Chapter 253

Olivia

The orange ambiance of the streetlamps cast a warm, intimate hue onto the cobblestone path. Shadows danced around us, merging and retracting as we drew close.

Nathan’s firm hand reached out to hold mine, fingers intertwining as if they were meant to be there, always.

The streetlamps created a secluded world for the two of us, painting the surroundings in a mosaic of golden light and deep shadows. I could see the reflection of the soft light in Nathan’s eyes as he looked down at me, searching for words.

“So,” Nathan began, his voice a mixture of nervousness and certainty, “I take it that it’s a yes? You’ll marry me?”

Tears welled up in my eyes, blurring the edges of reality. I nodded, the words barely audible through the lump in my throat. "Yes, Nathan. I can’t wait to marry you.”

He let out a soft sigh of contentment, pulling me even closer. “You know,” he said, his voice trembling with emotion, “I bought that ring ages ago.”

I pulled back slightly, my surprise evident. “Really? When?”

He smiled sheepishly, brushing a strand of hair away from my face. “As soon as we moved back in together.”

I playfully hit his chest, feigning indignation. “We weren’t even together then! We were supposed to be just friends!”

His laughter echoed in the quiet street, the sound more melodious than any song. Nathan lifted me into a twirl, the world spinning around us, but my focus remained solely on him.

“Olivia, I’ve loved you since we were kids,” he admitted as he set me back down, his voice filled with a raw honesty that made my heart race. “I know it sounds strange, but the moment I saw you back in grade school, in that mismatched outfit with your hair in those crazy pigtails, I thought to myself... I’m going to make her my wife someday.”

A blush crept onto my cheeks, my heart fluttering wildly. The idea that Nathan had such a profound feeling for me from such a young age was both overwhelming and endearing.

“And here I thought you were just annoyed with my constant chatter in class,” I teased.

“Well, that, too,” he laughed.

Without another word, he pulled me close, capturing my lips with his. The world melted away, and there was just us—two souls, intertwined in a moment that promised a future filled with love, laughter, and endless memories.

…

The comforting glow of the lamps illuminated our home as Nathan and I made our way back from a long day. The soft strains of an old-fashioned tune greeted our ears, and as I gently pushed the door open, the sight that met us was utterly heartwarming.

Clint, our loyal protector and friend for as long as I could remember, swayed to the music, the two giggling babies cradled in his strong arms. He was dancing with them, his eyes twinkling and his voice singing softly, harmonizing with the nostalgic song playing in the background.

“Looks like we missed the party,” Nathan whispered in my ear, a teasing grin on his face.

I chuckled, leaning into him. “It seems Clint has everything under control.”

We paused in the doorway, watching Clint in this sweet moment. The gentle lull of the music and the warm glow of the lamps made the scene all the more touching. It was a stark contrast to the tension and challenges we faced daily, a bittersweet reminder of simpler times.

Nathan tightened his arm around my waist. “You know, Clint has always been like this. Even when we were kids, he was the one with the infinite well of patience, always finding ways to make us laugh.”

I nodded, my mind drifting back to those childhood days when Clint would tell us tales of the ancient wolves, of heroes and legends. “He’s always had a soft spot for children. Remember when he used to sneak us extra cookies or cover for us when we were up to no good?”

Nathan chuckled. “I think he knew we needed those small moments of mischief. With everything that was going on, he wanted to make sure we still had a bit of a normal childhood.”

A pang of sadness gripped my heart as I thought of my own parents. While Colin had always been distant and cold, my father was my rock. But with my dad working a lot of the time and Colin being who he was, Clint had often filled the void of a father figure in our lives.

“Nathan,” I murmured, feeling the weight of my thoughts, “I want our children to think of Clint as their grandfather. Given that Colin’s not exactly the ideal role model, and with my dad... gone.”

Nathan smiled gently, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I think I’d like that. Clint has been more of a father to us than Colin ever was.”

Unbeknownst to us, our conversation hadn’t been as private as we’d assumed. Clint had paused in his dancing, his gaze meeting ours, a hint of moisture shimmering in his eyes.

“I heard that,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “And I’d be honored.”

I moved forward, placing a hand on Clint's arm. “You’ve always been there for us, Clint. It’s only right that our children know the kind of man you are.”

Nathan nodded in agreement. “We love you, old man.”

Clint chuckled, his usual jovial self returning. “And I love you both, always have. Now, go on and get some rest. I’ve got things under control here.”

With the babies settled and Clint looking after them, Nathan and I made our way to our room. The softness of the bed seemed to beckon after the day’s events, and I eagerly slipped under the covers, expecting sleep to claim me quickly.

However, as the minutes turned to hours, sleep remained elusive. My mind churned, thoughts of the artifacts dominating my every waking moment. The weight of responsibility, the need to protect my family, the community, and everyone relying on us was suffocating.

As Nathan’s steady breathing indicated his descent into peaceful slumber beside me, I found myself growing more restless. The knowledge that one of the artifacts, the tooth, was within grasp but hadn’t been retrieved yet gnawed at me.

It seemed like a tangible piece of progress, something to hold onto in these uncertain times. And if it hadn’t been for that fire the other night, I would have grabbed the first artifact then and there.

Finally, unable to bear the torment of inaction any longer, I made a decision. Slipping out of bed, I quietly dressed, taking care not to disturb Nathan.

Creeping through the house, I was once again reminded of my childhood—sneaking around with Nathan, trying to outwit my aunt or snatch extra cookies. The irony wasn’t lost on me: what was once a game was now a matter of utmost importance.

Once outside, the cool night air washed over me, a stark contrast to the warmth of our home. Determined, I set off in the direction of where the artifact was rumored to be.

As I moved stealthily through the night, the weight of my decision pressed on me. Retrieving the tooth was just the first step, but it felt monumental. Like a promise of hope in the face of impending darkness.

And with that thought fueling me, I ventured deeper into the night, ready to claim the first artifact; the first step toward bringing my wolf back and fulfilling my destiny.