Chapter 231

Olivia

“This is your last chance, Ryan. Walk away now, or face the consequences.”

The wind grew colder, sending sharp tendrils of icy air that pricked my skin. The eeriness of the clearing was only emphasized by the creeping shadows from the setting sun.

Ryan’s words, dripping with arrogance and malice, pierced the tense silence.

“Consequences?” Ryan asked, a wry chuckle escaping his lips. “That’s where you have it all wrong, Nathan. You will be the one facing the consequences. Your pack can’t hold a candle to the strength that my pack holds.”

But Nathan wouldn’t be so easily intimidated. “You know nothing about my pack,” he said. “And you know nothing about me, or what I’m capable of.”

For a moment, Ryan was silent. But then, with an exaggerated sigh, he smirked. “Elliot isn’t your son, Nathan,” he drawled slowly, deliberately emphasizing each word. His gaze held Nathan’s, a challenge evident in his eyes. “So tell me, why should you have any say in this, anyway?”

Nathan’s jaw tightened, muscles twitching with restrained anger. I could feel the energy pulsing from him—a protective, fierce aura. He was trying to think, trying to reason, and trying to keep the situation under control.

But the dig from Ryan had been too personal, too close to home, and it ignited a fire within me.

Despite the voice inside of me that urged caution and begged me to listen to Nathan’s orders, I could not, would not, let Ryan’s proclamation go unanswered.

Pushing off from the car's cool exterior, I grit my teeth against the pain that seared through my ribs and rapidly closed the gap between us, my shoes crunching against the gravel as I stormed toward the two men.

The scent of the impending storm mixed with the raw emotions in the air—tension, anger, and a hint of fear.

“Ah, if it isn’t the mother herself,” Ryan purred, shooting me a disdainful smirk. “Finally want to get involved? Gonna go ‘mama bear’ on me?”

“How dare you, Ryan,” I began, my voice surprisingly steady given the tempest of emotions inside me. “Nathan is more of a father than you could ever even dream of being. What say do you have in Elliot’s life? You didn’t care if Elliot lived or died up until less than a month ago.”

Ryan’s brow quirked, amused by the apparent audacity of my words. “Perhaps that is true,” he said. “But consider this; I’m only taking one child. You get to keep the other, the girl, because let’s face it… Girls are less important. Consider that a blessing.”

“You’re disgusting,” I growled. “Pig.”

Ryan simply smirked. “Olivia, I know you regret letting me knock you up—any woman would be ashamed of your position—but Elliot is my son, whether you like to believe it or not.”

I felt my face redden.

“Olivia,” Nathan murmured, reaching for me, “don’t listen to him. Go back to the car. Please.”

But I shook my head, pushing past him. “I regret nothing, Ryan,” I hissed. “I’m not ashamed of anything. You’re the one who should feel ashamed for kicking me out unannounced, leaving me homeless, and refusing to take any part in the pregnancy. You’re… pathetic.”

Although I knew that my words bit deep, Ryan showed no indication of it outwardly. “Nice try, Olivia,” he growled, a spiteful smirk playing on his lips. “Who’s really pathetic here, hm? Me, for knowing that you were worthless when we were together, or you, for groveling at my feet when I kicked you out? Did you tell Nathan that, hm? Did you tell him how you bawled on your knees, begging me to let you stay?”

“That’s enough, Ryan,” Nathan snarled, stepping forward. “I won’t allow you to speak of Olivia like that.”

With that, Nathan began to guide me away. But I wrenched free from his grip, whirling on Ryan once more.

His words had stung, but they also sharpened my resolve. “I’ll admit that I groveled once,” I said. “But not anymore. Before you know it, you’ll be the one who will be groveling… for your life.”

Nathan’s eyes were on me now, wide with a mix of admiration and worry. He clearly hadn’t expected me to confront Ryan head-on, especially not like this.

And neither, it seemed, had Ryan. The man was momentarily taken aback, his usually confident demeanor faltering. But only for a moment.

Ryan laughed, but it was devoid of true amusement. “Ah, Olivia. Your fire always did amuse me. But let me enlighten you. In our world, blood is the currency of power. It determines our fate, our position, our very existence. And Elliot is my blood. So unless you want your blood spilt today, hand the boy over.”

I took a deep, calming breath, readying myself for my next volley. “Maybe that’s where your pack’s gone wrong all these years. Times are changing, Ryan. It’s not the Middle Ages anymore. You can’t have children? Adopt. Build a new lineage. A lineage built on choice, on love, not just on blood.”

Ryan’s eyes darkened, a storm brewing in their depths. “You think you can lecture me on my pack’s ways?” he asked. “You, who have always been on the fringes of our world, never truly belonging?”

“Because I don’t measure my worth or the worth of those I love by some ancient, outdated traditions,” I shot back, my voice rising. “And for your information, even if Nathan isn’t Elliot’s biological father, he’s shown more love, care, and dedication than most by-blood fathers ever have.”

Ryan took a step closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over me. I could feel the coldness emanating from him. “Your idealism is quaint, Olivia, but it’s also dangerous. In our world, sentimentality is a weakness.”

“You mistake love for sentimentality,” I said, voice unwavering, eyes locked with his. “Love is our greatest strength. And maybe, just maybe, it’s time for your pack to see that. Maybe it’s time for you to see that.”

Ryan’s face twisted in a sneer, his animosity palpable. “You always did see the world through rose-tinted glasses. Love? Strength? No, Olivia. They are your vulnerabilities. And I plan to exploit them.”

The veiled threat hung in the air, tightening the coil of tension. I refused to back down, standing my ground. “Love gave me the courage to stand up to you today. To tell you that just because you’ve faced personal tragedies, doesn’t give you the right to tear apart other families to mend your broken lineage.”

His eyes flashed, a dangerous glint in them. “So, in your little fairy tale, you believe love will triumph over all, even over the traditions and rules that have governed us for centuries?”

“Yes,” I whispered, “because it’s not always about blood, Ryan. Sometimes, it’s just about love.”

His laughter echoed eerily around the clearing. “Naive, just as I remembered. By coming here today, challenging me, speaking of love and change, you and Nathan have willingly chosen to start a war.”

Ryan snapped his fingers.

Just then, I caught movement in the periphery of my vision.

The bushes rustled ominously as figures began to emerge, eyes gleaming with predatory intent. Several of Ryan’s men stepped forward, the transformation evident as their bodies started to contort and their eyes began to glow, preparing to shift into their wolf forms.

Seeing the impending danger, Nathan acted swiftly.

With a quick movement, Nathan stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body. I felt his arm press into my side, every muscle in his body screaming for me to do one thing and one thing only.

Run.