Chapter 252

Olivia

The gentle hum of the square began to quiet as the day transitioned to evening. Vendors were packing away, children played one last game, and shadows lengthened as the sun began its descent.

I was resting beneath a tree when I felt a familiar presence above me.

“Hey, love,” Nathan's voice, ever so familiar, sounded above me. “Miss me today?”

I nodded, standing. Nathan wrapped his sweat-streaked arms around me, enveloping me in the sweet scent of his body. Over his shoulder, I saw Levi approaching, looking much the same as Nathan.

“How was your day?” Nathan asked.

“I tried to make a difference. Not sure how much that actually worked, though,” I replied, offering a small smile. “And you two?”

Levi chuckled, gesturing at his dirt-streaked shirt. “Just a little clean-up.”

Nathan rolled his eyes, playfully nudging his friend. “He makes it sound so simple. We’ve been shoveling rubble and hauling wood all day.”

I grimaced sympathetically. “Sounds exhausting.”

Levi smirked. “It’s nothing a little ice cream can’t fix.”

Before I could respond, Angela appeared, her eyes raking over Levi’s body appreciatively and without any shame. “Did someone say ice cream?”

Levi flushed a pleasant shade of red. “Uh, yeah. You up for some?”

Angela grinned mischievously, stepping closer. “I’m always up for ice cream.”

I bit my lip to stop from laughing as Nathan leaned down to whisper, “I think Levi’s met his match.”

I chuckled softly. “I think you might be right.”

I smiled warmly, then turned contemplative. “But, are you sure about ice cream, Nathan? With everything going on...?”

My gaze dropped to the ground. I’d been wrestling with guilt, feeling like I shouldn’t indulge in happiness when so many were hurting.

“I know what you're thinking,” Nathan said gently, “But we can’t forget to live, Olivia. Showing the community that we’re not afraid to enjoy simple moments... it can make a difference.”

I looked up into his earnest eyes. “You always have a way of making me see things differently.”

Nathan’s face lit up with his signature grin. “It’s a gift of mine.”

With a plan in place, the four of us headed towards ‘Chilly Delights’, the town’s favorite ice cream parlor. The streets were illuminated with twinkling lights from the stores, and the fading sunlight gave everything a golden hue.

It felt like we were walking through a dream, a beautiful sliver of normalcy in our upturned world.

‘Chilly Delights’ was adorned with vintage decor, with its checkerboard floor, chrome stools, and pastel-colored walls. Old songs played softly in the background, making it feel like we’d stepped into a different era.

We took our time choosing flavors. Angela surprised us with her choice of tangy lemon sorbet, while Levi went with a rich cookies and cream. Nathan, ever the traditionalist, chose rocky road, and I opted for my all-time favorite, mint chocolate chip.

“Ew,” Angela said, making a face at my choice. “Who would voluntarily choose to eat mint chocolate chip?”

I laughed. “Hey!” I exclaimed, waving my ice cream in front of her face. “I don’t judge your choices, do I?”

Loaded with our frozen treasures, we made our way to the boardwalk.

The sounds of the ocean created a rhythmic backdrop as we strolled, the wooden planks beneath our feet echoing softly with each step. The horizon was painted with shades of purple and pink, with the setting sun casting its final golden rays over the water.

“Look at that view,” Angela breathed, leaning into Levi. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “It’s breathtaking.”

I nodded in agreement, my heart aching with the beauty of the moment. If I tried really hard, I could imagine that we were just a normal group of friends out to enjoy ice cream and the sunset. No fires, no war, no Ryan, no Ancient Wolf.

Nathan caught my gaze, his eyes reflecting the myriad colors of the sky. “It’s moments like this that make everything worth it,” he murmured.

Lost in the serenity of the evening, Nathan suddenly held his cone towards me. “Want to try?”

Without waiting for my response, he playfully scooped a bit of ice cream and smeared it on my nose. I gasped, feigning shock. “Really, Nathan?”

