Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna novel Chapter 338

(Victoria's POV)

My heart nearly stopped when I saw Alpha King Ethan Stone standing beside James Knight at the entrance to Rosewood Haven. My mind spun in panic, desperately trying to assess the situation.

When did Ethan arrive? How much had he heard?

I couldn't afford to speak rashly. Years of manipulation had taught me how to adapt quickly. I composed my features, transforming my expression from shock to pitiful vulnerability in an instant.

I raised my face toward Ethan, making sure he could clearly see the redness and swelling from Olivia's slaps. Tears welled in my eyes on command, a skill I'd perfected over the years.

"Ethan..." I called out, my voice breaking perfectly.

The tears fell right on cue, streaming down my cheeks as I made myself look as fragile and heartbroken as possible. This was the act that never failed—my helpless sobbing always triggered his protective instincts and fed his sense of guilt.

My wolf whimpered pathetically beneath my skin, projecting vulnerable pheromones that would reach his Alpha senses.

As expected, Ethan stepped forward, walking straight toward me. My heart soared with triumph.

Just one tear, and he would always feel sorry for me. That had been our pattern for years.

I reached out my hand, anticipating his warm touch and comforting words. But they never came.

Instead of taking my hand, Ethan stopped just short of me, his amber eyes cold and distant. There was no comfort, no soft words—only disappointment radiating from him in palpable waves.

My wolf sensed the change immediately, whining in confusion at his unexpected response.

I lunged forward desperately, trying to grab his hand, but the sudden movement caused me to slip from my Raven-Trimmed Wheelchair. I landed at his feet in an undignified heap, looking up at him expectantly.

He didn't help me up.

The trust he had given me for years had turned to bitter disappointment. I could almost hear his inner wolf questioning: "Why did my Little Orange become like this?"

He had never blamed me for our youthful betrayal—I was too young back then, he always said. But now, having overheard everything, his heart was breaking with disillusionment.

James Knight entered the garden behind Ethan, still dressed in his hospital-issued Moonstone-Infused Recovery Garments with a jacket thrown hastily over them. Instead of approaching me, he walked directly to Olivia's side.

They stood shoulder-to-shoulder, a united front, watching me coldly.

James understood Olivia after years of friendship. He knew she was already thoroughly disappointed in Ethan. He had purposely brought Ethan here so he could finally hear with his own ears what kind of she-wolf he had trusted and spoiled for so many years.

"You've been exposed, Victoria," James said, his hazel eyes hard as stone. "No more manipulations. No more lies."

His russet-brown wolf bristled beneath his skin, still protective of Olivia despite his own injuries.

I met Ethan's disappointed amber gaze and realized he had indeed overheard everything. My carefully constructed world was crumbling around me.

I dropped the act, my tears becoming genuine as I broke down completely, covering my face with my hands.

"Ethan, don't look at me like that," I sobbed. "You're tearing my heart apart. You know I'm not that kind of she-wolf."

I gestured wildly, my desperation growing. "I only said those things because I was forced—Olivia just came at me and hit me. My legs are disabled, I couldn't fight back."

I pointed to my reddened cheek. "Look at my face, Olivia hit me so hard. I was in so much pain, I lost control and said those things, but that's not how I truly feel."