Chapter 70: Abandoned in Darkness
Chapter 70: Abandoned in Darkness
(Ethan’s POV)
The two men knelt before me, their faces bloodied from my security team’s efficient handling. Despite their predicament, they continued their desperate pleas.
“Alpha Stone, please,” the taller one begged, blood dripping from his split lip. “She approached us first. She was flirting, touching our arms, suggesting we meet her in private.”
I studied their faces carefully, searching for signs of deception.
“We wouldn’t lie to you, sir,” the shorter man added, his voice trembling. “We know who you are. We’d never disrespect your… your woman.”
“Unfortunately, we were in the restaurant’s blind spot,” the taller one continued. “No cameras to back us up. But I swear on my mother’s life, she started it.”
I noticed the slight twitch in his left eye, the excessive sweating despite the cool temperature of the room. Classic signs of lying.
“Please, Alpha Stone,” the shorter one pleaded. “We made a mistake responding to her, but we didn’t threaten her. She’s twisting what happened.”
Their desperation seemed genuine, but something about their story didn’t add up. Victoria would never behave so carelessly in public.
Daniel Reed, my Beta, leaned close to my ear. “Their scents indicate fear, but not necessarily dishonesty, Alpha.”
I nodded slightly, acknowledging his assessment. My wolf remained suspicious, but I needed more information before passing judgment.
A piercing scream cut through my thoughts.
“Ethan! ETHAN!” Victoria’s terrified voice echoed from the private dining room.
I bolted toward the sound, my heart racing. The scene that greeted me was all too familiar.
Victoria was pressed against the wall, her dress torn at the shoulder, her hair disheveled. Her eyes were wide with terror, her body trembling violently.
The sight transported me back five years, to the night I found her cornered by attackers in an alley. The same fear in her eyes, the same vulnerability in her posture.
Any doubt I had vanished instantly.
I turned to Daniel, giving him a subtle nod. He understood immediately, signaling the security team to remove
the two men.
“Alpha, please!” the taller one shouted as he was dragged away. “She’s lying! We didn’t-”
The door closed behind them, cutting off his protests.
(Victoria’s POV)
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I watched through my lashes as Ethan approached me, his amber eyes filled with concern. My performance had been flawless–the torn dress, the disheveled hair, the trembling hands.
“Victoria,” he said softly, reaching for me. “It’s okay. They’re gone.”
I flinched away from his touch, adding another layer to my act. “Are they really gone?” I whispered, my voice breaking perfectly.
“Yes,” he assured me, keeping his distance now. “You’re safe.”
I allowed my eyes to dart nervously around the room, as if expecting the men to reappear at any moment. Then I focused on Ethan’s face, letting my expression shift from fear to uncertain hope.
“Am I dreaming?” I asked, my voice small and childlike. “Ethan, is it really you?”
His expression softened, just as I knew it would. We’d played this scene before, five years ago when he rescued me from those attackers I’d paid to stage an assault.
“Yes, Victoria,” he said, echoing his words from that night. “I told you I would never let you be hurt again.”
I collapsed into his arms, burying my face against his chest. “Thank you for coming,” I whispered. “I was so scared.”
As he held me, I allowed myself a small, secret smile. Everything was going according to plan. Olivia was forgotten, abandoned somewhere in the wilderness, while Ethan was here with me, exactly where he belonged.
(Ethan’s POV)
I carried Victoria to my car, cradling her against my chest. She felt fragile in my arms, her body still trembling slightly.
“I’m taking you home,” I told her, settling her gently in the passenger seat.
She nodded weakly, her eyes still wide with lingering fear. “Thank you, Ethan.”
The drive to Rosewood Haven was quiet. Victoria stared out the window, occasionally wiping away a tear. I reached across to squeeze her hand reassuringly.
When we arrived, I carried her inside despite her weak protests that she could walk. Martha Wilson, the housekeeper, met us in the foyer.
“Is everything alright?” she asked, her eyes widening at Victoria’s disheveled appearance.
“Ms. Frost had an unpleasant encounter,” I explained briefly. “Is Emma asleep?”
Martha nodded. “Yes, Alpha Stone. She finished her evening lessons at the training school and went to bed about an hour ago.”
“Good,” I said. “Please prepare some moonflower calming tea and bring it upstairs.”
I carried Victoria to her bedroom, setting her gently on the edge of her bed. The room was elegantly
decorated in soft blues and silvers, with large windows overlooking the garden.
“You should rest,” I told her, turning to leave. “I’ll have Daniel investigate those men further.”
Victoria’s hand shot out, grabbing mine with surprising strength. “Please don’t go,” she begged, her eyes filling with fresh tears. “I’m afraid I’ll have nightmares.”
