Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna novel Chapter 245

Chapter 245

(Connor’s POV)

“Connor, what are you talking about? How could I possibly abuse Emma? She’s our daughter! I love her so much, how could I abuse her?” Victoria’s eyes reddened with tears as she vehemently denied my accusations.

Her voice trembled with indignation, making me second–guess myself. Was I wrong? Had Olivia Winters manipulated me?

“Then explain the bruises on her arms,” I demanded, my voice lower but no less intense. “Explain the needle marks, Victoria.”

Victoria’s hand flew to her mouth in apparent shock. “Needle marks? Connor, those are from her vitamin injections! She has a

deficiency that requires regular treatment.”

I studied her face, searching for signs of deception. Something in her expression triggered my instinctive suspicion, despite her

perfectly delivered performance.

“Dorothy showed me evidence,” I said, watching her reaction carefully. “She has videos.”

Victoria’s eyes flashed with momentary anger before softening again. “That woman has always been jealous of me. She’s trying to turn you against me, can’t you see?”

She stepped closer, placing her hand on my chest. The familiar scent of her perfume–moonlight jasmine–clouded my senses.

“Connor, think about it. Why would I hurt our precious daughter? Everything I’ve done has been to secure her future.” 19

I wanted desperately to believe her. This was the woman I had loved, the mother of my child. The woman I’d gone to prison for.

“What about the video Dorothy showed me? Emma standing in the snow in her nightgown?”

Victoria’s expression shifted to one of maternal concern. “Oh, that. Emma had a fever that night. The doctor recommended brief cold exposure to bring it down naturally. It looks cruel without context, but I was following medical advice.”

Her explanation sounded plausible, but doubt had taken root in my mind.

“And the bruises?” I pressed.

Victoria sighed dramatically. “Those teachers at Crescent Moon Training Den are too rough with the pups. I’ve complained multiple times, but Ethan won’t listen. He thinks it builds character.”

I frowned, remembering the video Dorothy had shown me, Emma standing barefoot in the snow, wearing only a thin nightgown

during winter. The child’s lips had been blue, her small body shaking violently as tears froze on her cheeks.

“If the teachers are hurting her, why haven’t you removed her from the training den?” I challenged.

Victoria’s eyes widened slightly. “It’s the most prestigious training den in the territory. Removing her would hurt her social

standing.”

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Chapter 245

“Social standing?” I repeated incredulously. “She’s a child, Victoria!”

My protective rage surged again as I moved toward Emma’s bedroom. Victoria quickly stepped in my path.

“She’s sleeping, Connor. Please don’t wake her.”

I pushed past her, needing to see my daughter again. Emma lay exactly as I’d left her, unnaturally still in her slumber.

“She’s sleeping too deeply,” I observed, my suspicion growing. “We’ve been shouting, and she hasn’t stirred once.”

Victoria appeared beside me, her hand resting gently on Emma’s forehead. “I gave her some special calming tea before bed. She’s been having nightmares lately.”

“Drugging her?” I growled, my hands clenching into fists.

“It’s just herbal tea,” Victoria insisted, her voice soothing. “Moonlight herb with a touch of chamomile. Perfectly harmless for

young children.”

She stroked Emma’s hair with apparent tenderness. “I didn’t want her to hear us… reuniting. Children shouldn’t be exposed to

adult passions.”

I studied Victoria’s face, torn between my lingering love for her and my concern for Emma. The woman I remembered would

never harm a child—especially not our child.

“We should leave,” I said suddenly, the idea forming as I spoke. “All three of us. We can start over somewhere new, away from

Ethan Stone’s territory.”

Victoria’s head snapped up, genuine shock in her eyes. “Leave? Are you insane?”

“We could be a proper family,” I continued, warming to the idea. “You, me, and Emma. No more lies, no more hiding.”

Victoria laughed, the sound brittle and forced. “Connor, be realistic. Where would we go? How would we live?”

“I have money saved,” I insisted. “Enough to get us started somewhere new.”

Victoria’s expression hardened. “And throw away everything I’ve built here? I’m weeks away from becoming Luna Stone.”

The truth of her priorities hit me like a physical blow. “So that’s what this is about? Status? Power?”

“It’s about security,” Victoria hissed, dropping her maternal act. “Do you have any idea how hard I’ve worked to get this close to becoming Luna?”

I stared at her, finally seeing clearly. “You never loved me, did you?”