C The Ultimate Sacrifice
Ch : The Ultimate Sacrifice
(Theodore’s POV)
+25 Points
I was supposed to return to Stonehaven, but at the last moment before boarding the plane ! changed my mind again–I wanted to see her one more time.
I adjusted the hood of my cloak, keeping to the shadows as crowds gathered for the coronation. I hadn’t come to cause trouble. I just needed to see her one last time.
Olivia. My Luna. My greatest mistake.
The Coliseum glowed with celebration lights, and I positioned myself where I could glimpse the royal box. There she sat, radiant in silver, with our son beside her. And the baby–my daughter. The sight twisted something painful in my chest.
I’d lost everything that mattered because of my own foolishness.
A commotion caught my attention. Olivia was leaving the ceremony abruptly, her face composed but her movements urgent. Something was wrong.
Without thinking, I followed her. I kept a safe distance behind her vehicle. When she parked near an abandoned warehouse district, my wolf senses heightened.
Danger. I could smell it.
I circled the building, finding a side entrance. The scent hit me immediately–Clara. My former mistress. The woman who had helped destroy my marriage and my pack.
Creeping through the shadows, I heard voices echoing through the cavernous space.
“Mom!” Leo’s terrified cry sent ice through my veins.
Then came the sound that would haunt me forever–a gunshot, followed by the unmistakable scent of silver and blood. Olivia’s blood.
I burst into the open space to find a nightmare. Olivia lay crumpled on the floor, blood spreading across her chest. Leo was tied to a chair, tears streaming down his face. Clara stood over Olivia with a smoking gun, her expression wild and unhinged.
“Clara!” I roared, my wolf surging forward with rage.
She whirled toward me, her eyes widening. “Theodore? You came for me after all!”
The delusion in her voice chilled me. Beside her, Audrey Vale backed away, horror on her face.
“This wasn’t supposed to happen,” Audrey whispered. “We were just going to embarrass her, not-”
“Put the gun down, Clara,” I commanded, using my Alpha voice.
Clara laughed, the sound brittle and broken. “You don’t command me anymore, Theodore. You threw me away like garbage after I gave you everything!”
I took a careful step forward, positioning myself between her and my family. “This isn’t about Olivia. It’s about me. I’m the one who hurt you.”
“You used me!” Clara screamed. “I was nothing but a genetic match for your precious Luna! You harvested me for compatible organs when Olivia got sick! My daughter is too!”
Leo’s shocked gasp cut through me. Another sin to answer for.
“Let my son go,” I said, my voice steady despite the rage and fear coursing through me. “This is between us.”
Clara’s eyes darted between me and Olivia’s still form. “No. I want you to feel what I felt. I want you to lose everything.”
She swung the gun toward Olivia again. “I’ll finish her, then the boy.”
I didn’t hesitate. I lunged forward as she pulled the trigger.
The impact of the silver bullet tore through my chest. Burning, searing pain exploded through my body as I crashed to the floor beside Olivia.
Clara’s face contorted with shock. “No! That wasn’t for you!”
With the last of my strength, I surged upward, my claws extending as I slashed across her throat. Her eyes widened in surprise as she crumpled, the gun clattering to the floor.
Audrey screamed, backing away. “This wasn’t the plan! This wasn’t-”
“Run,” I growled, blood bubbling from my lips. “Run before I kill you too.”
She fled, her footsteps echoing through the warehouse.
With trembling hands, I dragged myself to Leo’s chair, clawing through his bindings. “Son…”
“Dad?” Leo’s voice broke as he scrambled free, his small hands pressing against my wound. “Dad, you’re hurt!”
“Listen to me,” I gasped, the silver burning through my veins. “Your mother… check on her.”
Leo rushed to Olivia, his fingers finding her pulse. “She’s alive! Mom’s alive!”
Relief flooded through me. I crawled to her side, gathering her limp form in one arm while pulling Leo close with the other.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered, pressing my forehead to Olivia’s. “For everything.”
The silver was working quickly. I could feel my strength ebbing away, my vision darkening at the edges.
“Dad, don’t go,” Leo sobbed, his small hands clutching my shirt. “Please don’t go.”
1 cupped his face, memorizing every feature. “Leo, my son. I need you to be strong now. For your mother, for your sister.”
“I can’t,” he cried. “I need you!”
“You can,” I insisted, tasting blood in my mouth. “You’re a Redgrave. You’re my son.”
In the distance, I heard vehicles approaching. Matthew’s forces had arrived.
“Leo,” I whispered urgently. “I need you to forgive me. Not now, maybe not for years. But someday.”
He nodded, tears streaming down his face.
“And your mother,” I continued, stroking Olivia’s pale cheek. “Tell her I’m sorry. Tell her I always loved her, even when I failed her.”
The warehouse doors burst open. Matthew Kane stood there, his powerful frame silhouetted against the light, his eyes glowing with Alpha power.
Our gazes locked across the space. My rivals, bound by love for the same woman.
“Take care of them,” I called to him, my voice weakening. “Better than I did.”
He nodded solemnly, understanding passing between us.
With shaking hands, I pulled out my phone, dialing the number.
“Ethan,” I gasped when he answered. “It’s Theodore Redgrave.”
“What do you want?” His voice was cold, suspicious.
“I’m dying,” I said simply. “Silver poisoning. I need… one last favor.”
3/4
< Chapter 270: The Ultimate Sacrifice
“Why would I help you?” he demanded.
“Not for me,” I whispered. “For Olivia. Your sister needs you.”
Silence stretched between us.
+25 Pointe
“Please,” I begged, my vision darkening. “She’s been shot. Silver. She needs… to survive.”
I heard his sharp intake of breath. “Where?”
I gave him the location as Matthew’s men surrounded us, medical teams rushing to Olivia’s side.
“Thank you,” I whispered, not knowing if Ethan was still listening.
As darkness closed in, I looked at my son one last time. “Be strong, Leo. I love you.”
7
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