Chapter 5 : Unexpected Encounters and Hidden Truths . Chapter 5 : Unexpected Encounters and Hidden Truths ( Olivia's POV ) " Liv , what are you doing here … " I turned around to find Jason Mitchell , Ethan's longtime friend , standing behind me with a surprised expression . His dark hair was slightly tousled , and his eyes held that same sympathetic look I'd noticed at Sophie's birthday party . " Jason , hello , " I greeted him with a polite smile . His gaze dropped to the shopping bag in my hand , the Timber Wolf Timepieces logo clearly visible . " Buying a gift for Ethan ? " The question caught me off guard . I hadn't expected to run into anyone who knew me , especially not one of Ethan's friends . To avoid a complicated explanation about Connor and my impending departure , I simply nodded . Jason's expression shifted subtly . " This brand's watches are very expensive , even the basic models cost thousands of dollars . " He hesitated , then added gently , " Honestly , you don't have to buy such an expensive gift for him . Ethan , he … " The unspoken words hung in the air between us . He doesn't deserve it . I clutched the bag a little tighter , feeling a strange mix of amusement and sadness . If only Jason knew the watch wasn't for Ethan at all . " You work hard for your money , " Jason continued , his voice lowered . " I know lawyers at your level don't make that much yet . This must be several months ' salary for you . " I was touched by his concern . In the three years I'd known him , Jason had always been kind to me , even when the others in Ethan's circle kept their distance . " Ethan doesn't need those things , " he said , frustration evident in his tone . " You don't have to spend several months ' salary on a gift for him . " I smiled politely . " Alright , I won't next time . " We said our goodbyes , and as I turned to leave , I thought I heard him sigh quietly behind me . My wolf , Cora , stirred within me , sensing the genuine concern in Jason's manner . ( Jason's POV ) < Chapter 5. Unexpected Encou +25 Puntos > I watched Olivia walk away , her honey - brown hair catching the afternoon light . She'd always been too good for Ethan - kind , intelligent , and unfailingly loyal despite how poorly he treated her . Pulling out my phone , I typed a message to Ethan , who I suspected was with Cassandra at that very moment . " Brother , your girlfriend is really good . I just saw her buying a watch for you , worth thousands , probably a few months ' salary for her . Treasure her . " My thumb hovered over the send button for a moment before pressing it . Would it make any difference ? Probably not . But I had to try . The conflict inside me had been growing for months . Ethan was my oldest friend , but his treatment of Olivia was inexcusable . He had confessed to me , during a drunken night out , that he still couldn't forget Cassandra and merely treated Olivia as a substitute . " She looks a bit like Cassandra , you know ? " he had slurred . " Same build , similar features . But she's … easier . Doesn't demand as much . " I had been disgusted but said nothing . What kind of friend was I ? And after the birthday party , I knew Ethan and Cassandra had spent the night together at a hotel . Earlier today , in our private friends ' group chat - a circle Olivia had never been invited into despite three years of dating - Cassandra had brazenly posted a photo of herself with Ethan , suggesting he keep it as a souvenir , then deleted it a minute later claiming it was an accident . Everyone knew it wasn't an accident . It was a power play , a way to mark her territory . I pocketed my phone and headed for my car , wondering if I should have said more to Olivia . Warned her , perhaps . But what right did I have to interfere ? ( Ethan's POV ) The exclusive restaurant was dimly lit , creating an intimate atmosphere as I sat across from Cassandra . Her green - gold eyes sparkled as she talked about her plans to open a healing practice in Harbor City . My phone vibrated with an incoming message . Jason's name flashed on the screen , and I read his text about Olivia buying me an expensive watch . My initial irritation instantly dissipated , my expression softening . So Olivia was trying to make amends with an expensive gift . Perhaps she felt guilty about our confrontation at the jewelry < Chapter 5 Unexpected Encou store , or she was seeking to reconcile after last night's events . +25 Puntos > Inwardly , I devised a plan : accept the gift , give her an apology to smooth things over , offer some sweet words , and she would surely yield . Olivia was always so forgiving , so eager to please . It was one of the things that made her … convenient . " Ethan , who messaged you ? " Cassandra asked , her tone casual but her eyes sharp . " No one , " I replied coolly , putting my phone face - down on the table . " You're smiling ," she observed . " Must be good news . " I shrugged . " Just business . " Standing up , I excused myself to the restroom , needing a moment to think . Olivia's gift was unexpected but not unwelcome . It meant she was still invested in our relationship , still trying to please me despite everything . As I walked away , I didn't notice Cassandra's eyes following me , calculating and cold . ( Cassandra's POV ) The moment Ethan disappeared around the corner , I reached for his phone . The