Alpha King Chases Abandoned Luna

Chapter 18: Unexpected Opportunity

Chapter 18: Unexpected Opportunity

(Olivia's POV)

Ether carried Victoria in his arms, her head nestled against his chest as they walked away. I watched them disappear into the elevator feeling something inside me collapse.

My legs gave out. I slid down against my cat burying my head in my knees.

The concrete floor was cold beneath me. Cold like the emptiness spreading through my chest.

I had lost everything. My daughter. My mate. And now the money that would have secured Lily's sacred burial ground.

"Uity' I whispered, my voice breaking. Tim so sorry, baby."

Time lost all meaning as I sat there alone in the parking garage. The echo of my sobs

bounced off the concrete walls, mocking my pain.

Eventually, I forced myself to stand. The award ceremony would start soon.

I had clung to a sliver of hope that Ethan might believe me. That he would come back and at least look at Lily's death certificate.

His cold demeanor had shattered that hope completely.

The $50,000 prize money had been my only chance. My only way to purchase the sacred burial ground for Lily's ashes.

Now Victoria would collect it, while my daughter's spirit remained without peace.

I straightened my dress with trembling hands. I would not give them the satisfaction of seeing me broken.

Not now. Not ever

Backstage at Lunar Tower, the atmosphere buzzed with nervous energy. Contestants fussed with their appearances, making last-minute adjustments. Victoria stood in the center of it all, a smug smile playing on her lips. Her Full Moon Haute Couture Gown shimmered under the lights.

The midnight blue fabric accentuated her pale skin perfectly. I recognized the dress

immediately.

1.5

Chanter 18 Unexpected Oppo

* Points

It wasn't scheduled for public release until next season. Only Ethan, with his connections and

wealth, could have procured it for her so early.

Victoria basked in the envious glances from the other contestants. Her eyes

found mine across the room, and her smile widened.

"Yes, he loves me very much," she announced loudly to the small group surrounding her. "He is very good to me."

Her words stabbed through me like knives. They were meant for me. A deliberate twist of the

blade in my already bleeding heart.

I turned away, focusing on adjusting my simple but elegant dress. I refused to give her thenoveldrama

reaction she craved.

The ceremony began promptly at eight. Gabriel Morrison, the master of ceremonies,

welcomed everyone with practiced charm.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual Pack Healer's Crystal Competition," he announced. "Tonight, we celebrate innovation and excellence in healing crystal design."

My hands clenched into fists as he continued. My knuckles turned white from the pressure.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for," Gabriel said, his voice rising dramatically.

"The winners of this year's competition!"

I caught Ethan's cold gaze across the room. He stood tall and imposing in his tailored suit.

His amber eyes were hard as they met mine. Not a trace of warmth remained in them.

"In first place, Gabriel announced, "with her revolutionary crystal arrangement for accelerated healing... Victoria Frost!"

Applause erupted around the room. The sound was deafening.

Victoria's face lit up with practiced surprise and delight. The confirmation of her victory felt

like another blow to my chest.

I had known it was coming, but hearing it announced made it real. Made it final.

"In second place," Gabriel continued, "Olivia Winters, with her innovative moonstone configuration!"

A ripple of surprise went through the crowd. Despite everything, I had placed second.

"And in third place, Sophia Hughes, with her remarkable design for pain management!"

Sophia's face registered genuine shock and pleasure the yoghed by

expected to place

As we walked onto the stage/set the weight every geth HA,

followed my every move

Despite Victoria's elaborate gown and perfectly styled her many y de fam

instead

Even Ethan's etention momentenly shifted in my direction die wyn w unreadable,

but for a split second, something flickered in this okay mg

Victoria notices. He smile tightened at the comers as she was a

appearance was being overshadowed.

All her efforts the exclusive grown, the sedes make the veget

match whatever quality possessed that drew people's armon

The realization clearly stung her code. He eyes narrowed singly as she opene congratulations of those around he

Ethan stepped forward to present Victode with the award the banning the $50,000 prize money looked gatish under the bright ingre

1 watched with a bitter sole as the man who had dosegarded or daughter and te money meant for Lily's sacred butal ground

They stood together, am in am. The perfect couple

Hatred surged through me, hot and fierce remembered the day of Lily's cremation

How I had stood alone, ciuscting the Moonwood Ceremonial to while EFTET WERD TOSINTEST

Whispers rippled through the crowd. Some compared Victors and Ethan to the Trgines in the leaked photos from Disney

HETTISATION

The ones showing them together while Lilly had been dying in the Medical Den The TTESATY intensified my pain.

I forced myself to breathe steadily, to maintain my composure would not break from Fence Not in front of them.

"And now, Gabriel announced, to present the second place award, we have Lanas Blackwrsss) Alpha of Blackwood Pack

Chapter TS thexpected Oppo

+ Points>

The tall, imposing figure of Lucas Blackwood approached the stage. His dark gray

suit emphasized his broad shoulders.

His penetrating gaze swept over the crowd with cool detachment. Until he

reached me.

The aloofness he had maintained with everyone else melted away. A gentle smile

curved his lips as he extended the award toward me.

"Congratulations," he said, his deep voice warm and sincere.

For the first time that evening, a genuine smile touched my lips. My eyes

brightened as I accepted the award from his hands.

"Thank you," I replied softly.

We stood together on the stage. Something about our combined presence sparked excited

murmurs amongst the attendees.

I could hear the whispers. Speculation about a possible connection between us spread like

wildfire through the crowd.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Ethan watching our interaction. His expression darkened as

he observed the warmth in my smile.

The same smile he had rejected earlier. His jaw clenched tight, a muscle twitching

visibly.

Gregory Hayes, the chief designer of Canis Enterprises, stepped forward next to present the third-place award to Sophia Hughes.

"Congratulations, Miss Hughes," he said, handing her the award. "Your design

shows

remarkable promise."

Turning to address the audience, he continued, "As is tradition, Canis Enterprises welcomes the first-place winner as an intern. Victoria Frost, we look forward to having you join our team."

Victoria beamed triumphantly. This internship, with its connections to the

renowned designer

Alexander Thornton, was a significant step.

A significant step toward winning the former CEO's approval. She glanced in my

direction, her

eyes gleaming with victory.

In her mind, she had won completely. Even if I were to win future competitions, it

wouldn't

matter.

She had secured this crucial opportunity. This connection to Alexander Thornton

that could

make her career.

Checter 11/2 expected Opps

Just as Victoria's silent gloating reached its peak, Gregory Hayes cleared his

throat.

"However, this year, we have an unprecedented announcement," he said, his

voice carrying

across the hushed room.

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