Chapter 213 Unexpected.

bChapter /b213b: /bbUnexpected /bbAlliances /b

Chapter 213: Unexpected Alliances

(Olivia’s POV)

I couldn’t refuse Miranda’s enthusiasm, and I finally epted the moonstone ne. “Thank byou/bb, /bbMiranda/bb,/bb” /bI said with a warm smile.

Miranda’s eyes sparkled with genuine pleasure. “It’s too formal to call me Miranda in that tone. We bhave /bba /blife–saving bond between us now. From now on, just call me Mira–it’s what my close friends call me.”

I was taken aback by Miranda’s sudden shift to a more intimate tone. I felt surprised by this gesture bof /bfriendship from someone I had considered a rival for Ethan’s affections.

Miranda noticed my hesitation and teased with a yful smile. “What, you refuse bto /bcall me Mira because you still see me as your rival for Ethan’s heartb?/bb” /b

I was amused by Miranda’s directness and couldn’t help but smile. “Alright then, Mira,” I said, testing bthe /b

name.

Miranda beamed with satisfaction. “And I’ll call you Liv?”

I nodded, and Miranda continued earnestly. “Thank you again for this beautiful giftb, /bLiv. It means more than you know.”

I waved dismissively. “I thought you came here to discuss your legal case.”

Miranda shook her head. “I trust your abilitiespletely. You wouldn’t have taken the case if you weren’t confident.”

I studied Miranda’s face carefully. “After what happened with Victoria Hayes, seeing how she betrayed you, I realize you’re much more genuine and kind–hearted than I initially thought. I’m sorry you had to experience such treachery from someone you trusted.”

Miranda leaned forward slightly, her expression growing serious. “Liv, I have a proposition. What if we

became actual friendsb?/bb” /b

My eyebrows rose in surprise. I clearly hadn’t expected this turn,

After a moment’s consideration, I nodded slowly. “I… I’d like that.”

Miranda’s face lit up with genuine happiness. Then her expression shifted to something more determined.

“But I want to bepletely honest with you. I’m not giving up on Connor. I propose wepete fairly for bhis /baffections–may the best she–wolf win.”

My smile faded slightly. “Mira, I appreciate your honesty, but I have no intention ofpeting with you bfor /b

anyone.”

Miranda’s eyes shed with understanding. “You say that because you know Connor loves you. You bfeel /bsecure in that knowledge, don’t you?”

My voice grew quiet, almost sad. “Connor and I… we can’t go back to what bwe /bwereb. /bbToo /bbmuch /bbhas /bhappened.”

Chapter 213: Unexpected

Miranda felt an unexpected pang of sympathy wash over her as she watched the pain flicker across my features. She shook her head quickly, trying to dismiss the feeling before it could take root.

I noticed her reaction and couldn’t help but be amused by Miranda’s obvious internal struggle.

“You know what?” Miranda said with a self–deprecatingugh. “I must be losing my mind. Here I bam /bactually feeling sorry that you and Connor have grown apart. That should make me happy, shouldn’t bit/b?”

I chuckled softly. “You’re not wrong about that being a little crazy,”

We both burst intoughter at the absurdity of the situation.

“That’s really insane…” I murmured, still smiling.

On thest day of May, I took a flight to Harbor City’s rural district. Years ago, when I had worked in Harbor City due to conflicts with my pack, I had met a warm–hearted woman named Rachel Morrison when I was

renting an apartment.

Rachel had been my neighbor–a cheerful, enthusiastic beta werewolf who worked in sales. I fondly

remembered the day I had forgotten my keys and called myndlord, who told me bto /bwait while he picked up his daughter from school.

I had been standing outside my apartment building when Rachel, who lived across the hall, had noticed my

predicament. “Hey there, did you forget your keys?” Rachel had asked with genuine concern.

I had ended up in Rachel’s cozy apartment that day, and we had quickly be friends. We often dined out

together and went shopping on weekends.

Rachel had been my first real friend in Harbor City–a ray of sunshine during a difficult period in my life.

Eventually, Rachel had returned to her rural pack to mate with her childhood sweetheart and start a family.

Though we had lost touch physically, we still exchanged messages asionally through social media. This time, I was traveling to Harbor City specifically to help Rachel.

A few days ago, Rachel had contacted me desperately, asking if I could help with a legal matter. Rachel’s mate James and his childhood friend Marcus Webb had pooled their life savingsb–/bover $200,000–to start a

business together.

Marcus had absconded with all the money, leaving James and Rachel financially devastated. Though police

had located Marcus, he had already squandered the stolen funds.

Rachel and James wanted to sue him to recover what they could of their losses.

The case wasn’t overlyplex, but it wasn’t simple either–there was substantial evidence, wh.. helpful and challenging to navigate. Rachel had been crying over the phone, begging me to help them.

as both

Living in a small vige under Harbor City’s jurisdiction, Rachel had no connections in the legal world. I was the onlywyer she knew who might be able to assist them.

She had nowhere else to turn. I had always believed in repaying kindness, and I remembered clearly how Rachel had weed me that day when I was locked out and feeling lost bin /ba new city.

That’s why I had traveled to Moonhaven Vige with Emma Thompson. The bvige /bwas more bthan /bbtwenty /bkilometers from Harbor City’s center, nestled in a remote rural area.

Rachel’s home was a modest three–story house bthat /bher mate’s family bhad /bbbuilt /bbthemselves/bb. /bbRachel’s /bbfamily /b

Chapter 213 Unexpected.

greeted Emma and me with overwhelming warmth and gratitude.

Unfortunately, just as I was preparing to leave the next day, heavy rain began to fall, trapping us in the bvige /bfor longer than nned.