Chapter 3

(Olivia's POV)

But I didn't stop. Instead, I slapped Ethan across the face, my palm stinging from the impact. His head jerked to the side, amber eyes widening in shock.

"Don't you dare touch me," I hissed, stepping away from him.

The lobby of the Medical Den had fallen completely silent. Staff members froze, mouths agape at the sight of their Alpha King being struck by his mate.

Ethan's face darkened with fury. "Have you completely lost your mind?"

"Yes! I am crazy, are you satisfied? " I replied, clutching Lily's urn tighter against my chest. "We're done, Ethan. Our relationship is over."

Victoria gasped dramatically behind him. Emma's wails grew louder, the perfect soundtrack to her mother's performance.

"You can't just decide that," Ethan growled, reaching for my arm.

I stepped back, my voice steady despite the hurricane of emotions inside me. "I can and I have. For five years, I've watched you neglect our daughter. I've made excuses for you, lied to Lily about why her father never showed up."

"I was busy running the pack—"

"You were busy playing father to another child!" My voice echoed through the lobby. "You had time for Emma's recitals, her birthdays, her skinned knees. But you couldn't spare even an hour for your own daughter's final birthday."

Ethan's jaw clenched. "This is neither the time nor place—"

"When is the right time, Ethan? After you've forgotten Lily completely?" I held up the urn. "Our daughter is dead. She died waiting for you to love her."

"Stop lying about our daughter's life!" He said angrily. He still didn't believe me.

"I'm leaving," I said, my voice dropping to a whisper. "Don't follow me."

With a final glare, my emerald eyes flashing with determination, I turned and walked away, leaving Ethan standing stunned in the medical den.

(Ethan's POV)

Three days had passed since Olivia's outburst at the Medical Den. I hadn't returned to the our home since then, choosing instead to stay at my office in the Silvercrest Pack headquarters.

Victoria had been calling constantly, demanding I punish Olivia for her disrespect. Emma had nightmares about "the scary lady," according to Victoria.

I pushed open the door to our home, expecting to find Olivia sulking inside. The house was eerily silent.

"Olivia?" I called, my voice echoing through the empty rooms.

I strode to our bedroom, finding the closet door ajar. Her clothes were gone.

Anger surged through me as I pulled out my phone, dialing her number. The call went straight to voicemail. I tried again. Same result.

I sent a text: "Where are you?"

The message failed to deliver. I checked my contact list—Olivia's name was gone.

She had blocked me.

My wolf, Noah, growled inside me, furious at this blatant disrespect. No one walked away from the Alpha King.

Especially not his mate.

(Olivia's POV)

Maple Grove stood on the outskirts of Silvercrest territory, a modest house surrounded by ancient maple trees. This had been my foster mother's home before she passed.

She had rescued me when I was eight years old, taking me in after I escaped from the cruel orphanage where rogue wolves experimented on pups. Though she was an Omega without a wolf, she had more courage than many Alphas I'd known.

I placed Lily's urn on the mantel, arranging fresh flowers around it. "We're home, baby," I whispered.

Three days had passed since I walked away from Ethan. Three days of silence, of grieving properly for my daughter without having to hide my tears.

I gathered the trash to take outside, pausing at the front door. A familiar scent hit me before I saw him—sandalwood and pine, the unmistakable scent of my mate.

Ethan emerged from between the maple trees, his amber eyes locking with mine.

I turned away, continuing to the trash bins. Maybe if I ignored him, he would leave.

"Olivia," his voice was deceptively calm. "Why have you blocked my calls?"

I didn't answer, dropping the trash bag into the bin.

His hand clamped around my wrist, spinning me to face him. "I asked you a question."

"Let go of my wrist," I said, my voice steady despite my racing heart.

"Not until you answer me." His grip tightened, the bones in my wrist threatening to crack under his Alpha strength.

Pain shot up my arm, but I refused to show it. Instead, I brought my foot down hard on his instep, putting all my weight behind it.

Ethan winced, his grip loosening just enough for me to wrench free. I turned and hurried toward the house, my wrist throbbing.

I could hear Ethan's footsteps behind me, gaining quickly. His hand reached for me again, but I dodged, spinning to face him at the top of the stairs.

"We're broken up, Ethan," I reminded him coldly.

His lips curled into a mocking smile. "Broken up? After everything we've shared?"

The way his eyes raked over my body made my skin crawl. He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a husky whisper.

"You still belong to me, Olivia. Your body remembers mine, even if you're trying to forget."

I kept my expression impassive, though his words sent a chill down my spine. "We're done, Ethan. Now leave."

Without waiting for his response, I turned and continued up the stairs.

(Ethan's POV)

I followed Olivia into the apartment, irritated by her defiance but determined to resolve this situation. In my hand, I carried a gift box containing a Crystal-Embroidered Ice Princess Gown for Lily.

The apartment was small but neat. Photos of Lily adorned the walls—Lily at her school play, Lily in the garden, Lily smiling despite the IV in her arm. My chest tightened at the images of my daughter I barely recognized.

"Where's my daughter?" I called, softening my voice. Lily was probably napping in another room.

Olivia didn't respond, standing rigidly by the window.

I strode to the bedroom on the right, pushing open the door. Empty. I checked the other bedroom. Also empty.

Confusion crossed my features as I turned to Olivia. "Where's Lily?"

Her response chilled my blood, her emerald eyes swimming with unshed tears. "Lily? You'll never see her again!"

I stared at her, trying to process her words. Was she hiding our daughter? Had she sent Lily away?

"What have you done with her?" I demanded, advancing on Olivia.

She picked up the princess gown I had brought, her hands trembling. "This is the dress she begged you for. The one you said was too expensive for her."

I frowned. "I brought it for her now."

"After Emma wore it?" Olivia's voice cracked. "After you bought it for another child while your daughter was dying?"

Her words confused me. Lily wasn't dying. She was sick, yes, but the specialists would help her.

Olivia threw the dress and box away with a cry of anguish. "Ethan Stone, Lily doesn't want it!"

The box landed near a wooden urn I hadn't noticed before. The dress fell out, landing on a smoldering incense stick. A small hole began to burn through the delicate fabric.

"Stop this nonsense," I growled, my patience wearing thin. "These antics need to stop."

"Get out," Olivia said, her voice suddenly calm. "Get out of my house."

My phone rang, Victoria's name flashing on the screen. I answered, keeping my eyes on Olivia.

"Ethan? Where are you?" Victoria's voice was sweet, concerned.

"I'm handling something," I replied, my voice automatically softening.

"Is Lily there? Remember we planned to take the girls to Disney this weekend."

I watched Olivia's face contort with pain at the mention of her daughter. "No, Lily isn't here. We'll have to cancel that plan."

"Oh," Victoria sounded disappointed. "Emma was so looking forward to it."

"I'll go over there to accompany you and Emma," I assured her. "I'll be there soon."