Chapter 268

Nathan

By the time the search party had disbanded, the first hints of sunset touched the horizon. The dense woods that had been the site of our search now seemed quieter, with most pack members returning home.

Despite the tiring hunt, there was a satisfaction in knowing we had done our best to ensure the safety of the territory.

As I approached the Council building, the structure stood tall and defiant against the vandalism from the night before.

Pack members, both young and old, were scattered around the building, scrubbing off the harsh graffiti that marred its grand facade. I could feel their determination, their urge to erase every trace of the violation.

Though my muscles screamed in protest, and exhaustion weighed down every limb, seeing them work so diligently reignited my resolve.

Without hesitation, I joined the group, scrubbing alongside them. Each stroke of the brush felt like a declaration of resistance against those who sought to undermine us.

The coarse texture of the bristles against the stone, the repetitive motion, and the community's combined efforts became an almost meditative process. So much so that when Elder Freya's familiar, elegant figure appeared at the periphery of my vision, I was momentarily startled.

“Act natural,” she said, her face soft and emotionless. But even before I could respond, her voice echoed in my mind again—a soft whisper carried by the power of her telepathy. “Be careful, young Alpha. There’s treachery within our walls.”

I straightened, trying to mask my surprise. “Elder Freya? What’s going on?”

She glanced around to ensure that no one was watching. Her next words made my blood run cold. “The other Elders, they’re planning a coup. They’ve tasted too much power, and they’re not willing to let go.”

My grip tightened on the scrub brush, trying to process her revelation. She continued. “Has Olivia managed to locate any of the artifacts?”

“She found the tooth recently,” I replied mentally, feeling a surge of pride, “and she’s close to deciphering the secret of the second artifact.”

A hint of relief washed over Freya’s features. “That’s good news. We need her to hurry. The sooner she completes the ritual to bring back the Ancient Wolf, the sooner we can contain this madness. Once the Ancient Wolf is back, Ryan’s schemes will be halted, and the unchecked power the Elders now relish will be curbed.”

I frowned, trying to make sense of her words. “Unchecked power?”

Freya hesitated, choosing her words carefully. “When the Ancient Wolf was alive, our power as Elders was balanced, kept in check. But with its death, we became the apex of supernatural power. Some of the Elders were… elated at this newfound dominance. And they don’t want to let it go.”

A chill ran down my spine. The very protectors of our traditions and values had been swayed by a thirst for power. The gravity of the situation was not lost on me. “How much time do we have?”

Freya's gaze turned steely. “Less than a week, Nathan. Olivia must find the last artifact and complete the ritual before the Elders fully seize control of the pack.”

The weight of our conversation hung heavy between us. With an almost indiscernible nod of gratitude, I replied, “We’ll do everything in our power, Elder Freya. The pack’s well-being is paramount.”

Freya looked at me for a long moment, her eyes conveying a depth of wisdom and hope. “Trust in each other. Trust in your bond. It’s the key to saving us all.”

…

The waning cast long shadows on the walls as I walked into the house, the familiar sound of our babies’ cries echoing through the hallway.

This wasn’t unusual; they had become quite fussy lately, their personalities beginning to shine through as they aged. Yet, as I hung up my coat and walked further inside, I couldn’t shake off a faint unease.

“Olivia?” I called out, straining to hear her voice over the twins’ wails. No response.

Pushing aside the nagging anxiety, I quickly made my way to the nursery. Their small faces, red from crying, instantly melted my heart.

With practiced ease, I picked up Aurora first, rocking her gently and cooing soft reassurances. Her sobs soon turned to soft hiccups as Elliot watched me with wide eyes, clearly waiting his turn. After settling Aurora in her crib, I picked up Elliot, giving him the same attention.

With both twins quiet, I allowed my concerns to bubble back to the surface. Olivia always made it a point to be nearby when the twins cried. It wasn’t like her to just disappear, and with a quick glance at the side table, I saw that the baby monitor was gone; she always kept it on her when she wasn’t nearby, and she would have come running if she had heard them crying.

Even if I just managed to beat her to it, she would have been here by now.

“Liv?” I called out again, this time louder. “Where are you?”

The silence of the house was my only answer.

Quickly, I walked from room to room, expecting to find Olivia lost in one of her reading sessions or perhaps even taking a well-deserved nap. But she was nowhere.

It was as I neared the basement that I noticed the door ajar. A dim glow emanated from the staircase, drawing me closer. Heartbeat quickening, I descended the steps.

My eyes adjusted to the soft light filtering from the archive room, and as I approached, I caught sight of something that made my heart stop: Olivia’s hand, limp and lifeless, peeking out from the slightly open door.

“Olivia!” I shouted, rushing to her side. Pushing the door open, I found her unconscious, her fingers clutching a luminous green stone—a peridot.

Panic took hold, and without a second thought, I gathered her in my arms and made my way back up to the living room. Laying her gently on the couch, my fingers hovered over my phone.

Should I call an ambulance?

“Olivia, please wake up,” I murmured, brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. I looked down at the peridot in her hand, its glow seemingly intertwined with her essence.

Suddenly, her chest heaved, her eyes fluttering open with a gasp. She looked around wildly before her gaze settled on mine. “Nathan? The artifact... the peridot…”

“Hey, hey,” I soothed, trying to calm her racing thoughts. “You’re okay. Breathe, Liv.”

She nodded, taking a few deep breaths, her grip on the stone not loosening. I waited for her to steady herself, her eyes telling a story of fear and urgency. “I found it, Nathan—the second artifact. In the archive room. It was inside a safe…”

The relief on her face was palpable as she recounted the journey of her discovery, and despite the circumstances, I couldn’t help but chuckle. “And to think you were mad that I left you at home today.”

She gave a weak laugh, her free hand reaching out to intertwine with mine.

Pulling her close, I hugged her, sharing a moment of joy and relief. But as we broke apart, my thoughts shifted to the unsettling evidence I had encountered earlier.

“Olivia,” I began, my tone serious, “There’s something you need to know.”

She tilted her head, a questioning look in her eyes. “What is it?”

Taking a deep breath, I recounted finding the paw print outside. “I think... I think you might be right. I believe it could be Alvin. It’s possible he’s working for Ryan.”

Her eyes widened in shock, her fingers subconsciously tightening around the peridot. “But why? Why would Alvin work with Ryan?”

“I don’t know,” I admitted, frustrated. “But we have to be cautious. If Ryan is this close, he won't stop until he has all the artifacts. And… it’s not just that.”

With another deep breath, I recounted my conversation with Freya. When I was finished, Olivia’s eyes were wide, but there was also a gleam of determination in their depths.

“Very well then,” she said, nodding. “I’ll find the last artifact as soon as I can. For everyone’s sake. And I’ll do it… tonight.”