(Ethan's POV)

Emma knelt on her bed, her young face twisted into an expression I'd never seen before. Gone was the sweet, obedient pup who gazed at me with adoration. In her place was something unrecognizable - her features contorted with malice that no seven-year-old should possess.

In one hand, she clutched a small figure. In the other, a silver needle glinted in the moonlight streaming through her window. With vicious precision, she stabbed the doll repeatedly while spitting venomous words.

"Stupid Lily," she hissed, driving the needle into the doll's chest. "Even dead, you still take my Daddy away. I hope your spirit suffers forever!"

My wolf roared beneath my skin, nearly breaking free with rage. This was my daughter she was cursing - my true daughter whose death I couldn't prevent, whose love I'd squandered. The daughter I'd failed so completely that my only hope was that she might be reborn, that Olivia might forgive me enough to give us another chance.

And here was Emma, cursing Lily's very soul.

I kicked the door fully open, unable to contain my fury. "Emma Frost, what are you doing?!"

Emma froze mid-stab, her head whipping toward me. For a split second, her face remained twisted with hatred before recognition dawned. Panic flashed across her features as she realized I'd caught her.

"Daddy?" she gasped, quickly trying to hide the doll under her moonlight thermal blanket.

In her haste, she accidentally drove the silver needle into her palm. She winced, tears immediately springing to her eyes. I watched as calculation replaced pain in her expression.

"Daddy, you're finally here!" she cried, crawling toward me with outstretched arms. "Emma waited for you all day! I thought you forgot my birthday!"

Her tears flowed freely now as she reached for me, expecting the comfort I'd always provided. But I remained rooted in place, my amber eyes fixed on her bleeding palm before returning to her face.

"I asked you, what were you doing?" I repeated, my voice dangerously low.

Emma's eyes darted nervously. "Daddy, I wasn't doing anything! I was just bored and playing with a doll while waiting for you!"

She spotted the Moonstone Bracelet gift box in my hand and lunged for it, clearly hoping to distract me. "Is that for Emma? Thank you, Daddy!"

I tossed the gift aside, stepping closer to the bed. My Alpha presence filled the room as I demanded, "Take it out."

Emma's face as she clutched at my Black Alpha Overcoat.

that had always worked on me before. But the

patience, I pushed her aside and reached for

don't look!" Emma cried, desperately trying

determination. I yanked back the

bed, trembling, her eyes wide

I'd never seen before, likely stolen from surveillance footage - were pasted to its face and body. The doll was riddled with countless pinholes, evidence that tonight wasn't the first time Emma

and rage. Even in death, Lily had suffered

monster have I been coddling these past few years?!" My wolf snarled

hand shook as I picked up the doll, a storm of emotions overwhelming me. Pain for Lily.

out, striking Emma across the face. I barely restrained my wolf's strength, but the impact was enough to send her

you do this?!"

Memories flooded back, pieces

blamed on Lily. I'd

security footage later - Lily crying in Olivia's arms, insisting she hadn't pushed Emma. Her heartbroken question echoed in my mind: "Why

truths had I overlooked because of my misplaced faith in

clutching her reddened

hit her much harder - but Emma looked genuinely shocked. Her wolf pup

explanation, but with the evidence in my hands,

to project submit

trying to triggermy

don't have a pup like you!" I declared, my voice cold and

wolf rejected her completely, no longer recognizing her as pack. The bond I'd thought we shared

wailed, desperate now. "You promised

that

to reestablish our pack bond, but I

kind Emma," I replied icily. "Emma Frost, is

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