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.

out without another word. I listened to his footsteps receding, then the

pull away into the darkness. I knew exactly where

urn closer. "I'm so sorry, baby," I whispered. "I'm so sorry I couldn't make him

(Ethan's POV)

my car approached. Victoria's elegant residence stood illuminated

still throbbed where Olivia had bitten me. The taste

reach the front door, it burst open. Emma stood in the doorway, her small figure

late," she pouted, crossing her arms dramatically.

felt a smile tugging at my lips. I climbed out

princess. I

as I scooped her

Emma giggled, all traces of

wrapping her arms around my neck. "You always come when I

I pushed the

it's past your bedtime," she scolded gently, though her eyes were

set Emma down, careful to keep my expression

to touch my injured lip. "Doesn't look like nothing." Her voice lowered.

I pulled away slightly, uncomfortable with her

business," I said firmly, stepping past her into

door. "Of course. Emma's been waiting for you to read her

grabbing my hand. "I picked out three books!

said you might

smiled innocently. "I told her not to get her hopes up. I'm sure the Alpha King has important

Her lower lip trembled in a way that always tugged at

new drawing in the morning," she whispered, eyes growing wet

against those tearful eyes. "We'll see, princess. Let's get

pink and purple. She

one first," she instructed, handing me

Emma snuggled against my side, her small body

the second book, her eyelids began to droop. By the third, she was fighting to

knew I couldn't resist. "Will you

watching from the doorway, stepped forward. "Emma, don't be selfish. Ethan needs to

I'm scared of the dark," Emma whimpered, her eyes filling with fresh tears. "What if I get sick again? The doctor said stress is bad for my new

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