Chapter 20 : The Void Left Behind - 2 There was a pause on the other end of the line . " Alpha Ethan , you mean the special healing broth Miss Winters used to make ? " " Yes ," I growled , impatience sharpening my tone . Martha's voice grew hesitant . " I'm afraid I can't make that , sir . " " Why not ? " I demanded . " That broth needs the herbs soaked overnight , plus fresh venison prepared in a specific way . Also , I only know the ingredients , not the proportions or the preparation methods Miss Winters used . I really can't do it . " Frustration surged through me . Of course Martha couldn't make it . No one could make it like Olivia did . " At least make plain broth ," I ordered , my voice tight with irritation . " Right away , Alpha Ethan ," Martha replied , relief evident in her tone . After hanging up , I massaged my temples , trying to ease the pounding headache . The silence of the manor seemed to mock me , emphasizing just how much I had taken Olivia's presence for granted . A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts . My heart leaped unexpectedly , hope surging through me before I could suppress it . " Come in ," I called quickly , unable to disguise the flicker of joy in my voice . The door swung open , and my smile froze , then fell as Cassandra Evans stepped into the room . Disappointment crashed over me with surprising force . " Why is it you ? " The words escaped before I could stop them , cold and unwelcoming . Cassandra's smile faltered , her eyes registering the hurt my tone had caused . She clenched her fists briefly at her sides , composing herself before approaching the bed . " I heard from Martha you weren't feeling well , so I came to see you , " she said , her voice carefully light as she sat beside me . " Are you better , Ethan ? " I shook my head slightly . " I'm fine . " Cassandra brightened her voice , clearly determined to ignore my cold reception . She pulled out her phone and began scrolling through images . 1/4 < Chapter 20 The Void Left Beh +25 Puntos > " Look , this is a guide for exploring Silver Lake Territory ," she said enthusiastically . " After Moonrise Peak we can go to the hot springs , and then there's this amazing restaurant that serves the best venison in the territory . " Her voice washed over me , becoming an irritating buzz in my ears . My headache intensified , and all I could think was that if it were Olivia sitting here , she would have quietly cared for me . She would have personally prepared my healing broth , spoon - fed me gently , her amber eyes watching me with concern . The contrast between Cassandra's excited chatter and Olivia's gentle care gnawed at my nerves until I couldn't bear it anymore . " Enough , " I interrupted sharply . " We'll talk tomorrow . I'm tired today . " Cassandra's enthusiasm deflated instantly . She withdrew her phone , hurt evident in her eyes . " Are you annoyed with me ? " she asked softly . I sighed , feeling a faint trace of guilt beneath my irritation . " No , I just have a headache . The trip can wait till I'm rested . " Cassandra nodded , her eyes downcast . She nestled closer , seeking my embrace , but I remained stiff and unresponsive . My mind was elsewhere , haunted by the emptiness Olivia's absence had created - an emptiness I hadn't expected to feel so acutely . ( Connor's POV ) The private room at Riverdale's exclusive club was filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses . Around the poker table , my closest friends were engaged in our weekly game , the air thick with cigar smoke and good - natured ribbing . I glanced down at my cards , a smile playing at my lips . The weight of the new watch on my wrist felt good - a tangible reminder of Olivia's thoughtfulness . Gabriel Andrews , ever observant , noticed it immediately . " Hey , new watch ? Looks good , " he commented , nodding toward my wrist . I couldn't help the broad smile that spread across my face . " Pretty nice , isn't it ? Liv gave it to me . " Ethan Quinn whistled appreciatively , his eyes widening as he examined the Timber Wolf Chronograph . " Wow , Livvy's gift , huh ? Having a fiancée really makes a difference . " I ran my thumb over the smooth face of the watch , remembering how Olivia's eyes had lit up when I opened her gift . The memory warmed me from within . < Chapter 20 The Void Left Beh Gabriel frowned slightly , his expression turning thoughtful . " Strange . How come you're accepting the Winters pack alliance ? I thought your parents had other plans . The Rivers family's status is way above theirs . " . The question didn't offend me . Gabriel had always been direct , one of the qualities | appreciated in him . " It's not just a family alliance ," I replied , my voice softer than usual . " Huh ? " Ethan Quinn's jaw dropped comically . " If not an alliance , then what ? " +25 Puntos ) I set my cards down , ice - blue eyes meeting their curious gazes . " Three years ago , I sought out Richard Winters myself . I waited until Liv graduated , then approached him . I told him he could name any conditions - as long as I could marry Liv , I'd agree . " The memory of that day filled me with a quiet satisfaction . Richard Winters had been shocked by my request , then suspicious , then calculating . But I had meant every word . A rare light filled my usually cold gaze - years of silent longing finally close to fulfillment . The path to Olivia had been long and complicated , but I had never wavered in my determination . Ethan Quinn's eyes widened in genuine surprise . " So you secretly liked her all this time ? Damn , I never knew! You hid it deep . " Gabriel chuckled , shaking his head in amazement . " We all thought you had no interest in women , even suspected you preferred male companions . " Ethan elbowed him playfully , grinning with mischievous delight . " Seriously , since when did you start having feelings for Livvy ? " I lowered my eyes to the cards spread before me , lips curving with secrecy . Some things were too precious , too personal to share - even with close friends . " That's a secret ," I replied simply . Ethan was never one to let things go easily . He leaned forward , a smirk playing on his lips . " She ran away to Harbor City to avoid the engagement , remember ? Maybe she doesn't even care much about you . Gifts could just be polite gestures . Don't get your hopes up . " I remained unruffled by his words . Ethan had always enjoyed stirring up trouble , and I knew better than to rise to his bait . Gabriel looked up thoughtfully , his expression turning serious . " Besides , I heard Livvy's been with another man . Did you know that ? " 214