Chapter 76: Blood Secrets
Chapter 76: Blood Secrets
(Olivia’s POV)
My wolf, usually so quiet since Lily’s death, stirred with interest. This wasn’t just gossip or speculation–this was scientific fact. Victoria had been lying all these years, using an innocent
child to manipulate Ethan.
I paused at the medical den entrance, considering my next move. Confronting Ethan directly would be foolish. His wolf was too protective of Victoria and Emma; he’d likely blame me for
trying to cause trouble rather than question his own judgment.
“I need proof,” I whispered to myself. “Concrete evidence he can’t ignore.”
As I contemplated this, a sleek black vehicle pulled up to the curb. The driver’s door opened, and Lucas Blackwood stepped out, his powerful Alpha presence unmistakable even from a
distance.
“Luna Winters,” he greeted me, his voice deep and controlled. “I thought you might need a
ride.”
I approached cautiously. “Alpha Blackwood. What brings you here?”
His penetrating gaze studied me. “I heard about your… situation. I thought I might offer
assistance.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a smartphone. “To replace the one you lost. My
number is already programmed in.”
I accepted the phone with surprise. “Thank you, but why help me?”
Lucas’s expression remained unreadable. “Let’s just say I have my reasons for wanting to see justice served.”
I slipped the phone into my pocket, my mind working quickly. “I need to confirm something
about Emma Frost’s parentage. I need blood samples–hers and Ethan’s.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow. “Interesting. I can help with Emma’s sample. The medical den keeps records of all pack members. But Ethan’s will be more challenging.”
“I’ll figure something out,” I said, my resolve strengthening. “This could change everything.”
Lucas nodded. “Be careful, Luna Winters. Victoria Frost has powerful allies.”
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< Chapter 76 Blood Secrets
+8 Points
As he escorted me to his car, I felt a strange sense of purpose filling the emptiness that had consumed me since Lily’s death. For the first time in years, my wolf was fully alert, ready to
fight.
The truth was within reach. I just needed to grasp it.
(Matriarch Evelyn’s POV)
The Stone Ancestral Hall hummed with tension as my grandson, Alpha King Ethan Stone, stood before the assembled family members. His posture was rigid, his amber eyes gleaming
with determination.
“I’ve called you here to announce my decision,” Ethan declared, his voice carrying the
unmistakable authority of an Alpha. “I intend to complete the mate bond with Victoria Frost.”
I observed the reactions around me. My son Richard’s face darkened with disapproval.
Eleanor, always quick to align herself with power, nodded in agreement. And Olivia Winters,
who had arrived unexpectedly, stood perfectly still, her face a mask of composure despite the
pain I knew she must be feeling.
“Son,” Richard began, his voice gruff with age and authority, “have you considered the
implications? Olivia Winters is your true Luna, recognized by the pack.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened. “My decision is final, Father. Victoria has been by my side for years.
Emma needs legitimacy within the pack.”
“And what of your obligations to your true mate?” Richard pressed, glancing at Olivia.
“My personal choices are not up for debate,” Ethan replied coldly. “As Alpha King, I have the final say in this matter.”
Richard fell silent, deferring to his son’s authority despite his obvious disagreement.
I decided it was time to speak. Rising slowly from my seat, I commanded the attention of
everyone present.
“As the Matriarch of the Stone family, I also have an announcement to make,” I said, my voice
stronger than my aged appearance might suggest. “Olivia Winters is hereby officially
recognized as my adopted granddaughter and will be granted special status within our pack
hierarchy.”
Gasps echoed through the hall. Victoria’s face paled, while Ethan’s expression darkened
further.
“Grandmother,” he began, his voice tight with barely contained anger.
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+8 Points
I raised my hand, silencing him. “This is not open for discussion, Ethan. My decision is as final
as yours.”
Olivia stepped forward, her emerald eyes wide with surprise. “Matriarch Stone, I-”
“You’ve always been family to me, child,” I told her gently. “Now it’s official.”
Ethan’s wolf bristled visibly beneath his skin, his amber eyes flashing at this challenge to his
authority. But even an Alpha King couldn’t overrule the Matriarch in matters of family lineage.
Victoria’s smile was strained as she approached me. “What a wonderful gesture, Matriarch
Stone. I look forward to us all being one happy family.”
The falseness in her voice was apparent only to those who knew to listen for it. I merely
nodded in response, having lived too long to be deceived by such transparent attempts at
manipulation.
