Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Alpha Ethan's POV I watched as her unconscious body fell to the floor . For a moment , the noise from the people around faded . All I could hear was the thod as Raven's body hit the ground , her head slumping to the side like a broken del . My wolf roared inside me , clawing and snailing , demanding I go to her . Help her . Protect her . Save her I took a step forward . I didn't care who was watching . I didn't care about the rumors or the whispers . All I could think about was the pain in her eyes jart before she collapsed - the betrayal she must've felt as i stood silent when she was accused . I should have believed her . I should have stopped it But then a hand groped my arm tightly . I didn't have to look to know it was Olivia " What do you think you're doing , Ethan ?" she hissed , her nails digging into my skin . " Going to defend a thief ? " There was a smirk on her lips , triumphant and cold . My body froze . Olivia Mymate . My Luna . My duty . My curse . " 1 - she fainted , " I muttered , my voice strained , trying to explain it even though no one had asked me to . Trying to justify what I wasn't brave enough to do . She's lucky that's all she did ," Olivia sneered . " After what she did , she deserves worse . She humiliated me in front of the whole pack , and the guest by having stealing from one of them . She hadn't . Raven hadn't done anything . She didn't even defend herself when Olivia's voice rose and accused her of theft . She stood there trembling . eyes wide with confusion , before she broke Before I broke her . My Beta , Matthew , brushed past me - shoulder stiff , gaze fixed on Raven I didn't stop him . I couldn't . He knelt , scooping her up with a gentleness that made my chest ache . His jaw clenched , and when he looked at me , there was no mistaking the disappointment . He didn't speak . He didn't have to His silence screamed louder than anything Olivia had said . I should've been the one to carry her . tcarried o I out by another man - while my y mate held my arm like a shackle . Instead , I watched her get c The guests resumed their chatter , pretending not to stare , but I saw their glances . Some were curious . Some amused . Some looked at me with judgment . 1/4 2U - D7 Chapter 29 I followed Olivia out of the punishment room , bir heels clicking furiously as " She rained as she canted beside me trything , " the spat . " Of all nights . Why does she always have to exist in places she doesn't belong ? You should've stopped her long ago . She's just a maid , Tihan . Just " She's not just anything , " Isnapped , turning on her , Olivia's eyes widened " Excuse me ? " Tinhaled deeply . " She's a pack member . And she's been punished already " Punished . The word burned my tongue like acid . Because it happen Thad ordered it. Raven had been dragged to the courtyard - accused of stealing from the guest wing . A diamond necklace Something shiny and meaningless . No proof Just Olivia's word . The crowd wanted blood . Olivia demanded justice . And I gave it A Hundred lashes .. A Hundred brutal strikes across her back , her screams echoing in the air while I stood still , jaw clenched , hands shaking My wolf howled and paced furious at me . But I told myself it was necessary . That justice had to be served . But deep down , I knew it wasn't justice . it was cruelty . And now , I couldn't even look at my own reflection . " She deserved it , " Olivia said , armis crossed . Iturned away , jaw locked . d . " Go to bed , Olivia " What ? " she barked " said go to bed ," I repeated coldly . " I need to be alone " She was about to get on the bed when I held her hands go to the other room I want to be left alone here are you serious Ethan she asked yes it's fine the snapped at me " You're going soft over a servant . This is pathetic , Ethan . " " Goodnight , Olivia . " She slammed the door behind her as she left , the sound vibrating through the walls . Alone now , I walked to the window and stared into the night , lists clenched . Raven's scream still echoed in my mind . The way her body jerked with each lash The way she cried until she couldn't 2/4 Chapter 25 de Looked her in the rye v defended him . Should on old not adn't chosen Olivia i kad tolerated her But Raven With Raven , everything felt real . od that terrifies Left the room , heading down the hallway toward the healer's quarters Matthew had taken Raven there , la she'd even be awake . But thad to see her . Even if the hated me . Even if she never wanted to look at me again . As reached the door , I paused , hand hovering over the handle . Through the crack , I could hear Matthew's voice . Low and steady " You didn't deserve this , " he said . " I'll get you out of here . I promise . " My heart stopped . He was leaving with hert I stepped back , shame crushing me from the inside . Of course , he was . Because Matthew had done what I couldn't . He protected her . He carried her . He saw her when I chose not to I turned and walked away . I couldn't sleep Every time I closed my eyes , her face haunted he - bloodied , broken , betrayed , But I told myself it didn't matter . She was just a maid . Just another name In the pack registry . She wasn't important I told mysel I threw the covers off and got up , belling myself I just needed air . A walk . Something to calm the storm in my chest . My steps took me through the dim 39 Chapter 29 comidors of the pack house , but I already knew where I was going . I found myself outside Matthew's room , hesitating for a moment before knocking . The door opened after a pause , and there stood Matthew , looking tired and tense , He narrowed his eyes at me . " What do you want ? " " I came to check if she's still alive , " I said coolly , crossing my arms . " Didn't want a dead servant on my hands tonight . " His expression hardened . " Is that so ?" " Yeah , " I shrugged . " Wouldn't look good if someone dropped dead at the ball because they couldn't handle a little discipline . " Matthew stepped out , closing the door slightly behind him . " She didn't just drop dead . She passed out from pain and blood loss . You know that I looked away . " Whatever . I just came to confirm she didn't die . That's all ." " She's not here ," he said . " I took her to the healer's house . She needed stitches . She's covered in bruises . Her back's " He stopped himself , javer clenching . " You saw what happened . " I didn't respond . " She didn't steal anything , " Matthew continued , voice sharp now . " And deep down , I think you know that . " " That's not what I came to talk about , " I said , turning slightly as if I were already done with the conversation . " I just needed to know she's breathing That's it . " Matthew stepped closer , eyes full of quiet and anger " No. You came because you care . You came because you can't stop thinking about what you let happen to her . " " I came because I didn't want a dead body to deal with , " I repeated , voice flat . But the words tasted like ash in my mouth . Matthew shook his head slowly . " You can lie to me , Ethan . You can even lie to yourself . But you won't be able to lie to me . I can see the way you look at her . way . " She won't be here when you finally decide to grow a conscience . " He stepped back into his room , pausing in the doorway Then the door closed . And I stood there in the silence , staring at nothing , Telling myself again and again : she's just a maid . Just a maid . But ! C AD Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!