NovelsFreeThe Alpha King is unavailable 145
The video continued playing on my screen, showing Lily's tear-streaked face as she leaned against Olivia. Her
small body trembled with each sob, her voice breaking as she insisted on
her innocence.
"| didn't push Sister Emma, Mommy," she cried, her emerald eyes-so like her mother's-wide with distress. "She
pushedfirst, and then she fell in by herself."
The raw emotion in her voice made my chest tighten. Children could lie, | knew that, but the genuine anguish in
Lily's expression was difficult to dismiss. She looked feverish, her cheeks flushed and her forehead damp with
sweat as Olivia gently wiped it with a cool cloth.
"| believe you, sweetheart," Olivia murmured, stroking our daughter's hair. "I know you
hurt anyone."
wouldn't
Lily's next words pierced throughlike a silver blade. "Then why doesn't Daddy believe me? Why does he love
Sister Emma more than me?"
| paused the video, unable to watch more. The question echoed in my mind, an accusation | couldn't defend
against. Had | truly been so blind? So quick to assthe worst of my own
daughter?
The thought of Emma deliberately pushing Lily seemed impossible. Emma, who had been so excited to meet her
"sister," who had talked about Lily for days before their first meeting.
Emma, who looked atwith such adoration in her eyes.
Yet the surveillance footage showed no clear culprit. One moment, both girls stood by the pool; the next, Emma
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtwas in the water, screaming. | had immediately blamed Lily without investigation, without even asking for her
side of the story.
My phone rang, interrupting my troubled thoughts. Victoria's nflashed on the
screen.
"Ethan?" Her voice cthrough, soft and slightly breathless. "Are you coming to pick Emma
up from the training den? You promised her yesterday."
Guilt washed overas | realized I'd completely forgotten. “I'll be there in twenty minutes."
"Is everything alright? How's your grandmother?"
1/5
< Chapter 88 Divided Loyalties
"She's stable," | replied, shutting down my computer. "I'll tell you more when | see you."
+15 Points>
| ended the call, my mind still churning with conflicting emotions. The truth about Emma had
been another source of guilt-keeping her existence a secret from my pack for so long, allowing rumors to spread
about my relationship with Victoria.
The drive to Crescent Moon Training Den gavetto collect my thoughts. Victoria stood waiting at the
entrance, elegant as always in a simple cream dress that accentuated her slender figure. Her face brightened
when she sawapproach.
"You're late," she said, though her tone held no reproach.
"Five minutes," | countered, checking my watch. "Pack business."
Victoria's expression softened with concern. "How is Matriarch Evelyn? | heard about her
collapse."
"Dr. Bennett says she'll recover with rest," | replied, my amber eyes lingering on Victoria's tired
face. "You look exhausted."
She smiled faintly. "Emma had nightmares again last night. She keeps dreaming about that
incident with the rogue wolf."
Before | could respond, a high-pitched voice called out, "Alpha!"
Emma burst through the training den doors, her face lighting up at the sight of me. She wore her training
uniform, her blonde hair pulled back in a neat ponytail. Turning to her classmates who had followed her outside,
she announced proudly, "See? That's my Alpha."
The other pups stared atwith wide, impressed eyes. | was well aware of the effect my presence had-the
Alpha King of Silvercrest Pack didn't typically make personal appearances
at training dens.
Emma ran to me, arms outstretched. | lifted her easily, settling her against my hip as she
wrapped her small arms around my neck.
"Did you seepracticing my forms, Alpha? Teacher said | was the best in class today!"
"I'm sorry | missed it," | replied, carrying her toward my car. "Maybe next time."
Victoria followed, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watched our interaction. The envious glances from other
parents didn't escape my notice-nor did the whispers that followed us to
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm
the parking lot.
Once in the car, with Emma securely buckled in the back seat, | found myself thinking again about the incident
at the Moonlit Reflection Pool. The question slipped out before | could
2/5
< Chapter 88 Divided Loyalties
reconsider.
"Emma, do you remember when you first met Lily? At the reflection pool?"
+15 Poeta
Victoria tensed beside me, her hand reaching for mine in warning. Emma's bright expression
dimmed slightly.
"Yes, Alpha. | remember."
"Can you tellwhat happened that day? How you fell into the water?"
Victoria interjected smoothly, "Ethan, we've been through this. Emma was pushed-"
"I want to hear it from Emma," | said firmly, meeting the child's gaze in the rearview mirror.
Emma's lower lip trembled slightly. "Sister Lily pushed me, Alpha. | just wanted to be friends,
but she was mean to me."
The rehearsed quality of her words struck me. Had Victoria coached her? Or was
this truly
how Emma remembered the incident?
Visit our social media platform to read fascinating stories every day and connect with the community!
