Chapter 66: An Awkward Revtion–2


    I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling at my friends. As embarrassing as their teasing was, it came from a ce of love.


    “You two are impossible,” I said, heading for the door.


    “That’s why you love us!” Lily called after me.


    Left alone in Reba’s luxurious living room, my friends continued their gossipy spection without me. Through the partially open door, I could hear Lily’s voice turn more serious.


    “Speaking of rtionship disasters,” she was saying, “did I ever tell you about that guy I dated in college? The one who turned out to be engaged?”


    I paused, my hand on the doorknob. I’d never heard this story before.


    “No way,” Reba gasped. “What happened?”


    “ssic story,” Lily sighed. “Met him in a ss, he pursued me relentlessly. imed he was single, of course. We dated for three months before his fiancée showed up at my apartment.”


    “Oh god, Reba murmured sympathetically.


    “Yeah, it was awful. She had no idea about me either. We were both victims.” Lily’s voice grew quieter. “The


    worst part was everyone on campus knew before I did. The humiliation was… intense.”


    I felt a pang of sympathy for my friend. I’d known Lily since we were pups, but she’d never shared this


    particr heartbreak with me.


    “What did you do?” Reba asked.


    “Well, after I finished crying for about a week, my half–brother Ethan Quinn got involved. You know how


    protective he is, despite being such a gossip himself.”


    I smiled slightly, remembering Ethan Quinn’s reputation for being both the biggest source of pack gossip and fiercely protective of those he cared about.


    “He confronted the guy in the middle of the campus cafeteria,” Lily continued, a hint of pride in her voice.


    “Told him if he ever came near me again<b>, </b>he’d regret it. I’ve never seen Ethan so angry.”


    Not wanting to eavesdrop any longer, I quietly slipped out the front door. As I drove toward Moow Legal


    Services, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky I was to have friends who cared so deeply, even if they


    showed it through relentless teasing.


    Twenty minutester, I pulled into the parking lot of Moow Legal Services. The modern ss building


    gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil I was about to walk into.


    Inside, I found Jade Mitchell in the reception area, her arm around a young woman who couldn’t have been


    more than twenty. The girl’s shoulders were hunched protectively, her bodynguage screaming vulnerability


    and fear.


    Jade looked up with relief when she saw me. “Ms. Winters, thank you foring so quickly.”


    I approached them slowly, my amber eyes filled with concern. All thoughts of my earlier embarrassment


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    * Chapter 56 An Awkward


    vanished as my professional instincts took over.


    “Hello, I said gently to the young woman. “I’m Olivia Winters. Would you like to talk somewhere more private?”


    The girl looked up, her tear–stained face revealing a fresh bruise blooming across her cheekbone. My wolf


    bristled protectively at the sight, though I kept my expression calm andpassionate.


    “Yes, please,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.


    Jade gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll bring you both some tea, okay?”


    I nodded gratefully to Jade, then guided the young woman toward my office. As we walked, I noticed how she flinched at sudden movements and kept her gaze downcast–ssic signs of ongoing abuse.


    My heart ached for her, but I also felt a surge of determination. This was why I became awyer–to help


    those who couldn’t help themselves. To be a voice for the voiceless.


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