chapter 117
Tori's POV:
Olivia's silver eyes misted as she gazed at the photograph.
"That was Susan, William's wife," her voice caught, "After we lost Luna in that terrible accident, Susan couldn't bear the grief. She moved to the edge of the territory, isolating herself in a small cottage. She rarely sees anyone now, sometimes not even William."
Seeing the pain etched across Olivia's face, I quickly changed the subject, gesturing toward a beautiful crystal vase on the side table.
"This piece is extraordinary—is it a family heirloom?"
My diversion worked.
Olivia smiled gratefully and launched into a story about the vase being a wedding gift from the Shepherd Pack. She was just laughing at a memory of William nearly breaking it during a childhood game when the doorbell chimed.
"That must be Betty," she said, rising from her seat. "My daughter. She drops by occasionally to check on me.
I quickly pieced together the family connections in my mind.
She must be William's sister. That would make her Matthew and Megan Howard's mother.
I followed her to the foyer where a slender woman with honey-blonde hair and warm amber eyes waited.
She appeared to be in her mid-forties, dressed in casual elegance that spoke of understated wealth.
"Well, I heard Mother laughing the moment I walked in. I thought something wonderful must have happened," she said.
Though she wore a smile, her eyes held a sense of superiority and detachment when they landed on me.
Olivia's smile hadn't yet faded when she saw Betty.
She introduced me enthusiastically, "This is Tori Sullivan, the little girl I met at the Lunar Research Institute."
"Tori, this is my daughter, Betty Howard. You can call her Betty," Olivia continued warmly.
I rose from my seat and greeted her politely. "Hello, Mrs. Howard."
Betty gave me a cold glance without acknowledging my greeting.
She addressed Olivia directly, "Mother, you shouldn't bring strangers home so casually. Have you forgotten what happened over twenty years ago? Your kindness in rescuing that person led to William's family being torn apart."
Betty's words caused Olivia's expression to change abruptly. "Why bring that up out of nowhere?" she said, her voice tight.
After a pause, she added firmly, "Tori is nothing like that person."
Betty looked at me and gave a cold smile. "You can never truly know someone by appearances alone. Wasn't Frost also gentle and sweet-natured back then?"
At the mention of past events, the enthusiasm on Olivia's face dimmed noticeably.
Just then, a servant announced dinner was ready.
Olivia suppressed her displeasure and took my hand. "Come, let's go eat."
As we walked toward the dining room, I could feel Betty's hostile gaze boring into my back.
I glanced over my shoulder, catching the flash of suspicion and resentment in her eyes before she quickly masked it with a polite smile.
I wondered if I had somehow offended her without realizing it, or if her animosity stemmed from something deeper—perhaps protectiveness toward Olivia or lingering pain from whatever had happened with this mysterious "Frost" person.
After dinner, I politely mentioned that I should be heading back.
Though Olivia was clearly reluctant to see me leave, she didn't insist I stay since it was getting late. Instead, she arranged for her driver to take me home.
"Please visit again, Tori," she said, clasping my hands in hers. "It's been a pleasure having you."
When we reached Moon Light Plaza, I asked the driver to stop.
"I can manage from here, thank you," I told him, climbing out of the luxury sedan.
Once the car pulled away, I called Jack.
Within minutes, his black SUV appeared in front of me.
On the drive back to Lucas's residence, I gazed out at Moonhaven's glittering nightscape, my thoughts returning to Olivia Sullivan.
The way she looked at me, mistaking me for her granddaughter, then dissolving into tears—it stirred something deep within me.
That kind of profound, enduring familial love was something I feared I would never experience myself.
Hannah had said my mother had caused the death of my father's child with his wife. If that was true, then my father must hate me... and my paternal grandmother likely would too.
The thought left a hollow feeling in my chest.
Back at the residence, I took a shower and settled into bed. Tossing and turning, unable to sleep
Two hours later, my heart leapt in my chest as I recognized the distinctive sound of Lucas's car.
A wave of excitement washed over me, surprising in its intensity.
Without thinking, I slipped out of bed, suddenly eager to see him after the strange and emotionally draining day.
Without thinking, I slipped out of bed and padded to the door of the master suite, waiting in the dimly lit hallway.
When Lucas appeared at the top of the stairs, fatigue evident in the set of his broad shoulders, he paused at the sight of me.
"You're still awake," he observed, his voice low and intimate in the quiet house.
I nodded, suddenly feeling foolish for standing outside his door like this.
"I heard your car," I explained lamely.
His lips curved into a smile that transformed his entire face, softening the hard angles and lighting his eyes with warmth. "Were you waiting for me, little wolf?"
The gentleness in his voice made my heart skip.
"Yes," I admitted, surprising myself with my honesty.
In one fluid motion, Lucas stepped forward and drew me into his arms. I felt his chest rise with a deep breath as he held me close.
"I missed you too," he murmured against my hair, the vibration of his voice sending a pleasant shiver down my spine.
I allowed myself to relax against him, realizing how much I'd needed this connection after such a confusing day.
Without warning, he carried me back to my room and gently laid me on the bed, pulling the covers over me.
"Get to sleep," he said softly, his eyes unreadable in the darkness. Then he turned off the light and went to the bathroom, closing the door quietly behind him.
I lay in bed, listening to the sound of running water from the shower.
The rhythmic patter had an almost hypnotic effect, and I felt myself drifting toward sleep. Just as my eyelids grew heavy, the water stopped, jolting me back to awareness.
Minutes later, I noticed a silhouette on the balcony.
Lucas stood with his back to me, moonlight outlining his powerful frame as he brought a cigarette to his lips.
Months ago, I might have found the image irresistibly attractive. But now, I felt a strange twist of concern. The thought of his lungs filling with smoke bothered me in a way I couldn't fully explain.
Before I could talk myself out of it, I slipped from the bed and padded across the cool floor to the balcony.
Without a word, I reached up and gently took the cigarette from between his lips.
"That's not good for you," I said softly, extinguishing it against the railing.
A smile played at the corners of his mouth as he gazed down at me, amusement dancing in his eyes.
"And what do you suggest I do instead?"
My heart hammered in my chest as he leaned closer, his intention clear.
When his lips met mine, the kiss was gentle at first, then deepening as his arms wrapped around me. I melted against him, all thoughts of sleep forgotten as heat rushed through me.
Lucas's eyes had darkened, and his hands settled at my waist, drawing me closer again. The intensity between us built like an approaching storm.
Just as his lips brushed mine again, my phone rang shrilly from the bedside table.
I nearly jumped out of my skin at the sudden intrusion.
"Ignore it," Lucas murmured against my jaw.
But the caller ID showed my grandmother's number, and at this hour, it couldn't be good news.
"I have to take this," I whispered apologetically, stepping back from his embrace. "Grandma? What's wrong?"
Her panicked voice came through clearly: "Tori, Anna is missing. We can't find her anywhere."