Chapter 13 : Shattered Bonds Chapter 13 : Shattered Bonds ( Samantha's POV ) I brushed past Ethan , ignoring his questioning gaze as I entered Blackwood Manor . His scent - that familiar blend of forest and spice - filled the air , but instead of comfort , it now brought only bitterness . I set down the Moonlight Espresso cup on the entryway table and hung up my coat , aware of Ethan's eyes tracking my every movement . The handkerchief with Hector's sandalwood scent was still clutched in my hand , and I deliberately placed it beside the coffee cup . Walking to the kitchen , I poured myself a glass of water , listening to Ethan's footsteps following behind me . The tension between us was palpable , heavy enough to make breathing difficult . " Sam , tonight I … " Ethan began , his tone softer now , trying to sound reasonable after his earlier display of possessiveness . I turned to face him , a sardonic smile playing on my lips . " Your surprise was preempted . " The glass was cool against my palm as I took a slow sip , watching his expression shift from conciliatory to confused . " What do you mean ? " he asked , taking a step closer . I maintained my distance , moving around the kitchen island to keep it between us . " Your sister made sure I wouldn't arrive on time . " " Olivia ? " His brow furrowed . " What does she have to do with this ? " I laughed , the sound hollow and brittle in the quiet kitchen . " She called me about a supposed car accident this afternoon . Kept me busy with insurance paperwork until well after eight . " Understanding dawned on his face , followed quickly by anger . " Sam , I didn't- " " She deliberately led me away , " I continued , cutting him off . " Gave you and Rebecca plenty of time together before I showed up . " Ethan's jaw tightened . " I had nothing to do with that ." " Of course not , " I replied , voice dripping with sarcasm . " Just like you had nothing to do with the pregnancy announcement . Just like you had nothing to do with keeping me in the dark while everyone else in the Blackwood Pack knew . " " That's not true . " Ethan slammed his palm on the counter , the sound echoing through the kitchen . " Olivia overheard my conversation with James about the fireworks show . She acted without my knowledge or consent . " His eyes burned with intensity as he continued , " And I never told her about Rebecca's pregnancy . That information was strictly confidential . " I gripped the glass tighter , feeling my control slipping . " So what ? You expect me to believe that your own sister arranged this elaborate setup just to hurt me ? That she somehow knew about Rebecca being pregnant without you telling her ? " " Yes , " he said firmly . " Because that's exactly what happened . " The rage that had been simmering inside me all evening finally boiled over . With a swift motion , I threw the water in his face . He didn't flinch as the liquid dripped down his features , darkening his shirt . His eyes never left mine . Chapter 13 Shattered Bonds *** Pundit " Thelped you build the Blackwood Pack from nothing . " I hissed . " I stood by you when we had nothing but dreams and determination . And this is how you repay me ? " I stepped closer , no longer afraid of his presence . " You've trapped me in a gilded cage of a marriage while you create an heir with another woman . " My voice rose with each word . " Did you think I wouldn't find out ? Did you think I'd just accept it ? That I'd stay the obedient Luna while you parade your pregnant mistress around ? " " She's not my mistress , " Ethan growled . " She's a surrogate , nothing more . " " A surrogate I never agreed to ! " I shouted . " A decision you made without me , behind my back ! " My hands trembled with fury as I continued , " I won't tolerate your betrayal and deception anymore . I'm going back to my healing practice , and you will not hinder me . " I took a deep breath , trying to steady my voice . " The fireworks were beautiful tonight . But you know what ? The ones you arranged for me when we were teenagers were more beautiful . " The memory of that night - our first official date , when Ethan had surprised me with a private fireworks display - flashed through my mind . We had been so young , so full of hope . " Ethan , we can't go back , " I said softly . " So , let me go . " Without waiting for his response , I turned and walked away , heading for the bedroom . Each step felt heavier than the last , as if I were wading through the wreckage of our relationship . Behind me , I left Ethan standing in the kitchen , water still dripping from his face , looking utterly heartbroken and alone . ( Ethan's POV ) I stood motionless in the kitchen - long after Samantha had disappeared upstairs . The water had dried on my face , but the chill of her words remained . My gaze fell on the Moonlight Espresso cup she'd left on the entryway table . The Moonlight Airport Café logo was clearly visible on its side . Something didn't add up . Golden Sands Cove was at least forty minutes from Blackwood Manor . Samantha had left the beach around , yet she'd arrived home just before me . There hadn't been enough time for her to stop at the airport café . Unless she hadn't gone directly to Golden Sands Cove after leaving Olivia . The handkerchief beside the cup caught my attention . I picked it up , the unfamiliar sandalwood scent confirming my suspicions . Samantha had been with another man . I pulled out my phone and dialed James . " I need you to check all flights from the Eastern Territories to the Northern Territories in the last 48 hours . " " Sir ? " James sounded confused . " May I ask why ? " " Just do it ," I snapped , my patience wearing thin . There was a brief pause before James replied , " I'm afraid we have a bigger crisis on our hands right now . " My grip tightened on the phone . " What happened ? " " Rebecca Taylor has taken advantage of the planned announcement of your anniversary with Luna Reed , James explained , his voice tense . " She's released a photo of you seemingly proposing to her at Golden Sands Cove . " 2/4 < Chapter 13 : Shattered Bonds Cold fury washed over me . " How did she get authorization for that ? " +18 Puntos ) " Olivia , " James said simply . " She authorized the release of the photo through the pack's communications department . They used an image of you kneeling with the roses . " I closed my eyes , struggling to contain my anger . " The Willis deal ? " " In jeopardy , James confirmed . " Victor Willis called an hour ago , questioning the stability of our leadership . The partnership we've been working on for two years could collapse . " The Willis deal was crucial for expanding our territory into the European market . Without it , years of diplomatic efforts would be wasted . * Handle the PR crisis , " I ordered , my voice cold . " Prepare Rebecca's transfer papers to another territory - somewhere remote . And find my sister . " " Already on it ," James assured me . " And sir , about checking those flights- " " Do it anyway ," I interrupted , " I want to know who's been visiting from the East . " After ending the call , I grabbed my keys and headed for the door . I needed to clear my head , to strategize away from the lingering scent of Samantha's anger and disappointment . As I climbed into my Phantom SUV , I caught a glimpse of her watching from the bedroom window , October sitting faithfully beside her . The engine roared to life , and I pulled away from Blackwood Manor , my posture rigid with barely contained rage . ( Samantha's POV ) I watched Ethan drive away , his Phantom SUV disappearing down the long driveway . Even from a distance , his posture radiated anger . October whined softly beside me , sensing my distress . I scratched behind her ears , finding comfort in her simple affection . " It's okay , girl ," I murmured . " We'll figure this out . " My phone chimed with a news alert . Reluctantly , I opened it to find multiple articles proclaiming Rebecca Taylor as the new Mrs. Blackwood . The photo showed Ethan on one knee , offering roses to Rebecca against the backdrop of ceremonial fires . The caption read : " Alpha King Ethan Blackwood proposes to Rebecca Taylor after months of secret romance . Sources confirm former Luna Samantha Reed has been aware of the relationship . " I stared at the screen in disbelief . The manipulation was obvious to anyone who knew the truth , but to the public , it would appear that Ethan had moved on with my blessing . Would he clarify the situation ? The Willis deal was important to him - years of negotiation and planning . Having his personal life thrown into scandal could jeopardize everything he'd worked for . My phone chimed again , this time with a message from Hector : " Are you asleep ? "