Chapter 223

Olivia

The last thing I remembered was the inside of the man’s car. Nathan lay limp in the back seat, blood caked to the side of his head. There was a dull ache in my body, punctuated by sharp pains every time I inhaled. A broken rib, maybe. A concussion.

Then, I remembered the way that the world dissolved around me, melting away the dark trees passing by the car and the sound of the engine. The last thing I heard was the man’s voice, calling out for me.

“Miss… Miss? Don’t fall asleep…”

But it was too late.

A moment later, I found myself in the midst of a lush forest, a space where dreams and reality intertwined. Moonlight spilled through the canopy, creating a mosaic of shadows on the forest floor.

With a start, I suddenly sat up and looked around frantically.

“Nathan?” I called out. “Elliot? Aurora?”

There was no answer. Slowly, I climbed to my feet; my pain had subsided, and as I looked down at my previously bruised arms and legs, I saw that my injuries were now gone.

It was there, amidst the whispering trees, that I saw my wolf.

Her golden coat shimmered, reflecting the glow of the celestial body above. She sat, regal and poised, awaiting my approach by the same pond where I had met her before. The very sight of her filled the void that had grown within me, reminding me of the bond we shared.

“Olivia,” she greeted, her voice echoing like a melody lost in time.

“What’s happening?” I asked, looking around warily as I approached. “Am I… dead?” My voice trembled, revealing the raw pain and confusion that had plagued me.

“No,” she replied, shaking her head. “You’re alive.”

I swallowed. “And Nathan?”

“He’s alive, too.”

Instinctively, I let out a deep sigh of relief. I closed the distance between myself and my wolf and sat down next to her, looking out into the water. “So I’m dreaming.”

“I guess you could call it that.” She lowered her head, her bright blue eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and wisdom. “I’m sorry I couldn’t have been there earlier. I heard you calling for me, but I couldn’t come.”

I shook my head. “It’s alright,” I replied. “The spell hasn’t been lifted yet. The witch…”

“She’s a liar,” my wolf interjected. “It was wise of both of you not to listen to her. But it’s a shame that along with her lies, she’s also vindictive. You got a good dose of that tonight.”

I took a shaky breath, recalling the pain of the car crash and the weight of Nathan’s limp body on my back. When I woke up, I would certainly feel the aches along with it.

“She said she could break the spell in exchange for Aurora,” I said after a moment. “Why does she want my daughter? Why would she think that I would hand over one child when I’m trying so hard to stop that from happening with the other?”

The wolf paused, the weight of her gaze assessing. “The witch knows Aurora will be special someday. She wanted to harness that dormant power, even if she didn’t fully understand its extent.”

Frowning, I pressed, “What makes Aurora so special?”

“That remains a mystery. The true nature of her power will be unveiled when her own wolf emerges. All will be clearer then.” Her gaze softened, sensing my distress.

“But how do we undo this spell, this division between us?” My voice was barely a whisper, filled with desperation. “I need you. I can’t do this alone.”

The wolf moved closer, her cold nose nudging my hand in comfort. “You have to find help from someone else. There is another, someone with pure intentions who genuinely wishes to aid you.”

“But who? Where do I find them?”

She sighed, a soft whistling sound, like wind rustling through autumn leaves. “The path ahead is obscured, even to me. But your instincts, which have never betrayed you, will guide you to them.”

Before I could respond, the forest suddenly started to fade, each leaf and twig dissolving into mist, pulling me back to the world of the waking.

…

I stirred, the soft beeping of what sounded like a heart monitor anchoring me to reality. The sterile smell of a hospital reached my senses, followed by the glow of fluorescent lights pouring in through an open door.

I felt a hand gripping mine. Looking over, I let out a heavy sigh of relief as I saw Nathan laying beside me in an adjacent hospital bed.

“Liv...” The depth of his feelings was evident in the single word.

“I’m okay. You’re okay,” I whispered, though the weight of the dream still pressed down on me. “I had another encounter with my wolf.”

His eyes widened slightly. “What did she tell you?”

I relayed the conversation, from the witch’s intentions regarding Aurora to the mysterious individual who might be our salvation. Nathan listened intently, occasionally nodding or squeezing my hand for emphasis.

“We’ll find this person, Liv. We’ll find a way to make everything right,” he said with conviction.

The room was silent, except for the ambient sounds of the hospital—the distant murmur of voices, footsteps echoing in the hallway, the occasional beep of machines. Every so often, a nurse would peek in, ensuring we were okay, but respecting our need for privacy.

Despite the turmoil, the comfort Nathan provided was tangible. I could feel the protective shield he erected around us, warding off the despair and doubt that threatened to engulf me.

Hours seemed to blend, the darkness outside growing deeper. The room’s single window painted a picture of a world asleep, the occasional flickering street lamp casting shadows on the pavement.

Despite the sterile environment, a wave of exhaustion washed over me. Every muscle ached, every nerve screamed. Yet, there was a distinct yearning for closeness, a need to feel Nathan beside me, not just in spirit but physically.

Carefully, testing my strength, I started to move.

Nathan noticed immediately, his eyes questioning. “Where are you going, Liv?” he asked.

“This bed is uncomfortable,” I replied. “I need to be next to you.”

Nathan’s eyes widened slightly. Then, without a word, he shifted, accommodating me. The action was challenging, given our injuries and the confined space, but eventually, I found myself nestled beside him, wrapped in the warm cocoon of his embrace.

His heartbeat, steady and reassuring, resonated against my ear. “Everything will be okay. We’ve been through so much, Liv. But we’ll get through this too.”

I tightened my grip on him, the tears that had been threatening to fall finally escaping. “I’m scared, Nathan. For Aurora and Elliot, and for us.”

He kissed the top of my head, holding me closer. “I know. But remember, we’re stronger together. We'll find the answers and set things right.”

That night, I drifted into a dreamless slumber, nestled in Nathan’s arms. Somehow, we had made it out of that crash, we had made it away from the lying witch. But the road ahead was still dark and winding, and I didn’t know what to do.

The thought of handing one child over for another seemed absurd to me. But if it eventually came down to war, what was I going to do to keep my family safe?