Chapter 232

Olivia

With Nathan acting as my protective barrier, I felt, for a brief second, a momentary relief. But that was short-lived as Ryan’s men closed in, their intent clear in their eyes: it was either Elliot or war.

Yet, as they inched closer, with an uncanny synchronicity, figures began to emerge from the other side of the clearing. The dim sun breaking through the storm clouds harshly illuminated their forms, and my heart leaped as I recognized some of them.

Nathan’s men. Just as Nathan promised, they had been concealed, waiting, watching, prepared for this very moment.

Ryan’s smug expression faltered briefly, replaced momentarily by one of surprise and begrudging respect. He hadn’t expected this.

“You really think you can outnumber us, Nathan?” Ryan taunted, though I could detect the slightest hint of uncertainty in his voice.

“It’s not about numbers, Ryan,” Nathan responded, his voice laced with both menace and confidence. “It’s about loyalty, and the bonds forged not by blood, but by respect and trust.”

Ryan snorted, eyes narrowing. “Last chance,” he warned, his voice dripping with both venom and promise. “Give me the child, or your clearing will be stained with the blood of your men.”

Nathan’s eyes darkened, a transformation beginning within him, his human form starting to give way to the fierce creature lurking beneath.

As the first threads of silver and black fur began to emerge along his arms, he snarled, “I choose bloodshed, Ryan. And I've been waiting for this moment, to feel your bones crack and splinter between my teeth.”

Ryan, not one to back down, began to shift as well. His form contorted, his features changing, a growl emanating deep from within.

In that split second, I felt panic wash over me. This wasn’t just about Elliot anymore. It was a fight for dominance, a clash of two Alphas wanting to assert their superiority.

I couldn’t—wouldn’t—let them do this.

Taking a shaky breath, I dashed forward, trying to get between them. Maybe, just maybe, I could stop this. They wouldn’t harm me, would they?

But before I could reach them, a firm grip encircled my waist, yanking me back.

“Let me go!” I yelled, struggling against the grasp. But when I turned, I found myself staring into the familiar eyes of Levi.

“No, Olivia,” he said sternly, holding me back as the first sounds of combat echoed around us. “This isn’t your fight. You can’t stop it now.”

His grip on me was unyielding, his intentions clear. I wasn’t to be part of this fight. As much as it pained me, as much as I wanted to scream and cry out against the violence that was about to unfold, I knew he was right. This was bigger than me. Bigger than all of us.

The clearing had become a war zone. Both packs, with their powerful members, were now engaged in combat, wolf against wolf, man against man. The raw sounds of growls, howls, and clashing bodies filled the air, creating a chaotic symphony of violence.

Levi, still holding me, began to move us away from the epicenter of the fight, trying to find a safer vantage point.

“Why?” I panted, tears of frustration welling in my eyes. “Why can’t they see there’s another way?”

Levi glanced down at me, his face a mask of conflict. “Sometimes, Olivia, it’s not about seeing another way. It’s about asserting dominance, about pride, about centuries-old grievances. Nathan has been waiting for this moment for a long time, and so has Ryan.”

I could only watch, my heart in my throat, as Nathan and Ryan, both in their wolf forms now, circled each other, each sizing up the other. The two Alphas, with their magnificent forms and formidable presence, were a sight to behold.

Then, in a flash, they lunged at each other, a blur of fur, teeth, and power.

My eyes searched for Nathan amidst the throng, every fiber of my being willing him to be safe, to emerge victorious. But the brutality of the fight made it impossible to decipher what was happening.

“Levi,” I whispered, tears streaming down my face, “please tell me he’s going to be okay.”

Levi looked down at me, his grip on my arm tightening momentarily. “He’s strong, Olivia. But so is Ryan. We just have to hope.”

And hope I did, praying with every breath, every heartbeat, that Nathan would emerge unscathed, and that this war would come to an end without more bloodshed.

Suddenly, the relative safety of our vantage point was shattered when a low growl echoed from behind us. I whipped my head around to see one of Ryan’s men, already transformed into a menacing wolf, its eyes locked onto us with a clear intent: blood.

Levi positioned himself between the wolf and me, his stance defensive yet poised for attack.

“Run, Olivia,” he hissed. But as I tried, a sharp, piercing pain shot up my leg, remnants of the car crash I’d suffered just days ago.

My knees buckled, and I stumbled, crashing to the ground.

“No!” Levi roared, launching himself at the wolf. They collided in a tangle of limbs and snarls. It was a fearsome sight, man versus beast. Levi, though still in human form, possessed immense strength and speed, and I watched in awe as he tackled the creature, managing to land blows that sent it whimpering in retreat.

As the wolf scurried away, Levi hurriedly turned to me, his face etched with concern. “Olivia, we need to get out of here now!” He tried to help me up, and I stifled a scream as my injured leg nearly gave out again.

Every step was excruciating. I could barely manage a limp. Panic welled up inside me. “Levi,” I gasped, “I can’t... it’s too much.”

His face hardened with determination. Without another word, he began to shift. Before me stood a majestic wolf, its eyes still carrying the familiar intensity of Levi’s gaze.

With a gentle nudge of his head, he indicated for me to mount him. With trembling hands, I climbed onto his back, gripping his thick fur as he sprinted through the woods.

As trees whizzed past and the wind rushed against my face, my thoughts were consumed by Nathan. Was he alright? Was he still fighting? The fear of losing him overpowered the pain in my leg.

It felt like an eternity before Levi finally slowed down, choosing a secluded spot by a tree. Gently, he set me down before transforming back into his human form.

“Oh God,” he muttered as he assessed the damage. My wound from the crash had reopened, fresh blood staining my jeans.

“Levi…” My voice was a shaky whisper. He quickly tore a strip of cloth from his shirt, pressing it firmly against the wound. The pain was sharp and sudden, and I winced, tears springing to my eyes.

Holding onto his hand, I met his gaze. “Promise me, Levi... Promise me Nathan will be alright.”

He looked conflicted, his gaze drifting back towards the direction of the fight. “Olivia, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that Nathan can handle himself. He's strong, resourceful, and he's not one to be easily defeated.”

“I just…” I paused, trying to gather my thoughts. “I can’t lose him, Levi. Not now, not after everything.”

Levi squeezed my hand. “I know. And I promise, I’ll do everything in my power to ensure he comes back to you. But for now, you need to focus on yourself. We need to get you to safety.”

I nodded, trying to find comfort in his words. The pain in my leg and the fear for Nathan weighed heavily on me, but with Levi by my side, there was a glimmer of hope.

A hope that we’d all come out of this alive.