Chapter Two-Time and Circumstance

Chapter Two

(Olivia POV)

I am startled awake by a loud pounding on my door. “Olivia time to get up from your nap, meet me on the back porch in 10 minutes.” 

“Yes mother.” I shout back so much for a relaxing day. I get up off my bed, strip down to my bra and panties and grab some clothes from my closet. Before I get dressed I stand in front of the closet mirror and survey the damage from this morning's sparring. My cut on my lip is healing so it's barely swollen, a few bruises on my ribs and the worst of it is a bite mark but that should be gone by dinner time. I throw on a pair of shorts and a tank top pile my hair in a bun and make my wak to the back porch.  I step out the back door and see my mom sitting in the porch swing with an intense look on her face. “What’s up mom you wanted to see me?”

“Sit down bug.” She pats the seat next to her.

“Why do you insist on still calling me bug? I am an adult now. It's kind of embarrassing.”

“Well suck it up buttercup. That is what I will always call you. Now I have some business to discuss with you. Your father and I have been asked to host a training camp. There is a new pack that has been recognized about 3 hours away. The Alpha is fairly young and he and his beta and best warriors will be coming to train under your father for 3 months.”

“Okay mother what has this got to do with me?”

“Two things actually. One they will be staying in this pack house, the Golden Moon Pack house and we would like you to stay since you recently moved in here and act as the ambassador of sorts and act as a go between when we aren’t here. Last but not least they arrive the same day Bradley gets home so we have arranged a bbq and sparring tournament that will include the visitors.” I nod my head knowing what this means for me.

“Can Bradley stay here as well? If it is okay with Erik and Evelyn of course.”

“I will talk to them but I don’t see why not as they like to stay in their house on this part of the land. Also I am proud you aren’t fighting helping other packs learn and train. I understand this might be tough for you.”

I don’t respond, it's like I am automatically sucked back into a memory.

(Flashback Olivia 17 years old)

“Mom, dad I understand we are the strongest packs but we could always learn more. Please it is only 4 weeks during the summer. I will go learn some new fighting techniques and pack running skills and come back and share them so that we can continue to evolve and be the strongest. Pleeeease let me do this.” I pleaded with my parents.

“Olivia you’re only 17 years old. I can’t send you alone and your brother is too young to go and Bradley is going to go stay with his grandparents.”

“Oliver she's not a little girl anymore she is strong and independent. She has the pack in mind. I think we should let her do this.” My dad shoots my mom a frustrated look. “Don’t look at me like that Alpha.”

My dad gives my mom a smile and places his hand on her thigh. “Fine Olivia go pack I will make travel arrangements after I have a private conversation with my Luna.”

“Thank you!” I quickly hurried out of his office because I know what he means by “private conversation”. 

(End of Flashback)

“Bug what are you thinking so deeply about?”

“Just about the last training I went to and how bad I fucked up my life.”

My mom hugged me tightly. “You did not fuck up your life. It is not going to be as smooth as it could have been but you my dear are stronger than ever.”

 I hug her to me tighter. “I love you mom.” 

My mom and I spent about 2 hours planning the bbq and talking pack business. I love how she always includes me in these matters even though I won’t be Alpha. We only stop because my phone vibrates with a text alert:

Melanie: y is your block up? I have been trying to reach you.

Olivia: I am talking with my mom. What is up?

Melanie: Party tonight at Franks so be ready by 6pm.

Olivia: 6pm?

Melanie: we will get dinner first duh.

“Mom, I need to get ready. I am going to go out with Melanie and the gang.”

“Ok but be careful and remember you have training in the morning.”

 I run and get ready for the party. I quickly fix my hair into a mess of curly spirals. I don’t bother with make up and throw on a dark grey tank top dress that goes to my knees but hugs my athletic figure nicely and shows a fair share of cleavage. I was blessed with my mothers chest. I throw on some black sandals and I am out the door to meet my friends. 

After I have dinner with Melanie, her mate Mason, Aria who is Mason’s sister and her mate Charles we make our way to Frank's house. Frank is one of our friends that Melanie and I went to high school with. I bite back the bitterness I feel walking in surrounded by my friends, family and their mates. Mason, Aria and I are naturally close as they are related to my father. They are also quite a bit older than us and that is why I always chuckle at the way people awkwardly interact with Mason as he is already an Alpha of his pack. I love his approach however as he doesn’t act better than his pack members in the least. 

