Chapter 66: An Awkward Revelation–2
I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help smiling at my friends. As embarrassing as their teasing was, it came from a place of love.
“You two are impossible,” I said, heading for the door.
“That’s why you love us!” Lily called after me.
Left alone in Rebecca’s luxurious living room, my friends continued their gossipy speculation without me. Through the partially open door, I could hear Lily’s voice turn more serious.
“Speaking of relationship disasters,” she was saying, “did I ever tell you about that guy I dated in college? The one who turned out to be engaged?”
I paused, my hand on the doorknob. I’d never heard this story before.
“No way,” Rebecca gasped. “What happened?”
“Classic story,” Lily sighed. “Met him in a class, he pursued me relentlessly. Claimed he was single, of course. We dated for three months before his fiancée showed up at my apartment.”
“Oh god, Rebecca murmured sympathetically.
“Yeah, it was awful. She had no idea about me either. We were both victims.” Lily’s voice grew quieter. “The
worst part was everyone on campus knew before I did. The humiliation was… intense.”
I felt a pang of sympathy for my friend. I’d known Lily since we were pups, but she’d never shared this
particular heartbreak with me.
“What did you do?” Rebecca asked.
“Well, after I finished crying for about a week, my half–brother Ethan Quinn got involved. You know how
protective he is, despite being such a gossip himself.”
I smiled slightly, remembering Ethan Quinn’s reputation for being both the biggest source of pack gossip and fiercely protective of those he cared about.
“He confronted the guy in the middle of the campus cafeteria,” Lily continued, a hint of pride in her voice.
“Told him if he ever came near me again, he’d regret it. I’ve never seen Ethan so angry.”
Not wanting to eavesdrop any longer, I quietly slipped out the front door. As I drove toward Moonlaw Legal
Services, I couldn’t help but reflect on how lucky I was to have friends who cared so deeply, even if they
showed it through relentless teasing.
Twenty minutes later, I pulled into the parking lot of Moonlaw Legal Services. The modern glass building
gleamed in the afternoon sunlight, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil I was about to walk into.
Inside, I found Jade Mitchell in the reception area, her arm around a young woman who couldn’t have been
more than twenty. The girl’s shoulders were hunched protectively, her body language screaming vulnerability
and fear.
Jade looked up with relief when she saw me. “Ms. Winters, thank you for coming so quickly.”
I approached them slowly, my amber eyes filled with concern. All thoughts of my earlier embarrassment
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* Chapter 56 An Awkward
vanished as my professional instincts took over.
“Hello, I said gently to the young woman. “I’m Olivia Winters. Would you like to talk somewhere more private?”
The girl looked up, her tear–stained face revealing a fresh bruise blooming across her cheekbone. My wolf
bristled protectively at the sight, though I kept my expression calm and compassionate.
“Yes, please,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jade gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. “I’ll bring you both some tea, okay?”
I nodded gratefully to Jade, then guided the young woman toward my office. As we walked, I noticed how she flinched at sudden movements and kept her gaze downcast–classic signs of ongoing abuse.
My heart ached for her, but I also felt a surge of determination. This was why I became a lawyer–to help
those who couldn’t help themselves. To be a voice for the voiceless.
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