Chapter 225

Olivia

The sterile smell of the hospital room was starting to get to me, its sharpness biting at the back of my throat.

Nathan stood by the door, speaking in hushed tones to a nurse, while I tried to shift myself up into a sitting position, groaning in pain. My body ached in ways I couldn’t even begin to describe, and every movement was a painful reminder of how my wolf remained dormant.

Without her healing powers, I was as vulnerable as any human.

Nathan’s gaze shot to me, eyes full of concern, but I waved him off.

“I'm fine,” I muttered, not meeting his gaze.

The door clicked softly as Nathan stepped in, his face etched with worry.

“Here,” he said, reaching into a bag that Angela had left earlier when she came to visit. “Fresh clothes. Let’s get you dressed.”

“I can do it myself,” I said quietly, determined not to be a burden.

But when I tried to get up, the room began spinning slightly. I wavered, then felt a warm hand on my back, steadying me. Nathan.

“You shouldn’t be exerting yourself,” he whispered, his face inches from mine.

Pushing his hand away, I attempted to stand again, my legs trembling this time. “I don’t need help,” I snapped, frustration evident in my voice.

“Olivia, stop being so damn stubborn,” he said, reaching out to me.

Ignoring his warning, I tried to step forward, but my foot got caught in the bedsheet. I stumbled, gasping as I pitched forward. Just before I could hit the ground, strong arms circled my waist, pulling me up.

“Enough!” Nathan’s voice was commanding, a tone he rarely ever used with me. He held me by the shoulders, his blue eyes piercing into mine. “If you won’t listen to reason, I’ll have to sedate you and dress you myself.”

My cheeks flamed, embarrassment coursing through me. I opened my mouth to retort, but the corner of Nathan’s mouth twitched, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. I couldn’t help but chuckle, the absurdity of the situation finally hitting me.

“I hate feeling this weak,” I whispered, resting my head against his chest.

“I know,” he replied softly, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “But you’re strong, with or without your wolf. You just need to give yourself time.”

Slipping into the clothes Angela had brought, I relied on Nathan’s help more than I cared to admit. The simple act of dressing was a challenge, but Nathan was patient, assisting me with gentle hands. How I had managed to carry him all that way the night before was a mystery to me.

“I just wish she was here,” I murmured, referring to my wolf. “I’ve always felt so incomplete without her.”

He nodded, understanding my pain all too well. “She’ll come back, Liv. I believe that. But until then, you have me.”

I looked up into his eyes, finding solace in their familiar depths. “I know. And I’m grateful for that. It’s just...”

“Frustrating?” he finished for me. “I get it. But pushing me away isn’t the solution.”

I sighed, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. Just... let me help you. Let me be there for you.”

…

The crunch of gravel beneath our tires was the first familiar sensation I felt as Nathan pulled into the driveway of our home.

It had been hours since Angela visited us in the hospital. The entire journey back had been a blur, a mixture of painful aches and overwhelming relief.

The villa, nestled with the ocean’s backdrop and encased in climbing ivy, now stood bathed in the pale silver light of the moon. It was a quiet sentinel, waiting for our return.

Nathan turned off the engine, the purring of the car dying down into a heavy silence. I looked over at him, his profile illuminated by the dim light from the dashboard. The shadow of the stubble on his chin and the weariness etched into his face were testimonies to the trials we had endured so far.

“I’ll get the door for you,” he whispered, concern evident in his eyes.

As he stepped out, I gazed up at our home. The windows softly glowed, hinting that Angela was still awake, probably nursing our babies. The thought of Elliot and Aurora gave me the strength to push the car door open and slowly make my way to the entrance.

Inside, soft lullabies played, the gentle notes floating through the air. Angela appeared from the living room, relief visible on her face. “You’re back,” she said, her voice filled with emotion.

“We are,” Nathan replied, his voice thick. “How are the twins?”

“They’ve been restless,” Angela admitted, leading us towards the nursery. The soft cries of Elliot and Aurora grew louder as we approached. “They’ve missed you.”

I felt a stab of guilt. Our infants, too young to understand the complexities of our world, could still sense our absence. Entering the room, I was greeted by the sight of our two babies, swaddled in soft blankets, their tiny faces scrunched up.

“I’ve got Aurora,” Nathan murmured, moving to the crib on the right.

Picking up Elliot, I cradled him against my chest, whispering soothing words. His cries quieted, his small fingers wrapping around mine. Nathan, with Aurora nestled in his arms, joined me on the rocking chair.

For a few minutes, the room was filled only with the sounds of our heartbeats and the gentle coos of our babies. But the weight of our reality loomed large, casting a shadow over the momentary peace.

“Nate,” I began, my voice breaking the silence, “what are we going to do? Without my wolf, the mating ceremony isn’t going to be possible. And Ryan…”

He looked at me, his blue-green eyes filled with a mixture of pain and determination. “I know, Liv. But we have some time. We’ll figure out a way to bring your wolf back.”

Closing my eyes, the vivid images of the dream I’d had in the hospital came flooding back. “The dream I had,” I said thoughtfully, shaking my head, “it’s got me thinking…”

Nathan’s eyebrows knitted together. “What did she say?”

“She told me that there is someone here who can help me lift this spell,” I replied, cradling Elliot a bit closer. “Someone I’ve never met. I keep wondering who it is.”

There was a heavy pause as Nathan processed the information. “Dreams, especially ones connected to our wolves, are rarely without meaning. We’ll find this person, Liv.”

I looked around the dimly lit nursery, the soft pastel hues of the walls, the gentle sway of the lace curtains, and the two precious lives we had created. The contrast between the serenity of this moment and the dangers lurking outside was stark.

“You’ve changed, Nathan,” I whispered, my gaze returning to him. “Ever since the twins were born, you’ve become… different.”

He gave me a soft smile, his fingers gently stroking Aurora’s cheek. “I hope you mean that only in a good way,” he said.

I chuckled slightly, shaking my head. “Of course. You really are an Alpha now,” I murmured, admiration filling my voice. “Always so calm and collected.”

Nathan slowly lifted his head, shooting me a confused look.

“I don’t feel like one,” he said. “Maybe I’m not cut out for the task after all. Honestly, when all of this is over, I think I might step down from my position.”

My eyes widened in shock. “Nathan… You can’t do that!”