Chapter 81: Silver Scars and Shattered Wills–2
“Mother, don’t,” I whispered. “It’s not her fault.”
But my mother wasn’t listening. “After everything you did for her, after all the love you showed her, she abandoned you for Connor Rivers. What kind of she–wolf does that?”
Cessandra made a small, pained sound from her corner, drawing my attention. Our eyes met briefly before she looked away, tears glistening in her green–gold eyes.
The sight of her tears confused me. Wasn’t this what she wanted? For Olivia to be out of the picture? “Hey,” Jason said, stepping forward with forced cheerfulness. “I have something that might cheer you up.” He pulled out his phone and tapped the screen a few times before holding it where I could see. “Remember this? From Olivia’s birthday three years ago?”
The video started playing, and my heart clenched painfully in my chest. There she was – Olivia, her amber eyes bright with happiness, her smile radiant as she looked directly at the camera. At me.
“Noah, thank you for celebrating my birthday with me. My wolf and I are really happy today,” her voice, so full of love and joy, came through the speaker.
My past self replied, “Cora, this is the first time I’ve celebrated my birthday with my true mate. It’s very
memorable.”
The camera panned to show us together, our wolves so perfectly in sync, our happiness so complete. I had my arm around her waist, and she was leaning into me, trusting and content.
Tears filled my eyes, blurring the image. “Play it again,” I whispered.
Jason obliged, and I watched it three more times, drinking in the sight of Olivia’s smile, the sound of her voice, the memory of our happiness.
How had we gone from that perfect moment to this? Me in a hospital bed with silver poisoning in my veins, and Olivia in another wolf’s arms?
My father made a disgusted sound. “I can’t watch this pathetic display anymore.” He strode toward the door, his Alpha presence filling the room with his disapproval. “When you decide to be worthy of the Grey pack again, let me know.”
He left without looking back, the door closing firmly behind him.
Cassandra hesitated for a moment, then followed him out, her shoulders shaking with what I assumed were suppressed sobs.
My mother watched them go, her expression hardening. “Forget about that she–wolf, son. Your mother will find you a better mate, an Alpha female worthy of the Grey pack.”
“That’s right,” Lucas chimed in, trying to sound optimistic. “Ethan, as the saying goes, there are plenty of wolves in the forest. Why howl for one lost mate? I can find any kind of she–wolf you like.”
I closed my eyes, too exhausted to argue. They didn’t understand. Couldn’t understand. Olivia wasn’t just anv she wolf. She was mine. Or at least, she had been.
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Chapter 81: Silver Sears a
I think he needs rest, Jason said quietly. “We should go.”
Lucas nodded, patting my shoulder awkwardly. “Get better soon, man. The pack needs you
They filed out one by one, leaving only my mother behind. She settled into the chair beside my bed, her expression making it clear she had no intention of leaving.
I’m staying right here,” she said firmly, taking my uninjured hand in hers. “I’m not leaving you alone again.
The unspoken fear hung between us – that if left alone, I might try again to end my life.
I turned my face toward the window, watching as the afternoon sun began its descent toward the horizon. Somewhere out there, Olivia was living her life, perhaps with Connor Rivers at her side.
And here I remained, with nothing but silver scars and a shattered will.
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