His laughter was deep and contagious. “Oops?”

Angela was laughing so hard, she was clutching her sides. “You two are something else.”

Levi chuckled, glancing at Angela. “Careful or you might be next.”

She raised an eyebrow, her grin never wavering. “I’d like to see you try.”

As the playful banter continued, I cleaned the ice cream off my face. “You’re going to pay for that,” I teased Nathan.

He winked. “Promises, promises.”

We spent hours on the boardwalk, losing track of time. There were moments of deep conversations, where we talked about our dreams and hopes. Other times, we simply enjoyed the beauty of the evening, basking in the warmth of friendship.

Nathan eventually took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. “You know, Olivia, it’s okay to find joy even in the midst of chaos. We need these moments to recharge, to remember what we’re fighting for.”

I squeezed his hand. “Thank you, Nathan. I needed to hear that.”

The night deepened, and we eventually decided to head back. As we walked, the lights from the boardwalk shops shimmered in the distance, and the gentle sounds of the ocean reminded us of nature's ever-present beauty.

The world felt a little brighter, our burdens a tad lighter, and hope, once again, found its way into our hearts.

As Angela and Levi headed in the opposite direction, the quiet surrounding Nathan and me became almost palpable. The night had a soft chill, and the familiar noises of our town during twilight provided a comfortable background as we strolled side by side. The stone path beneath our feet was lit only by the faint light of lanterns and the starlit sky.

He seemed lost in thought, his grip on my hand tightening ever so slightly. The light from a passing lantern post caught the sheen of sweat on his forehead, and I felt a growing sense of unease.

“Nathan?” I murmured, trying to catch his gaze.

He halted suddenly, and turned to face me. His eyes, normally warm and playful, now held a depth of emotion that took my breath away.

“Olivia,” he began hesitantly, “there’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you.”

I swallowed, my heart suddenly racing for reasons unknown to me. “What is it?”

He took a deep breath, his fingers brushing a strand of hair from my face. “I made a public declaration at the rally, stating my wish to hold a mating ceremony with you. But I never really asked you directly... Do you want to be my mate?”

I chuckled softly, teasingly bumping my shoulder against his. “Of course, you goof. I love you.”

The relief that flooded his features was immediate and unmistakable. He grinned, but it was a little lopsided, like there was something else on his mind.

Before I could question him further, he reached into his pocket, pulling out a small, velvet box.

“In that case,” he began, opening the box to reveal a delicate engagement ring, its gem shimmering in the dim light, "will you marry me?”

My heart skipped a beat. Time seemed to slow, and the world blurred around the edges, with only Nathan and the ring in sharp focus. “Nathan…”

“I know,” he interjected softly, his thumb stroking the back of my hand. “With everything going on, it might seem like strange timing. But Olivia, regardless of the challenges we face, I want to show you how committed I am to you. To us.”

I blinked back tears, looking from the ring to his expectant face. “Of course, I want to marry you. But with Ryan’s threats, the unrest... Is this the right time to be planning a wedding?”

He gently slid the ring onto my finger, where it settled comfortably, as if it had always belonged there.

“We’ll hold off on wedding preparations until things are calmer,” he reassured me, his voice filled with conviction. “But I wanted you to have this. Now.”

“Why now?” The question came out as a whisper, my throat tight with emotion.

Nathan's face darkened, his brow furrowing. “If Ryan escalates things into a full-blown war,” he said quietly, “I need you to know how much you mean to me. Just in case anything… happens to me.:

The gravity of his words hit me hard. I threw my arms around him, pressing my face into his chest. “Nathan, don’t even think like that.”

He held me close, his chin resting atop my head. “I’ll fight with everything I have, Olivia. For our future. But I wanted you to have a tangible reminder of my love.”

Pulling back slightly, I looked up into his eyes, tracing the lines of his face as if committing every detail to memory. “Promise,” I murmured.

He leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine.

“I promise,” he whispered.