Chapter 88: Whispers In the Shadow Den


    Chapter 88: Whispers in the Shadow Den


    (Olivin’s POV)


    The Shadow Den was eerily quiet as I stepped out of the steaming bathroom, wrapped in the luxurious midnight silk nightgown Connor had provided. The fabric whispered against my skin, cool and soothing after the hot shower. My honey–<b>brown </b>hair hung damp around my shoulders, and my wolf Cora was content, if


    tired from the day’s events.


    I couldn’t stop thinking about Vanessa, lying in the base’s Infirmary, clinging to life after Connor’s harsh punishment. Though I held no love for her after her attempts to harm me, I couldn’t help but feel a twinge of sympathy for any creature brought so <b>low</b>.


    My bare feet padded silently across the plush carpet as I headed for the door. I wanted to ask Connor for some warm milk, a bedtime habit I’d maintained since childhood. Somethingforting and familiar in this strange, imposing ce.


    As I pulled open the bedroom door, I came face to face with Dominic Reeves, Connor’s security chief. Our eyes locked for a brief, startled moment.


    Dominic immediately averted his gaze, his posture stiffening. “H apologize for the intrusion, Miss Winters,” he stammered, his voice tight with sudden anxiety. “I was just reporting to Alpha Connor about Vanessa Reed’s condition and seeking further instructions.”


    I noticed a bead of sweat forming on his brow despite the cool air of the corridor. His difort was palpable, his wolf clearly agitated.


    “Alpha, the medical team reports <i>that </i>


    Vanessa’s condition has stabilized, but she remains unconscious. Her wolf is in deep hibernation to preserve her strength. They’re monitoring her closely and-”


    Connor’s demeanor shifted instantly. The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees as his. ice–blue eyes hardened, his wolf sensing another male’s gaze upon me


    “Reeves,” Connor interrupted, his voice dangerously soft. “Where exactly are your eyes focused right now?” Dominic’s face paled. “Alpha, 1–I was just delivering my report as requested. I didn’t mean to-


    “You didn’t answer my question, Connor growled, the sound rumbling from deep in his chest, his Alpha dominance filling the space between them,


    “I apologize, Alpha. I was startled by Miss Winters‘ appearance and immediately looked away. I meant no disrespect to your Luna Apparent,” Dominic exined hastily, his words tumbling over each other.


    Connor’s eyes narrowed further. “Sa’you admit you were looking at her?”


    Dominic was now drenched in cold sweat. “No! I mean–yes, but not intentionally–I would never-


    “Get out,” Connor ordered, his voice barely above a whisper but carrying the full weight of an Alphamand. Dominic bowed deeply and backed away, nearly tripping over his ‘own feet in his haste to escape. “Yes, Alpha. My deepest apologies, Alpha. Miss Winters.”


    I watched him flee, confusion written across my face. “What was that about? He seemed terrified.”


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    Connor’s expression softened as he turned to me, the coldness melting away like snow in spring sunshine. “Come here, Livvy,” he said, patting the space beside him on the sofa.


    I obeyed, settling next to him. His arm immediately wrapped around me, pulling me close. His familiar Alpha scent enveloped me,forting and protective.


    “Are <b>you </b>


    gone.


    feeling better after your shower?” he asked, his voice gentle now, all traces of the dangerous Alpha


    “Yes, but I’m not sleepy yet, I admitted, leaning into his warmth. “I was hoping for some warm milk before


    bed.”


    Connor’s ice–blue eyes filled with tenderness. “Of course. I’ll prepare it for you.”


    I hesitated, then asked the question that had been nagging at me. “How is Vanessa doing? I’m not asking because I care about her,” I rified quickly. “I just don’t want you to stain your hands with murder. It would tarnish your Alpha soul.”


    Connor’s expression hardened slightly. “She’ll live. That’s all you need to know.”


    I nodded, unsure what else to say. His indifference toward Vanessa was absolute, his wolf showing no concern for her fate beyond ensuring she survived to face justice.


    Connor gently pinched my cheek, his expression softening again. “Don’t worry about such things. I’ll get your


    milk.”


    The Shadow Den was vast, almost like an industrial park. Connor’s private residence was by far the most luxurious building, a stark contrast to the utilitarian training facilities I’d glimpsed earlier.


