I arrived atHawthorne Manoraround 11 AM.


    As I approached the main entrance, a sweet, overly cheerful voice drifted out through the partially open windows.


    “Yay! I won again!” The girl’s tone was yful, but there was a flirtatious edge to it, the kind meant to tease a lover. “Are you letting me win on purpose, Ethan?”


    I paused, my hand hovering over the door handle. I didn’t need to see her to know who it was.


    Chole Windsor.


    I realized the real purpose of Melina, she wanted to humiliated me..


    I took a slow breath, letting Yve’s quiet growl settle in my chest, then pushed open the door and stepped inside.


    Ethan was in the living room, his head turning sharply when he caught sight of me. For a moment, his eyes flickered with surprise, quickly masked by a sh of annoyance. “What are you doing here?”


    I walked in, slipping my sunsses off and tucking them into the pocket of my loose white T-shirt. I hadn’t bothered with makeup today, just jeans and afortable shirt. I met his eyes, “Your mom didn’t tel you? She called me.” I continued, “Didn’t know you were back from London so soon. Or are you a magician now, managing to be in two ces at once?”


    His jaw tightened, a flicker of guilt shing in his eyes. He didn’t respond.


    Before he could recover, Chole stood up from the plush velvet sofa. She brushed an invisible speck of dust off her thigh, showing off her perfectly manicured fingers.


    “Hi,” she extened her hand, stepping closer with a bright smile. “I’m Chole Windsor. It’s nice to meet you.”


    I looked at her outstretched hand for a second, then deliberately ignored her.


    Melina entered the room. She wore a tailored ck dress, her hair swept back in a wless chignon, a perfect image of power and control. Her eyes moved over me briefly before settling on Chole.


    “Chole, darling,” she said, taking Chole’s hand in both of hers,”I hope you’re having a good time today. Make your- self at home. This is your house too.”


    I felt a muscle in my jaw tighten, but I kept my face neutral.


    Melina’s eyes flicked to me, her expression cooling instantly.” Ah, Olivia. You’re here.”


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    She turned back to Chole, her tone still warm.” This is Ms. Hawthorne, the manager of the Hawthorne Group. She’s here on business.”


    It took every ounce of self-control not to roll my eyes. She made it sound like I was just another employee, someone here to deliver a report, not the Luna of the pack or her son’s wife. It was a subtle dismissal, a deliberate way to tell Chole that I was no threat.


    I ignored her, my eyes drifting back to Ethan. He didn’t even try to defend my position.


    “Didn’t you say we had business to discuss? Let’s get it over with.”


    Melina’s smile tightened slightly.” We can discuss it another day. You’re here now, so why not join us for a meal?”


    I exhaled slowly, already tired of this charade.”I’m not here for a meal, Melina. I have other things to do.” I turned to leave, my back already to them.


    Her voice sharpened, “I am still the pack luna, Olivia, and I have asked you politely to stay. What is this attitude of yours? No manners at all.”


    I paused, my hand stilling on the back of a leather chair. I turned slowly, meeting her icy stare with one of my own. “Fine. I’ll stay for a meal.” I met her gaze without blinking.”Just make sure you don’t regret it.”


    Chole, sensing the tension, quickly tried to lighten the atmosphere, “Oh, that’s perfect. I was just telling Ethan how much I enjoyed winning our little game of Silver Moon Toss earlier. I’d love to keep ying.”


    I nced at the balcony where a polishedSilver Moon Tosstarget stood, several delicate gold rings stacked neatly be- side it. I hadn’t even noticed it before. Clearly, it was something new- probably Chole’s idea.


    Silver Moon Tosswas a light socialpetition often yed atwerewolf gatherings. The rules were simple — yers took turns tossing three golden rings, trying to encircle the movingMoon Pirfive meters away. It required precision and rhythm, often used to showcase coordination between couples.


    Chole’s eyes lit up when she saw me looking at the ring toss setup.”Oh, Olivia, do you know how to ySilver Moon Toss?”


    I met her gaze, catching the hint of challenge behind her bright smile. “Only a little,” I replied, letting my eyes linger on her for a beat.”Wanna y?”


    Ethan’s jaw tightening as he shot me a warning look.


    “Of course. Shall I go first, or would you like the honor?” Chole adjusted one of the gold rings on the table, her confi- dence ring.


    “Go ahead. I’ll watch.” I stepped back, casually folding my arms.


    Chole’s smile widened, clearly pleased with herself. She stepped into position, her posture perfect, each movement precise. She took a steadying breath, then flicked her wrist. The golden ring sliced through the air, narrowly missing the Moon Pir,nding just a few centimeters off.


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    13:18


    She turned back to me,” Almost nailed it.”


    Behind her, Melina’s eyes followed the ring,” Chole. So graceful.”


    Chole gave a appreciative nod, clearly loving the praise.


    288 Vouchers


    I didn’t bother with any of the theatrics. I stepped forward, picked up a ring, and tossed it without much thought. The ring cut through the air cleanly, glinting in the sunlight before slipping perfectly around the Moon Pir with a clear, satisfying clink.


    Chole’s smile froze for a second, her fingers tightening around the ring she still held. She forced a thin, strained smile. “Lucky shot.”


    I let a careless smile spread across my lips, leaning back slightly.” Maybe.” I shrugged, “Last time I yed this was at the Alpha Foundation dinner with Ethan.”


    The remark hit its mark. Chole’s face tensed, her grip on the ring tightening as she prepared for the next throw.


    Melina stepped in quickly,” Dear, it’s just a game. The important thing is to have fun.”


    I shrugged, stepping back.” Of course. But some people get carried away too easily.”


    I didn’t miss the way Melina’s eyes flicked to Ethan, a silent usation in them.


    In the next few rounds, I almost hit every ring, each one sliding smoothly around theMoon Pirwith a clear, satisfy- ing clink. Meanwhile, Chole’s throws grew increasingly off-target, her rings ttering against the base or falling short entirely.


    I noticed the slight tremble in her fingers as she reached for another ring, her forced smile tightening with every miss, her eyes shing with barely concealed frustration.


    Melina’s expression grew more strained with each missed attempt, her jaw clenching tighter every time I hit my mark. She nced at Ethan, as if hoping for some intervention, but he remained silent.


    I stepped back, dusted my hands lightly, then walked to the nearby sofa. I set my final ring down on the polished side table, folding my hands neatly in myp, my eyes meeting theirs without flinching.


    “Want to keep ying?” I asked, my tone light, almost bored.


    Chole’s hand curled tightly around thest ring, her knuckles turning pale, lips pressed into a thin, strained line.


    Melina shot me a sharp, furious look, her eyes narrowing into thin, dangerous slits.


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    Olivia’s POV