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< Chapter 70 Abandoned in
(Victoria’s POV)
I watched Ethan’s expression soften as I reminded him of my past trauma. The nightmares had been a recurring theme in our relationship, a tool I used whenever I needed his presence.
“Alright,” he conceded, pulling a chair beside my bed. “I’ll stay until you fall asleep.”
It wasn’t exactly what I wanted–I’d hoped he would join me in bed–but it was better than nothing. I accepted the compromise with a grateful smile.
“Thank you,” I whispered, reaching for his hand again.
Martha arrived with the moonflower calming tea, setting the steaming cup on my nightstand. “Will there be anything else, Alpha Stone?”
Ethan shook his head. “That will be all, Martha. Thank you.”
I sipped the tea obediently, feeling its soothing warmth spread through me. The moonflower herb was known for its calming properties, particularly effective for werewolves experiencing anxiety.
As drowsiness began to overtake me, I held Ethan’s hand tighter, gazing up at him with a carefully crafted mixture of love and vulnerability in my eyes.
“Don’t go,” I whispered, my voice already slurring slightly from the tea’s effects.
Ethan’s amber eyes softened. “I won’t,” he promised.
I smiled as I drifted off to sleep, secure in the knowledge that I had won this round. Olivia was forgotten, while I had Ethan exactly where I wanted him–by my side, protecting me, just as he had promised five years ago.
(Olivia’s POV)
The darkness seemed to close in around me as I stood alone on the dirt road. Ethan’s taillights had long since disappeared, leaving me stranded in unfamiliar territory.
My ankle throbbed painfully where I had twisted it. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “Think, Olivia,” I muttered to myself. “You can’t stay here all night.”
I looked around, trying to get my bearings. The moon provided some light, illuminating two paths at a fork in
the road. One continued in the direction Ethan had driven, while the other veered off to the right.
I chose the right path, reasoning that it might lead to a main road or settlement. Each step sent pain shooting up my leg, but I forced myself to continue.
The forest was eerily quiet except for the occasional rustle of nocturnal creatures. I wrapped my arms around myself, wishing I had worn something warmer than my thin blouse.
After walking for what felt like hours but was probably only twenty minutes, I heard the distant rumble of an engine. Hope surged through me–perhaps it was a passing car that could give me a ride back to civilization. As the sound grew louder, I realized it wasn’t a car but a motorcycle. The single headlight cut through the darkness, illuminating the road ahead.
Something about the approaching vehicle made my wolf, Cora, uneasy. Instead of relief, I felt a surge of fear. I ducked off the road, hiding behind a large tree. The motorcycle slowed as it approached, its engine growling
< Chapter 70 Abandoned in
in the quiet night.
My instincts screamed danger. I turned and ran into the forest, ignoring the pain in my ande, Behind me, the motorcycle engine revved loudly as the rider spotted me.
I pushed myself harder, my heart pounding in my chest. The uneven ground made running difficult, especially with my injured ankle.
The motorcycle veered off the road, cutting through the trees to intercept me. The rider was se navigating the rough terrain with ease.
He cut me off, skidding to a stop directly in my path, I stumbled backward as he dismounted, his face hidden beneath a black helmet.
“Well, well,” he said, his voice muffled but clearly amused. “What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all alone?”
I backed away slowly. “I’m just trying to get back to town. My car broke down”
He removed his helmet, revealing a rough–looking man with a scar running down one cheek. “No car around here, sweetheart. Try again.”
“Please,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I don’t want any trouble.”
He stepped closer, his eyes traveling over my body. “Hand over your valuables, and there won’t be any?
I reached for my purse, only to remember I had left it in Ethan’s car. “I don’t have anything.” I told him truthfully.
His eyes narrowed suspiciously, then fixed on the crystal pendant around my neck–the one containing Lily’s ashes.
“What about that?” he demanded, pointing at the pendant. “Looks valuable
I instinctively clutched the pendant, shaking my head. “It’s not. It has no monetary value.
“You’re lying,” he snarled, stepping closer. “You wouldn’t protect it like that if it wasn’t worth something”
Before I could react, he lashed out, striking me across the face. I stumbled backward, tasting blood in my mouth.
“Give it to me!” he demanded, reaching for the pendant.
I clutched it tighter, desperation giving me strength. “No! You don’t understand. This is my daughter, I pleaded, my emerald eyes filling with tears. “She died. These are her ashes.”
He hesitated for a moment, then his face hardened, “Do I look stupid to you? Hand it over!
He lunged at me again, grabbing my throat with one hand while trying to rip the pendant away with the other.
I fought back with all my strength, clawing at his face, kicking at his legs,
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