Chapter 239

Olivia

“Tonight?” Nathan’s voice echoed with a mix of disbelief and apprehension, his eyes widening in response to my resolve.

“Yes, tonight,” I said firmly, even as my own doubts swirled deep within. “Every moment we wait, we risk running out of time. If Ryan plans another attack, our pack could be in serious trouble.”

Nathan’s fingers tightened on my arm. The dim light of the room flickered, casting his chiseled face into sharp relief.

“But Liv,” he began, his voice laced with a plea, “that doesn’t mean you rush headlong into this, especially when you’re hurt. Don’t worry about the pack. We’re prepared in case Ryan comes back, but I don’t think it’ll be an issue tonight.”

I looked down at my leg, the evidence of our recent encounter still evident in the raw, bruised skin. The pain was there, yes, but there was something else too, a newfound resilience. It whispered in my ear, a voice that sounded so much like my own, urging me forward.

“Every moment we delay, the more the danger grows,” I pressed, searching his eyes for understanding. “If I really do have the Ancient Wolf within me, and if I can truly harness its power, then maybe we can end all this. Ryan, the Elders—everything. Think about it, Nathan. We could finally live in peace. Our children wouldn’t have to hide or fight.”

Nathan’s eyes darkened with a blend of fear and determination. “I won’t deny the stakes. But you’re hurt, Olivia. You think I’d let you go to that cave in this condition?”

“I’m not as fragile as you think,” I shot back, my voice taking on an edge. The stubbornness that had always been a part of me, even more so now, flared to life. “It has to be tonight. I’ll be fine. I’ve been through worse.”

He took a deep, steadying breath, his gaze never wavering from mine. “I can’t lose you, Olivia. Not again. Not after everything we’ve been through.”

I reached up, cradling his cheek with my hand. It was rough with the day’s stubble, but warm. “You won’t. But I need you to trust me on this.”

A heavy silence settled between us.

Finally, Nathan sighed, his posture slumping slightly. “Alright,” he conceded, a hint of resignation in his voice. “But on one condition.”

I raised an eyebrow, silently urging him to continue.

“You can’t go on foot,” he said. “Let me shift. You can ride on my back in my wolf form. That way, if things go south, we can bolt. You won’t have to push yourself too much, and we’ll have a better chance if anything unexpected happens.”

My heart ached at his protective nature. The thought of relying so heavily on Nathan wasn’t something I was used to. But looking at the situation objectively, I knew it was the smartest choice. Swallowing my pride, I nodded in agreement. “Alright. We’ll do it your way.”

Nathan’s expression softened, relief evident in his eyes. “You don’t know how much that means to me.”

Without another word, I leaned in, capturing his lips with mine. It was a tender moment, a softness amidst the raging storm. As we pulled away, our foreheads rested against each other.

“I’m just glad you’re by my side,” I whispered, the gratitude evident in my voice.

…

The night air was cool, wrapping around me like a silk shroud as the full moon painted the landscape in silvers and blues. The forest whispered secrets, the rustle of leaves and distant calls of nocturnal creatures creating a symphony that seemed both foreign and familiar.

Nathan looked at me, the weight of our situation pressing down on both of us. “Ready?” His voice was rough, anticipation evident in his tone.

I hesitated, taking in a deep breath. “Let’s do it.”

Without another word, Nathan began to shift. The process was always mesmerizing. Muscles expanded, bones reshaped, and within moments, where a man once stood, a massive wolf with fur as dark as midnight took his place. I could see my reflection in his piercing eyes, and for a moment, I felt the familiar pang of connection.

I carefully climbed onto his back, feeling the rhythmic rise and fall of his breathing beneath me. We moved forward, with Nathan’s powerful strides eating up the distance as we journeyed to the fabled clearing of the Ancient Wolf.

As we progressed deeper into the forest, the landscape began to change. Trees became gnarled and ancient, their branches stretching upwards as if reaching for the stars. Moonlight streamed through the gaps, casting a mosaic of light and shadows on the forest floor. The underbrush thinned out, replaced by large ferns that seemed to glow with an ethereal light.

A creek meandered through our path, its water sparkling and glistening under the moon. Nathan paused, allowing me to glance into the water.

“You think this mystery person will actually show?” Nathan’s voice echoed in my mind, using our Mindlink to speak. He looked at the shimmering water, his eyes reflecting the uncertainty of our situation.

“I don’t know,” I confessed, my voice barely above a whisper. “But we have to try, Nathan. We have to.”

He simply nodded, then kept walking.

As we continued on, the woods began to reveal their hidden secrets. Fireflies danced in the air, their light creating a mesmerizing waltz. An owl, perched high above, tracked our progress with curious yellow eyes. A distant howl echoed, a reminder of the wildness that this forest concealed.

Finally, we arrived. The clearing was bathed in the soft glow of the moon, turning the grassy expanse into a sea of silver. At its center stood a circle of ancient standing stones, etched with runes that hummed with power and history. Beyond it, the silhouette of the age-old oak tree stood sentinel, its branches outstretched like the arms of a guardian.

We took a moment to take it all in, the sheer magic of the place evident in every blade of grass, every whisper of the wind. “It’s even more beautiful at night,” I murmured, my voice filled with awe.

“It is,” Nathan agreed, his gaze sweeping the area. “But we should be on our guard. We don’t know what awaits us.”

We settled in the middle of the clearing, the moon overhead acting as our sole witness. Time seemed to stretch, each second feeling like an eternity. The quiet was almost oppressive, the weight of our expectations causing an anxiety that was hard to shake off.

After what felt like hours, Nathan broke the silence. “Maybe it was a lie, Olivia. Or worse, a trap.”

I looked at him, my own fears reflected in his eyes. “We have to give it more time,” I replied, though I wasn’t sure which one of us I was trying to convince.

Moments turned into minutes, and just as doubt was about to consume me, a sound broke through the quiet of the night: footsteps. Soft at first, almost indistinct, but steadily growing louder.

Nathan was instantly alert, his ears perked and his posture defensive. “Stay behind me,” he whispered, his voice laced with caution.

I nodded, my heart pounding so loudly I was certain it could be heard throughout the clearing. We waited with bated breath as the steps drew closer.

And then, emerging from the shadowy veil of the forest, a figure began to take shape.

Cloaked in darkness with a hood obscuring their face, the stranger approached.