Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna novel Chapter 7

(Olivia's POV)

The moment his lips crashed against mine, I knew exactly who had grabbed me. Ethan Stone. My mate. My tormentor.

My initial fear dissolved into icy determination. I shoved against his chest with all my strength.

"Ethan Stone, let me go... You have no right!" I hissed, struggling against his powerful grip.

His amber eyes flashed dangerously in the dim light of the SUV. The dominant Alpha aura poured from him in waves, suffocating the small space between us.

"No right?" he growled, his face inches from mine. "You're still my mate, Olivia. Or have you forgotten?"

I twisted away from him, pressing myself against the door. "We're done, Ethan. I made that clear."

His laugh was cruel, devoid of humor. "Is that why you're meeting Victoria? To discuss our relationship status?"

"She invited me," I spat. "To flaunt your clothes and the marks you left on her neck."

Ethan's jaw tightened. His hand shot out, gripping my chin and forcing me to look at him.

"You have some nerve," he said, voice dangerously soft. "After what you did five years ago."

The accusation hit like a physical blow. "I didn't drug you! How many times do I have to say it?"

His eyes narrowed, disbelief etched across his handsome features. "Then explain how I ended up in your bed that night."

"I've explained it a thousand times," I said, exhaustion creeping into my voice. "You were already drugged when I found you."

Ethan's grip tightened painfully on my jaw. "And yet you took advantage."

I jerked my face away from his hand. "Victoria knows we're over. Why can't you accept it too? Or does my pain mean so little to you?"

Something flickered in his eyes – uncertainty, perhaps. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"You're playing the same game you played five years ago," he said coldly. "Acting innocent, pretending to be the victim."

My breath hitched, a familiar pain stabbing at my heart. The memory of that night rose unbidden – Ethan stumbling into my apartment, his eyes unfocused, his movements uncoordinated.

"I didn't drug you," I whispered, the words feeling hollow after years of repetition.

I remembered finding him outside my door, barely conscious. I could have left him there – should have, perhaps.

But I couldn't. My heart wouldn't let me.

I'd helped him inside, given him water, tried to sober him up. When he collapsed on my bed, I'd slept on the couch.

But morning brought accusations instead of gratitude. Victoria had somehow convinced him I'd drugged him, seduced him.

The truth didn't matter. It never had.

"What do you want, Ethan?" I asked, suddenly too tired to fight. "Why are you doing this?"

He scoffed, his expression hardening. "You're the one playing games, Olivia. Meeting Victoria, challenging my authority."

"I'm not playing—"

His phone rang, cutting me off. Victoria's name flashed on the screen.

Ethan hesitated, his eyes still locked with mine. The momentary distraction was all I needed.

I brought my knee up hard, connecting solidly with his groin. Ethan doubled over with a pained grunt, his grip loosening.

I scrambled for the door handle, pushing it open and tumbling out into the parking garage. My heart hammered against my ribs as I ran to my car, fumbling with the keys.

Once inside, I locked the doors, my hands shaking so badly I could barely start the engine. Tears blurred my vision as I reversed out of the parking spot, nearly hitting a concrete pillar.

I caught a glimpse of Ethan emerging from his SUV, his face contorted with rage and pain. Our eyes met briefly before I accelerated toward the exit.

The tires screeched against the concrete as I sped away. My breathing came in short, painful gasps.

Why couldn't he believe me? After all these years, the same accusation still haunted me.

I checked my rearview mirror, half expecting to see his black SUV in pursuit. Nothing. Just empty road behind me.

Relief washed over me, followed immediately by crushing sadness. How had we come to this?

Once, Ethan had looked at me with love. Now there was only suspicion and contempt.

I wiped away tears with a trembling hand. I needed to focus on driving, not on the shattered remains of our relationship.

The road blurred before me. I pulled over, unable to continue.

My phone buzzed with a text. I half expected it to be from Ethan, but it was Elder Willow checking if I'd made it home safely.