his deception.
Victoria struggled, her usually delicate face contorted with rage. The sweet facade dropped completely.
“Why?” she spat, her own claws extending in defense. “You came to ME! You pursued ME!”
Ethan smiled wickedly, a predator toying with prey. “You really have no self–awareness, do you?”
His
grip tightened slightly. “I only agreed to the Mating Ceremony with you as revenge for you abandoning me for power all those
years ago.”
Victoria’s struggle stilled, confusion replacing anger. “What are you talking about?”
“Before my brother, there was me. Or have you conveniently forgotten?” Ethan’s voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “You
chose him because he was next in line for Alpha. And now you’ve tried the same game again.”
Realization dawned in Victoria’s eyes. “Ethan, that was years ago. We were practically children—”
“Now that the performance is over, you’re of no use to me.” He cut her off coldly.
With that, he violently ripped the amethyst from Victoria’s neck. The delicate chain snapped, leaving a red mark where it had dug
into her skin.
Victoria cried out in pain, clutching her neck where the necklace had been torn away.
Ignoring her cry, Ethan stepped back and called his trusted subordinate, never taking his eyes off Victoria:
“Find out where Autumn went.” His voice was steady now, determined.
“Also, book me the earliest flight to Silver Crescent territory.” He needed to move quickly, before the borders sealed against him.
The amethyst in his hand remained dull and lifeless, refusing to shine as it had when around my neck. The once brilliant purple
stone lay inert in his palm.
He stared at it, turning it over in his palm. It was still warm from Victoria’s skin, but something was wrong. It felt… dead.
“Why didn’t I notice?” he whispered, realization dawning. “It never glowed for her.”
Victoria slumped against the wall, one hand at her throat, the other protectively over her belly. Her posture
seductress to frightened mother–to–be in an instant.
itted from
“You can’t leave,” she hissed, desperation obvious in her tone. “The pack needs their Alpha. Your child needs a father.”
Ethan turned to her, his eyes flashing with dangerous gold. His wolf was dangerously close to the surface now
+15 Bonus
“My child is on her way to Silver Crescent with her mother.” His voice was eerily calm.
He glanced pointedly at Victoria’s stomach. “That thing in your womb? It’s nothing to me.”
Victoria’s face paled to ash. “The Elders won’t let you go. The ceremony
“Was never completed,” Ethan finished for her, a grim satisfaction in his voice. “We exchanged rings, but I never marked you. I
never claimed you as my mate in front of the pack moon priestess.”
He smiled coldly, revealing elongated canines. “A technicality, but an important one.”
Victoria pushed herself up, her voice rising to nearly a shriek. “This is about the Silver Crescent Alpha position, isn’t it? You’re
just using Autumn to gain power there!”
Ethan paused, the accusation striking a nerve. His wolf receded slightly as doubt crept in.
Was that it? Was he simply trading one power play for another? Had he become so corrupted by ambition that even this desperate
chase was just another grab for authority?
No. This was different. This was about Lily’s smile when she called him “Daddy.” About the warmth of my hand in his during cold
nights.
About promises made and broken. About the man he once was, the man who climbed through windows for love, not for power.
The amethyst suddenly warmed in his palm, a faint purple glow emanating from its core. The change was subtle but
unmistakable.
Ethan stared at it in wonder, a strange hope rising in his chest. The crystal had never responded to him before.
“She’s still holding on,” he whispered, hope flaring in his chest. Despite everything, some part of our bond remained intact.
He turned back to Victoria, decision made. His path was clear now.
“Tell the Elders whatever you want. Tell them I abandoned the pack. Tell them I went insane. I don’t care.”
He tossed her the Alpha medallion he wore around his neck. It landed at her feet with a dull thud.
“You wanted Shadow Moon’s Alpha position? It’s yours. I release all claim to it”
Victoria’s mouth fell open in shock. “You can’t just-
“I just did,” Ethan cut her off sharply. “My grandmother wanted an Alpha who would put the pack first. That’s you, not me.”
He pocketed the amethyst and strode toward the door, each step lighter than the last. For the first time in months, he felt like he
could breathe.
Victoria called after him, desperation in her voice. “What about your brother’s child? Don’t you care at all?”
Ethan paused in the doorway, not bothering to look back. The question deserved at least that much consideration.
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“My brother would want his child raised by someone who actually loved it. Not someone who used it as a pawn.” His voice was
softer now, almost sad.
“Goodbye, Victoria. I hope the power was worth it.”
As Ethan walked out of the villa, his phone buzzed with a message from his subordinate:
Flight to Silver Crescent territory confirmed. 5:45 AM tomorrow. Pack Alpha Serena has been notified of your request to enter
their lands. Awaiting her response.]
