Olivia“Tonight?” Nathan’s voice echoed with a mix of disbelief and apprehension, his eyes widening in response to my resolve.“Yes, tonight,” I said firmly, even as my own doubts swirled deep within. “Every moment we wait, we risk running out of time. If Ryan plans another attack, our pack could be in serious trouble.”Nathan’s fingers tightened on my arm. The dim light of the room flickered, casting his chiseled face into sharp relief.“But Liv,” he began, his voice laced with a plea, “that doesn’t mean you rush headlong into this, especially when you’re hurt. Don’t worry about the pack. We’re prepared in case Ryan comes back, but I don’t think it’ll be an issue tonight.”I looked down at my leg, the evidence of our recent encounter still evident in the raw, bruised skin. The pain was there, yes, but there was something else too, a newfound resilience. It whispered in my ear, a voice that sounded so much like my own, urging me forward.“Every moment we delay, the more the danger gro
OliviaThe pale blue color of the full moon draped itself over the clearing like a blanket, transforming the environment into a realm of mystique. The grass shimmered like a sea of silver, the standing stones whispered tales of an age gone by, and all around was a tangible hush, as if the world held its breath.But I felt anything but calm.The hooded woman stepped forward with a deliberateness that sent shivers down my spine. It was as though time seemed to bow to her, each step syncing with the rhythmic beat of my own heart.She came to a halt right in the center of the moonlit stage nature had crafted. Resting my hand on Nathan’s shoulder, I felt him become tense as the stranger came closer, his protective growl adding a base note to the nocturnal symphony around us.“Who are you?” I demanded, my voice carrying authority I wasn’t quite sure whether I felt or not. The mystery of the stranger’s shrouded face made it all the more daunting.Silence stretched between us, like a tangible
OliviaThe light of the moon hung heavily over the clearing, its glow casting intricate patterns on the ground. As Freya’s words enveloped me, I felt as if I were suspended in time, caught in a web of fate and destiny.“I was there when you were born, Olivia,” she whispered directly into my mind. It was a strange sensation, feeling her voice resonate within me, bypassing my ears entirely.“Why? Why were you at my birth?” I asked, my own mental voice shaking with the weight of the revelation.“You’re special, Olivia. You bear the bloodline of the Ancient Wolf,” her voice echoed softly in the caverns of my thoughts.Nathan and I paused, shooting each other another apprehensive glance. I could feel the weight of his stare; his theory had been correct. Supposedly.“How do I know you’re telling the truth?” I asked, turning back to look at Freya once more. “I’ve never felt special…”“Do not pretend that you do not know,” Freya said, her voice taking on a somewhat harsher tone despite the fa
OliviaThe night wrapped the forest in an embrace of darkness, with only the gleaming moon cutting through, casting an ethereal glow over the foliage.The leaves whispered secrets as they rustled in the breeze, and the world seemed to hold its breath. I stood in the middle of this midnight landscape, my heart hammering inside of my chest with a mixture of fear, confusion, and determination running through my veins.“This is too dangerous,” I said, shaking my head. “I… I can’t do all of this alone. Especially not going into the mines.”Beside me, Nathan, who was still in his wolf form, turned his head to look at me. “Nor will I let you go into the mines by yourself,” his voice said in my mind. “There has to be another way.”Standing in front of me was Freya, a vision of otherworldly beauty bathed in the moon’s silver luminescence. As her words washed over me, the weight of my destiny pressed down, reminding me that I was teetering on the precipice of change.“There is no other way. I’m
Olivia“You really don’t have any idea?” Freya’s words, although only uttered telepathically, seemed to echo throughout the moonlit forest.I shook my head, my brow furrowed. “Explain,” I murmured.Freya nodded. “Very well. Let me tell you a story…”…The chill of a winter’s night surrounded my secluded cottage. The moonlight cast a silver glow on the frosted grass, and everything was silent except for the faint whisper of wind through barren trees. That tranquility was shattered by an urgent pounding on my door.I opened it swiftly, not expecting any visitors, only to find Kamran, disheveled and gasping for breath. His eyes, usually calm and composed, mirrored a storm of fear. “Freya,” he panted, “the baby... she’s coming, but something’s wrong. She’s not... not coming out properly.”Heart pounding, I grabbed my shawl and the small satchel containing herbs and sacred stones I always kept ready. Without a word, Kamran and I raced back to their dwelling, the cold air stinging our fac
OliviaThe world seemed to have quieted for a moment. The ethereal remnants of Freya’s departure hung in the air, and a hush seemed to settle around Nathan and me.The stillness was violently broken once again by the alarming scent of smoke growing even stronger in the air, something out of place in the crisp night.“Nathan?” I murmured, searching for answers in his glowing eyes. His gaze mirrored my unease, and he shifted comfortably in his spot.There was a change in the wind, carrying an urgency that gripped us both. We exchanged a glance of mutual understanding. Words were often unnecessary between us, but right now, I needed to hear his voice.“A fire. It’s coming from the direction of the town,” Nathan exclaimed, his sharp eyes catching the ominous orange hue staining the horizon. The clouds seemed to have adopted an eerie glow, and the darkness had given way to a burning orange light. “We have to go.”Cries pierced through the distance—sounds of terror and desperation. Without
