I hesitated, torn between my rage at Victoria and my love for Emma. Emma had just recovered from a serious kidney transplant. The stress could compromise her health.
"Please, Daddy," Emma begged, her wolf whining through our pack bond.
I sighed deeply, then nodded. "Alright, Emma. I'll help."
I caught a flash of triumph in Victoria's eyes before it was replaced by grateful relief. Emma was her weapon against Olivia—against me.
"Thank you, Daddy! I love you most!" Emma kissed my cheek.
Victoria moved closer, releasing submissive pheromones to appeal to my Alpha instincts.
I shifted away, putting Emma between us like a shield. My wolf growled softly in warning, making my cold distance clear.
After Emma fell asleep, I stepped outside to make calls. I didn't notice Victoria slipping her Alpha Phone onto a shelf, its recording function activated.
I called James Knight. "Take down all trending topics about Victoria on the pack networks. Arrange for elite enforcers to protect Emma."
James was silent for a moment. "You're protecting Victoria now? After everything?"
"I'm protecting Emma," I corrected sharply. "She's just an innocent pup."
(Olivia's POV)
"That's strange," I muttered, scrolling through my phone. "All the posts about Victoria have disappeared."
My mother looked up, eyes narrowing. "What do you mean?"
I showed her my screen. "The videos, the news about her detention—it's all gone."
Evelyn's face darkened. "Ethan. He's protecting her again."
I didn't contradict her, though I suspected Ethan was actually protecting Emma. Still, the result was the same—Victoria escaping accountability again.
"Don't worry about it, Mom," I said. "Focus on getting better."
Inwardly, I steeled myself. I could no longer rely on Ethan for justice for Lily. I would have to do it myself.
Later, I visited Connor Blackthorn's old den. Despite exhaustive searches, I found nothing proving Victoria's involvement in Lily's death.
Outside, I found Victoria leaning against a black car, waiting for me.
"Still searching for evidence?" she taunted. "You won't find any."
I moved to walk past, but she blocked my path.
"Don't think that just because Ethan knows you're Little Orange, he'll be biased toward you," she said venomously. "We have Emma. You just weren't as lucky; your daughter died so young."
She showed me a video of Ethan comforting Emma. "See how much Ethan loves Emma?"
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