Chapter 3 : Shattered Bonds Chapter 3 : Shattered Bonds ( Olivia's POV ) Ethan seemed to finally realize his girlfriend was still present . As if waking from a trance , he withdrew the arm that had been wrapped around Cassandra's waist and took two steps back . His friends , sensing the tension in the air , hurried to smooth things over . " Let's switch to Truth or Dare ! " Jason Mitchell suggested loudly , clapping his hands to draw attention away from the awkward scene . Ethan regained his composure and returned to his seat beside me . From the corner of my eye , I could see him watching me carefully , clearly expecting a jealous outburst or tears . I remained silent , sipping my drink with calm indifference . " Aren't you going to say anything ? " he finally whispered , his voice tense . I turned to him , my amber eyes reflecting nothing but cool detachment . " About what ? " For the first time since I'd known him , Ethan looked genuinely unsettled . His brow furrowed as he studied my face , searching for the emotional , accommodating girlfriend he was used to manipulating . " You're acting strange tonight , " he muttered , shifting uncomfortably in his seat . I simply smiled and turned my attention back to the game . My wolf , Cora , purred with satisfaction inside me , pleased that we were finally standing our ground . The group's attention quickly shifted to Cassandra , who had become the center of the circle . Her laughter rang out as she tossed back another drink , ignoring Ethan's earlier warning . " Your turn again , Cass ! " Sophie called out , her voice overly bright . " You lost this round ! " Cassandra's eyes sparkled mischievously . " I choose dare , " she announced , her gaze provocatively sweeping over Ethan . Sophie reached into a bowl and drew out a slip of paper . Her eyes widened slightly as she read it . " Randomly kiss a man here . " Shocked murmurs rippled through the room . The temperature seemed to plummet as Ethan's expression grew frigid . 1/6 < Chapter 3 Shattered Bonds +25 Puntos Yet Cassandra smiled , clearly enjoying the attention . She stood up slowly , making a show of considering her options . " Who shall it be ? " she teased , her eyes lingering on Ethan before deliberately moving away . To everyone's surprise , she sauntered toward Lucas Bennett , a handsome but timid young man from Ethan's inner circle . Poor Lucas froze like a deer in headlights as Cassandra approached . " Don't worry , " she whispered loud enough for everyone to hear . " I don't bite … much . " Before Lucas could react , Cassandra looped her arms around his neck . His face paled dramatically as he shot a panicked glance toward Ethan . ENOUGH ! " Ethan's roar filled the room with such dominance that everyone instinctively lowered their gaze . Even I felt Cora shrink back slightly at the raw power in his voice . He stormed across the room in three long strides , grabbing Cassandra's arm and pulling her away from Lucas , who looked ready to faint with relief . " This game is over ," Ethan growled , his ice - blue eyes blazing with fury . Without another word , he dragged Cassandra out of the private room , slamming the door behind them . The silence that followed was deafening . Then , slowly , all eyes turned to me . I quietly sipped my wine , forcing my face to remain neutral despite the ice forming in my chest . Three years of love , shattered in a single evening . " Why are you all looking at me ? " I asked softly , my voice steady despite the storm raging inside . Sophie approached cautiously . " Liv , are you okay ? " I smiled gently , though my heart was freezing bit by bit . " Of course . Why wouldn't I be ? " I finished my drink in one smooth motion and stood up . " Excuse me , I need to use the restroom . " As I walked away , I could hear their whispers following me like shadows . In the elegant bathroom , I locked myself in a stall and leaned against the door , finally allowing my smile to drop . I took several deep breaths , refusing to cry . 216 < Chapter 3 : Shattered Bonds " Did you see Ethan's face ? " A voice suddenly echoed in the bathroom . I froze , recognizing Victoria Reed's distinctive tone . " I know ! He looked ready to tear Lucas apart ," another girl replied with a giggle . +25 Puntos > " Ethan's gone completely crazy , abandoning his girlfriend to chase after Cassandra ," Victoria continued , her voice dripping with malicious delight . " Obviously , he only cares about Cassandra , " someone else chimed in . " The way he watches her every move … it's like no one else exists . " " Poor Olivia , just standing there watching her boyfriend go mad over another woman . " Victoria's voice lowered conspiratorially . " She's just a stand - in . Anyone can tell Ethan's heart only responds to Cassandra . " Their words cut through me like silver blades , but I straightened my shoulders . I'd heard enough . I flushed the toilet and stepped out of the stall . The girls by the sink caught sight of me in the mirror and fell abruptly silent , their faces draining of color . Without acknowledging them , I calmly washed my hands , my reflection composed despite the turmoil inside . The girls hurried away with