4. "Taking Responsibility, Blinded in Love"

Olive's POV

“ANSWER ME, OLIVE. Are you going to turn me in?”

My mouth opened and closed several times, wanting to argue with him, but failed to do so. I looked at my phone in his hand. Vincent hung up the call, and without Grandma’s encouragement to choose the right path, telling Vincent what we had to do, felt like swallowing thousands of needles.

I was muted while staring into his solemn eyes, sorrowful and gloomy, as if he was already betrayed when I hadn’t done anything yet.

“Please, Olive. Can you just think about me?” Vincent asked, clutching my phone tightly as he stepped closer.

I stepped backward. My emotions were in stormy clouds, I drowned in water that was only up to my ankle. Oh, how hard it is to agree to something very wrong and vicious!

“She was Lycan’s girlfriend. Do you have any idea what will happen to me if you turn me in?”

He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer. With a looming gasp, I looked up. His sardonic face was colored black and white. It is an expression of someone who would not entertain any logical reason. What mattered the most was his opinion and his goal.

‘And that is to come clean in this homicide case.’

Another tear rolled down my cheeks before a gruff voice, like the creaking of the gallows chain slipped out of my quivering lips.

“W-What about Vera? Don't you feel guilty for her?”

“THAT’S THE POINT, OLIVE! Who Vera “is” mattered in this case the most!  Since she’s Aaron’s girlfriend, his vengeance could wipe out our pack in just a blink of an eye. I felt guilty. I do! I have emotions too, Olive. Do you really see me as the bad guy?”

“N-No,” I disagreed, shaking my head. “I know you’re not a bad guy and that’s why I fell in love with you. But hiding like this after killing someone, that is…”

“Cowardice?”

Vincent eyed me as if I suddenly became a stranger in his eyes.

“F*ck that. If this is cowardice, then what the hell am I supposed to do? What about our pack?”

He gripped my shoulders, his voice tinged with anger.

“Lycan Aaron is the most ruthless guy. I swear with all my sagacity. Without a second thought, he would destroy a pack, including OUR PACK.”

I don’t want to bring harm to our pack either. However, these “black-and-white thoughts” could not mend the guilt in my heart.

“I’ve got you back, Vincent,” I firmly said. “I will be you Luna and I will do everything to my Alpha. Absolute loyalty, and unwavering support. I'm with you till the end."

“What will that loyalty do? Weren’t you thinking of turning me into the cops?”

“I will plead for the Lycan’s forgiveness.”

“SHUT…”

Unable to finish his words, Vincent shook his head and sighed.

“You know what, it’s beyond our control now.”

“V-Vincent.”

“Olive. Just…”

He held my hand, leaned closer, and wiped the tears on my cheek with his thumb. His action was warm, but his eyes were icy cold.

“I think we should talk to my parents. They can help.”

Vincent’s parents. They are the least people I am thrilled to meet with today. Didn’t I just overhear his conversation with Vincent? They berated me. In their eyes, I am nothing more than a weed. If I talk, will they listen to a talking weed who has no Alpha blood and isn’t worthy of respect?

“No matter what they say, don’t argue back. Let them handle it. I am sure they know a way to protect us,” Vincent said the most unimaginable thing to happen.

‘Why would they protect me?’

 I knew that painful truth and yet, I followed Vincent and stood outside Alpha’s room.

Perhaps, love and loyalty have a knack to make someone stupid.

“Stand tall, no slouching on one leg. My mom isn't a fan of that. Lastly, wipe away those tears. They're not fans of tears either,” Vincent reminded me.

I could not believe I have to show etiquette even in this urgent situation. But well, it is Vincent’s parents, and I knew more than anyone else how they value etiquette in their family’s rules. So, I nodded my head and walked in beside him.

The atmosphere was incredibly grim. I couldn't even bring myself to look Alpha George and Luna Rose in the eyes. Their gaze locked onto me like hawks, making me feel uneasy all over. My headache worsened.

"Vincent has filled me in on the situation. I was planning to send the car to a secret auto shop and have it dismantled, so no one would ever know what happened," Alpha George lit his cigar. "But that's what regular folks do when they're the victims. Clearly, you're quite the troublemaker. You caused everything."

Even though I wasn't the one driving, I was still an accomplice. I was in the passenger seat, and I didn't notice Vera, let alone save her. I'm willing to take responsibility for all my faults. But dismantling the car to cover up the evidence is something I can't agree with.