password was pathetically simple - his birthday . He'd never bothered to change it in all the years I'd known him . I quickly navigated to his messages , starting with Olivia's chat window . The last exchange was from a week ago , where she had suggested a vacation during the upcoming holiday , sharing scenic itineraries and activities they could enjoy together . Ethan had replied five hours later with a dismissive : " It's too crowded during holidays , nothing fun about it . " Since then , Olivia had sent no more messages . I couldn't help but smirk at the lopsided affection . After three years , Ethan couldn't even be bothered to travel with her . Flicking through other chats , I spotted Jason's recent message praising Olivia's costly gift . My lips curled in disdain . So she's still trying to curry favor and mend things by buying gifts . I thought she was ready to give up , but no , she's still groveling . I locked the phone again and placed it exactly as Ethan had left it . Then I pulled out my own phone and dialed Margaret Grey , Ethan's mother . " Madame Grey , " I greeted warmly when she answered . " I hope I'm not disturbing you . " < Chapter 5 Unexpected Encou " Not at all , dear , " she replied . " How are you and Ethan getting along ? " +25 Puntos > " Wonderfully , " I said , injecting just the right amount of concern into my voice . " But I wanted to let you know … I just went with Ethan to look at rings and saw that girl trying on engagement rings , clearly pushing him to marry her … " ( Olivia's POV ) Back at Moonlight Manor , I continued packing my suitcase methodically . Martha had brought me fresh linens , her eyes curious but respectful enough not to ask questions . I carefully placed the watch - my gift not for Ethan , but for Connor Rivers - in its box , wrapping it securely in a soft cloth before tucking it into my luggage . The thought of Connor brought a small smile to my face . Connor Rivers . My childhood friend and current fiancé - to - be in the planned alliance between the Winters Pack and Rivers Pack . Memories of Connor's cold yet elegant face came unbidden as I folded my clothes . We had known each other since childhood , living mere miles apart in the same territory of Riverdale . When I was ten , still a little girl with pigtails and scraped knees , my parents brought me to the Rivers residence . The mansion had seemed enormous then , with its sprawling gardens and imposing stone facade . There , I first glimpsed Connor , already a breathtakingly handsome fourteen - year - old with frosty ice - blue eyes like winter snow . He stood tall and proud beside his father , the Alpha of the Rivers pack . " Go on ," my mother had whispered , giving me a gentle nudge forward . " Say hello . " Obediently , I had called out , " Alpha Connor . " He had only responded with a cool , " Hello , " his expression unchanged . I remember thinking he must be difficult and unapproachable - a misconception that lasted for years . I sighed , folding another sweater and placing it in my suitcase . How different things might have been if I'd understood him better back then . After my mother's death from wolfsbane poisoning when I was fifteen , I transformed from a carefree child into a quiet , rebellious teen . The loss had hollowed me out , leaving me angry at the world and everyone in it . During my high school years , I struggled with history - dates and events blurring together as I tried to focus through my grief . Connor's mother suggested he tutor me , boasting of his < Chapter 5 Unexpected Encou near - perfect knowledge of the subject . +25 Puntos > When twenty - one - year - old Connor arrived at our home to help , I had defiantly told him , " I don't need you to teach me . " He had only smiled , tapping my forehead gently with his pen . " But I insist . " Contrary to my fears , he was endlessly patient , explaining every concept thoroughly , even offering multiple interpretation methods when I struggled . He never rushed me , never showed frustration when I failed to grasp something immediately . Gradually , my resistance faded to admiration . One day , after I'd finally mastered a particularly difficult concept , I marveled , " Wow , Connor , you still remember all this after so many years ? " He admitted with a soft laugh , " Not everything . I reviewed the histories beforehand . " That small confession - that he had prepared specifically to help me - had touched me deeply . Thanks to his devoted coaching over that summer , my knowledge soared , enabling me to attend Riverdale University - his alma mater . To me , Connor had always been a respected figure , never a romantic prospect . So when my father proposed I marry Connor to strengthen the alliance between our packs , I instinctively rejected it . How could I marry someone I've always looked up to ? Instead , I had fled to Harbor City , determined to make my own way , to find love on my own terms . And I thought I had found it with Ethan Grey . How wrong I had been . Lost in these memories , I was startled when my bedroom door opened . Ethan stood leaning by the frame , gazing down at me with unreadable eyes . " Are you almost done packing ? " he asked quietly . I answered softly , " Mm , almost . " He remained lounging against the door , then said , " Liv , don't you have something you want to say to me ? " Comentarios