Chapter 146
Chapter 140
Tori’s POV:
3.17%
Charlotte nodded with understanding, then excused herself to return to her maternal grandmother’s private room, leaving me alone with Olivia
once more.
As soon as Charlotte disappeared from sight, Olivia’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that awkwardness, dear,” she said, her silver yes focusing on me again. “Some wounds never truly heal, even after
decades.
“It’s alright, I assured her, curiosity piquing despite my better judgment. You mentioned unpleasant memories p>
Olivia sighed, gently placing her teacup on the saucer.
The delicate clink seemed abnormally loud in the quiet private dining room.
“I suppose it’s not really a secret,” she said, her silver eyes taking on a distant look. “I suppose I can tell you p>
I leaned forward slightly, drawn in by her willingness to share.
“Over twenty years ago, my son William and Susan Shepherd were in a terrible car accident on the night. Both were critically injured.” Olivia’s fingers traced the rim of her teacup. “Their daughter, little Luna, didn’t survive p>
My chest tightened at the raw pain still evident in her voice after all these years.
“When they regained consciousness,” Olivia continued, “Susan was… different. Consumed by grief. She accused William of infidelity, claimed he had a secret child with another woman. She demanded a divorce immediately p>
I found myself holding my breath, the tragedy unfolding like a dark fairytale.
The accusation of infidelity caught me off guard-in my few interactions with William Sullivan, he’d struck me as honorable and principled. He didn’t seem like the type of man who would betray his mate.
Olivia was still continuing.
“The Shepherd family was outraged by these accusations. They severed ties with us completely, vowed never to associate with Sullivans again p>
Her expression hardened. “As if my son hadn’t lost enough that night-his aughter, his mate-they took away his extended pack bonds too p>
“But you still see each other at council meetings,’ I said, recalling what Mgan had told me about the four founding packs.
Olivia nodded. ‘Our packs are too intertwined in Moonhaven’s foundation completely separate. Pack business continues regardless of personal grievances. The Elder Council requires us to maintain civility, at east in public p>
She took another sip of her tea before continuing. “Twenty years is a longime. Even the deepest wounds scab over eventually. We attend each other’s major ceremonies now, exchange formal pleasantries. But the trust’s gone p>
‘And Charlotte?’ I asked, remembering the elegant woman who had just left us.
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Chapter 140
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Olivia’s expression softened slightly.
“Charlotte was adopted by Diana Shepherd-Susan’s mother-shortly after the accident. Diana hoped bringing a child into their home might help Susan emerge from her grief p>
She shook her head sadly. “But Susan couldn’t accept it. She withdrew from pack life, kept herself isolated in the mountain territories, rarely
seeing anyone.
“Charlotte always tried to be the bridge between our families p>
“Is that likely to happen?” I ventured.
“Who knows?” Olivia sighed. “The Sullivan lineage has faced its challenges. My daughter Betty has two children-Matthew and Megan. Matthew is content with his medical career and shows no interest in pack leadership. Megan loses herself in her music p>
“William has positioned Charlotte as the most suitable successor,” Olivia continued. “And with Susan being the Shepherd family’s only daughter, Charlotte might stand to inherit leadership of both packs eventually. William believes this dual inheritance might finally heal the rift between
our families p>
I nodded, trying to absorb the labyrinthine complexities of pack politics and family business.
Olivia sighed, visibly pulling herself from the depths of memory.
She waved her hand dismissively, a gentle smile replacing her somber expression.
“Listen to me rambling on about ancient history,” she chuckled. “That’s the trouble with getting old. What’s past is past; we must look toward
the future p>
She leaned forward, her tone shifting to something lighter. “Speaking of the future, I hear you and Lucas Grayson have become quite close. Is
that true p>
I felt heat rise to my cheeks. ‘We’re… getting to know each other p>
Her expression grew serious. “His temporary mark is still visible on your neck, child. I hope you’re being careful.
My hand instinctively rose to touch the spot where Lucas had left his mark I hadn’t realized it was still visible to others.
‘An Alpha’s mark is powerful, especially for a young Omega,’ she cautione I don’t mean to pry, but these things shouldnt be taken tightly
“We’re not rushing into anything, I assured her, though my heart quicken at the memory of his lips against my skin.
“Good.” Olivia reached across the table to pat my hand. Child, a permanen mark is a lifelong commitment. You both should consider it carefully p>
The genuine concern in her voice touched something deep inside me.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, breaking the moment.
“Excuse me, I murmured, checking the screen.
Lucas’s name flashed, sending a flutter through my stomach.
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Chapter 140
Go ahead, Glieta smiled knowingle 11 anter som dessert while you saf
I stepped into the hallway for primary fine anwaring Bein?
421744
Tori’ Lacas: deep orice sent a pleasant shines down my spine. When antes calling the man in buy sad d
In kaving dinner with Oliva Sallinen, I explained. We can in each offer as was eng work and the mid
Again? He sounded surprised, then ducked. I seen you’s quite pot with the elder
His teasing tone made me smile despite myself. To ant like that. Shes tend
Tagad he said, his mice warning. Then, I have a pack dinner meeting ang dat will pay are When yore finished ca
and he’ll drive you home
Hisme. The casual way he reformed to his place as my home mate something wenn sloom in my dies.
I willl’ I promised softly
Good girl I’ll see you later tonight, ten
After we hung up, I stood in the hallway for a moment, processing the happiness during incite me
“Sosan? A strange, somewhat weathered voice suddenly came from behind me
I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the hallway’s glass wall-and tehind it, an elderly woman win hat somehow approached without my
noticing
Her eyes held an eager, hopeful gaze mixed with cautions ancamanry
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