The Alpha King is unavailable 135

The sudden ring of her phone broke the silence. Olivia turned away from the window and reached into her purse, pulling out her phone. She glanced at the screen before answering.

"Hello?” Her voice was soft, controlled despite the emotional turmoil I knew was raging inside her.

I watched as her expression shifted, a flicker of something-pain? hope?-crossing her features.

"Yes, Clara. I understand. I'll come right away," she said, her voice catching slightly. "Thank you for calling."

She ended the call and stared at her phone for a moment, her knuckles white from gripping it too tightly.

"Is everything alright?" I asked, keeping my voice gentle.

"That was Clara Wilkins from the Howling Clay Pottery Studio," Olivia explained, her emerald eyes meeting mine briefly. "She said Lily's... Lily's mug is ready for collection."

I noticed how her voice trembled when she mentioned her daughter's name. The raw grief was

still so fresh.

"Would you like me to take you there?" I offered, already signaling to Thomas Griffin to change

our route.

Olivia nodded, her wolf's scent shifting with a complex mixture of emotions-grief, longing, and something like determination.

"Yes, please," she whispered. "I'd like to go now."

(Olivia's POV)

The bell above the door of Howling Clay Pottery Studio chimed softly as we entered. The

familiar scent of clay and glazes filled my nostrils, bringing with it a flood of memories-Lily's

small hands covered in clay, her tongue poking out in concentration as she worked.

Clara Wilkins looked up from behind the counter, her kind face lighting up with recognition.

she-wolf had always had a special way with the pups

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83 Lily's

+8 Points

you could come quickly," she said, wiping her hands on her

heart clenched painfully. Clara didn't know. Of course she didn't—I hadn't been back here

unable to bring myself to tell this kind woman the truth.

a determined little pup," Clara continued, oblivious to my pain as she reached beneath the counter. "Two whole months she worked

wanted it to be perfect for her father's birthday. Wouldn't let

mug in my hands. It was small and slightly lopsided, clearly made by a child's inexperienced hands. The bright colors were unevenly applied, and there were tiny fingerprints

heart was the childlike drawing on the side-three stick figures holding hands. A

vision blurred with tears. Lily had spent two months making this for Ethan, while he

with Victoria and

excited to give it to him," Clara said, smiling at the memory. "Said her daddy

hand on my

care of it," I managed to

precious mug.

distress, quickly thanked Clara and guided me

after

the cool evening air hit my face, but it did nothing

clutched the wrapped mug

to support

two months making this for him," I whispered, my voice breaking.

And he

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Chapter 83:

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been holding back all evening finally broke free. I wept openly, my wolf howling in

isn't even his-while our daughter, his

his arms. His embrace

he murmured against my

(Ethan's POV)

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