Chapter 342

Olivia

I pushed the stroller along the path. Angela walked beside me, her gaze cast down toward the twins, who were giggling and looking around excitedly. We had left Nathan and his long lost uncle inside the Council building so they could have some privacy following their emotional reunion.

“You okay?” Angela broke the silence, giving me a concerned glance.

“Yeah, it’s just...a lot to digest, you know?” I answered, my thoughts still swirling like a whirlwind.

“Tell me about it,” she said, shaking her head. “Edward, back from the dead? It sounds like a soap opera plot twist.”

I chuckled. “Right? And you know how Nathan is. Family matters hit him hard.”

“True,” Angela said, slowing the stroller as we reached a small bench overlooking the pond. “So, do you trust this Edward guy?”

I sighed, a thousand thoughts running through my mind. “My wolf didn't sense anything off about him. And there was a familiar scent—so maybe it is possible that he shares Nathan’s blood.”

Angela looked at me, her eyes probing. “...But?”

I shrugged. “But… we don’t know him, not really. I mean, sure, he’s got a story that sounds genuine enough. But people can hide things, Angie. Even from family.”

Angela nodded, her eyes on the twins who were babbling to each other in the infantile language only they understood. “Yeah, I get it. We shouldn’t go around trusting this guy right off the bat, no matter how genuine he seems.”

“Exactly,” I said. “Let’s just keep an eye on him for now. Make sure his actions line up with his words.”

“Agreed,” Angela replied, her eyes meeting mine. “We can’t take any chances, especially with the little ones involved.”

I smiled, looking at Aurora and Elliot who seemed so oblivious to the complex world around them. “Nathan needs family, Angie. God knows he’s had a rough past, and if Edward can be a positive part of his life, then I’m all for it.”

“Yeah, I get that.” Angela nodded and stooped down to brush a leaf off of Elliot’s forehead that had somehow landed perfectly there from a tree. Elliot giggled, his tiny hand reaching out to grab her finger, and he held on tightly. Angela laughed and booped his nose before turning her gaze to me. “Family means everything, especially in times like these. But, you know, we’re his family too, and we have to protect him just as much as he protects us.”

“I know,” I said softly. “I love Nathan, and I love our pack. And maybe I’m being overly cautious, but a pack isn’t just about blood. It’s about loyalty, trust, and knowing that the person beside you has your back.”

“True words,” Angela said. We came to a bench and sat down, and I leaned down to tickle Aurora’s foot, which had worked itself free from its blanket. “Nathan’s lucky to have you, Liv. And so are we.”

I felt my cheeks warm at her words. “No, I’m the lucky one,” I whispered, watching as a pair of ducks glided across the pond, their reflections perfect in the still water.

Angela turned to me, her eyes serious. “Promise me something?”

“Anything,” I said, meeting her gaze.

“If this Edward turns out to be trouble, promise me we’ll deal with it. Together. No hesitations.”

I looked into Angela’s eyes, seeing the unspoken fears and hopes we both carried for our pack, our family. “I promise, Angie. We’ll protect our pack. Together.”

“Deal,” she said, extending her pinky. I looped mine around it, sealing our pact.

We sat there for a few more moments, lost in our thoughts, each of us processing the morning’s whirlwind of events in our own way.

Finally, Angela broke the silence. “You know, life was so much simpler when our biggest worry was figuring out which Netflix series to binge-watch.”

I laughed, grateful for the lightness she brought into my life. “Those were the days, huh? It feels like a million years ago.”

“Isn’t that funny?” she asked. “How time speeds up and slows down all at once? I swear, it’s like your twins were born yesterday, and yet you and I have been friends for decades somehow. Even though it’s been a measly little year since I even met you.”

I couldn’t help but chuckle again. “Time sure is funny,” I said, leaning my head on her shoulder. “I’m glad to spend it with a friend like you.”

…

It was almost dinner time when the door suddenly burst open and Nathan walked in, a smile spread across his face so wide it looked like it might split his cheeks. His eyes were lit up with a kind of joy I hadn’t seen in a while. “Olivia, you won’t believe it. Edward had so much to tell me!”

I stood up from the couch where I'd been flipping through a magazine, unable to keep my own grin at bay. “Really? Tell me all about it.”

He followed me to the kitchen like a lost puppy, his energy practically bouncing off the walls. “Oh man, where do I start? There was so much. He had so many stories about my grandparents, stories that my dad always refused to tell me.”

“That’s incredible, Nathan,” I said, touched by his excitement. “I can’t even begin to imagine how much this means to you.”

“You have no idea,” he said, his eyes shimmering as if he were on the brink of tears. “I’ve always felt this void, you know? Like a part of me was missing because I didn’t really get to know where I came from. And now, it’s like I’ve found a missing piece of the puzzle.”

I squeezed his hand. “I’m so happy for you.”

He squeezed back, his eyes meeting mine. “Thank you, Liv. I mean it. Thank you for being so supportive and open about all this.”

I shrugged. “It’s my job. I’m your mate. You know that.”

He nodded, his eyes searching mine. “I do. And it means the world to me.”

Then he seemed to remember something, his eyes lighting up anew. “Oh, I almost forgot. To celebrate Edward’s return and, you know, his re-integration into the pack, I’ve decided to hold a banquet. Everyone’s invited.”

I blinked. “A banquet? Here? In the villa?”

Nathan nodded. “If you’d be okay with that.”

“Yeah,” I agreed, although a part of me was already running through the logistics in my head. “It’s just, a banquet is a lot of work, Nathan. The planning, the food, the invites—”

He cut me off, his eyes earnest. “I know, I know. And that’s why I'm hoping you’ll help me. I can’t do it without you, Liv.”

I smiled, my heart swelling with love for this man who never ceased to amaze me. “Of course I’ll help. We’ll make it a night to remember.”

He pulled me into a hug, his arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace. “You’re the best, you know that?”

I hugged him back, inhaling his scent and savoring the warmth that spread through me. “I try.”

He pulled away, his eyes serious again. “Can I ask you something?”

“Shoot,” I said, my curiosity piqued.

“What do you think of Edward? Really.”

I paused, choosing my words carefully. “I… want to believe he’s who he says he is. My wolf didn’t sense anything wrong, and there’s a scent about him that's familiar, like yours. But I’m going to be cautious, Nathan. We’ve been burned before. I hope you can understand that.”

He nodded, his eyes clouding over for a moment. “Yeah. I know. Colin.”

The name hung in the air, an uneasy reminder of betrayal and pain.

“I just hope Edward turns out to be normal,” Nathan said, breaking the silence. “Not evil, like… him.”

“I hope so too,” I said softly, squeezing his hand. “But for now, let’s focus on the positives, okay? You have a piece of your family back. And that’s something to celebrate.”

Nathan smiled, the earlier excitement returning to his eyes. “You’re right, Liv. You’re absolutely right. And that’s exactly what we're going to do.”