The Alpha King is unavailable 40

"Olivia, I'm so sorry," she said, her voice trembling. "I was just so worried about Emma that I spoke without thinking. I didn't mean it.”

Though her words were directed at me, her performance was clearly for Ethan's benefit. I watched his

O <

expression soften slightly, accepting her flimsy explanation without question.

He glanced at me, his eyes sending a clear message: Drop it. Let it go. Don't make a scene.

A cold fury swept through me. After everything that had happened – the false accusations, the humiliation in the Stone Ancestral Hall, the physical punishment - Victoria thought a simple "sorry" would erase it all?

Lignored Ethan's warning look and stepped forward. Victoria's eyes widened as I approached, uncertainty flickering across her perfect features.

The sound of my palm connecting with her cheek was sharp and satisfying. Before she could recover, I struck her again on the other side.

"Victoria, I'm so sorry," I said, perfectly mimicking her insincere tone. "I didn't mean it."

"Olivia V

Winters!" Ethan roared, grabbing my wrist before I could strike again.

His grip was tight, almost painful, but I didn't flinch, I met his gaze steadily, challenging him to defend her

again.

Victoria, perhaps emboldened by Ethan's intervention, forgot herself completely. Her mask of contrition vanished, replaced by raw fury.

"Olivia Winters, you dare hit me!" she shrieked, raising her hand to retaliate.

palm could connect with my face, a cane struck her arm with surprising force. Victoria recoiled

touch Olivia!" Matriarch Evelyn bellowed,

on with an

hit me first!"

cheeks.

first," Matriarch Evelyn stated firmly. "Olivia is not

After years of standing alone against Victoria's manipulations, someone was finally taking

don't call me Grandmother," Matriarch Evelyn added, her voice sharp as a blade. "Who

Grandmother?"

constructed place in the Stone family was

always called

mistake," Matriarch Evelyn cut her off. "1 allowed too

hasn't earned it."

crumpled. She looked to Ethan, clearly

harsh words

grandmother's authority and Victoria's expectations played out across his features as he

conflict

hurt me deeply. Now, I found I didn't

III 0<

Ethan finally said, his voice carefully measured. "Victoria has

for many years."

Evelyn repeated, emphasizing the word. "Not family. Not your mate. A

with genuine tears now. The

turned to me, her expression softening. "My dear Luna, what other injustices

title rang through the room like a bell. Matriarch Evelyn had deliberately used it to remind everyone of my position

to summarize five

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