Chapter 287

Olivia

The final traces of the departing Elders disappeared over the horizon, their figures dissolving into the dimming light of dusk. The once powerful and influential group, who had held sway over our pack for generations, had dwindled to a mere shadow.

Among them, Freya, the last vestige of my parents’ lineage, walked among them.

Strong arms wrapped around me, drawing me into the comforting embrace of Nathan.

“I know it hurts to see Freya go,” he whispered against my hair, his voice laced with sorrow. “But you made the right choice, Liv.”

A heavy sigh escaped my lips. “Did I? The Elders have been our pack’s guides for so long. Was I too... cruel?”

He pulled back, holding me by the shoulders and searching my eyes. “You did exactly what needed to be done,” Nathan said firmly. “Our pack has suffered under their misguided decisions for too long. Your actions today only proved to me that you’ll be a formidable Luna by my side. Together, we’ll rebuild and make our pack even better.”

Even though Nathan’s words filled me with a sense of warmth and made my wolf happy, a pang of guilt hit me like a tidal wave.

How could I be a great Luna when I had made such a treacherous decision? One that involved handing over innocent little Aurora to a sinister witch in exchange for the final artifact, the very essence to become the Ancient Wolf.

The power and allure of the Ancient Wolf were undeniable, but at what cost? Every time I thought of the deal, my heart ached, regret gnawing at my soul.

“Not everything is set in stone,” my wolf whispered in my mind, her voice gentle and reassuring. I could almost feel her comforting presence, her soft fur brushing against my consciousness. “We’ll find a way out. Even if it means facing the witch head-on.”

The idea of taking a life, even that of a predatory witch, made my stomach churn. But the more I pondered, the more I realized that this might be the only path to redemption. Not just for me but for the entire town that had suffered under the wicked enchantments and deals of that witch.

Lost in my thoughts, I barely noticed Nathan’s concerned gaze.

“Liv?” he prompted, his eyes narrowing slightly. “You seem miles away. Is everything okay?”

I swallowed hard, weighing the consequences of revealing my secret. But the weight of the truth, the burden of my choice, was too much to share right now.

“I’m just worried about the town,” I said, my voice shaking a little. It wasn’t a complete lie, just… omitting some details. “After Ryan’s attack, there’s so much to rebuild, so much to set right.”

His thumb brushed gently over my cheek, wiping away a tear I hadn’t realized had fallen. “We’ll get through this,” Nathan reassured me, pulling me close once more. “We have each other, and our pack is resilient. We’ve weathered storms before, and we’ll come out stronger from this one.”

In that moment, all I wanted was to bury my secrets and fears, to get lost in the strength and warmth of his embrace.

But the shadows of my decisions lingered, threatening to pull me under. I knew, sooner or later, I’d have to face the consequences of my choices. But for now, I decided to focus on the immediate task at hand: bringing Ryan to justice and restoring our town to its former glory.

The distant sounds of clinking metal reached my ears as several of our pack members approached, herding a group of defeated looking men before them.

The cold steel of cuffs bound the wrists of Ryan’s men, reflecting the dimming light of the evening sky. Their faces, a mix of defiance and fear, bore the evidence of a fierce battle; cuts, bruises, and dirt marring their once arrogant visages.

My gaze darted around, trying to piece together the aftermath of the shockwave I’d sent out earlier. Nathan’s men had evidently seized the moment of disarray, successfully capturing the remnants of Ryan’s forces.

But as my eyes roamed the scene, searching for the man who had wreaked so much havoc, I couldn’t find him. My heart raced. Could he have escaped amidst the chaos?

“He better not have gotten away,” I muttered under my breath, frustration clear in my voice.

Nathan, sensing my growing anxiety, tightened his hold around my waist, grounding me. “If he did,” he growled, a dangerous glint in his eyes, “I’ll track him down myself and end him. He won’t evade us for long.”

His determination was evident, and it did provide a modicum of relief. But I couldn’t shake off the dread completely. The thought of Ryan, a wolf so consumed by rage and ambition, on the loose sent chills down my spine.

Just then, a familiar face emerged from the crowd, his stern expression marked by relief and triumph. Levi, one of our most trusted warriors, was pushing someone forward. The forceful shoving, coupled with the stark recognition in the man's eyes, confirmed my hopes. Ryan.

He looked battered, his usual confident swagger reduced to a dejected slump. Gone was the arrogance and the smirk that I had so often seen. The realization that he had been captured was evident in his every move, a stark contrast to the dangerous wolf he once was.

Levi’s voice broke the silence. “Found him trying to sneak off,” he said, his voice dripping with disdain as he roughly pushed Ryan to his knees before us. “Guess he wasn’t as brave as he liked to think.”

Nathan stepped forward, the Alpha in him radiating power and authority. “Did you really think you could attack our pack and then just slip away, Ryan?” His voice was cold, every word laced with menace.

Ryan, though defeated, still had that stubborn fire in his eyes. “You think capturing me ends this?” he spat, blood trickling down from a cut on his lip. “My men are everywhere. They’ll come for me.”

I stepped closer, my wolf’s anger mixing with my own. “Your men?” I gestured to the captured men being ushered away, their heads bowed in submission. “Those men? They’re done following a leader who led them to ruin. Trust me on that.”

Ryan’s eyes darted to mine, filled with a mix of hatred and begrudging respect. “You may have won this battle, Olivia, but the war... the war is far from over.”

My inner wolf bristled, eager to put Ryan in his place. But Nathan’s hand on my shoulder, urging restraint, held me back.

Levi’s grip on Ryan tightened as he prepared to lead him away. “He’ll be secured in the pack’s holding cells until you decide his fate,” he informed us.

Nathan nodded, his gaze never leaving Ryan. “Make sure he’s watched at all times. No chances, Levi.”

Levi gave a curt nod, understanding the gravity of the situation. “Understood, Alpha Nathan.”

As they began to move, dragging a resisting Ryan away, I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. The immediate threat was over, but the aftermath, the decisions, and consequences were yet to come.

And looming above it all was the secret deal I had made, casting a shadow over what should have been a moment of victory. But for now, I let the relief wash over me.

Ryan was captured, and our pack was safe.

At least for the moment.