Chapter 260

Olivia

The sun hung high in the sky, casting a golden hue over the villa. The warmth of its rays contrasted with the uncertainty in my heart.

The artifact hunt felt like chasing shadows, especially with the chilling realization that Ryan was on our tail. The next item on the cryptic list was a special stone from the sea.

It sounded simple, but given the vastness of the sea, it was akin to searching for a needle in a haystack.

With the twins successfully down for a nap, I found myself walking towards the beach, the gentle wind tousling my hair.

The villa had always been a sanctuary for us, the surrounding nature like a balm to our weary souls. Now, however, even this beautiful beach was tinged with the fear of discovery.

I wandered the coastline, the soft granules of sand seeping between my toes, occasionally bending to pick up a particularly shiny or odd-looking stone. But none resonated with that inner wolf spirit, none held that special connection the tooth had.

I was so engrossed in my thoughts that I barely noticed Clint’s figure approaching, his silhouette framed against the shimmering horizon.

“Lost in thoughts, are we?”

His deep voice carried the slight rasp of age, but also warmth and familiarity.

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I turned to him. “Feels like I’m hanging on by a thread, Clint. It’s so much to take in.”

He studied me for a moment, his eyes reflecting understanding.

“You know,” he began, taking a step closer, “I might not be too familiar with the specifics, but I’ve been around the block a time or two. If you ever need someone to talk to...”

His words trailed off, but the sentiment hung heavily in the air between us. I chuckled softly.

“Thank you. And thank you for all you’ve done with the twins, especially given everything going on. It hasn’t gone unnoticed.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

“Well, they are my ‘grandchildren’, after all.” He winked, causing me to break into a genuine smile. “But really, Olivia, it’s my pleasure. Watching them grow, it’s a blessing. And in a way, it’s like having a part of you and Nathan always around.”

I felt my heart swell, touched by his words. Drawing in a deep breath, I said, “I miss my dad every day. But having you around, Clint, it’s been a saving grace. I know he would’ve been proud of how we’ve all come together.”

Clint’s eyes softened, his features taking on a gentler edge. “Your father was a good man. He left behind a legacy, and you’re living proof of that. But you know, in many ways, I’ve always seen you as the daughter I never had.”

His admission caught me off guard. It was one of those truths that remained unspoken, yet was always felt. A tear threatened to spill from my eyes as the weight of his words sank in.

Clint chuckled softly, the lines on his face deepening with his smile. “Hey now, none of that. I might be getting on in age, but I’m not going anywhere anytime soon. And besides, I’ve still got a lot of spoiling left to do with those twins.”

Unable to contain myself any longer, I hugged him, holding on tightly as if he was an anchor in my tumultuous world.

“Thank you, Clint,” I whispered, my voice thick with emotion.

He simply patted my back gently, his own voice holding a hint of emotion. “Anytime, kiddo. Anytime.”

Clint and I were silent for some time, like two old friends. But the notion of the ‘special stone from the sea’ consumed my thoughts, creating riddles that danced through my mind like shifting shadows.

What could it be? The sea was vast, with infinite mysteries that it guarded fiercely. My gaze fell to the shifting sands beneath my feet, the minuscule grains holding eons of stories and secrets.

Looking up at Clint, I searched his eyes for wisdom born from decades of life. “You used to be a fisherman, right?” I asked, trying to connect dots that still seemed miles apart.

Clint’s brow furrowed in thought as he nodded. “Aye, that I was. Many years on these very shores. Why do you ask?”

Hesitating for a split second, I said, “I’m just curious, really. Were there any particular stones or gems that would come from the sea? Anything valuable, maybe even magical?”

Clint smirked and gestured to my hand. “You mean like the one you’ve got on your finger? That’s new.”

I blushed, glancing down at the engagement ring. “Not this one,” I said. “Although, yes. It is new. We’re holding off on any wedding preparations or anything like that, though.”

