Chapter 211

Olivia

The soft lapping of the water, the wind rustling the leaves, the distant chirps of birds—this place was magic.

Nathan had set up a cozy area near the edge of the little pond by the cabin with blankets and soft cushions. He gently dipped Aurora’s toes into the cool water, the baby’s giggles echoing with delight.

Elliot, on the other hand, wrinkled his nose, clearly unimpressed with the sensation.

“Aurora seems to like it,” I remarked, laughing as Nathan tried to appease Elliot by bouncing him gently in his arms.

“Well, at least one of them does,” Nathan chuckled, wiping away a droplet that had managed to find its way onto Elliot’s cheek.

As evening descended upon us, Nathan took out a vintage gramophone, placing it on a nearby table. Soon, soft melodies filled the air.

The soft strains of the gramophone filled the evening air, its melodic tones intertwining with the gentle sounds of nature. Nathan reached out, his fingers brushing mine, sending a familiar tingle down my spine.

“Dance with me, Olivia,” he whispered, his voice deep and inviting.

I let him pull me close, our bodies fitting together in the familiar embrace of a dance. We moved in unison, letting the rhythm guide our steps. The world seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of us, dancing under the blanket of stars.

“You remember when we used to play here as kids?” I murmured, looking up at Nathan.

The corners of his lips lifted in a nostalgic smile. “How could I forget? We would run around, imagining ourselves as explorers, uncovering the secrets of the forest.”

I chuckled softly, the memories flooding back. “I used to be so afraid of the dark woods. But with you by my side, everything seemed so... adventurous.”

Nathan’s eyes twinkled. “And yet you were always the brave leader, guiding us through our imaginary quests. Even when you were scared, you never let it show.”

I sighed, leaning my head against his chest, feeling the comforting beat of his heart. “Back then, it was all so simple, wasn’t it? Just two kids, lost in their own world of make-believe. I never imagined...” My voice trailed off as emotions welled up inside.

“That we would be here now?” Nathan finished for me, his voice soft. “Dancing together as lovers?”

I looked up at him, our eyes locking. “Exactly. I always thought of us as the best of friends, partners in crime. The thought of us... like this...” I gestured between us, “never really crossed my mind.”

Nathan’s gaze intensified, his fingers gently lifting my chin. “You know, even as kids, I always imagined this. Being here with you, dancing like this, holding you close. Maybe it sounds silly, but I always loved you, Olivia. Even back then.”

His confession caught me off guard, my cheeks warming under his intense stare. “Nathan...”

He shrugged, a hint of bashfulness creeping onto his face. “I guess I’ve always been hopelessly smitten with you. I remember watching you from afar, especially when we used to come to this cabin. You’d be laughing, playing, your hair catching the sunlight. And I’d think to myself, one day, I’ll dance with her under the stars. One day, she’ll be mine.”

My heart fluttered, a mix of surprise and happiness swirling inside. “I had no idea,” I whispered, my voice choked with emotion. “All this time, and I never knew.”

Nathan leaned closer, his forehead resting against mine. “It’s okay. Everything has its time. And now... now is our time.”

We continued to sway to the music, wrapped up in each other’s embrace. The realization of Nathan’s feelings, the depth of them, added a new layer to our relationship. A connection that ran deeper than friendship.

Pulling back slightly, Nathan studied my face, his fingers tracing the curve of my cheek. “I’ve waited so long for this moment. For you.”

And before I could respond, he captured my lips in a sweet, lingering kiss. It was a promise, a testament to the years of unspoken feelings, now brought to light under the starlit sky. The world around us faded once more, leaving just the two of us, bound together by love and memories of a time long past.

…

The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, Nathan brought out two baby carriers. “I thought we could explore the woods a bit,” he said, winking.

Excitement bubbled within me. “Let’s do it!”

With the twins securely strapped to our backs, we began our hike through the dense forest. Every step took us deeper into the wilderness, the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves our only companions. The trail was marked by worn-out signposts, but Nathan seemed to know the way instinctively.

After what felt like hours, the distant roar of a waterfall reached our ears. My heart raced in anticipation. When we finally emerged from the canopy of trees, the sight that greeted us was breathtaking.

A magnificent waterfall cascaded from the cliffs, its waters shimmering in the sunlight.

“Wow,” was all I managed to say.

Nathan helped me sit down on a large, flat rock near the waterfall. We removed the babies from the carriers, placing them between us. Their curious eyes darted around, taking in the new environment.

“How come I never knew about this place?” I asked, cocking my head as I looked around.

“I used to come here a lot as a kid,” Nathan said, watching the water flow. “By myself. It was a meditative place for me, a place to be alone with my thoughts. It’s always had this... calming effect on me.”

“It’s beautiful,” I replied, feeling the cool mist on my face. “Thank you for sharing this with me.”

As we sat there, taking in the serene environment, a wave of dizziness washed over me. Before I could alert Nathan, the world around me began to blur, my vision darkening.

But then, within the shadows, I saw her—my wolf. She was ethereal, her golden fur shimmering against the dark backdrop. Her bright eyes, standing out from her golden fur, held a deep sadness.

“Olivia,” she spoke, her voice echoing through the void. “I’ve been trying to reach you for so long.”

Confusion swirled within me. “You disappeared after the twins were born,” I said. “I thought you were gone for good.”

She shook her head. “Not gone. Just dormant again, and very weak. This spell… It’s holding both of us back, more now than ever.”

My heart pounded in my chest. “Why? Why more now?”

The wolf hesitated for a moment, her gaze piercing through me. “As you get older, you’re meant to realize our potential,” she said. “But the longer that time goes on, the more that this spell grips me, keeping us apart. But I’ve discovered something.”

“What did you discover?” I asked.

“Your father…” She paused, halting her incessant pacing back and forth in front of me. “He was the one who put the spell on you. I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure it out, but finally, I located his scent all over the spell. It’s like an invisible barrier.”

I tried to process her words, but everything felt so surreal. My father? Why would he do that?

The wolf continued. “You need to find a way to break the spell. To unite with me. Only then can you truly embrace your destiny. Our destiny.”