NovelStartThe Alpha King is unavailable 96
"A pretend courtship," Olivia mused, considering the idea.
"Exactly," Lucas confirmed. "We can be friends and allies, nothing more. But to the outside world, we'll appear to
be a developing couple."
Olivia extended her hand with a genuine smile. "I accept your proposal, Mr. Blackwood."
Lucas took her hand, bringing it briefly to his lips in a gentlemanly gesture. "Until next time, Miss Winters."
As his car pulled away. Olivia turned back toward Grandmother's wing of the Stone Estate, unaware that was
watching from the shadows
(Olivia's POV)
| walked back toward Matriarch Evelyn's wing, my mind racing with thoughts of the arrangement Id just made
with Lucas. A pretend courtship could givethe breathing room | desperately needed from Ethan's
suffocating presence.
Lost in thought, I didn't notice the figure emerging from the shadows until it was too late. A strong hand gripped
my wrist, pullinginto the darkness of the garden path.
"What did he say to you?” Ethan demanded, his amber eyes glowing with barely contained fury.
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| tried to pull away, but his grip was like iron. "Let go of me."
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"Answer me," he growled, his voice dropping to that dangerous register that made my skin prickle with
warning.
"It's none of your business," | replied, lifting my chin defiantly.
His nostrils flared as he inhaled deeply, scentingfor any trace of Lucas. "You're my wife. Everything about
you is my business."
Tm not your anything," | shot back. "You made that clear years ago when you chose Victoria overand
Lily."
At the mention of our daughter's name, pain flashed across his face before his expression hardened again. "You
will reject Lucas's courtship."
It wasn't a request; it was a command. The Alpha in him expected immediate compliance.
"No," | said simply, my emerald eyes meeting his amber ones without flinching. His grip tightened painfully.
"No?"
"I have the right to choose who | want to be with, | stated firmly. "And | don't choose you."
Something dangerous flickered in his eyes. Before | could react, he pulledagainst him, one hand tangling
in my hair to holdin place.
"You're mine," he growled, his lips crashing down on mine in a dominating kiss.
| struggled against him, pushing at his chest with all my strength. My resistance only seemed to infuriate
him further.
He broke the kiss, his breathing ragged. "Do you really think Lucas Blackwood wants you? A woman with your
past? My wife?"
His words were designed to hurt, to remindof my place. But | was done being hurt by Ethan Stone.
"At least he treatswith respect," | retorted. "Which is more than | can say for you."
Ethan's eyes darkened dangerously. "Respect? Is that what you call it when a man pursues another man's
wife?"
"Ex-wife," | corrected sharply. "As soon as the papers are filed."
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Chater 63 A Silent Chall
His grip on my wrist tightened to the point of pain. "There will be no divorce."
"You can't stop me,” | challenged, though we both knew he could. As Alpha King, his influence extended
throughout the Northern Territories.
"What about Lily?" he asked suddenly, his voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Would you betray her memory so
easily?"
The mention of our daughter sent a wave of grief through me. How dare he use her against me?
"Don't you dare bring her into this,” | hissed, tears pricking at my eyes. “You weren't there when she needed
you. You have no right to speak her nnow"
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His face contorted with a mixture of rage and something else—something that looked almost like genuine pain.
"Miss Winters?" Bernard Sheppard's voice called from the path ahead. "Are you there? Madam Stone is asking for
you."
Ethan's grip loosened slightly at the interruption. | seized the opportunity, wrenching my wrist free.
"I'm coming, Mr. Sheppard," | called back, my voice remarkably steady despite the turmoil inside me.
| turned to leave, but not before delivering one final blow. My foot connected
solidly with Ethan's shin, making him grunt in surprise more than pain.
"Stay away from me," | warned, before walking quickly toward Bernard's voice. (Ethan's POV)
| watched Olivia walk away, rubbing my shin where she'd kicked me. The physical pain was nothing compared to
the rage and jealousy consuming me.
Lucas Blackwood. Of all the men she could have chosen, it had to be him-my business rival, an Alpha whose
power nearly matched my own.
But beneath the anger lay something else, a persistent thought that had hauntedfor years: Lily wasn't dead.
| couldn't explain how | knew, but the certainty lived in my bones. My daughter was alive, and Olivia had hidden
her from me.
| pulled out my phone and dialed Maxwell Chen's number. He answered on the first ring, as always.
"Sir?"
"Intensify the search," | ordered without preamble. "I want to know everywhere Olivia goes, everyone she speaks
to. If Lily is out there, | will find her."
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