Chapter 5

(Olivia's POV)

I woke up with a gasp. The nightmare of Lily's death still clung to me like a

shadow.

As my vision cleared, I realized I wasn't alone. Ethan was holding me, his amber eyes unreadable in the dim light.

"Let go of me," I hissed, pushing against his chest.

His grip only tightened. "You were having a nightmare."

"I said let go!" I shoved harder, fury building inside me. "You have no right to touch

me."

Ethan's expression darkened. "I'm still your mate, Olivia."

His words sent rage through me. After everything he'd done-neglecting Lily, celebrating Emma's birthday while our daughter lay dying, choosing Victoria over us-he still believed he had a claim on me.

"Mate?" I spat the word like poison. "A mate doesn't abandon his sick daughter. A mate doesn't celebrate another child's birthday while his own daughter dies alone!"

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Stop with these lies about Lily."

"They're not lies!" Tears burned in my eyes. "She died waiting for you, Ethan. She died asking why her daddy loved Emma more than her."

His face softened slightly, and he leaned closer. "Olivia..."

When his lips brushed mine, something snapped inside me. I bit down hard on his lower lip, tasting blood.

Ethan jerked back with a curse, his hand flying to his bleeding mouth. I scrambled away from him, nearly falling off the bed.

"Get out," I whispered, my voice raw from crying. "GET OUT!"

Ethan stood slowly, wiping blood from his lip. His amber eyes flashed dangerously.

he turned and walked out without another word. I listened

his car pull away into the darkness. I knew exactly where he was headed. To them. To the

sorry, baby," I whispered. "I'm so sorry

(Ethan's POV)

of Rosewood Haven opened as my car approached. Victoria's elegant residence stood illuminated against the night

still throbbed where Olivia had bitten me. The taste of

open. Emma stood in

pouted, crossing her arms dramatically. "I waited for

at my lips.

sorry, princess. I

as I scooped her

all traces of annoyance

come," she whispered, wrapping her arms around my neck.

statement sent an uncomfortable pang through my chest. I pushed the feeling aside

bedtime," she scolded gently, though her eyes

down, careful to keep my expression

lip. "Doesn't look like nothing." Her voice lowered. "Did she try to keep you

I pulled away slightly, uncomfortable with her

business," I said firmly, stepping past her

scent surrounded me as she closed the door. "Of course. Emma's been waiting for you

hand.

you might stay for breakfast

to get her hopes up. I'm sure the Alpha King

a way that always tugged at something

I wanted to show you my new drawing in the morning," she whispered, eyes growing wet

manipulated but powerless against those tearful

fantasy of pink and purple. She climbed

one first," she instructed,

the book. Emma snuggled against my

began to droop. By the third, she

sleepily, using the title she knew I couldn't resist. "Will

forward. "Emma, don't be selfish. Ethan needs

her eyes filling with fresh tears. "What if I

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