Chapter 248

Olivia

The nursery was shrouded in a gentle, late evening haze. Only the soft hum of the nightlight filled the room, casting a pale, golden luminescence on the sleeping twins. Elliot and Aurora, their tiny forms cocooned in soft blankets, breathed softly, creating a rhythmic lull that reverberated throughout the space.

Leaning back into the plush rocking chair, I found myself entrapped in a swirling vortex of thoughts and emotions.

Every whisper, every disdainful glance from the townsfolk, played back in my mind.

“Witch!” they had said. “Traitor!”

Truthfully, I didn’t know whether anyone actually meant what they said. Maybe they were just too scared, battered, and tired. But it didn’t make their words hurt any less.

Below me, the rocking chair swayed gently, its soft creaking a soothing constant and an anchor amidst my tumultuous thoughts.

Nathan watched me, a look of concern evident in his piercing blueish green eyes. They shimmered, reflecting the dim glow of the nightlight. He broke the silence, his voice tender yet unwavering,

“Liv, no one hates you. They’re just... frightened. Fear makes people react in ways they wouldn’t otherwise.”

Drawing in a deep breath, I met his gaze. “But it just… it felt so real, Nathan. Their accusations, the way they looked at me... I felt like an outcast in my own home, even when I was trying to help.”

“That’s just how people are,” Nathan reassured me, helping me to place the twins back in their cribs. “People are fickle. There’s nothing you can do about it, either. Sometimes, even when you’re just trying your best to make people happy, they’ll still find something to hate.”

A silence fell between us. I wondered if this was the life that awaited me as the mate of an Alpha; constant public ridicule, my own personal troubles being used as mere leverage for people to decide whether they loved or hated me.

Nathan moved closer, sitting on the edge of the crib. The babies shifted, sensing his presence.

“Remember when I first became Alpha? The whispers, the challenges? They didn’t trust me either, but in time they saw who I truly was.:

“Yes, but you earned their trust. How do I do that when they only ever see me as a threat?”

Nathan hesitated, lost in thought for a moment.

“How about this: There’s going to be a food drive tomorrow,” he finally said. “For the people affected by the building incident. Why don’t you volunteer? It might be a small step, but it’s a start.”

A food drive? A gesture of goodwill, perhaps, but could it really bridge the chasm that had formed between me and the townsfolk? I voiced my concern. “Do you really think that’ll make a difference?” I asked.

His fingers played with the crib’s edge, a rare sign of unease from him. The weariness showed itself in his eyes and his soot-streaked face, and I longed to hold him and give him peace.

“Not instantly,” he admitted. “But it’s a gesture, a start. You’ve always been one to act, not just talk. So you know as well as anyone that actions can speak louder than words, Olivia.”

I bit my lower lip, mulling over his suggestion. “Alright,” I agreed slowly, “I’ll give it a try. But,” I paused, a new wave of anxiety washing over me, “the artifacts, Nathan. Freya said I need to find them myself. The tooth is one thing, but the special stone? And the diamond? I don’t even know where to start, and I’ve been running out of time before I’ve even had the chance to start.”

Nathan’s eyes darkened with a mix of concern and determination. “I won’t let you be alone in this, Olivia. We’ll figure it out together. I don’t care what Freya says.”

“But that’s just it,” I pressed, desperation edging into my voice, “I have to do it alone. The ritual won’t work otherwise. Why would my father want me to go through something like this—especially the last task? Why would he want me to venture into the mines all on my own?”

Nathan stood up, pacing the room. The old wooden floorboards creaked under his weight. The room was filled with an intense, almost palpable energy, the weight of our shared worries pressing in from all sides. He halted, turning to face me.

“Your father knew about the power of the Ancient Wolf. It’s unparalleled. Maybe he wanted to ensure you were truly ready for it. Every trial, every challenge, could be a test, preparing you.”

I chuckled bitterly, the weight of it all threatening to drown me. Pushing my sore body up out of the rocking chair, I let out a deep sigh. “Tests? Trials? I didn’t sign up for this. Maybe I’ll never be ready.”

He approached me, bending slightly so we were eye to eye, and cupped my face with his hands. “You are stronger than you believe. If he set these tasks for you, then that means that he had faith in you. And so do I.”

Closing my eyes, I inhaled deeply, drawing strength from his presence. When I opened them, tears threatened to spill, but his steady gaze grounded me.

“What if I can’t do it?” I asked quietly. “What if I fail?”

Nathan’s voice dropped to a gentle whisper, his thumb brushing away a stray tear. “Failure is always out there, in everything we do. Will you limit yourself for the rest of your life because of a fear of facing failure, or will you do everything you can in spite of it?”

I was silent, unsure of what to say. Nathan was right; I couldn’t just sit around, wallowing, because I was afraid of failure. No matter what came of it in the end, I had to stand up and try my best.

“You’re right,” I murmured, a ghost of a smile flickering on my lips. “Now… Let’s get you a shower. You reek of smoke.”

…

We stood in the warm shower together, letting the cleansing water wash over us as we held each other. There, in the dimly lit bathroom, beneath the cascade of water, we moved together in synchrony. We found solace in each other’s bodies, each movement a testament to the love we held for each other.

By the time we got out of the shower, the moon had come out in full.

“An entire day without sleep,” Nathan said as we moved to the balcony, watching as the town below slept. “I don’t feel as tired as I think I should.”

I chuckled. “It’s just your brain playing tricks on you,” I said. “Let’s get some sleep. I’ve gotta be prepared for that food drive in the morning.”

Nathan broke the silence. “Are you sure about that?”

I nodded, my resolve strengthened. “Yes, I need to do this. For the town, and for myself.”

He enveloped me in a tight embrace. “I’ll be with you, every step of the way.”

And with that, we crawled into bed in each other’s arms. I wasn’t entirely sure whether I was ready to tackle the challenges that the next morning would undoubtedly bring. But the journey to becoming the Ancient Wolf was only just beginning, and there was still so much more to discover.

And with Nathan by my side, I felt ready to face whatever lay ahead.