Chapter 2

(Olivia''s POV)

"Daddy, I miss you. Will you come keep me company?"

The sweet voice drifting from Ethan''s phone cut through me like a blade. I watched my mate''s entire expression soften at Emma''s words.

"Of course, sweetheart. I''ll be right there," Ethan replied, his voice warm and tender—the same tone Lily had desperately longed to hear in her final days.

He ended the call and turned to me, his amber eyes suddenly cold. "I have to go. Victoria needs me."

"Our daughter is dead," I whispered, holding Lily''s ceremonial urn closer to my chest. "Lily is gone, and you''re rushing off to another child?"

Ethan''s jaw clenched. "Stop with this drama. We''ll talk later."

Without even a glance at the urn containing his daughter''s ashes, he turned and walked away. The sound of his car starting moments later confirmed what I already knew—Victoria and Emma would always come first.

I collapsed onto Lily''s bedroom floor, surrounded by her stuffed animals and picture books. Her favorite blanket still lay folded at the foot of her bed, waiting for someone who would never come home.

"He doesn''t even believe me," I whispered to the urn. "Your father doesn''t even believe you''re really gone."

Ever since Victoria returned to Silvercrest Pack territory with Emma, everything had changed. The woman who''d abandoned Ethan years ago had somehow become his top priority again.

I remembered how Lily used to wait by the window every evening, hoping to see her father''s car in the driveway. How many times had I held her while she cried because he''d called to cancel, saying he was having dinner with Victoria and Emma instead?

"Daddy promised he''d come to my piano recital," Lily had said once, clutching her little moonstone necklace. "Why does he always pick Emma over me?"

I hadn''t had any answers then. I still didn''t.

(Ethan''s POV)

The sterile smell of Silvercrest Pack Medical Center hit me as I walked through the automatic doors. Staff members nodded respectfully as I passed, but I barely noticed.

I headed straight for Victoria''s private room. The door was slightly open, and I could see Victoria sitting beside Emma''s bed, gently stroking her daughter''s hair.

Victoria looked up, surprise crossing her face. "Ethan? What are you doing here? I thought you were celebrating Lily''s birthday."

Emma immediately sat up, her eyes lighting up. "Daddy!"

Victoria frowned at her daughter. "Emma, did you call him? I told you he was busy today."

Emma''s lower lip quivered. "I had a nightmare about monsters. I was scared, Mommy."

I sat on the edge of Emma''s bed and pulled her into my arms. "It''s okay, princess. I''m here now."

Emma wrapped her arms around my neck, her small body trembling with exaggerated sobs. "I was so scared, Daddy. The monsters were trying to get me!"

I held her tighter, breathing in her familiar scent. "No monster would ever dare hurt you while I''m around."

Victoria caught my eye over Emma''s head. "But what about Lily''s birthday? Olivia must be disappointed."

I shrugged dismissively. "We can celebrate later. Emma needs me right now."

Victoria smiled gratefully and reached for my hand. "Thank you for finding that kidney donor, Ethan. You saved my daughter''s life."

I squeezed her fingers, remembering all the favors I''d called in to secure that donor. "I''d do anything for Emma. You know that."

Emma''s crying subsided as she snuggled against my chest. Victoria''s hand was warm and familiar in mine.

"I need to check with Dr. Fletcher about Emma''s recovery," I said, carefully untangling myself from both of them. "Why don''t you take her down to the garden for some fresh air? The doctor said walking would help her circulation."

Victoria nodded, her eyes full of gratitude. "We''ll wait for you there."

(Olivia''s POV)

The corridor outside Dr. Fletcher''s office felt endless. My footsteps echoed off the polished floors as I approached his door, clutching Lily''s urn against my chest.

I knocked once before pushing inside. Dr. Fletcher glanced up from his paperwork, his expression shifting from professional to cautious when he saw me.

"Mrs. Winters," he said, standing up. "I wasn''t expecting you."

He called me "Mrs. Winters" because his Alpha had never officially recognized me as Luna.

"I need to know," I said, my voice cracking. "The kidney donor that was supposed to go to Lily—who got it instead?"

Dr. Fletcher looked away. "I can''t discuss other patients'' medical information."

I set the urn on his desk. "This is my daughter. She died waiting for that donor. A donor that got mysteriously reassigned at the last minute."

"I understand you''re grieving—"

"No, you don''t!" I slammed my hand on his desk. "My daughter is dead because someone more important stole her chance to live!"

When he stayed silent, I dropped to my knees, abandoning what little pride I had left. "Please, Dr. Fletcher. I''m begging you."

His expression softened with genuine sympathy. "I''m truly sorry about Lily, Olivia. She was such a sweet kid."

"Then tell me what really happened."

He shook his head, but I caught how his eyes flickered toward the door—toward the VIP wing.

"It was some high-ranking pack member''s child, wasn''t it?" I whispered.

Dr. Fletcher adjusted his glasses nervously. "I don''t handle donor assignments. That''s all administrative."

But his body language told me everything I needed to know. Every time I mentioned the donor, he couldn''t look me in the eye.

"Thanks for your time," I said finally, standing and picking up Lily''s urn.

I left his office with my suspicions crystallizing into certainty with every step.

In the lobby, I froze. Victoria stood near the entrance with Emma, both turning when they spotted me.

Victoria immediately pulled Emma behind her. "Stay away from my daughter."

"I wasn''t going anywhere near your daughter," I said coldly.

"Don''t take your anger out on an innocent child," Victoria said loudly, making sure nearby staff could hear. "It''s not Emma''s fault that Ethan would rather spend time with her."

Before I could respond, Ethan appeared, his face darkening when he saw me.

"What''s going on here?" he demanded, immediately stepping in front of Victoria and Emma.

"Nothing," I said, pain stabbing through me at how quickly he protected them. "I was just leaving."

"She was staring at Emma," Victoria stage-whispered loud enough for everyone to hear.

Emma peeked around Victoria''s leg. "Is she mad because Daddy celebrated my birthday instead of Lily''s?"

The innocent question hit me like a physical blow, dragging me back to that day by the pool. Emma had fallen in and immediately accused Lily of pushing her. Ethan had believed Emma without question, scolding Lily harshly despite her tears and denials.

Lily had gotten sick that very night, her condition spiraling downward fast.

"I didn''t push her, Mommy," she''d whispered through her fever. "Why won''t Daddy believe me?"

Now, looking at Emma''s perfectly practiced innocent expression, something clicked into place.

Emma''s face crumpled on cue, her little whimpers timed for maximum effect. "I''m sorry if I made you sad," she said, her voice wobbling expertly.

Victoria stepped forward, her hand protective on Emma''s shoulder. "Maybe if Lily had been stronger, like Emma, she might have—"

The slap echoed through the lobby before I even realized I''d moved. Victoria''s head snapped sideways, a red handprint blooming on her cheek.

I didn''t stop with just one. My hand connected again and again, leaving bright red marks across her perfectly made-up face.

"OLIVIA!" Ethan''s voice thundered through the medical center as he yanked me away. "Have you completely lost it?"

Victoria clutched her reddened cheek, tears streaming down her face. Emma wailed dramatically, clinging to her mother.

Ethan loomed over me, his face twisted with rage. "What the hell is wrong with you?"