Chapter 215

Olivia

The morning air was crisp and carried a hint of pine as we drove away from our brief hideaway, the villa nestled in nature’s embrace. Heading back to the bustling heart of the pack’s territory felt both comforting and nerve-wracking, especially after the recent events that had shaken our lives.

“I need a coffee,” I muttered, my eyes scanning the passing scenery. “Stopping at that little cafe in town sounds good right about now.”

Nathan chuckled. “The one with the raspberry scones you love?”

I nodded enthusiastically. “Exactly that one!”

As we approached the town, the familiar landscape of brick and stone buildings came into view. We parked in front of the quaint little coffee shop named ‘Moonlit Brew’.

Its facade, adorned with hanging plants and vintage signage, gave it an old-world charm.

We entered, immediately enveloped by the warm, rich aroma of freshly ground coffee. It was cozy inside, with wood-paneled walls lined with black and white photographs of the town from a bygone era.

We approached the counter, and the young barista, a pretty girl with striking green eyes and a cascade of curly brown hair, smiled warmly.

“The usual, Olivia?”

“Always,” I replied with a grin. Nathan simply nodded, preferring the coffee black and robust.

As she prepared our drinks, she suddenly said, “You know what? It’s on the house today.”

We exchanged puzzled glances. “Really? Why?” Nathan asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

She leaned in, her voice dropping a notch.

“I saw your speech at the Council building, Nathan. It was... refreshing. My family has always despised the way the Elders ruled, overshadowing the Alpha and every decision made in the pack. They wield so much power that even the Supreme Alpha seems to bow down to their will. Their time-honored beliefs and practices, while revered, feel so... constricting in today’s world.”

I could see the passion burning in her eyes, a sentiment clearly shared by many. It seemed Nathan’s stance against the Council’s absolute rule had resonated with more people than we’d thought.

“Most of us believe it should be the Alpha making decisions, with input from the pack. We need a more democratic approach, not orders from an aged council enforcing their will on everyone. Your words the other day, Nathan, they’ve given hope to many who felt voiceless.”

Nathan, always humble and a bit taken aback, responded, “I just voiced what I felt was right. The Elders have their role, but the pack’s well-being and future shouldn’t be sacrificed for outdated traditions.”

The barista smiled. “You have our support. You and your adorable twins. So, enjoy the coffee; it’s the least I can do.”

We thanked her, genuinely moved by the gesture and the revelation that our fight was not solitary. The atmosphere in the coffee shop was light, and I could feel a change in the air, a hope and a resolve.

As we stepped outside, the sun peeking through the clouds, I turned to Nathan, my heart swelling with pride.

“You know,” I began, placing a hand on his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart, “it’s not just about voicing concerns. It’s about inspiring change. I’m so proud of you.”

His eyes searched mine, the corners of his lips curving into a gentle smile. “I do it for us, for our family, and for a future where Elliot and Aurora can grow up without being restrained by the shackles of the past.”

Without another word, I stood on my toes and planted a soft, lingering kiss on his lips.

The weight of our recent challenges faded, even if just for a moment, and hope surged anew. As we walked, hand in hand, back to our car, I realized that the journey ahead might be challenging, but together, change was possible.

…

The villa’s familiar scent of cedar and lavender greeted us as we returned.

A homecoming should have been comforting, but the unease from our trip followed us, a silent specter that wouldn’t be easily dismissed.

We were just about to unload the car when Clint, with his broad shoulders and sharp, yet aging, eyes, strode over. He was one of our most trusted allies in all of this, and yet even before he spoke, his furrowed brow told us that something was amiss.

“You got a letter while you were away,” he began, extending a sealed envelope. “It looked pretty official, so I thought it best to keep it safe for you.”

I exchanged a quick glance with Nathan. Communication had always been one of our strong suits, and right now, that unspoken exchange was one of unease. Nathan took the letter, turning it over. The crimson wax seal—Ryan’s insignia—was unmistakable.

Drawing a deep breath, Nathan broke the seal and began reading aloud. His voice, usually so steady, wavered slightly, betraying his emotions.

“Ryan is officially demanding custody of Elliot,” Nathan finally said, his face paling. “He’s given us a strict three-day ultimatum. We’re to meet him in the woods, halfway between our territories. If we don’t...” Nathan paused, swallowing hard, “he threatens to send his men to take him by force, and attack our pack.”

My heart plummeted, a sensation of cold dread flooding me. “Already?” I asked, swallowing. “It’s only been a few days since he was last here. I thought that he would have given us a little more time, at least.”

“He’s a greedy bastard,” Nathan murmured, his gaze distant. “He’ll stop at nothing.”

Suddenly, more than ever, I felt so naive. “I thought that holding Elliot would have softened him,” I said quietly, blinking back tears. “That it would have made him see some reason.”

Nathan sighed deeply, his brow furrowing. “I don’t know, Liv. Maybe... Maybe he saw something in Elliot when he held him. A potential. A power. Maybe it fueled the fire, just as I predicted.”

I remembered that moment vividly. Ryan’s face, so close to Elliot’s. The way he had cradled him, the emotion that flitted across his eyes. I had naively hoped that that brief connection, that gentle touch, might have softened Ryan’s heart. But maybe Nathan was right. Maybe letting Ryan hold Elliot hadn’t been a moment of connection, but rather, an ignition.

“I was such a fool, Nathan,” I whispered, holding back tears. “I thought... maybe he would have changed after holding our son. But you were right. Some people just don’t change.”

Nathan, ever the pillar of strength, took my hands in his, squeezing them reassuringly. “It’s not your fault. Ryan’s actions are his own. And we’ll face this, together.”

“But what do we do now?” I asked, my voice filled with desperation. “We can’t just hand our son over to him."

“We won’t.” Nathan’s voice held a fierce determination. “We’ll prepare. We’ll rally our allies. We’ll protect our family.”

As the sun began its descent, casting a warm, orange glow around the villa, we stood together. Our family was our strength, our heart. But this threat was one we hadn’t expected, and the weight of it pressed down on us heavily.

“Nathan, what if…” I started, fear gnawing at me, “What if there is a traitor among us? What if someone from our pack tipped Ryan off about us going away these past two days?”

Nathan’s gaze met mine, a storm of emotions raging in his eyes. “We’ll deal with it. One step at a time.”

The thought of a traitor within our ranks, combined with Ryan's sudden, ominous demand, left us feeling cornered. We entered the villa, locking the door behind us, the walls that had always provided safety now feeling slightly less secure.

Dinner was a quiet affair. Even with the twins’ giggles and gurgles, the atmosphere was thick with tension. We were both lost in thought, racking our brains for a solution, a way out.

The letter, now resting on the dining table, seemed to radiate a malevolent energy. It was a reminder of the crossroads we were at and the choices we would soon have to make.

I picked it up, reading it one more time, hoping I’d missed something, some hint of leniency. But it was the same. An ultimatum. A threat. And a decision we’d have to make, one that would determine the fate of our family.

Outside, the wind began to pick up, rustling the leaves and howling softly, as if nature itself was whispering warnings in our ears. The night, which had always been a comforting blanket for our kind, now seemed filled with shadows and hidden threats.

I sighed, leaning against Nathan. “We were supposed to be safe here.”

“We are,” Nathan whispered, wrapping an arm around me. “And we will fight to keep it that way.”

The night grew darker, and the winds howled louder. We were in the eye of the storm, and the worst was yet to come.