Chapter 206

Olivia

The morning sun filtered through the cream curtains of the living room, creating warm pools of golden light on the floor.

Throughout the day, the sounds of shuffling papers and soft murmurs came from the study, reminding me that Nathan was engrossed in his research. Hours passed, and with them, the sun began its descent, casting a mellow glow across the house.

Dinnertime came and went. Nathan took his meal in his study, and still didn’t emerge after that.

By the time the twins were asleep, I realized Nathan had been in his study for hours without a break, and so I decided to check on him. The silence emanating from the room concerned me a bit.

Approaching the mahogany door, I gently knocked.

“Nathan?”

No answer. Slowly, I pushed the door open and peered inside.

The sight that met my eyes was both endearing and heartbreaking. Nathan, with his strong frame and imposing stature, was slumped over the desk, fast asleep. His cheek was pressed against a pile of papers, and a stray pen was clutched in his hand.

He must have been working tirelessly.

I tiptoed into the room, the soft carpet muffling my steps, and gently laid a blanket over him, ensuring it covered his broad shoulders. It was moments like these that the weight of everything he carried became all too real, and my heart swelled with pride and affection.

Curiosity piqued, I glanced at the desk, trying to decipher what had consumed Nathan's attention so completely. Stacks of papers covered the surface, and as I looked closer, the headlines became clear: “Pack Land Laws” and “Supreme Alpha Rights.”

I couldn’t help but smile. He was diving deep into the intricacies of our world to find a solution, to protect what was ours. His commitment, not just to the safety of our home but to the traditions and laws of our kind, was deeply impressive. The realization washed over me in that quiet room: I truly did love this man.

A soft rustle came from the study’s desk as I perused the papers, pulling me out of my thoughts. I turned to see Nathan sitting up, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

He blinked several times, trying to clear the fog of unexpected slumber.

“How much did you see?” he asked, voice tinged with weariness and concern.

Caught, I took a deep breath. “I... may have snooped a little,” I admitted, guilt creeping into my voice. “It was all laid out. I was curious.”

Nathan let out a small sigh. It wasn’t one of exasperation but rather resignation. He pushed himself to sit straighter, still a bit disoriented.

“You’re a force to be reckoned with, Olivia. Always finding your way into everything, huh?”

A smile played on my lips, though the tension in the room was palpable. “How about some tea? You look like you could use it.”

He paused for a moment, perhaps weighing the pros and cons of diving deep into a conversation he hadn’t been ready for just yet. But then, he nodded. "Tea sounds good."

Together, we moved to the kitchen, the ambiance of the house transitioning from the cluttered weightiness of the study to the homely comfort of the heart of our home. As I set the kettle to boil and prepared our mugs, the room was filled with a comfortable silence.

The gentle flicker of the overhead light gave the room a muted, dim glow. Pulling out chairs from the dining table, we sat opposite each other, cradling the warm mugs of tea in our hands. The scent of chamomile wafted through the air, calming the charged atmosphere between us.

Several minutes passed in contemplative silence before Nathan finally spoke, his voice low and full of apprehension.

“The laws I’m diving into, trying to use to save our home... they might not be the bulletproof solution I was hoping for. The Elders could still deny our claims.”

The weight of his words settled heavily between us. “So what do we do then?” I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper.

His gaze locked with mine, full of determination yet laced with uncertainty. “If the Elders still refuse our appeal, we might not have a choice. We might have to leave, find a new place, start anew.”

I thought back to the overwhelming support Nathan had garnered just days earlier during the meeting with the pack. There were more than a few who believed in him, in us.

“Nathan,” I began, choosing my words carefully, “you remember the number of pack members who stood by you the other day, don’t you? The Elders can’t evict everyone. If the time has come for change, for a new era, then so be it. Together, we’re stronger.”

A slow smile spread across Nathan’s face, and for a moment, it was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders. He reached across the table, enveloping my hand in his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“You always know how to find the silver lining, don’t you?” he asked.

Though his words were appreciative, I could still see a shadow in his eyes, a remnant of the tension from earlier. The moment where I had allowed Ryan to hold Elliot seemed to be etched there, a silent reproach that he couldn't yet let go of.

Before I could broach the subject, voice the myriad of emotions swirling within me, Nathan stood.

“Thank you for the tea, Liv,” he murmured, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. Without another word, he retreated to the bedroom.

I was left in the dimly lit kitchen, the remnants of our conversation and the warmth of our tea the only witnesses to the unspoken words and lingering uncertainties.

…

The first rays of dawn were beginning to light up the room when I was startled awake by movement. Groggily, I blinked my eyes open to see Nathan pacing the bedroom, swiftly getting dressed.

“It’s almost sunup,” he said, his voice gravelly from sleep. “It’s time for me to meet everyone at the Council building.”

Sitting up, I rubbed my eyes. “Alright, give me a moment. I’ll get ready.”

He stopped abruptly, his gaze intense as it met mine. “Stay here, Olivia. It’s safer.”

His protectiveness was clear, but there was no way I was going to stand by idly. Pushing the blankets aside, I swung my legs over the bed. “I’m coming with you, and I’m bringing the twins, too. We’re in this together. We’re a family.”

Nathan looked like he wanted to argue but then sighed. “If this is about yesterday, I’m not mad anymore. You don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

I felt my cheeks get red, and I shook my head. “This isn’t about yesterday,” I explained. “I mean… Maybe it is, just a little bit. I want to show you that I’m with you, not against you. And… I’m sorry for ignoring your wishes when I let Ryan see the twins and hold Elliot.”

Nathan was silent for a few moments. “You really feel that way?” he murmured.

I nodded vigorously. “I do. I’m sorry, Nathan.”

Suddenly, Nathan closed the distance between us. His lips found mine, warm and inviting, and I felt his hands cup my cheeks firmly, pulling me closer. I felt myself melt into him, and when we pulled away, my face was bright red.

“I’m still not used to that,” I whispered.

Nathan smirked. “Don’t get too used to it,” he said. “I like when you blush after I kiss you. It’s cute.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle, gently extricating myself to walk over to my dresser. “Now… Let’s show those Elders who’s boss.”

He nodded solemnly, appreciating my determination. “I’m glad to have you by my side, Liv.”