Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna novel Chapter 304

I heard Victoria's satisfied exhale. "Good. The money will be in your account by morning."

"What if they suspect something?" I asked, anxiety creeping into my voice.

"They won't. You made it look like an accident, didn't you?"

I nodded, though she couldn't see me. "Yes. I stayed downwind so they couldn't catch my scent."

"Perfect. Now act normal. Pretend you're devastated."

The call ended, and I leaned against the wall, letting the reality of what I'd done sink in. The initial guilt I'd felt had faded, overshadowed by thoughts of what I could do with such a large sum.

"It's not my fault," I muttered to myself. "That Olivia Winters is so stingy with her tips anyway. And the old woman was already sick."

I straightened my uniform and applied scent-neutralizing lotion to mask any lingering anxiety. Taking a deep breath, I composed my features into an expression of appropriate grief.

Time to return to the ward and play my part.

(Olivia's POV)

I awakened to the steady beep of monitors. For a moment, I was disoriented, then the doctor's words came rushing back.

"Mom," I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I looked at her unconscious form.

She lay still, connected to life support, her wolf barely perceptible beneath her pale skin. The sight broke something inside me.

A warm hand touched my shoulder. I turned to see Ethan watching me, his amber eyes filled with concern.

"Don't," I said, pushing his hand away. My wolf was still wary of his touch, despite his recent acts of kindness.

The door opened, and Sarah entered, her face a mask of concern. "Oh, Ms. Winters, you're awake! How are you feeling?"

I stared at her, my emerald eyes narrowing with suspicion. "What happened to my mother? She was stable when I left."

Sarah's expression shifted to one of hurt. "I don't know! I was just doing my job, checking her vitals like I always do."

"You were the only one with her," I pressed, my voice hardening.

"Are you accusing me of something?" Sarah's voice rose indignantly. "First the lamp, now this? Maybe I should just quit if you don't trust me!"

Something in her performance felt off. I remembered the Concealed Pinhole Surveillance Camera James had insisted on installing after the first "accident" with the Fallen Bedside Lamp.

"Of course someone did," I snapped. "She has no personal motive."

"Victoria was at Rosewood Haven," Ethan said defensively. "She couldn't have been involved."

Sarah's eyes darted between us, sensing Ethan's protectiveness toward Victoria. For a moment, I thought she would remain silent.

I tightened my grip on her wrist, ignoring Ethan. "Tell me who paid you, or I swear by the Moon Goddess, I will make you regret it."

My wolf's growl rumbled in my throat, making Sarah tremble with primal fear. Humans might not have wolves, but they instinctively recognized the threat.

Ethan stepped forward, his expression conflicted. He could see my determination, and something in his eyes told me he feared for my already fragile state.

With deliberate slowness, he placed his foot on Sarah's instep, applying just enough pressure to make her cry out.

"Tell her," he commanded, his Alpha voice impossible to resist.

Sarah broke, tears streaming down her face as she gasped: "It was Ms. Frost!"

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