Chapter 405

Olivia

After the gossips walked away, I couldn't shake the feeling that had settled in my chest. Doubt gnawed at me, and I felt like I was making a big mistake by pursuing the bakery apprenticeship. I sighed and turned my attention back to the decorations and preparations for the First Snow Festival.

“You should confront them,” my wolf said, annoyed at me. “You’re the Luna, and you’re allowing them to speak to you like that?”

“People can have their opinions,” I replied inwardly with a soft sigh as I began tying the red ribbons around the tree branches. “As the Luna, I’d be better off letting their remarks roll off my back.”

Jade growled ever so slightly in my mind. “But they’re not rolling off your back,” she complained. “They’re bothering you, making you question yourself. You shouldn’t just let them do that.”

I let out another sigh. Jade was right; I shouldn’t have let them say things like that, and I especially shouldn’t have let their petty words bother me. But it was too late now, and besides, I couldn’t deny the fact that I felt, deep down, that maybe they were right.

As I continued to work, I couldn’t help but notice that the gossips kept glancing my way, whispering to each other, their judgmental eyes boring holes into the sides of my head. I tried to push their words and stares aside, focusing on the preparations for the festival, but their disapproval lingered on my mind.

Hours passed, and the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the park. Finally, the preparations for the day were complete, and I joined the other volunteers in packing up the supplies.

Despite my calm outward demeanor, my mind was still muddled with uncertainty, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was making a mistake by taking on this apprenticeship.

As I walked home, the bakery came into view. I stopped on the sidewalk outside of it, biting my lip, torn between my desire to pursue my passion for baking and the fear of judgment from the gossips.

With a sigh, I made a decision. I would go inside the bakery and tell James and Petunia that I had changed my mind. The apprenticeship would be better suited for someone who truly needed it, and I could continue to focus on being a mother and the pack’s Luna.

I pushed open the door to the bakery, the familiar scent of freshly baked goods washing over me. The warm, inviting atmosphere tugged at my heartstrings, making my decision even more difficult.

Petunia was behind the counter, her apron lightly dusted with flour as always, and she looked up with a warm smile as I entered.

“Hello there, Olivia!” she greeted, her eyes sparkling with kindness. “How can we help you today?”

I hesitated, my resolve faltering. Petunia’s warm and welcoming demeanor made it even harder to break the news. I cleared my throat and finally managed to say, “I... um, I wanted to talk to you about the apprenticeship.”

Her smile widened, and she seemed genuinely excited. “Oh, James and I are so thrilled that you’ll be joining us, Olivia! We’re looking forward to having you here. What’s on your mind?”

I opened my mouth to tell her that I wouldn’t be apprenticing with them, that I had changed my mind, but the words got caught in my throat. Petunia’s warmth and the prospect of learning from James tugged at my heart, reminding me of my passion for baking.

Instead of breaking the news, I simply ordered a tea and forced a smile. “I just wanted to say thank you, that’s all,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

…

“I’m home!”

Nathan’s voice carried through the house. I looked up from the pot of stew I was stirring to see Nathan standing there in the doorway, the tip of his nose slightly red from the cold walk home.

“Hey,” I said with a smile.

With a smirk, Nathan trotted over to me and pressed his cold nose into my neck, sending a shock down my spine. I yelped and smacked his arm, but kissed him nonetheless.

After we broke the kiss, he raised an eyebrow and asked, “So, how was your day? I saw the park; the decorations look great so far.”

“It was eventful,” I said with a nod, returning my attention to the stew. “I’m glad you like the decorations. It’s not even close to being finished, though.”

Nathan cocked his head as he shrugged his coat off. “Eventful?” he asked. “What, did something happen?”

I sighed, realizing that there was no use in keeping the truth from him. “You know how I applied for that apprenticeship at the bakery, right?”

“Yeah, I remember you telling me about it,” he said. “Did something happen with it?”

“I just…” I shrugged as I stirred the stew. “I’m not sure if I’m going to go through with it after all.”

Nathan paused, turning to face me with a quirked eyebrow. “What? Why?”

“I overheard some people in town,” I began slowly, “complaining that the Luna gets handed whatever she wants. They think I don’t deserve the apprenticeship. That I should just focus on being a mother and a Luna.”

Nathan’s jaw tightened, and a flash of anger flickered in his eyes as he crossed over to me. “Who said that? They have no right to judge you like that. Tell me who said it, and I’ll handle it.”

I placed a calming hand on his arm. “It doesn’t matter who said it, Nathan. What matters is that it got me thinking.”

He frowned, clearly not satisfied with my answer. “Liv, you can’t let people’s stupid opinions dictate your decisions.”

I nodded, but my doubts still lingered. “I know, but... what if they’re right? What if I should leave the job for someone who deserves it more? What if I’m being… a bad mother?”

“A bad mother?” Nathan scoffed. “You’re joking, right, Liv? You know you’re allowed to be a mom and have a career. We talked about this.”

I looked into his eyes, my heart heavy with uncertainty. “I know we talked about it, but I really just feel like I’m making a mistake,” I admitted. “And maybe it’s a little selfish, too. We’re fine with money, and we’ve got twins with another on the way. There’s no way I can juggle both.”

Nathan’s expression softened, and he took my hands in his. “Liv, don’t let self-doubt and the opinions of others hold you back. You’re capable of achieving anything you set your mind to. And besides, I’m here to take care of the kids. You’re not alone in this.”

I sighed, staring down at the floor. “But what if I fail?”

“Failure is a part of life, Liv,” he murmured, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “It’s how we learn and grow. Besides, you won’t know until you try.”

I leaned in, resting my head against his shoulder. “Maybe you’re right.”

He kissed the top of my head and chuckled. “I’m always right.”

“Hey,” I teased, smacking his arm as I tilted my head back to look at him. “Rude.”

But Nathan just laughed and planted a warm kiss on my forehead, his blue-green eyes meeting mine. In that moment, I felt a warmth spread through my chest; and I couldn’t help but think that maybe it was time to stop letting others hold me back after all.