    While Connor was preparing my milk, I explored the bedroom more thoroughly. The women’s clothing in the closet were all exactly my size. The skincare products and cosmetics on the vanity were all brands I regrly


    used.


    “These were added temporarily before you arrived, Connor exined when he returned, carrying a steaming mug, “I hope you can make do with them for now.”


    ??


    Despite his casual “make do”ment, I could tell these weren’t hastily gathered items. The clothes were all thetest models from various luxury brands, each worth six or seven figures. The silk nightgown I wore alone cost more than $50,000.


    I epted the warm milk gratefully, taking a small sip. The rich, creamy liquid was perfectly heated, just the way I liked it.


    A thought suddenly urred to me. “I’ve never been here before. Why do all your subordinates recognize me?”


    I was thinking of our arrival, when the training betas like Jackson Harris and Tyler Wilson had immediately shouted, “Hello, Madam Luna Apparent.”


    Connor’s lips curled into a pleased smile. “Guess.”


    “Still being mysterious?” I took another sip of milk, “I won’t guess.”


    unaware that it had left a white mustache on my upper lip.


    Suddenly, Connor leaned down and kissed me, his tongue gently licking away the milk from my lips. The kiss was fleeting but left me breathless.


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    “So sweet,” he murmured, satisfaction evident in his eyes.


    A blush crept up my cheeks, “Whole milk isn’t sweet.”


    The Alpha’sugh was pleasant, almost intoxicating. “You know I’m not talking about the milk.”


    The atmosphere in the room shifted, bing charged with something warm and electric. My body felt hot, my wolf responding to his proximity, his scent, his obvious desire.


    After I finished the milk, Connor suddenly scooped me up into his arms. Caught off guard, I let out a small


    squeal.


    “Ah–what are you doing?” My voice rose at the end, sounding embarrassingly coquettish even to my own


    ears.


    Connor smiled, a predatory gleam in his ice–blue eyes. “Apanying me to take a bath.”


    “I already took a bath just now,” I protested weakly. “Go yourself.”


    The Alpha walked toward the bathroom without hesitation. “It’s dark. I’m afraid to take a bath alone.” “You…” Iughed in exasperation. “You’re still afraid? You’re lying.”


    By then, we had already reached the bathroom. Themb had entered the wolf’s den willingly. Sometimes I was truly confused by Connor. He was usually so busy with pack business, yet he always seemed to have endless energy at night. We made love twice in the bathroom, leaving me exhausted and sore all over. I thought that would be the end of it, but after taking a bath and returning to the bedroom, the Alpha started again.


    Having had s**** experience before, it didn’t hurt like the first time. I had to admit that Connor “served” his mate–to–be very well. We were immersed in lust, our wolves twining together in perfect harmony, the suppressed and restrained sounds in the room gradually stopping only in the second half of the night.


    (Cassandra’s POV)


    The bar in Harbor City was noisy and chaotic. Lights shed in seizure–inducing patterns while people danced wildly on the crowded floor. I sat in a booth with my best friend, Sophie Parker, nursing a ss of moonlight wine and a broken heart.


    Ethan had attempted suicide for Olivia Winters. His first words upon waking were to ask for her whereabouts. The memory still cut like a silver de.


    “I didn’t expect Olivia Winters to be the daughter of the Winters Pack in Riverdale,” Sophie said, swirling her wine ss thoughtfully. “I really didn’t see that before.”


    “Hehe.” Iughed mockingly at myself, the sound bitter even to my own ears. “Soph, do you think I’m a joke?” Sophie’s mouth twitched awkwardly I could read the truth in her eyes, though she tried to hide it. Ever since Olivia’s true identity as an Alpha’s daughter had been revealed, I’d be the subject of whispered conversations and pitying nces.


    “Cassandra, don’t say that about yourself,” Sophie patted my shoulder in a show offort. “If you ask me, Olivia is the joke. When you first returned to the territory, we all saw how much Ethan treated you. Olivia has been cuckolded so many times, she is the <b>joke</b>!”


    I smiled, feeling my mood improve slightly. Sophie always knew what to say to make me feel better, even if it


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    was just feeding my spite.


    “You’re right,” I agreed, taking another sip of my wine. “Olivia is the joke.”