Chapter 256

Olivia

The cavern was cast in a soft ethereal glow as Nathan and I exchanged puzzled glances. The enormity of the Ancient Wolf, still magnificent despite its dead, almost dormant, state, loomed over us—a testament to both time and the forgotten magic of our world.

“Nathan,” I began, my voice breaking the profound silence that stretched between us, “what are you doing here? I thought I didn’t wake you.”

He quirked an eyebrow, the slight smirk that always played on his lips making an appearance.

“Well, I could ask you the same thing,” he replied, his gaze flitting to the massive tooth I held. “You didn’t wake me. But I did wake up and realize that you had just wandered out of our home in the middle of the night. Although I guess asking what you were doing would be pointless, because I see that you already have the tooth.”

The weight of the tooth in my grasp felt heavier with his acknowledgment. An uneasy feeling swirled within me as I imagined Nathan’s perspective; waking up in the middle of the night to find that I was gone, having walked right out of the house without warning him, leaving him alone with two infants.

For some reason, the logical side of my brain hadn’t kicked in until now. I hadn’t realized the weight of just… wandering off like that. It was as though my mind was on one track, like the last Ancient Wolf itself was calling to me.

“I’m sorry. I couldn't sleep,” I admitted, a soft sigh escaping my lips. “I had an irresistible urge to come here tonight and get the first artifact. For some reason, I felt as though it would be safe to do it on my own tonight.”

Nathan’s blue-green eyes, a stunning shade of dark teal in the light cast by my flashlight, held mine with an intensity I found difficult to decipher.

“Olivia, I wish you had just told me. We could have come together, during the daytime. Why come in the middle of the night like this, without so much as telling me where you went?”

The chiding was gentle, but it was there. And even though a part of me wanted to brush off his concern, the other half, the one that was slowly waking up along with my wolf, felt a warmth spread within. His protectiveness, his innate instinct to keep me safe—it was endearing.

“I know, Nathan. I know,” I murmured, looking down at the tooth in my hand once more. “It was stupid. But hey, I got the first artifact. And I had another vision.”

Nathan let out a soft sigh, quietly approaching me. His footsteps echoed in the grand expanse of the hollow cave. “Another one?” he asked. “What did you see?”

I shook my head. “I’m still trying to piece it together, if I’m being honest. All I saw was my wolf on a cliff, howling. She thanked me. I think that the tooth gave her a surge of power.”

“Hmm.” Nathan stared thoughtfully down at the Ancient Wolf’s body, shimmering slightly in the moonlight. “What did it feel like?”

I thought for a moment, reminiscing on my vision. “It was… amazing,” I whispered after a few moments, smiling slightly. “Like… stepping out into a summer rain. I feel cleansed, somewhat.”

“Interesting.” Nathan nodded slowly. “I’m sure it’ll only get even better with each artifact you find. And once you have all of your wolf’s power again…”

I swallowed. Nathan, sensing my trepidation, didn’t say anything else. Feeling my wolf’s power surge, feeling that little hint of freedom that she felt, had felt wonderful.

But at the same time, it was terrifying. Would I be able to control that power once I had all of it? Or would I fall victim to it, and it would wind up controlling me?

Just then, the realization that the Ancient Wolf’s body had not decayed at all, despite being dead for a few months by that point, hit me all over again.

“Look at it,” I whispered, feeling in complete awe. “It’s as if time itself has stopped for this magnificent creature. Like it didn’t die at all, but instead went dormant.”

Nathan moved closer, his eyes scanning the beast. “It must be the wolf’s magic,” he mused. “Its great age, the power it wielded—all of it has probably made its body go dormant rather than decay. For now, at least.”

A chuckle escaped my lips before I could stop it. Holding up the tooth, I teased, “Can you imagine if it had started decaying? This whole endeavor would’ve been a lot more gruesome. Not to mention the stench!”

His laughter joined mine, echoing through the cavern. “You have a point there.” With a twinkle in his eyes, he added, “And knowing you, you’d probably have turned around at the entrance, never to return.”

“Hey!” I feigned offense, lightly swatting his arm. “But honestly? You’re not entirely wrong. You know how I get when I have to change diapers.”

We laughed for a few moments, imagining the first time I had to change the twins’ diapers. It had been a mess, to say the least. Nathan was a lot better when it came to those sorts of things, but where I lacked in that department, I made up for in other areas.

Nathan moved forward, kneeling in front of the Ancient Wolf. With utmost reverence, he bowed his head. “Thank you,” he whispered, his voice filled with genuine gratitude, “for waiting for us instead of succumbing to the natural course of things. Not yet, at least.”

Shaking my head in amusement, I added, “And sparing us the gruesome sight.”

Our laughter mingled, reverberating off the walls of the cavern, providing a momentary reprieve from the weight of our responsibilities and the perils that lay ahead.

“But really, thank you for your tooth,” I said, bowing my head. “I’ll use it well.”

A long, heavy silence fell within the cave. For a moment, the past Ancient Wolf looked so alive in the shimmering moonlight that I half expected it to look up at me and say, “You’re welcome,” but it never did. Instead, we were met only with the sound of the crickets outside.

It was then that the weight of our recent events crashed over me.

The fire that Ryan had started at the town square the other night had robbed us of so much—memories, cherished places, and a sense of safety.

My grip tightened around the tooth as I pondered over the enormity of the path I was embarking on. Would awakening my wolf truly stop him?

Nathan must have noticed my shift in mood, because he gently touched my arm, drawing my attention.

“Olivia?”

I met his gaze, the unspoken question in my eyes. He looked like he was about to provide some comforting words, perhaps reassure me that we were on the right path.

However, before he could speak, distant voices, their words unintelligible yet filled with intent, reached our ears.

We froze, our shared reverence moments ago replaced by a palpable tension.

The cave, which moments ago held echoes of our laughter, now stood silent, amplifying the distant murmurs. Our gazes locked, understanding flashing between us.

We weren’t alone.