Whisper - Chapter 99: Chapter 99

Silver Wounds and Pack Pride – 1
( Richard's POV )
I could barely contain the fury building inside me as I watched Eleanor Rivers interrogate my daughter. The hospital corridor felt suffocating, the antiseptic smell doing nothing to calm my nerves.
"So Connor took that silver dagger for you?" Eleanor's voice cut through the air like a blade, each word dripping with accusation.
Olivia lowered her gaze, her shoulders hunched forward in defeat. "Yes."
The elder Luna pressed on mercilessly, her eyes cold as winter. "You were too impulsive! We'd already called the territory enforcers, there were pack guards in the estate, couldn't you have waited? If you hadn't been reckless, Connor wouldn't have been injured for no reason."
My daughter's face crumpled further. The sight of her – still wearing that blood – stained engagement gown – made my heart ache.
"I'm sorry, Elder Rivers, it's all my fault," Olivia ed, her voice hoarse and guilty.
Tears shimmered in her amber eyes, so like her mother's.
Something inside me snapped. The Alpha in me would not stand by while my daughter was blamed for another's crimes.
"Elder Rivers, what's the meaning of these words?" My voice boomed through the corridor, making several heads turn. "It was your adopted daughter who stabbed
Connor with silver, also your pack's member. Are you implying this dagger was meant for my daughter's body instead?"
Eleanor's eyes widened at my outburst, but I wasn't finished.
"You say she was impulsive – if your son had a silver blade to his throat, would you calmly wait for the enforcers? Would you risk it, knowing the kidnapper threatened to kill in five minutes?"
My voice grew colder with each word, my protective instincts fully awakened.
"Your guards couldn't even stop them from k ******** g my younger daughter in broad daylight! Were they there to rescue or to collect corpses?"
The Rivers family stood frozen, shocked by my uncharacteristic display of emotion.
"My younger daughter was kidnapped, my older daughter risked her life to save her and nearly died herself, yet you blame her instead of the real culprit? What twisted logic is this? Are you believers of ' victim blaming '?"
My hands trembled with barely suppressed rage. I hadn't felt this protective since
Sarah's death.
The silence that followed was deafening. Eleanor's face had gone pale, her lips pressed into a thin line.
William Rivers, Connor's father, coughed twice, breaking the tension. He fixed Eleanor with a sharp, cold gaze, his ice – blue eyes – so like his son's – flashing with authority.
"Richard is right, this is not Olivia's fault. And what nonsense did you just say? You pampered Vanessa too much, that's why she turned out this way! This disaster is on you."
Eleanor's chest heaved furiously, her face flushing deep red. For a moment, I thought she might collapse.
"Fine! Now you blame me too? I won't argue with you anymore!" She spun on her heel and stormed off, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.
William turned to me, his posture relaxing slightly. The hardness in his eyes softened to something almost apologetic.
"Don't be angry, this is indeed our pack's fault."
Katherine Rivers, Connor's mother, nodded in silent agreement, her amber eyes filled with shame. The resemblance between her and Olivia struck me again – they shared the same warm – colored eyes, though Katherine's held decades more of life experience.
I exhaled slowly, trying to calm myself. The anger still simmered beneath my composed exterior.
"Since Connor is out of danger, I'm going home to check on Grace. She's still terrified."
Silver Wounds ...
My heart was torn between my daughters. Grace needed me, but leaving Olivia here with these people who had just blamed her ...
"Katherine, see Alpha Winters off," William instructed gently, acknowledging the respect due to an allied pack's leader.
Olivia stepped forward, clearly intending to follow me. I shook my head firmly.
"Livvy, come home with me. If you stay and something happens with Connor's injury again, they'll blame you all over."
My words were deliberately sharp, meant to sting. The Rivers family's faces darkened with shame at the reminder of their matriarch's earlier scolding.
( Olivia's POV )
My lips trembled as I looked at my father. I was exhausted, guilt – ridden, but I knew what I needed to do.
"Dad ... I can't leave yet. Connor risked his life for me. If he wakes up and doesn't see me, he'll be sad."
My voice was soft but filled with determination. I couldn't abandon Connor now, not after what he'd done for me.
William smiled approvingly, his stern features softening. "Richard, my mother was out of line just now. I apologize on her behalf."
His authority carried the weight of the entire Rivers pack. The apology was genuine, if belated.
"Yes, Connor would want to see her first when he wakes," Katherine added, her earlier hostility completely gone.