Chapter 294

The sting of Olivia’s words echoed in my ears as I stormed away, every step heavy with the weight of her accusation.

“She isn’t even your real daughter, Nathan.”

Those words had cut deeper than any wound I’d ever felt.

We had agreed, hadn’t we? From the moment those twins had been born, they were ours, regardless of blood. I had put my heart and soul into caring for them as if they were my own flesh and blood. And now Olivia had cast doubt on that bond.

The town’s dilapidated streets and ruined buildings became a blur as my thoughts spiraled.

Did Olivia's transformation into the Ancient Wolf alter her perception of our family? Or was it the weight of exhaustion and stress taking its toll on her? I wanted answers, but the exhaustion gnawing at the edges of my own mind told me that now wasn’t the time. I needed to breathe, to think, to work.

As I approached the Council building, my mind shifted to more immediate matters: rebuilding the town and fortifying our defenses. The loss of the Elders left a void of leadership, one that I had to step into completely, both for the sake of my pack and the townspeople.

Once inside, I made my way to the large wooden table where our meetings were usually held. A group of pack members were already gathered, waiting for my guidance. I took a moment to collect my thoughts, pushing aside personal turmoil, and focusing on the task at hand.

“Alright,” I began, my voice authoritative. “We need to start with the essentials. Our town is in ruins, and people are hurting. Let’s begin by allocating funds for the cleanup of the rubble and the rebuilding of the most crucial structures.”

Alaric, one of the more senior members of the pack and the leader of the builders’ guild in town, nodded in agreement. “The buildings that got burnt down should be our top priority. We’ve got families without homes.”

I made a mental note. “We’ll set up temporary housing tents while we work on rebuilding. Make sure everyone has food, water, and shelter.”

Sasha, another council member and the head of the guard barracks, chimed in. “We should also think about security, Nathan. With the Elders gone, we’re more vulnerable to attacks just in case the Redclaws decide to return with a new leader.”

“You’re right,” I replied. “Let’s also reinforce the town’s borders and increase patrols.”

The meeting went on, with every decision taken weighing heavily on my shoulders. It felt as if each choice would determine our town's fate, our pack's future.

As the meeting concluded, I leaned back in my chair, rubbing my temples. The weight of leadership was a constant reminder of the responsibilities that now rested on me as the sole Alpha without a council of Elders. I had to make things right, not just for Olivia and the twins, but for everyone.

Picking up the phone, I dialed Layla’s number, hoping she’d have a solution for one of our most significant losses—the library. Layla’s pack had a long history of maintaining the largest collection of books and scrolls in the region, and I hoped she could lend her expertise.

After a few rings, Layla’s familiar voice greeted me. “Nathan? To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“Layla,” I began, my voice strained with weariness. “We need your help. The library’s gone—destroyed in the last attack. We’ve lost countless records, books, and ancient texts.”

A heavy silence settled on the line before Layla finally responded. “I heard about what happened. I’m so sorry, Nathan.”

I nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “Thank you. But we need to move forward. Can you help us with the library? Perhaps lend some of your pack’s expertise? You have copies of some of our documents, correct?”

There was a brief pause, and then she replied, “I’ll come over right away. My pack has resources that might help. We can discuss how to rebuild and maybe even restore some of the lost texts.”

Gratitude welled up inside me. “Thank you, Layla. That means a lot.”

“I’ll stay in town for a while,” Layla continued. “This sounds like it’s going to be a long project, and I want to be hands-on.”

Relief washed over me. Having Layla around would be a tremendous asset. “I appreciate that. I’ll make arrangements for your stay. Let me know when you’re on your way.”

“I’ll be there by tomorrow evening,” she assured me. “Take care, Nathan. And… It’ll be good to see you.”

I paused, drawing in a deep breath. “Yeah. You too, Layla.”

Hanging up the phone, I let out a long sigh. Despite the monumental tasks ahead, Layla’s commitment brought a flicker of hope. The road to rebuilding our town was going to be challenging, but with allies like her, I felt optimistic.

Yet, amidst the responsibilities and decisions, Olivia’s words still haunted me. As the evening light waned, I wondered if we would ever find our way back to each other. Would we be able to rebuild the trust that once seemed unbreakable?

I supposed at this point, only time would tell.

…

I couldn’t sleep that night. I hadn’t slept the night before, either.

It surprised me how dependent I had grown on Olivia to help me sleep. Being beside her, especially now that we knew ourselves to be fated mates, was like a sleeping pill. Being without her was like going through withdrawals. But I wasn’t ready to go home—not yet.

As I strode through the forest surrounding the cabin, trying to find solace amidst the towering trees and rustling leaves, Steel, my inner wolf, made his presence known.

He always seemed more connected to emotions, more perceptive than my human self, perhaps a gift from our deep connection to the natural world.

“Nathan,” his voice rumbled in my mind, “you’re taking her words too much to heart.”

“How can I not?” I shot back mentally. “Did you not hear her? She said Aurora isn’t my ‘real’ daughter. How am I supposed to just brush that off?”

“Olivia is under tremendous stress,” Steel reasoned. “We both know she didn’t mean it.”

A bitter chuckle echoed in my thoughts. “Didn’t she, though? Remember how it was before? Whenever I tried to help her during the pregnancy, she’d throw it in my face that they weren’t my children. She used it as a shield, pushing me away.”

“Times were different then,” Steel mused. “She was scared, uncertain about the future. You were a stranger trying to step into a role she wasn’t ready to let anyone fill. Now, things have changed.”

“She has changed,” I agreed, recalling the moments of tenderness and intimacy we’d shared since those days. “But can I just forget what she said? Can I just act as though those words didn’t shatter my heart?”

Steel’s voice softened. “She’s exhausted, Nathan, scared for the twins and the pack. This isn’t about the past; it’s about the present. She needs you now more than ever. And this business with becoming the Ancient Wolf… That alone is a cross to bear.”

I stopped, taking a deep breath as the weight of the situation bore down on me. “I know. But I need time, Steel. It’s not as simple as running back into her arms. I can't forget, not yet. Not when those old wounds have been ripped open again.”

“Then take the time you need,” Steel urged. “But remember, while you’re nursing your wounds, she’s alone, bearing the weight of the world on her shoulders.”

A pang of guilt seared through me like a knife. I knew he was right. But the rawness of the wound Olivia had unintentionally inflicted made it hard to see past my own pain.

“And we have a pack to lead,” I added, thinking of the responsibilities that lay ahead. “Right now, my focus has to be on our people, on rebuilding what’s been destroyed.”

“True,” Steel murmured, “but don’t lose sight of what’s essential. Don’t let anger and hurt cloud your judgment. Remember who you are, Nathan. Remember who we are.”