Chapter 20: The Void Left Behind–2
There was a pause on the other end of the line. “Alpha Ethan, you mean the special healing
broth Miss Winters used to make?”
“Yes,” I growled, impatience sharpening my tone.
Martha’s voice grew hesitant. “I’m afraid I can’t make that, sir.”
“Why not?” I demanded.
“That broth needs the herbs soaked overnight, plus fresh venison prepared in a specific way. Also, I only know the ingredients, not the proportions or the preparation methods Miss Winters
used. I really can’t do it.”
Frustration surged through me. Of course Martha couldn’t make it. No one could make it like
Olivia did.
“At least make plain broth,” I ordered, my voice tight with irritation.
“Right away, Alpha Ethan,” Martha replied, relief evident in her tone.
After hanging up, I massaged my temples, trying to ease the pounding headache. The silence
of the manor seemed to mock me, emphasizing just how much I had taken Olivia’s presence
for granted.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. My heart leaped unexpectedly, hope surging
through me before I could suppress it.
“Come in,” I called quickly, unable to disguise the flicker of joy in my voice.
The door swung open, and my smile froze, then fell as Cassandra Evans stepped into the room. Disappointment crashed over me with surprising force.
“Why is it you?” The words escaped before I could stop them, cold and unwelcoming.
Cassandra’s smile faltered, her eyes registering the hurt my tone had caused. She clenched
her fists briefly at her sides, composing herself before approaching the bed.
“I heard from Martha you weren’t feeling well, so I came to see you,” she said, her voice
carefully light as she sat beside me. “Are you better, Ethan?”
I shook my head slightly. “I’m fine.”
Cassandra brightened her voice, clearly determined to ignore my cold reception. She pulled
out her phone and began scrolling through images.
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< Chapter 20 The Void Left Beh
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“Look, this is a guide for exploring Silver Lake Territory,” she said enthusiastically. “After Moonrise Peak we can go to the hot springs, and then there’s this amazing restaurant that serves the best venison in the territory.”
Her voice washed over me, becoming an irritating buzz in my ears. My headache intensified, and all I could think was that if it were Olivia sitting here, she would have quietly cared for me. She would have personally prepared my healing broth, spoon–fed me gently, her amber eyes watching me with concern.
The contrast between Cassandra’s excited chatter and Olivia’s gentle care gnawed at my nerves until I couldn’t bear it anymore.
“Enough,” I interrupted sharply. “We’ll talk tomorrow. I’m tired today.”
Cassandra’s enthusiasm deflated instantly. She withdrew her phone, hurt evident in her eyes.
“Are you annoyed with me?” she asked softly.
I sighed, feeling a faint trace of guilt beneath my irritation. “No, I just have a headache. The trip can wait till I’m rested.”
Cassandra nodded, her eyes downcast. She nestled closer, seeking my embrace, but I remained stiff and unresponsive. My mind was elsewhere, haunted by the emptiness Olivia’s absence had created–an emptiness I hadn’t expected to feel so acutely.
(Connor’s POV)
The private room at Riverdale’s exclusive club was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. Around the poker table, my closest friends were engaged in our weekly game, the air thick with cigar smoke and good–natured ribbing.
I glanced down at my cards, a smile playing at my lips. The weight of the new watch on my wrist felt good–a tangible reminder of Olivia’s thoughtfulness.
Gabriel Andrews, ever observant, noticed it immediately. “Hey, new watch? Looks good,” he commented, nodding toward my wrist.
I couldn’t help the broad smile that spread across my face. “Pretty nice, isn’t it? Liv gave it to me.”
Ethan Quinn whistled appreciatively, his eyes widening as he examined the Timber Wolf Chronograph. “Wow, Livvy’s gift, huh? Having a fiancée really makes a difference.”
I ran my thumb over the smooth face of the watch, remembering how Olivia’s eyes had lit up when I opened her gift. The memory warmed me from within.
Gabriel frowned slightly, his expression turning thoughtful. “Strange. How come you’re accepting the Winters pack alliance? I thought your parents had other plans. The Rivers family’s status is way above theirs.“.
The question didn’t offend me. Gabriel had always been direct, one of the qualities | appreciated in him.
“It’s not just a family alliance,” I replied, my voice softer than usual.
“Huh?” Ethan Quinn’s jaw dropped comically. “If not an alliance, then what?”
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I set my cards down, ice–blue eyes meeting their curious gazes. “Three years ago, I sought out Richard Winters myself. I waited until Liv graduated, then approached him. I told him he could name any conditions–as long as I could marry Liv, I’d agree.”
The memory of that day filled me with a quiet satisfaction. Richard Winters had been shocked
by my request, then suspicious, then calculating. But I had meant every word.
A rare light filled my usually cold gaze–years of silent longing finally close to fulfillment. The path to Olivia had been long and complicated, but I had never wavered in my determination.
Ethan Quinn’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. “So you secretly liked her all this time? Damn, I never knew! You hid it deep.”
Gabriel chuckled, shaking his head in amazement. “We all thought you had no interest in
women, even suspected you preferred male companions.”
Ethan elbowed him playfully, grinning with mischievous delight. “Seriously, since when did you
start having feelings for Livvy?”
I lowered my eyes to the cards spread before me, lips curving with secrecy. Some things were
too precious, too personal to share–even with close friends.
“That’s a secret,” I replied simply.
Ethan was never one to let things go easily. He leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips.
“She ran away to Harbor City to avoid the engagement, remember? Maybe she doesn’t even
care much about you. Gifts could just be polite gestures. Don’t get your hopes up.”
I remained unruffled by his words. Ethan had always enjoyed stirring up trouble, and I knew better than to rise to his bait.
Gabriel looked up thoughtfully, his expression turning serious. “Besides, I heard Livvy’s been with another man. Did you know that?”
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