me fully, his posture relaxed yet
–
commanding the stance of an Alpha who feared no challenge.
“I find Miss Winters fascinating,” he declared, his gaze shifting briefly to Olivia. “With Madam Stone’s blessing, I intend to court her properly.”
The room temperature seemed to drop several degrees, Bernard Sheppard, standing quietly by the door, tensed visibly.
“Court her?” I echoed, a dangerous edge to my voice. “You seem to have forgotten that Olivia is my wife. The
ther Chal
mother of my child”
I emphasized the last part, reminding everyone present of Lily–our connection that could never be severed
“A wife you’ve neglected Grandmother cut in sharply. Her frail hands gripped her walking stick with surprising strength “A mother who lost her child while you were nowhere to be found.”
Her words struck like physical blows. I maintained my composure, though my jaw tightened perceptibly
Tve made my decision,” Grandmother continued, her elderly voice carrying unmistakable authority m formally adopting Olivia as my granddaughter and the fifth daughter of the Stone family”
My eyes widened slightly. This was no small declaration. By making Olivia a daughter of the Stone family. Grandmother was effectively severing any possibility of a continued relationship between us
“Her status will be equal to yours,” she added pointedly. “And she will be free to choose her own path forward.”
Lucas’s expression remained carefully neutral, but I caught the flash of triumph in his eyes. He had won this
round without lifting a finger
Grandmother turned to Olivia with a gentle smile. Wanwan, please escort Lucas out. It’s getting late.”
Olivia nodded, rising gracefully from the sofa. Lucas followed suit, bowing respectfully to Grandmother before offering his arm to Olivia.
I watched them leave, my expression darkening with each step they took together. My wolf howled in territorial rage, demanding I stop them, claim what was mine.
But Grandmother’s watchful gaze held me in place. This battle would have to be fought another way.
Outside, I knew Lucas was walking Olivia to his car. I could picture them standing close, speaking in low voices. The thought made my blood boil.
“Lucas,” Olivia was saying, her voice carrying a note of apology. “I need to clarify something. This arranged meeting wasn’t my intention.”
Lucas nodded, his expression understanding. “I suspected as much. Your grandmother–in–law is quite the
matchmaker.”
“She means well,” Olivia replied with a small smile. “But I should be honest with you. I have no romantic feelings for Ethan anymore. Our relationship died years ago from neglect.”
“I understand,” Lucas said softly. “And I should be equally honest. There is a woman I love, one I’ve been
waiting for.”
Olivia’s eyes widened in surprise. “Then why did you agree to court me?”
Lucas leaned against his car, his posture relaxed. “Because it serves both our purposes. You need protection from Ethan’s increasingly possessive behavior, and I need to satisfy my family’s expectations while I wait for
the right moment with the woman I love.”
“A pretend courtship,” Olivia mused, considering the idea.
“Exactly,” Lucas confirmed. “We can be friends and allies, nothing more. But to the outside world, we’ll appear to be a developing couple.”
Olivia extended her hand with a genuine smile. “I accept your proposal, Mr. Blackwood.”
=
C
Lucas took her hand, bringing it briefly to his lips in a gentlemanly gesture. “Until next time, Miss Winters.”
As his car pulled away. Olivia turned back toward Grandmother’s wing of the Stone Estate, unaware that was watching from the shadows
(Olivia’s POV)
I walked back toward Matriarch Evelyn’s wing, my mind racing with thoughts of the arrangement Id just made with Lucas. A pretend courtship could give me the breathing room I desperately needed from Ethan’s
suffocating presence.
Lost in thought, I didn’t notice the figure emerging from the shadows until it was too late. A strong hand gripped my wrist, pulling me into the darkness of the garden path.
“What did he say to you?” Ethan demanded, his amber eyes glowing with barely contained fury.
110
I tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. “Let go of me.”
“Answer me,” he growled, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my skin prickle with
warning.
“It’s none of your business,” I replied, lifting my chin defiantly.
I
His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, scenting me for any trace of Lucas. “You’re my wife. Everything about you is my business.”
Tm not your anything,” I shot back. “You made that clear years ago when you chose Victoria over me and
Lily.”
At the mention of our daughter’s name, pain flashed across his face before his expression hardened again. “You will reject Lucas’s courtship.”
It wasn’t a request; it was a command. The Alpha in him expected immediate compliance.
“No,” I said simply, my emerald eyes meeting his amber ones without flinching.
His grip tightened painfully. “No?”
“I have the right to choose who I want to be with, I stated firmly. “And I don’t choose you.”
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. Before I could react, he pulled me against him, one hand tangling
in my hair to hold me in place.
“You’re mine,” he growled, his lips crashing down on mine in a dominating kiss.
I struggled against him, pushing at his chest with all my strength. My resistance only seemed to infuriate
him further.
He broke the kiss, his breathing ragged. “Do you really think Lucas Blackwood wants you? A woman with your past? My wife?”
His words were designed to hurt, to remind me of my place. But I was done being hurt by Ethan Stone.
“At least he treats me with respect,” I retorted. “Which is more than I can say for you.”
Ethan’s eyes darkened dangerously. “Respect? Is that what you call it when a man pursues another man’s
wife?”
“Ex–wife,” I corrected sharply. “As soon as the papers are filed.”
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Chater 63 A Silent Chall
His grip on my wrist tightened to the point of pain. “There will be no divorce.”
“You can’t stop me,” I challenged, though we both knew he could. As Alpha King, his influence extended throughout the Northern Territories.
“What about Lily?” he asked suddenly, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. “Would you betray her memory so easily?”
The mention of our daughter sent a wave of grief through me. How dare he use her against me?
“Don’t you dare bring her into this,” I hissed, tears pricking at my eyes. “You weren’t there when she needed you. You have no right to speak her name now”
His face contorted with a mixture of rage and something else–something that looked almost like genuine pain.
“Miss Winters?” Bernard Sheppard’s voice called from the path ahead. “Are you there? Madam Stone is asking for you.”
Ethan’s grip loosened slightly at the interruption. I seized the opportunity, wrenching my wrist free.
“I’m coming, Mr. Sheppard,” I called back, my voice remarkably steady despite the turmoil inside me.
I turned to leave, but not before delivering one final blow. My foot connected solidly with Ethan’s shin, making him grunt in surprise more than pain.
“Stay away from me,” I warned, before walking quickly toward Bernard’s voice.
(Ethan’s POV)
I watched Olivia walk away, rubbing my shin where she’d kicked me. The physical pain was nothing compared to the rage and jealousy consuming me.
Lucas Blackwood. Of all the men she could have chosen, it had to be him–my business rival, an Alpha whose power nearly matched my own.
But beneath the anger lay something else, a persistent thought that had haunted me for years: Lily wasn’t dead. I couldn’t explain how I knew, but the certainty lived in my bones. My daughter was alive, and Olivia had hidden her from me.
I pulled out my phone and dialed Maxwell Chen’s number. He answered on the first ring, as always.
“Sir?”
“Intensify the search,” I ordered without preamble. “I want to know everywhere Olivia goes, everyone she speaks to. If Lily is out there, I will find her.”
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