Chapter 269

Olivia

When Nathan finished recounting his conversation with Freya to me, my resolve was made clear.

I had to find the last artifact as soon as possible.

So much was on the precipice of disaster if I didn’t find it before Ryan; not only would Ryan remain unhindered in his bloodthirsty quest for war and my son, but the Elders would also overthrow Nathan—and there was no telling what the Elders would do if they were in complete control of our pack.

As exhausted as I was, I knew that I had to go now. There was no other choice. For all I knew, Alvin was spying for Ryan right then and there, and Ryan would beat me to the final artifact.

God, I thought to myself, thinking back on what Nathan had confirmed earlier. I would love to beat some sense into Alvin right about now…

But right now was not the time for revenge against an old friend. Right now, I needed to focus on the ritual. And I knew what to do.

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

The candlelit room seemed to shrink under the weight of Nathan’s disbelief. “Tonight?” His voice trembled just slightly, filled with a mixture of dread and caution. “You’re joking, Liv.”

I stood, ignoring the dull ache in my ribs and my leg from the car crash, and now the pain in my shoulder from when I fell unconscious in the basement. I knew that as soon as I found that final artifact, all of this bodily pain would fade instantly. I would heal, just like everyone else. Maybe even faster.

“Every second we hesitate, Ryan and his… cult are making moves. And not just for the artifact—our pack is at stake, Nathan. Our children are at stake, too.”

His intense gaze followed me as I moved to the doorway, grabbing my old backpack off of the hook. I made my way into the kitchen, where I began filling the backpack with some necessities; an apple, a granola bar, a bottle of water.

My eyes fell on a large kitchen knife in the drawer. I stared at it for a moment, chewing my lip and pondering whether I should bring it, before I finally relented and slipped it into my backpack. Just in case.

Nathan then appeared in the doorway, his face still full of shock.

“Olivia, this isn’t like the other times.” Nathan’s footsteps echoed softly as he approached, the floor creaking with every step. “You need to rest. We can wait until tomorrow, formulate a plan.”

I snapped the book shut, dust particles flying into the air. “Tomorrow could be too late. I won’t let Ryan outmaneuver us. I won’t let the Elders take control.”

A heavy silence settled between us, broken only by the faint howling of the wind outside. The air coming off of the ocean smelled of salt and seaweed, both comforting and invigorating.

Nathan pinched the bridge of his nose, clearly trying to control his rising frustration. “You’re being too impulsive, Olivia! What if it’s… I don’t know, a trap? What if Ryan’s expecting you to act this way?”

“Then I won’t give him the satisfaction of seeing me falter.” My voice held a determination that I hoped would settle the matter. I started packing a few more essential items into my bag, such as a first aid kit and a ball of twine, feeling the heavy weight of his gaze on me all the while.

Nathan sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair. “Olivia, there’s more at play here than just the artifacts. You know that. We can’t abandon the kids again in the middle of the night, and with Alvin probably out there spying for Ryan, who knows what could happen.”

“I’ll get Clint, then,” I said, swallowing. “Just one last time. After tonight, we can go back to our old lives.”

“First of all,” Nathan said, “Clint is amazing, but he’s not bulletproof. If he was surrounded by men trying to break in and steal Elliot or worse, he wouldn’t stand a chance; not at his age. And secondly…” He paused, his face taking on a more somber expression. “Nothing will be like it was before. You know that, right?”

I stopped in my tracks, turning to face him. The emotions in his eyes—concern, fear, love—made my heart race.

“I…” I paused, unsure of what to say. “I don’t know, Nathan,” I murmured. “Maybe it won’t be. But we can sure as hell try. Can’t we?”

Nathan was silent for some time. Neither of us moved, each too wrought with our own worries. Maybe I seemed as though I was being reckless, but I wasn’t. I had known for a while, ever since we learned about all of this, that I needed to hurry.

Ever since I heard those men in the cave, I knew that we were on borrowed time. And now, with the Elders breathing down our necks even more heavily than before, it was even worse.

“I just… Feel like you’re trying to prove something,” Nathan said.

“Like what?” I asked, feeling a wry chuckle escape my lips.

Nathan shrugged. “I don’t know, Liv. Maybe that you’re tough. Or clever. I don’t know.”

I sighed, closing the distance between us. Placing my hands on both of his shoulders, I gazed into his blue-green eyes. “Nathan, this isn’t just about the prophecy or proving a point. It’s about securing our future, ensuring our pack’s safety. And the twins’ safety.”

“And Alvin?” His voice dropped to a whisper, a challenge in his eyes. “Is this about him too?”

I flinched, memories of the past threatening to flood back. “This isn’t the time for that discussion.”

“No, Liv, it’s the perfect time. If Alvin’s working with Ryan, you need to be prepared. Emotionally, mentally…in every way.”

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air, mixing with the scent of old books and burnt candles. I swallowed hard, fighting back tears. “I know what’s at stake here. And I’ll do whatever it takes. But tonight, I have to get that artifact.”

“Then I’m coming with you,” Nathan declared, a finality in his voice that left no room for negotiation.

“To the mouth of the mines,” I countered, my voice firm. “No further. I need to retrieve the artifact alone.”

Nathan’s face reddened slightly in the dim light. “No way I’m letting you go in there alone,” he growled, closing the distance between us once more. As he came closer, his scent overwhelmed me. He smelled like sweat from a day of hard work. I wanted to kiss him, but now wasn’t the time.

“I have to,” I said, placing my hands on my hips. “You know that. Freya said the ritual won’t work otherwise.”

He looked like he wanted to argue further but then let out a long sigh. “Alright. But if you’re not out in fifteen minutes, I’m going in, prophecy or no prophecy. And I don’t care if it stops you from becoming the Ancient Wolf. Deal?”

I paused for another moment before nodding. “Deal.”

With that, Nathan and I flew into a frenzy, packing necessities in case of an emergency. But then, suddenly, our preparations were interrupted by an abrupt, loud knock on the door.