We walk in and suddenly Frank shouts “Alright everyone party has started the Alpha and Luna have arrived!” Cheers erupted and Mason just shakes his head. 

“Frankie boy if you weren’t the lil brother of my Beta and friend of my Luna I would strangle you.” Mason laughs. 

We all make our way to the kitchen to grab our drinks. I take two shots of vodka before grabbing my vodka and monster and heading for the back porch. I pull a cigarette out of the pack and light it. I don’t normally smoke but only when I am drinking which is more than ever as I rarely leave pack lands. In packs 18 is the legal drinking age, the belief being that if you're old enough to defend your pack with your life you're old enough to drink. I take another drag of my cigarette and walk into the backyard. Don’t get me wrong I love my friends and family and a good party but these parties are used for cutting loose with your mate or finding your mate neither is going to happen to me. I sit down at the back of the yard against a tree with my legs stretched out in front of me and take a sip of my drink and close my eyes.

“Miss Olivia may I take this patch of ground?”

“Yes Xavier and please quit calling me Miss Olivia.” I took in his features. His light blonde hair and blue eyes stood out even in the dark. I noticed how his muscles in his legs moved as he sat down on the ground next to me. Xavier Dawson, he was a lil younger than me a grade below me in school but I had a crush on him regardless. He was an orphan at 12 years old and wandered into our territory and one of our pack warriors took him in and he proved himself as an asset to our pack as he got older.

“If you insist, Olivia.” he smirked. “What are you doing out here all by your lonesome?”

“Just not in the partying mood I guess.”

“The Olivia Silvers I knew in high school was always up for a party and meeting new people. Going to these parties is the best way to meet other werewolves and potential mates. I even remember you throwing your own parties back in the day.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “I guess people change with time and circumstances.” My hand wandering absently to where my neck and shoulder meet. “What about you, any luck at the party?” I don’t know what I wished his answer to be. Part of me wants him to say no because I still have a silly crush but part of me wants to see him happy with a mate as it is the greatest gift the Goddess can give.

“Not until now” he states firmly then I feel his fingers graze mine in the dirt. There are no sparks but I can feel the warmth. I look at him to see him staring at me. “I think people allow time and circumstances to change them and forget to live for themselves.” He adds reaching up and tucking my hair behind my ear.

 I can’t stop myself from closing my eyes and relishing the feeling of being cared for. I ignore my wolf whimpering in my head to pull back that he isn’t our mate. “Some circumstances can’t be changed and time can’t be rewinded.” A heavy silence fell between us.

“I Xavier Dawson Challenge you Olivia Silvers.” Before he can finish I am on my feet ready to attack. The Alpha blood in me does not like to be challenged. A warning growl leaves my throat. He chuckles while still sitting “to a game of beer pong.” I immediately relaxed.

“Game on!” I laugh.

He jumps to his feet and we walk back toward the house. “You should have seen your face.”

“Sorry Liberty doesn't like to be challenged at all.”

“Understandable” he laughs.

I play a game of beer pong me winning of course. It’s getting late almost Midnight and I have to be up early for training. Xavier offers to escort me home. I don’t refuse as I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. We shift and run back to my pack house with our clothes in our mouths. When we shift back and put on clothes back on he walks me to the door. He stays at the other pack house, not this one. Few wolves stay here. “Thank you for escorting me home.”

“It was my pleasure. I had never got to see Liberty before she was beautiful. I am always standing guard when we have pack runs.”

“Thank you, your wolf was quite handsome as well.”I responded politely.

“Cole his name is Cole. Maybe we can go for a run tomorrow evening together again around 5pm? I mean if you are okay with that. I had so much fun tonight.”

“Of course. Meet me here at 5.” He nods, bends down and kisses me on the cheek. I am stunned for a moment and watch as he walks away stripping his clothes to shift again and heads to the other pack house.

I go up to my room shower and lay down in my bed to catch a few hours. I allow my mind to wander to what could have been if I hadn’t trusted the wrong wolf and was mated to someone like Xavier.