<b>Chapter </b>174<b>: </b><b>The </b><b>End </b><b>of </b><b>the </b><b>Hunt </b>
<b>Chapter </b>174: The End of the Hunt
<b>(</b><b>Olivia’s </b><b>POV</b>)
“Livvy, it’s over.” Connor’s voice was low and slightly hoarse through the phone. “Frederick is dead, it’s all over.
My heart suddenly beat faster, my wolf stirring with relief and concern. The words hit me like a physical blow<b>, </b><b>leaving </b>me breathless.
“Are you… are you okay?<b>” </b>I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
There seemed to be a moment of pause on the other end as Connor processed my genuine worry for his safety. I could hear his breathing, steady but tired.
“I’m fine,” he said softly. “Completely unharmed. Frederick’s operation has been dismantled entirely.”
Relief flooded through me so intensely that my knees nearly buckled. I gripped the edge of my desk for
support.
“The political situation in ckmoor Territory is stabilizing, Connor continued. “Victoria Ashford’s government is already implementing reforms. Frederick’s supporters are being arrested one by one.”
“What about his other allies?<b>” </b>I asked, my legal mind automatically focusing on the details.
“All neutralized. The criminalwork he built is copsing without his leadership.” Connor’s voice carried a note of satisfaction. “The threat to our packs is over.”
I closed my amber eyes, feeling a weight I hadn’t realized I was carrying finally lift from my shoulders. For months, Frederick’s shadow had loomed over everything.
“Livvy, wait for me,” Connor said, his voice bing gentler. “I’ll be back tomorrow evening.”
<b>The </b>tenderness in his tone made my chest tighten with conflicting emotions. Part of me wanted to tell him I’d be waiting. Part of me wanted to hang up immediately.
“Connor, I-<b>” </b>
“Please,” he interrupted softly. “Just wait for me.”
I couldn’t handle the vulnerability in his voice. The relief of Frederick’s death, the ongoing tensions with the Rivers pack, and my own unresolved feelings toward Connor crashed together in an overwhelming wave.
I ended the call abruptly, my finger hitting the disconnect button before I could change my mind.
My phone immediately began ringing again. Connor’s name shed on the screen, but I turned the device face down on my desk.
<b>I </b>couldn’t deal with this right now. Not when my emotions were so raw and conflicted.
The office felt suddenly suffocating. I gathered my things quickly, needing to escape before Connor called again.
Back at <b>the </b>Winters family estate, I tried to lose myself in reviewing case files. But my mind kept drifting <b>to </b>Connor’s <b>voice</b><b>, </b><b>to </b>the relief in his tone when he told me Frederick was dead.
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Chapter 14 the Fist of f
Olivia, dinner’s ready<b>” </b>Natalie called from downstairs, pulling me away from my thoughts.
<b>I </b>sighed and closed myptop. Family dinner was thest thing I wanted right now, but avoiding it would only
create more drama.
(Third person’s POV)
At the Grey pack estate, Margaret Grey hummed cheerfully as she arranged moonlight herba in an elegant basket. Her blue eyes sparkled with maternal joy as she prepared for her visit to Cassandra Evans.
“Finally, a grandchild,” she murmured to herself, carefully selecting the finest herbs from her collection. “The
Grey bloodline will continue.”
Margaret had spent the morning consulting with the pack healer about the best nourishing broths for expecting mothers. She’d also arranged for fresh venison and organic vegetables to be delivered to Cassandra’s apartment.
Her son Ethan had been strangely absenttely, but Margaret attributed it to the pressures of pack leadership. Young Alphas often became consumed with business matters.
What Margaret didn’t know was that Ethan was desperately trying to salvage the Grey pack’s crumbling financial empire. He’d been meeting with potential investors all week, hoping to secure emergency funding.
The Grey pack’s bankruptcy was imminent, but Ethan couldn’t bring himself to tell his mother. Margaret’s pride in their family legacy would be shattered.
