Jimson stammered, “I was–checking for injuries. You were


    bleeding, and I thought-”


    “You weren’t trying to help,” I cut in. “You were excited”


    The words hung in the air like poison. Jimson’s lips mped


    shut. He looked around, as if begging someone–anyone–to


    Neil Green’s voice came through Gai’s phone, crisp and


    The crowd instinctively straightened. Even Alexander’s jaw


    tensed slightly as he turned toward the sound.


    “Alexander,” Neil said, “you know what to do. Handle it


    properly. Call the authorities if you must. But show no mercy to


    anyone who betrays our pack like this.”


    Jimson copsed to the floor like a broken puppet.


    “Also,” Neil continued, his voice softer, “Miss Olivia. You’ve


    shown incredible bravery and wit in an impossible situation. Consider this your formal wee to the Green Group.”


    My mouth parted slightly. He knew. He had figured it out–I


    didn’t have a recorder. It was all a bluff. But he yed along, not


    exposing me, not questioning me. Just like that, he pulled me


    into the circle. Into safety.


    “Thank you, Alpha,” I whispered toward the phone.


    After hanging up the phone, the tension that had been holding


    my body together gave way. I couldn’t stay upright any longer. My knees buckled, and before I hit the floor, I fell into someone’s


    arms–warm, strong, safe. Sandalwood. Familiar.


    Alexander.


    I wanted to disappear into that scent, into the warmth of his


    chest. For once, I wanted to copse, take off the armor, stop


    fighting. Just cry. Just be small.


    But then I heard it–another voice. Distant at first, but it cut


    through everything.


    “Olivia?”


    Ethan? Was this Ethan’s voice?


    No. It was impossible. Not here.


    I tried to convince myself it was a hallucination.


    And then, I cked out.


    ?? ?????


    When I opened my eyes again, morning light poured through tall windows and painted warm golden squares across the white hospital bedsheets. I was tucked into soft nkets, my


    injured thigh gently wrapped and propped up. For a moment, I


    stared at the ceiling, hoping that everything had just been a bad


    dream.


    But then I turned my head.


    And I saw him.


    Ethan.


    He was sitting in the chair next to the bed, his elbows on his


    knees, eyes fixed on me as if he’d been watching me sleep all


    night. The moment our gazes met, he stood and stepped


    forward.


    “Olivia-”


    I jerked back instinctively.


    He reached for my forehead. “Let me check your fever-”


    “Don’t touch me,” I snapped.


    He froze, hand hovering mid–air.


    “What are you doing here?” I demanded, my voice cold and


    clear. “We’re divorced. You have no right to be here.”


    “I came as soon as I heard.” he said softly, dropping to his knees


    beside the bed. “I know I was wrong, Olivia. I messed up. f


    should never have-”


    “Stop” I didn’t want to hear another word. “You’re thest


    person I want to see right now.


    “But I came here because I want to make things right.”


    I rolled my eyes and looked away. “There’s no ‘making things


    right: Ethan. We’re done. You were done the moment you


    chose her over me. The moment you broke every promise you


    made.”


    “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” he said, desperation creeping into his


    voice. “You’re my Luna. You’ve always been.”


    “Stop saying that,” I hissed. “You lost that right. You-”


    “I tore up the divorce papers.”


    I paused.


    “What?”


    Ethan stood slowly, staring at me like a man ready to gamble


    everything. “You heard me. I tore them up. I won’t sign them.


    You can’t leave me. Ever.”


    Olivia’s POV


    “I’ve already said what I needed to, I told Ethan tly. “If we


    can’te to an agreement, then I’ll see you in werewolf court”


    My wolf, Yve nodded approvingly. “Yes. He doesn’t deserve any


    second chances.”


    Ethan looked stunned. His lips parted, but no sound came out


    for a second. Then, without warning, he lunged forward and


    tried to pull me into his arms.


    “Olivia, please,” he muttered, his voice cracking as his arms


    came around my shoulders. “Just–just let me exin, let me fix


    this. I’ll do anything.”


    I pushed against his chest, hard. “Don’t touch me.”


    He stumbled back, hands open at his sides, eyes wide with a


    kind of pleading I’d seen before.


    “You can’t just break something and expect to glue it back


    together because you feel badter,” I said. “I’m not some toy


    you get to keep on a shelf until you miss me.”


    “But I’m your mate,” he said, stepping forward again. “You’re my


    Luna-”


    “No,” I cut in. “I was your Luna. You threw that away the second


    you let someone else into your bed.””