Chapter 186

Olivia

In the enveloping darkness of my dream, I felt strangely at peace.

Around me, the ethereal landscape pulsated with life, taking the form of a vast, moonlit forest. The canopy above seemed endless, silver beams of moonlight piercing through the dense foliage, painting dappled patterns on the forest floor.

“Olivia,” a deep, resonant voice echoed around me. It was so familiar I recognized it immediately, yet it was also otherworldly and far stronger than I had heard it before. My wolf. “Do not be afraid.”

“I’m not,” I replied, finding my voice surprisingly steady. “But everything’s so… unclear.”

The surroundings shifted, and I suddenly found myself standing by a serene lakeside. The waters were so still, it was like looking into a giant, polished mirror. I took a few steps forward to peer into the water, dropping to my knees and leaning over toward the water’s surface.

In the reflection, I saw not just myself, but my wolf—her majestic form, fierce eyes and a calm demeanor.

She was golden, just as I remembered. Golden like the setting sun, with eyes as clear and blue as the sky.

“You are stronger than you know,” my wolf said, her voice gentle yet commanding. “Trust in yourself. Trust in our bond.”

A sudden rush of emotions welled up inside me—love, fear, hope, uncertainty. “Is everything okay? The babies, Nathan, are they—”

“They are fine,” my wolf interrupted, her tone reassuring. “But you need to trust more, Olivia. Not just in us, but in those around you. You are not alone in this journey.”

A ripple came across the water, disturbing our reflections.

The scene changed again, and now I was in a vast meadow, bathed in sunlight. Children played in the distance, their laughter light and infectious. Two children: a boy and a girl. My children. They both had golden hair, just like me.

I hadn’t named them yet. Suddenly, seeing them now like this made all of the names I had picked already seem unfitting.

And standing beside me was Nathan, his eyes filled with love and adoration. He looked more handsome than ever, his blue-green eyes swimming with mirth as a warm breeze ruffled his hair. He looked older, but aged perfectly.

In that moment, I felt something that I had been feeling for a long time, but had been too afraid to admit. Love.

I had to tell him. Clint’s words kept echoing in my mind. Lost time… I couldn’t lose any more of it. Not when I had already come so close to losing it all.

But then, Nathan turned toward me. His lips parted and he spoke, but it wasn’t his voice. It was my wolf’s voice.

“The journey isn’t finished, Olivia,” it said. “There is still much to do. This spell that keeps us apart needs to be broken, but not for the reasons you think.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, cocking my head to the side, oddly unperturbed by my wolf’s voice coming out of Nathan’s mouth in my dreamlike state.

But there was no answer.

The dream shifted one final time, and a comforting warmth enveloped me, drawing me back to consciousness.

The first thing I felt as my senses returned was a gentle touch—a hand on mine. It was warm, familiar. Slowly opening my eyes, the world came into focus. Everything was dimly lit, the surroundings unfamiliar but calming nonetheless.

Turning my head, I saw Nathan. He was seated beside me, looking weary but relieved. His eyes, which had been watching me intently, softened when our gazes met.

“You’re awake,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. He let out a sigh of relief that seemed to come from the very depths of his being. “I haven’t left your side.”

“What... what happened?” My voice was weak, barely above a whisper, and my throat felt parched.

“The babies,” I continued, panic creeping into my voice. “Where are they?”

Nathan squeezed my hand gently. “They’re with Angela in the next room. They’re healthy, both of them. We just thought it would be best for you to rest in a quiet place.”

A flood of memories rushed back—the pain, the herbs, Angela’s voice. “I had a strange dream,” I murmured, more to myself than to Nathan.

He leaned in, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “What did you see?”

“I spoke to my wolf,” I replied, the words feeling strange even as they left my lips. “She told me to trust, to believe in our bond.”

Nathan’s eyes searched mine, a multitude of emotions playing out in their depths. “Olivia,” he began, hesitating for a moment, “when you... when you were struggling, Angela told me to kiss you. She said it would strengthen your wolf.”

My eyes widened in surprise. “You knew?”

Nathan nodded slowly. “I felt it—the surge of energy. Why didn’t you tell me that our connection made your wolf stronger?”

A lump formed in my throat. “I... I didn’t want you to think I was using your affection to reconnect with my wolf. It seemed... selfish.”

Nathan cupped my face, his touch gentle and warm. “Olivia, I would never think that. All I care about is you and our babies being safe. And if my affection helps in any way, why would I ever hold back?”

Tears filled my eyes, but they were tears of relief, of gratitude. “I’m so grateful, Nathan. To you, to Angela, and...” I paused, letting out a shaky breath, “to my wolf. She saved me. She saved our babies.”

Nathan’s lips curled into a soft smile. “Your wolf is a part of you, Liv. She did what she had to do. Just as you would have.”

Nathan’s words were a comfort. However, they also reminded me of my fear. “My wolf,” I murmured. “Without her… since she’s been dormant, I mean… what if my babies don’t have wolves at all?”

Nathan was quiet for a few seconds, before squeezing my hand and turning to face me once more. “And so what if they don’t?” he asked. “You wouldn’t love them any less.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words would come. Nathan was right: I would never love my children less for not having wolves. I felt almost embarrassed that I had been so caught up in that concern for so long that I forgot that my love for them would transcend everything.

“You’re right,” I murmured, a smirk tugging at the corners of my lips.

We sat in silence for a moment, the weight of everything that had transpired settling in. The realization of how close I had come to losing everything hit me like a tidal wave, but the warmth of Nathan’s hand on mine anchored me.

“Nathan,” I said, taking in a sharp breath, “there was something else in my dream. My wolf… She said something strange…”

“You should rest, Liv,” he whispered, leaning in to press a gentle kiss on my forehead. “The journey ahead is long, and we need you strong. You can talk about your dreams later.”

I nodded, feeling the exhaustion seep back in. “Just promise me one thing,” I murmured, my eyelids growing heavy.

“Anything.”

“Stay with me,” I said softly. “Don’t leave my side.”

He pressed another kiss on my lips, his voice filled with emotion. “I’m not going anywhere, Olivia,” he said gently. “Never again.”