bowed heads , not daring to meet my eyes . Alone at last , I stared at my reflection . Yes , our breakup was inevitable - not because Ethan no longer wanted me , but because I no longer wanted him . " Not that I don't love him anymore ," I whispered to myself , " but that I refuse to love a man who never truly saw me as his true partner . " Cora growled in agreement , her presence warm and supportive within me . I returned to the party only long enough to say my goodbyes , ignoring the pitying glances that followed me out the door . Late that night , I returned alone to Moonlight Manor , exhausted from maintaining my composure for hours . Martha greeted me with concern in her eyes , but I reassured her with a smile that didn't reach my eyes . " Is everything alright , Miss Winters ? " she asked gently . " Just tired , Martha . Good night . " After a hot shower , I collapsed into bed , my heart numb and heavy . Sleep came quickly , a merciful escape from reality . 376 < Chapter 3 Shattered Bonds It wasn't until the following afternoon that Ethan returned . I was already up , methodically packing my belongings when I heard the front door open . +25 Puntos > The moment he entered the bedroom , I detected Cassandra's perfume clinging to his clothes . There were also faint marks on his neck that he hadn't bothered to hide . " What are you doing ? " he asked with surprise , staring at the open suitcase on the floor . I poked my head out from behind the wardrobe and answered casually , " You're back . I'm planning to visit my father in Riverdale in a few days . " I continued sorting through my belongings , determined not to leave a single trace behind when I left . My eyes briefly caught the ambiguous marks on his neck , but I looked away without comment . My heart had already died ; his affairs no longer concerned me . Ethan frowned , moving closer . " Why suddenly go back home ? Still mad about last night ? Hiding from me ? " " No ," I replied gently , keeping my amber eyes carefully blank , " I just miss my father . " ( Ethan's POV ) Hearing her calm response , I visibly relaxed . So she wasn't upset about Cassandra after all . This was why I appreciated Olivia - she never made scenes or demanded explanations . " That's good then ," I said , watching her fold her clothes with meticulous care . In the past three years , Olivia had never once returned to Riverdale , even spending holidays alone in Harbor City . I had never brought her home to meet my mother , knowing Margaret Grey would never accept a woman from a low - ranking family . To my relief , Olivia never insisted on meeting my family or formalizing our relationship . How obedient and sensible she was , I thought to myself . " How long will you be gone ? " I asked , sitting on the edge of the bed . She continued folding her favorite blue sweater , placing it neatly in her suitcase . " I'm not sure yet . It depends on how things go with my father . " " No need to trouble you , I'll arrange my own ride , " she added , not looking up from her task . " Someone will pick me up . " I secretly breathed easier , glad not to have to deal with crossing into Winters territory . As the only Alpha heir of the Grey pack , I knew a future with her was impossible . 4/6 < Chapter 3 : Shattered Bonds +25 Puntos > I had never heard Olivia talk about her family background . She was usually short of money and must be from a low - ranking family . Such a family would be of no help to the Grey pack . Even if my wolf had decided that Olivia was my mate , I would not let such a low - ranking female wolf become the future Luna of the Grey pack . Our social divide was an unbridgeable chasm . I watched her carefully handling each item , her movements precise and emotionless . Something about her demeanor bothered me , but , I couldn't quite place it . Inwardly , I recalled Jason's advice from last night : " Just keep seeing both women . If you feel guilty , buy Olivia some gifts . Women are easy to please . " Maybe , I thought , I could marry Cassandra and keep Olivia as my girlfriend . Surely , she loved me too much to leave . When she returned from Riverdale , I would talk to her about it . I softened my voice : " Be safe on the road . Let me know when you arrive . When you come back to Harbor City , I'll pick you up . " ( Olivia's POV ) I lowered my eyes and replied quietly , " Okay . " But in my heart , I whispered , I won't be coming back . Ethan's phone rang , interrupting the silence . He checked the screen and immediately stood up . " I have to go out for a bit ," he said after a brief call . " Last night was my fault . I shouldn't have left you there alone . " He hesitated , then added , " I bought you a healing broth mix ; Martha will bring it over later . " " Thank you , " I answered coolly , my tone indifferent . Without another word , Ethan turned and left the manor , too preoccupied to notice the finality in my expression . I continued packing , carefully removing every trace of my existence from his life . Three years reduced to a few suitcases . Not long after he departed , my phone chimed with a message . I picked it up to see Connor Rivers ' name on the screen . Comentarios