Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna

The Alpha King is unavailable 74

Victoria's voice cthrough, tight with worry. "The doctor says she's stable, but I'm worried, Ethan. She doesn't

look right."

*I'll be 1

there in a minute," | promised, already moving toward Emma's room.

The thought of Olivia flickered briefly in my mind, but Victoria's next words pushed

it aside.

"Please hurry. She keeps asking for you.

(Victoria's POV)

| ended the call with Ethan, a small smile playing at the corners of my lips. Everything was proceeding perfectly

Pacing the length of my bedroom at Rosewood Haven, | tapped my fingers rhythmically against my thigh. Olivia

Winters would remain in that dungeon for as long as | needed her to.

The memory of her terrified pleas from behind the door broughtintense satisfaction. After years of

playing second fiddle to her, it was finally my turn to win.

| paused before the mirror, arranging my features into a mask of maternal

concern. The transformation was flawless-eyes widened with worry, lips trembling slightly.

"Perfect," | whispered to my reflection

Emma lay sleeping in her bed, her small face peaceful despite the bandages on her arm. | approached her

silently, my mind calculating.

The doctor had warned that her wounds needed to be kept dry and warm. A cold bath would be the worst

possible thing for her recovery.

Tm sorry, sweetheart," | murmured, gently lifting her sleeping form. "Mommy needs you to be sick for a little

while.

She stirred slightly as | carried her to the adjoining bathroom, but didn't wake. | filled the tub with cold water,

then carefully lowered her into it, nightgown and all.

The shock of the cold water jolted her awake. Her eyes flew open, a cry of distress escaping her lips.

"Shh, Emmy." | soothed, holding her firmly in the water despite her struggles. "It's just a bath to help with the

fever."

"It's c-cold," she whimpered, her small body shivering violently.

When her lips began to turn blue, I finally lifted her from the water. Her skin was like ice, her body trembling

uncontrollably.

"M-mommy," she sobbed as | wrapped her in a towel. "I d-don't feel g-good."

| pressed my lips to her forehead, feeling the chill of her skin. Soon enough, that chill would turn to burning fever

as her body fought the infection I'd just ensured would take hold.

"I know, baby," | whispered, cradling her close. "Mommy's going to get help."

| dressed her in dry clothes quickly, then laid her back in bed. Within minutes, her shivering had intensified, and |

could feel heat beginning to radiate from her small body.

It was time.

| hurried from the room, making sure to slam the door loud enough for the sound

to carry. My footsteps echoed in the hallway as | ran toward Ethan's guest room.

Shade

"Ethan | cried, pounding on his door with frantic urgency. "Ethan, please!"

The door swung open immediately, revealing his concerned face. Victoria? What's wrong?"

| clutched at his arm, letting tears fill my eyes. "Ethan. Ethan... My voice broke with practiced desperation.

"Emmy has a high fever... | think her wounds are getting infected!

His expression hardened with determination, all thoughts of Olivia clearly forgotten as he pushed past me

toward Emma's room.

Ethan burst into Emma's room, crossing to her bed in two swift strides. His hand touched her forehead, and |

saw alarm flash across his face at the unnatural heat.

"We need to get her to the hospital," he said, already gathering her small form into his arms.

Emma whimpered, her eyes fluttering open. "Daddy?" she murmured weakly.

"I'm here, Emmy," he soothed, his voice gentle in a way it never was with Lily. "You're going to be okay."

As he carried her from the room, | followed close behind, my hand clutching Emma's as if | couldn't bear to be

separated from her.

Behind us, Rosewood Haven stood silent, its shadows concealing the dungeon where Olivia Winters lay

forgotten.

(Matriarch Evelyn's POV)

The afternoon sunlight streamed through the tall windows of the Grand Reception Hall. | sat in my favorite chair,

my weathered hands resting lightly on the ornately carved armrests.

"Is everything prepared for Olivia's visit, Bernard?" | asked.

Bernard Sheppard, our head butler for over thirty years, nodded respectfully. "Yes, Matriarch. The venison

pastries have been prepared to Mrs. Winters' preference, and the moonlight tea is steeping."

| smiled, satisfaction evident in my eyes. "Excellent. She should be arriving shortly."

As the minutes ticked by, my brow furrowed slightly. Olivia had never been late for

our w¥kky tea-not once in all the years we had maintained this tradition.

"Bernard, what tis it?" | asked, concern creeping into my voice. "Nearly four o'clock, Matriarch.

| frowned, reaching for the phone on the table beside me. This isn't like her at all."

My fingers, slightly gnarled with arthritis but still surprisingly nimble, dialed Olivia's number from memory. The

call went straight to voicemail.

"How strange," | murmured, setting the phone down. "Olivia always answers my calls."

Bernard stepped forward, his own concern evident in the slight furrow of his brow. "Shall I try to reach Alpha

Stone, Matriarch?"

| nodded, my expression growing more troubled by the moment. "Yes, Bernard. Contact my grandson

immediately. It's not like Olivia to miss our afternoon together without word."