Margaret climbed into her silver Mercedes, the basket of moonlight herbs secure in the passenger seat. She’d
also brought a selection of pregnancy vitamins and herbal teas.
“Cassandra will be so pleased,” she said aloud, her voice filled with anticipation.
At Cassandra’s downtown apartment, Margaret knocked enthusiastically on the door. She could hardly
contain her excitement about bing a grandmother.
Cassandra opened the door wearing a simple ck dress, her green–gold eyescking their usual sparkle.
She looked pale and tired.
“Mrs. Grey,” Cassandra said politely, stepping aside to let her enter.
“Cassandra, dear, you look exhausted,” Margaret observed, immediately switching into protective mode. “Are
you eating properly? Getting enough rest?”
“I’m fine,” Cassandra replied, though her voicecked conviction.
Margaret set down her basket and began unpacking the moonlight herbs. “I’ve brought everything you need for a healthy pregnancy. These herbs will strengthen both you and the pup.”
Cassandra watched with growing unease as Margaret fussed over her. The older woman’s enthusiasm felt overwhelming.
<b>“</b>I’ve also arranged for our pack healer to prepare special nourishing broths,” Margaret continued. “She’ll <b>deliver </b>them fresh every morning.”
“That’s not necessary,” Cassandra said quickly. “I can manage on my own.”
Margaret looked surprised. “Nonsense. You’re carrying the Grey heir. You need proper care and protection.”
“I appreciate your concern, but I prefer my independence,” Cassandra insisted.
O
Chapter <b>174 </b>The End <b>of </b><b>t </b>
is Ports
<b>Margaret </b><b>attributed </b><b>Cassandra’s </b><b>distance </b><b>to </b>pregnancy hormones affecting her wolf. <b>First</b><b>–</b><b>time </b><b>mothers </b>
<b>often </b><b>became </b>territorial and moody.
<b>“</b><b>You </b>should move into the Grey pack estate,” Margaret suggested. “We have a beautiful suite <b>prepared </b><b>for </b><b>you</b><b>. </b>Round–the–clock care, the finest food,plete security.”
<b>Cassandra’s </b>stomach clenched at the suggestion. Living under Margaret’s watchful eye would make her
<b>ns </b>impossible.
<b>“</b><b>I’m </bfortable here,” she said firmly. “My own space helps me rx.”
Margaret frowned but didn’t push the issue. “Very well. But I insist on the pack healer’s assistance. She’ll prepare the strengthening broths and monitor your health.”
Cassandra nodded reluctantly. She could always find excuses to avoid the healer’s visits.
“How has Ethan been treating you?<b>” </b>Margaret asked, settling into the living room chair. “I hope he’s being
attentive to your needs.”
Cassandra’s expression darkened slightly. “He’s been… distant. Very focused on pack business.”
“Business pressures,” Margaret said dismissively. “Young Alphas often be consumed with their responsibilities. It’s temporary.”
Cassandra pressed carefully. “The pack seems to be facing some challengestely. Ethan appears very
stressed.”
Margaret waved her hand airily. “Every pack faces business fluctuations. The Grey family has weathered far
worse storms.”
Cassandra studied Margaret’s confident expression. The older woman clearly had no idea how severe their
financial crisis had be.
“Perhaps Ethan should spend more time with family,” Cassandra suggested. “Especially now that we’re
expecting.”
“Absolutely,” Margaret agreed enthusiastically. “I’ll speak with him immediately. A future father should
prioritize his mate and pup.”
Cassandra inwardly cringed at being called Ethan’s mate. Their rtionship was far moreplicated than Margaret understood.
“I don’t want to cause him any trouble,” Cassandra said carefully. “When he’s finished with this crisis, he
probably wille to see me.”
Margaret’s expression softened with approval. “Cassandra dear, you’re so understanding. No wonder I chose
you to bear the next Grey heir.”
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