Chapter 97 Severing Ties
Chapter 97: Severing Ties for Protection
Chapter 97: Severing Ties for Protection
The television in the living room of the Rivers Pack Mansion broadcasted breaking news with urgent tones. “This afternoon, a serious vehicle collision occurred in the Moonwood County area, within our territory. We are now connecting live with our reporter on the scene for the latest updates.”
The footage showed a mangled black Porsche 918 twisted beyond recognition. A rescue team worked frantically to recover a vehicle that had plummeted off the cliff into the ravine below.
Inside the Rivers Pack Mansion, Elder Rivers sat in his high–backed leather chair, his ancient wölf eyes fixed on the news report. Gerald Rivers was Connor’s grandfather and the most senior and respected elder of the Rivers pack.
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His weathered face remained impassive as he watched the wreckage of the Porsche displayed on screen. The ongoing efforts to retrieve the Aston Martin from the ravine played out in real time.
The Silver Patriarch’s jaw tightened as he processed the implications of what he was seeing.
(Connor’s POV)
I arrived home, my wolf form still subtly present in my heightened senses. The faint scent of pine and ozone clung to my clothes from the earlier confrontation.
I casually tossed my car keys onto the polished mahogany table. The metallic clink echoed in the silent
room.
Elder Rivers immediately turned his piercing, wolf–like gaze upon me. His voice was a low growl as he questioned me about the car accident.
“Was this Frederick Warner’s doing?” he asked, his tone sharp with suspicion.
I confirmed his suspicion with a grim nod. “Yes, Grandfather. The attack was indeed Frederick’s orchestration.”
The memory of Olivia’s terrified face flashed through my mind. My jaw tightened involuntarily.
“And Richard Winters‘ fall?” Elder Rivers inquired, his voice carrying the weight of pack authority.
“That was Frederick as well,” I confirmed. The admission tasted bitter on my tongue.
A pack servant, a young beta with respectful, downcast eyes, brought in a tray. The decanter held rich, dark red wine that caught the lamplight.
I took a slow, deliberate sip, the liquid doing nothing to ease the tension in my chest. My wolf paced restlessly within me.
Elder Rivers stated firmly, his voice carrying the weight of an Alpha’s command. “You must sever your mating arrangement with Olivia Winters.
The words hit me like a physical blow. My hand tightened around the wine glass.
“Frederick cannot directly harm you without risking open war,” he continued with cold certainty. “So he targets Olivia instead.”
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Chapter 97 Severing Ties
The Silver Patriarch’s ancient eyes held no warmth as he spoke. Since you and Olivia only have a verbal pack alliance agreement, severing ties would be simpler.”
The Winters Pack could be compensated with territory or resources,” he added pragmatically.
A visceral pain, sharp as a silver blade, lanced through me at his words. My wolf howled in protest within my chest.
“How can I possibly sever my bond with Olivia?” I questioned, my voice rough with emotion.
Elder Rivers observed me, his ancient wolf eyes recognizing something he hadn’t fully anticipated. The depth of my feelings was written across my face.
“I acknowledge your emotional turmoil,” he said, his tone slightly softer. “But the separation is necessary to protect Olivia from Frederick Warner’s known ruthlessness.”
He leaned forward, his voice gaining intensity. “Remember Richard Winters‘ recent ‘accident‘ and the potential danger to the entire Winters Pack.”
“Olivia’s life could be forfeit if she remains tied to you,” he stated bluntly. “And by extension, tied to the Rivers
Pack.”
The Silver Patriarch’s next words cut deep. “Richard Winters was fortunate this time, he was rescued. But if his wolf hadn’t pulled through, do you think Olivia Winters would ever forgive you or the Rivers Pack?”
My chest constricted at the thought. The image of Olivia’s amber eyes filled with hatred made my wolf
whimper.
“Today’s car ambush was Frederick Warner’s challenge to you, Con,” he continued relentlessly. “If you truly care for her, you must protect her.”
“You cannot let her be killed because of your bond,” he finished with finality.
Elder Rivers argued that Frederick Warner would believe the severing because of my status. “As a powerful Alpha heir, you wouldn’t be perceived as overly sentimental or devoted.”
I asked for time to consider, the weight of the décision pressing down on me. My own wolf howled in protest
within my chest.
“The Winters Pack cannot afford to wait,” Elder Rivers stressed urgently. His voice carried the low growl of
authority.
–
The Silver Patriarch leaned back in his chair. “Once Frederick is dealt with neutralized or eliminated – you could attempt to rekindle the alliance with Olivia.”
My heart clenched at his words. The uncertainty was almost unbearable.
“What if Cora no longer wants Adam by then?” I voiced, my own wolf’s name escaping in my distress.
Elder Rivers advised me to be decisive and make the severing convincing. “Frederick Warner must be thoroughly deceived by your performance.”
He offered an alternative that made my pulse quicken. “You could explain the dire situation to Olivia Winters and ask her to pretend to sever ties.”
“Provided her wolf, Cora, could maintain the act convincingly,” he added with skepticism.
But I knew Olivia’s inherent honesty too well. The transparency of her amber eyes would betray any
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deception.
Her wolf Cora would not be able to successfully perform such an elaborate charade. The thought of asking her to lie went against everything I knew about her character.
Elder Rivers concluded by stating his plan with cold efficiency. “I will return to Riverdale to formally break off the engagement with the Winters Pack.”
His ancient eyes fixed on mine with unwavering intensity. “I demand an answer from you by tomorrow.”
“We will both visit Richard Winters in Harbor City Memorial Hospital,” he continued. “To apologize for the danger the Rivers Pack has brought upon them.”
The finality in his voice left no room for argument. My wolf thrashed against the constraints of my human
form.
I closed my eyes, my chest heaving with the effort to contain my emotions. My wolf paced restlessly within, as if desperately enduring an unbearable pressure.
The weight of choosing between Olivia’s safety and our bond threatened to crush me entirely.
Knowing I needed time alone to wrestle with my wolf and my heart, Elder Rivers left me. His footsteps echoed down the hallway until silence consumed the room.
The grand hall of the Rivers Pack Mansion was deserted and eerily quiet. The heavy oak doors and arched windows were tightly closed, sealing out even a whisper of the night breeze.
The air within grew stuffy, thick with unspoken grief and the scent of old power, making it difficult to breathe.
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