"I'm sorry, Alpha George, I..." I tried to retort but was stopped when Vincent grabbed my hand. He gave me a look, silently telling me not to speak. Protocol—never defy your alpha. I could only remain silent.

"You shouldn't have been at the mating ceremony, Olive," Luna Rose spoke up. "You clung to Vincent and made him take you there, right?"

Luna Rose's low growl frightened me, and I lowered my head. "Yes, I'm sorry..."

"You've always wanted him to take you for a joyride. And when he finally agreed, he took you to Westford, didn't he?" Luna continued, her aura suffocating me, causing me to bury my head even deeper.

"Yes, I..."

"Shut up! You caused all of this! You hurt Vincent! How dare you stand before me like this?" Luna Rose exclaimed.

"Mom, it's not Olive's fault. She..."

"Vincent! You're supposed to be the alpha-to-be! How can you be so consumed in your love games? I told you ages ago to break up with her, and you refused. Tell me, if it wasn't for her, would you have driven to the mating ceremony? Would you have gone to Westford?" Luna's questioning felt suffocating, more than any prosecutor in court.

"No, I wouldn't, but..." Vincent's voice noticeably weakened.

"Don't make excuses for her! You're supposed to be the next alpha, but you're even more foolish than I thought. You're just as reckless as this underage girl," Alpha George scolded with anger.

Vincent bowed his head in silence. Meanwhile, I couldn't bear it any longer. My eyes felt like they were being pricked with needles, and the tears started flowing again. "I'm sorry. Please don't blame Vincent. It's my fault. I beg you. I'm willing to do anything to make amends. We'll turn ourselves in, I'm willing to bear the consequences with him."

At that instant, my phone rang.

Silence settled between us, and the ringing sound echoed like ambulance sirens.

Holding my breath, I glanced at Alpha, who gestured for me to answer and put it on speaker.

"Hello, this is the pack's police. We'd like to ask you some questions regarding the traffic incident in Westford last night. Is this Miss Olive Smith speaking?"

At that moment, everyone grew tense, and three pairs of eyes locked onto me. There was no choice but to respond, "Yes, it's me. How can I assist you?"

"We noticed you placed an emergency call around 12:36 a.m., wherein you mentioned Westford. Is that correct?" the police officer inquired.

"Yes, I... did make the call," I confessed, unable to fabricate a lie.

"May we inquire about your current location? We need you to come down to the police station to provide further information."

After furnishing them with Vincent's home address, I ended the call, knowing that the police would soon be knocking on my door. It seemed that Alpha George and Luna Rose had resolved to make me take the fall. Once again, they resumed their discussion, rehashing the same arguments.

"The police noticed it. I knew it!" Luna Rose said.

"Vincent can't turn himself in. If he does, the whole pack gets dragged into it. But you, you're just a small fry, nameless and insignificant. Plus, you're underage, so if you turn yourself in alone, you won't be having a hard time," Alpha George finished his cigar, and I watched the fire on the tip die out, just like the flicker of hope in my heart.

"This is the only way. Do you want the entire pack to pay the price for your foolishness? If my pack goes down, your grandmother will be caught in the crossfire," Alpha George continued, his words dripping with determination, "Even though you've been nothing but a naive girl, I hope you've got some sense left in you this time. After all, you were planning to turn yourself in, weren't you?"

"I..." My gaze shifted to Vincent, panic gripping me, unsure of my next move. Were they really asking me to shoulder the blame for Vincent?

"Olive, I'm lost, not knowing what's right anymore. I've screwed up, but I can't bear to see my pack suffer because of my mistakes. Can you understand?" Tears welled up in Vincent's eyes as he stared into mine.

It was a side of him I'd never witnessed before. In a state of frenzy, I looked back and forth between him and the Alpha couple, feeling utterly alone. All I wanted was to take responsibility for our wrongdoings. Why did even redemption require deceit?

"There is no time. And you have no other choice. Think about your grandma." The icy tone of Alpha George made me tremble.

"I...” I mumbled, clenching my fists, and shutting my eyes firmly.

Memories flashed back.

The warm soup my Grandma cooked every morning. The laughter I shared with my friends in our pack. Vincent’s love and kisses. If sacrificing myself will protect those memories, then…

“I will take the blame for Vincent.”