“The ceremony for Ethan and Victoria will be arranged for next month,” I announced. “And Olivia’s adoption ceremony will take place tomorrow at dawn.”
Ethan’s cold gaze fixed on Olivia, as if blaming her for this turn of events. But my granddaughter–to–be stood tall, her dignity intact despite everything she had endured.
(Olivia’s POV)
Matriarch Evelyn’s private quarters were warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the cold
formality of the Stone Ancestral Hall. The elderly she–wolf moved with surprising grace as she
served me moonberry tea and venison, my favorites.
“You must eat, child,” she urged, her eyes kind but concerned. “You’ve grown too thin.”
I took a small bite of the venison, savoring the rich flavor. “Thank you for dinner, Matriarch.
And for… everything else.”
She waved away my thanks. “I should have done it years ago. That Victoria has had too much
influence over my grandson.”
I sipped my tea, unsure how to respond. Matriarch Evelyn’s memory issues meant she
sometimes forgot that Lily had died, that Ethan and I had been estranged for years.
“How is my great–granddaughter?” she asked suddenly, confirming my thoughts. “Lily must be
getting so big now.”
Pain lanced through my heart. “She’s… she’s at peace, Matriarch.”
Understanding flickered in the old woman’s eyes. “Ah, yes. Forgive me, child. Some days are
< Chapter 76: Blood Secrets
clearer than others.”
We finished our meal in comfortable silence. As I prepared to leave, Matriarch Evelyn squeezed my hand.
“Remember who you are, Olivia. A true Luna’s strength comes from within, not from her
Alpha.”
+8 Points >
I nodded, touched by her wisdom and support. As I walked through the hallway toward the exit, voices from Ethan’s study caught my attention.
“I’ll add Emma to the Stone family registry tomorrow,” Ethan was saying. “She deserves her
rightful place in our lineage.”
My steps faltered. My enhanced werewolf hearing had picked up every word clearly. Emma would receive a privilege that had been denied to Lily, my sweet daughter who had actually
carried Stone blood.
My wolf howled in silent anguish at this final betrayal. Lily had died without ever being
officially recognized as part of the Stone family, while Emma–who I now suspected wasn’t
even Ethan’s biological child–would receive full recognition.
The injustice of it burned like fire in my veins, deepening my resentment toward Emma and
strengthening my resolve to uncover the truth about her parentage.
I straightened my shoulders and continued walking. Soon, very soon, the truth would come to
light.
(Victoria’s POV)
Ethan drove me back to Rosewood Haven in silence, his wolf unusually distant. When we
reached the entrance to the property, he stopped the car but didn’t turn off the engine.
“You’re not coming in?” I asked, trying to keep the disappointment from my voice.
“Pack business,” he replied curtly. “I need to handle some urgent matters.”
I placed my hand on his arm, feeling the tension in his muscles. “Is everything alright? You
seem distracted.”
His amber eyes met mine briefly. “Just tired. It’s been a long day.”
“Of course,” I said, forcing a smile. “Will you come by tomorrow to see Emma?”
He nodded. “I’ll try. Give her a kiss for me.”
As I exited the car, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had changed. His wolf, usually
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so responsive to my presence, seemed withdrawn, preoccupied.
+8 Points >
I watched his Shadow Ghost disappear down the driveway, a sense of unease settling in my stomach. After all these years, after finally getting Ethan to agree to complete our mate bond, why did it feel like he was slipping away?
(Olivia’s POV)
The pack driver dropped me off at Maple Grove, his expression carefully neutral. Being
officially adopted by the Matriarch had already changed how pack members treated me–with
cautious respect rather than open disdain.
As I walked toward my building, a familiar scent caught my attention–Ethan’s distinctive
Alpha musk, powerful and unmistakable. My wolf tensed immediately.
I spotted his Shadow Ghost parked in the shadows, its sleek black surface reflecting the
moonlight. I quickened my pace, hoping to reach my door before he approached.
“Olivia.”
His voice carried from the darkness, the unmistakable command of an Alpha in every syllable.
I kept walking, pretending not to hear.
In an instant, he was beside me, moving with supernatural werewolf speed. His hand closed
around my wrist with frightening strength.
“We need to talk,” he growled, his amber eyes glowing in the darkness.
I tried to pull away. “I have nothing to say to you.”
His grip tightened. “This isn’t a request.”
Before I could protest further, he was pulling me toward his vehicle, his wolf’s dominance
overwhelming my feeble resistance. With one fluid motion, he opened the passenger door and
forced me inside.
