Chapter 250

Olivia

We found ourselves in a quiet alleyway just off the main square, a place that hadn’t been touched by the fire. The walls were covered in old ivy, the leaves rustling with the gentle morning wind, creating a hushed whisper around us.

Angela guided me to sit on a set of worn stone steps that belonged to an old, abandoned bakery.

She sat down beside me, her brown eyes glinting with worry and understanding. “Olivia, first things first. Take a deep breath with me. We need to calm those nerves.” She inhaled deeply, motioning for me to mirror her.

I followed her lead, inhaling the scent of old bricks and the earthy aroma of the ivy. As I exhaled, I tried to release the tension, the humiliation, and the sting of the accusations.

“They’re just scared, Olivia,” Angela began softly, reaching out to take my hand. “People are always afraid of what they don’t understand, and right now, to them, you’re a mystery.”

I pulled my knees up to my chest. “But why believe such a vicious rumor? I’ve done nothing but try to help since I came back.”

Angela sighed, leaning back on her elbows. “Look, people need something or someone to blame when things go wrong. It’s easier to point fingers at you than face their own fears or shortcomings.”

My throat tightened at her words. “It just hurts, Angela. Especially since…” I hesitated, chewing on my bottom lip.

She tilted her head, her face a picture of patience. “Since what?”

I took another deep breath, feeling the weight of my secret pressing on my chest. “There’s something I haven’t told you about...well, about me.”

Angela sat up straighter, her attention focused solely on me. “Tell me.”

I looked into her eyes, seeing nothing but trust and concern. It gave me the strength to continue. “You know Elder Freya, the ‘Silent Elder’?”

She nodded slowly. “The red-haired one who never speaks? What about her?”

I swallowed hard. “I… Met her the other night. On the night of the fire. She helped me.”

“Helped you how?” Angela asked, narrowing her eyes slightly. “I thought you didn’t trust the Elders, and for good reason.”

I shook my head, swallowing once more. “She… told me some things, Angela. About my father.”

“Such as?”

“He was the one who put the spell on me,” I began. “Because I’m the next Ancient Wolf.”

Angela blinked, taking a moment to process my words. “Wait. You have the Ancient Wolf’s spirit inside of you?”

I nodded. “It’s why my wolf is different. It’s why I’m different. The ritual to lift the spell making my wolf dormant requires certain artifacts, and I need to find them. Without them, I won’t be able to become the Ancient Wolf.”

Angela was silent for a moment, her wide eyes scanning the bricks in front of her before she took a deep breath and spoke. “Is that what you want, Olivia? To become the Ancient Wolf?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but no words would come out. Closing it again, I knit my eyebrows together, my fingers toying with a frayed part of my jeans.

“I… I’m not sure,” I finally said after some time. Slowly, I lifted my gaze to meet Angela’s. “I don’t know if I want to be the Ancient Wolf.”

Angela said nothing for a few moments, just squeezed my hand with a forlorn look in her eyes. No one had asked me yet if I wanted to become the Ancient Wolf… They just told me that I had to. For the greater good, for the sake of our pack, to stop Ryan.

“I want to keep my children safe,” I said quietly, my gaze dropping to the ground once more. “I want it more than anything. But to become the next Ancient Wolf? I… I don’t know.”

“There might be another way to do exactly that without becoming the next Ancient Wolf,” Angela said gently. “But are you willing to live the rest of your life without your wolf?”

Once again, I found myself speechless. Then, finally, after a long time, I shook my head. “No. I need my wolf back. I feel empty without her.”

There was a pause as Angela processed everything. Then her face lit up with determination. “Then we’ll find those artifacts if that’s what you want, Olivia. Together.”

Tears welled up in my eyes. “Angela, I—”

She held up a hand. “No. I won’t let you do this alone. Not when you’ve always been there for me.”

The knot in my chest loosened slightly. “I can’t even begin to express how grateful I am for you, Nathan, and the others. But...” I hesitated, “the ritual requires me to retrieve the artifacts alone.”

Angela frowned, her brows knitting together. “Are you sure?”

I nodded, feeling the weight of my responsibility. “Yes. It’s the only way it’ll work.”

Her gaze was soft yet resolute. “Okay. If you must do this alone, then so be it. But know that I’ll be here, waiting, ready to help in any way I can.”

I managed a smile, warmth spreading through me. “Thank you, Angela. Just knowing you’re by my side gives me strength.”

Angela chuckled, nudging me gently with her elbow. “Of course! You think I’m going to let you have all the fun? You know how much I love a good adventure.”

The mood lightened as we laughed, our bond stronger than ever.

“You’re one of the strongest people I know, Olivia,” Angela said, her voice full of conviction. “You’ve faced so much and come out stronger each time. This? It’s just another challenge. And I have faith that you can handle it.”

I blinked back tears, touched by her unwavering support. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”

“You know…” Angela chewed her lip for a moment, thinking. “I’ve changed so much since I met you. I’m sorry for how I was before. But you helped me see kindness and the good in other people. And I think if you can manage that with little old me, then you can manage it with all of these other gossips and busybodies. Show them what it means to be kind and understanding.”

At Angela’s words, a soft chuckle escaped my lips. I rested my head on her shoulder, intertwining our fingers together and giving her hand a gentle squeeze.

“Don’t put all of the credit on me,” I said. “You’ve changed me, too. I’m glad we’ve become friends.”

“Friends forever?” Angela asked, holding out her pinky finger.

I smiled and took it, wrapping my own pinky finger around hers. “Friends forever.”

We sat in silence for a few minutes, drawing strength from each other’s company. Friends in unlikely places… My wolf had mentioned that during one of my visions. How I could get through this with the friends I made. And now, I was certain that I could do just that.

“I guess we should head back,” Angela said, breaking the silence. “The food drive still needs us, and we have work to do.”

I nodded, taking her hand. “Let’s go.” Together, we stood up and began to walk back to the square, the weight of the morning’s events fading behind the promise of new beginnings.