Clint smiled, then paused, thinking. “Well, the sea offers plenty. There are odd bits of volcanic rock, for one. But, gems? Hmmm…” His gaze grew distant, before clarity sparked in his eyes. “Ah! Peridot! That’s a green gemstone. Fishermen believe it brings good luck. I remember finding one, years ago.”

His words quickened my heartbeat. “You did?”

He smiled nostalgically. “I gave it to your aunt. As a token of my gratitude for letting me live on this property. She was quite fond of it.”

My eyes widened. “Do you know where she might’ve kept it?”

Clint gave a small chuckle, shaking his head. “Your aunt, bless her heart, was a bit of a pack rat. She had her little treasures everywhere. But she cherished that gem. It’s somewhere around, I’m sure of it.”

Gratitude welled up inside me. “Thank you, Clint. Really.”

His lips curled into a smile. “No problem, dear.” He tilted his head towards the sky, observing the darkening clouds. “Looks like a storm’s coming. Best to head back inside.” With a nod, he began making his way back to his cottage.

I stood there, gazing out at the sea, its vastness seemingly intertwined with the mystery of the peridot. The gentle roar of the waves seemed to whisper hints of ancient tales, and I felt a deep pull to unravel this next chapter of my journey.

Lost in my thoughts, I didn’t notice the footsteps approaching until they were right behind me.

“Olivia, what are you doing out here, all alone?”

I turned to find Nathan, his brow furrowed in mild concern. “Just...thinking about the second artifact. Clint gave me a good hint, although I’m not sure if it’s the same stone he’s referring to. It feels like I’m searching for a needle in a haystack.”

He sighed, coming to stand beside me. “Start with Clint’s clue,” he said, touching my arm. “And if that’s not it, don’t worry. The ocean will bring it to you, I’m sure of it.”

“You always have a way with words,” I replied, a small smile gracing my lips. It was true, Nathan always knew what to say to make things feel just a little lighter.

He chuckled softly, pulling me close. “It’s one of my many talents.”

We stood there for a moment, two figures united against the world, facing the vast expanse of the sea, drawing strength from one another.

The moment of solace was interrupted by a gust of wind. Clouds had begun to form on the horizon. Nathan looked up, concern evident in his eyes. “There’s a storm coming, Liv. We should head inside.”

“But first, the Council meeting,” he began, brushing a stray hair behind my ear. “It wasn’t as productive as I’d hoped. Most of the Elders are set in their ways, suspicious of you.”

Anger flared up within me. “Of course,” I growled. “What else is new?”

Nathan sighed and said nothing.

It hurt, knowing that despite everything I’d done for the pack, some still doubted my intentions. But then, Nathan shared something that brought a glimmer of hope. “Freya is still on our side. She believes there’s a traitor, and she’s vowed to help us uncover the truth.”

Relief washed over me. To have an Elder on our side, especially someone as influential as Freya, was a game changer. I wrapped my arms around Nathan, drawing him close.

“Thank you for being my rock,” I whispered.

Nathan gently tilted my chin up, our eyes meeting. “Thank you for being mine.”

A clap of thunder jolted us, the first drops of rain splattering on the sand. “Looks like the storm beat us to it,” Nathan remarked, the corners of his mouth turning upward.

Laughing, we began our hurried retreat towards the villa. The rain quickly transformed from a mild drizzle to a torrential downpour. Our footsteps became muffled, our vision blurred, but our laughter echoed loud and clear.

Drenched from head to toe, we finally reached the shelter of the villa. As Nathan closed the door behind us, shutting out the storm, the villa’s warmth enveloped us. We stood there, dripping, laughing, our spirits a little lighter.

I caught Nathan’s gaze, his eyes gleaming with mischief. “Race you to the shower?” I teased.

He chuckled, shaking his head in amusement. “Only if I get to win.”

It was moments like these, amidst the looming threats and uncertainties, that reminded me of what was truly important. Here, with Nathan, I found solace. Here, I felt invincible.

And as the storm raged outside, I took comfort in knowing that no matter what lay ahead, we would face it together.