Chapter 2

(Olivia's POV)

"Daddy, I miss you, will you come and accompany me?"

The sweet voice coming through Ethan's phone pierced my heart like a silver dagger. I watched as my mate's entire demeanor transformed at Emma's words.

"Of course, princess. I'll be right there," Ethan replied, his voice gentle and loving a tone Lily had begged to hear in her final days.

He ended the call and turned to me, his amber eyes cold. "I need to go. Victoria needs me."

"Our daughter is dead," I whispered, clutching the Moonwood Ceremonial Urn tighter to my chest. "Lily is gone, and you're running to another child?"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Stop with this nonsense. I'll deal with you later."

Without another glance at the urn holding his daughter's ashes, he turned and left. The sound of his car engine roaring to life moments later confirmed what I already knew Victoria and Emma would always come first.

I sank to the floor of Lily's room, surrounded by her stuffed animals and books. Her favorite blanket still lay folded at the foot of her bed, waiting for an owner who would never return.

"He didn't even believe me," I whispered to the urn. "Your father doesn't even believe you're gone."

Since Victoria's return to Silvercrest Pack territory with Emma, our lives had changed dramatically. The woman who had abandoned Ethan years ago suddenly became his priority again.

I remembered how Lily would wait by the window each evening, hoping to see her father's car pull into the driveway. How many times had I wiped her tears when he called to say he was having dinner with Victoria and Emma instead?

"Daddy promised to come to my recital," Lily had said once, her small hands clutching her moonstone necklace. "Why does he always choose Emma?"

I had no answers then. I had none now.

(Ethan's POV)

The antiseptic smell of the Silvercrest Pack Medical Den greeted me as I strode through the automatic doors. Staff members bowed their heads respectfully as I passed, but I barely noticed them.

I made my way directly to Victoria's VIP suite. The door was ajar, revealing Victoria sitting beside Emma's bed, stroking her daughter's hair.

Victoria looked up, surprise flashing across her perfect features. "Ethan? What are you doing here? I thought you were with Lily for her birthday."

immediately, her

"Emma, you called him?

lower lip trembled. "I had a nightmare about monsters. I was scared,

and sat on the edge of Emma's bed.

arms around my neck, her small body shaking with dramatic sobs. "I was so scared, Daddy. The monsters were

closer, inhaling her sweet scent. "No monsters would dare come near you

over Emma's head. "But what about Lily's birthday? Olivia

"We can celebrate later.

gratefully, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "Thank you for finding the kidney

smile, remembering the strings I'd pulled to secure that donor. "I'd do anything for Emma. You know

my chest. Victoria's fingers intertwined with mine, warm

gently disentangling myself. "Why don't you take her downstairs for some fresh air in the garden? The doctor said walking

eyes filled with gratitude. "We'll wait for you

stretch endlessly. My footsteps echoed against the polished floors of the

from his desk, his

said, rising from his chair. "I

his Alpha never acknowledged me as

need to know," I said, my voice breaking. "The kidney donor that was meant for Lily-who

darted away. "I'm not at liberty to discuss other patients'

his desk. "This is

that was mysteriously redirected at the

"I understand your grief-"

I slammed my palm on his desk. "My daughter is dead because someone with more influence

pride abandoned in my desperation. "Please,

softened with genuine sympathy. "I'm truly sorry about

me the

but I caught the way his eyes flickered toward the door- toward the

pack member's child, wasn't it?"

adjusted his glasses. "I don't know anything about donor

time I mentioned

finally, rising to my feet and retrieving Lily's

office, my suspicions hardening into certainty with

entrance with Emma, both

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