OliviaA deafening silence hung over the town square after Mingan’s declaration.The remnants of the fire danced around in a fading choreography, casting a hazy orange glow against the expressions of the gathered crowd. It mixed with the rising sun, reminding me that I hadn’t slept a wink all night.“What is this?” I stammered, my voice breaking. I stooped, my fingers gripping the charred straw. My mind raced, unable to grasp the implications of the blackened strands in my hand.Mingan took a deep breath, exasperation lacing her words. “Your ignorance knows no bounds, Olivia. It’s a message. One that has caused our town much pain and loss already.”My gaze locked with hers, the weight of her disapproval sinking into my bones. “What message? I don’t understand.”“Last night,” she began, her voice steady but dripping with disdain, “Ryan’s followers constructed an effigy. Of you.”The last of Mingan’s words echoed in the smoky atmosphere, leaving me bewildered and surrounded by the disap
NathanThe first step into the burning structure felt like stepping into hell itself. The air around me was superheated, burning my lungs with every inhalation. The once grand building, known for its exquisite woodwork and intricate designs, was now an inferno.Flames roared around me, dancing menacingly like vengeful spirits awakened from a deep slumber.I could hear the distant shouts from the town square—desperate pleas for the safety of the missing child. But inside, those voices were drowned out by the relentless roar of the blaze.A wooden beam collapsed to my left, sending a shower of sparks into the air. I shielded my face with an arm, feeling the heat singe my skin. The smoke was suffocating, and I pulled a cloth over my mouth, trying to filter the worst of it. Every breath was an effort.As I navigated through the fiery maze, my thoughts were consumed by the little girl lost somewhere in this hellscape.“Hello?!” I shouted, my voice sounding weak and frail amidst the inferno
OliviaI gripped the edges of the podium, my knuckles whitening from the strain as I stared out over the sea of faces. All eyes were trained squarely on me, awaiting my words. But I was frozen.A tremor of nausea wormed its way up my throat as I stared out at them. What was I thinking—how could I have ever agreed to this? Speaking to crowds had never been my forte; that was Nathan’s arena, not mine. I was just the woman behind the scenes, the young mom who had never gone to college, the one who had been handed her job by her husband…Suddenly, a flicker of motion off to the side caught my eye—Nathan, standing just at the edge of the stage with his arms folded across his chest. Even from this distance, I could feel the weight of his steady gaze, that piercing Alpha stare that always seemed to see straight into the depths of my soul.He must have sensed my faltering because, slowly, deliberately, he offered me the faintest of smiles and a single, reassuring nod.And just like that, the
Olivia I looped my arm through Nathan’s as we stepped down from the podium, the applause from the crowd and the flashing of cameras having finally subsided after what felt like an eternity. “It’s over,” Nathan beamed, giving my arm a squeeze. “That wasn’t so bad.” I couldn’t help but grin back at him. “No, it wasn’t. You were great up there.” And he really had been great; the press conference had been an overwhelming success—any lingering doubts or trepidation we had harbored before had been utterly blown away by the sheer force of the crowd’s enthusiastic response. For so long, it had felt like we were fighting this battle alone, like the victims who had suffered under Dan’s horrific operation were little more than nameless, faceless casualties. But today, we had finally given them a voice. Their stories had reached the masses, had resonated and struck a chord with everyone who watched. Nathan had handled all of the questions that were thrown his way with poise and ease
OliviaI rapped my knuckles lightly on the door to Nathan’s office. A moment later, his voice called out, “Come in.”Stepping into the room, I placed my hands on my hips upon seeing the scene in front of me: Nathan was standing in front of the mirror, his shirt still untucked and his tie loosened. His desk was a mess of papers and folders, and it was clear that he had been checking over his notes last-minute before the press conference.
OliviaI wiped a bead of sweat from my brow, slowly turning to survey the progress that had been made in the park. The banners we had hung were a bold purple color, signifying our support of the women who had been affected by the trafficking ring.I couldn’t help but smile a bit as I looked at our progress. With the press conference today, followed by a festival to help raise funds for the shelter we were building, the park was bustling with activity as our pack members worked hard
NathanI leaned back in my chair with a weary sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose in a futile attempt to stave off the encroaching headache. Spread out on my desk was an array of file folders, legal pads scrawled with notes, and printed transcripts—a minefield of information that would need to be carefully navigated on the day of the upcoming press conference.It had been two weeks since Dan and Montgomery’s bodies were found in the confinement pit, and it had been a dizzyin
OliviaMy hands shook uncontrollably as I stepped up to the edge of the pit, clutching the metal grating until my knuckles turned white. A thick, cloying stench wafted up from the darkness below—the unmistakable reek of death and decay.Despite the waves of nausea already roiling in my gut, I leaned forward for a closer look.
OliviaThe air coming through the open windows smelled like the fresh sea breeze as we made our way from room to room, touring every nook and cranny of the newly completed cottage. It was perfect—cozy and quaint, while still boasting all the modern amenities one could want. But more than that, it was a sanctuary, a haven.A fresh start.
OliviaThe sound of power tools outside streamed in through the window while I folded the laundry, a distant backdrop to my swirling thoughts. I had grown used to the sound, and actually kind of enjoyed it. It was a reminder that life went on, that our family was growing.It had been a couple of weeks since I had made the decision to take a temporary leave from work in order to really focus on my family—on rebuilding that long-severed bond with my mother—and I was glad I did.
NathanI couldn’t stop the rage from simmering just beneath the surface as I made my way through the darkened forest toward the confinement pit. No one knew I was here—I was coming under the cover of night, my hair and face concealed by a hood.But I had to come. I couldn’t stop thinking about Dan and Montgomery, and I needed to see them.