Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna novel Chapter 364

(Ethan's POV)

Emma knelt on her bed, her young face twisted into an expression I'd never seen before. Gone was the sweet, obedient pup who gazed at me with adoration. In her place was something unrecognizable – her features contorted with malice that no seven-year-old should possess.

In one hand, she clutched a small figure. In the other, a silver needle glinted in the moonlight streaming through her window. With vicious precision, she stabbed the doll repeatedly while spitting venomous words.

"Stupid Lily," she hissed, driving the needle into the doll's chest. "Even dead, you still take my Daddy away. I hope your spirit suffers forever!"

My wolf roared beneath my skin, nearly breaking free with rage. This was my daughter she was cursing – my true daughter whose death I couldn't prevent, whose love I'd squandered. The daughter I'd failed so completely that my only hope was that she might be reborn, that Olivia might forgive me enough to give us another chance.

And here was Emma, cursing Lily's very soul.

I kicked the door fully open, unable to contain my fury. "Emma Frost, what are you doing?!"

Emma froze mid-stab, her head whipping toward me. For a split second, her face remained twisted with hatred before recognition dawned. Panic flashed across her features as she realized I'd caught her.

"Daddy?" she gasped, quickly trying to hide the doll under her moonlight thermal blanket.

In her haste, she accidentally drove the silver needle into her palm. She winced, tears immediately springing to her eyes. I watched as calculation replaced pain in her expression.

"Daddy, you're finally here!" she cried, crawling toward me with outstretched arms. "Emma waited for you all day! I thought you forgot my birthday!"

Her tears flowed freely now as she reached for me, expecting the comfort I'd always provided. But I remained rooted in place, my amber eyes fixed on her bleeding palm before returning to her face.

"I asked you, what were you doing?" I repeated, my voice dangerously low.

Emma's eyes darted nervously. "Daddy, I wasn't doing anything! I was just bored and playing with a doll while waiting for you!"

She spotted the Moonstone Bracelet gift box in my hand and lunged for it, clearly hoping to distract me. "Is that for Emma? Thank you, Daddy!"

I tossed the gift aside, stepping closer to the bed. My Alpha presence filled the room as I demanded, "Take it out."

More tears streamed down Emma's face as she clutched at my Black Alpha Overcoat. "Daddy, you're scaring me! Don't look at me like that, I'm scared."

I recognized the act – the same innocent, frightened pup routine that had always worked on me before. But the image of her cursing my daughter was burned into my mind.

Losing patience, I pushed her aside and reached for the blanket myself.

"Daddy, don't look!" Emma cried, desperately trying to stop me.

Her small hands were no match for my determination. I yanked back the blanket, revealing what she'd tried to hide.

Emma knelt on the bed, trembling, her eyes wide with terror as she watched my reaction.

The doll was crudely made but unmistakable in its intent. Lily's name was scrawled across it in childish handwriting. Photos of my daughter – photos I'd never seen before, likely stolen from surveillance footage – were pasted to its face and body. The doll was riddled with countless pinholes, evidence that tonight wasn't the first time Emma had performed this ritual.

My heart clenched with anguish and rage. Even in death, Lily had suffered torment from this child I'd favored over her.

"What kind of monster have I been coddling these past few years?!" My wolf snarled beneath my skin, furious at this betrayal.

The question made her weep harder, but no words came. For once, she had no manipulation ready, no act to perform.

Suddenly, the sound of wheels on hardwood broke the tense silence. Victoria appeared in the doorway, her face a mask of concern as she propelled her Raven-Trimmed Wheelchair into the room.

Without hesitation, she threw herself at my legs, clinging to me desperately. Her wolf projected frantic pheromones, but they only disgusted me further.

I kicked her away instinctively, as if she were something repulsive. My wolf growled in disgust at her touch.

Victoria winced at the rejection but quickly recovered, her focus unwavering. "King, you've misunderstood Emma!"

"It's all my fault!" she continued, her voice quivering with what seemed like genuine emotion. "I was jealous of Olivia being your true mate and occupying your heart for so long, so I foolishly directed my anger at Lily."

She crawled closer, her eyes pleading. "I made the doll, and Emma just imitated me. She doesn't understand anything, I led her astray."

Victoria reached for Emma, pulling her close protectively. "You know she's inherently good. I, as her mother, failed to teach her properly. It's my fault, don't blame Emma."

Victoria's eyes glistened with tears. "King, Emma is only seven years old, she's a blank slate. Give her another chance, you can guide her."

She pushed Emma toward me, her intentions transparent. Even if she couldn't have me, she wanted Emma to remain connected to the Stone Pack – to me.

"Please, King," Victoria begged, her wolf purring with satisfaction as she saw my hesitation. "For Emma's sake."