Chapter 431

Olivia

Over the next week, I found myself spending my days—when I wasn’t busy with the twins—running around town, interviewing the owners of the various businesses. It was fulfilling work, and I found myself enjoying it far more than I ever expected.

Most days, I would get the twins ready in the morning, often bringing them with me in their stroller as I made my rounds.

However, everyone fawned over the twins everywhere I went, and I often found myself navigating questions about the new pregnancy. It seemed as though my personal life was becoming a bit of a public spectacle now that I was the ‘official’ Luna, but I did my best to ward off the probing questions and just focus on my work.

And besides, I couldn’t be mad about people being curious; because, after all, it was their curiosity that would hopefully make this pamphlet a success. Word of mouth was of the utmost importance, and with my newfound status, I was certain that this pamphlet would have a positive impact on our local businesses and our town—and, by extension, Nathan and his nonstop drive to be noticed by the Alpha association.

But as the week progressed, my worry for Nathan only continued to rise.

Nathan, my rock, the unwavering Alpha, was showing obvious signs of wear. He would repeatedly come home long after the twins were asleep, his footsteps heavy, his shoulders slumped under the weight of his responsibilities.

I tried not to bother him about it, because I knew how hard he was working. But between my own work, being a mother, and with the pregnancy progressing, I was exhausted, too. Clint was a constant source of help, but I needed my husband.

“Clint,” I said one day as the two of us were watching the twins in their playpen, “you know you don’t always have to accept when I ask you to help, right?”

“Nonsense, Olivia,” Clint replied with a wave of his hand. “I know you need the help, what with Nathan being so busy lately.”

I let out a soft sigh. Clint and I had just managed to navigate a horrific tantrum on Aurora’s part, fed both of the twins even though Elliot kept splattering food everywhere, and were now slumped on the couch.

“I appreciate it,” I said softly, resting my head on Clint’s shoulder. “But I just wish Nathan would take a break. And with the pregnancy, I… I really could use some time off soon. Before the baby comes, at least.”

Clint sighed along with me and patted my knee. “You’ll get your honeymoon soon,” he said gently. “Just give Nathan a little time. He’s a hard worker, but not without reason.”

That night, much to my surprise, Nathan actually walked in the door not long after dinnertime. I looked up from where I was sitting at the dining room table, shocked to see him coming home so early.

“I thought you were working late again,” I said, getting up to plant a kiss on his cheek.

Nathan shrugged, revealing the usual tenseness in his shoulders. “It’s Friday, so I figured I should call it a day for now,” he said. “But I have to go back first thing in the morning.”

“On a Saturday?”

He nodded. “Yeah,” he said, immediately beelining for the living room, where he sank down into an armchair and shut his weary eyes. “I had a meeting get rescheduled, and the Alpha I was supposed to meet with wanted to change it to tomorrow morning. Bright and early.”

I watched him, a sense of unease settling in my chest. He looked weak, like he might just deflate at any moment. “Nathan, you can’t keep going like this,” I said gently. “Why not take the weekend off? You need rest.”

He just nodded, his chest already rising and falling steadily with the onset of sleep. I sighed, knowing my words were barely registering to him in his current state.

Even though I knew he’d likely be asleep by the time I returned, I decided to make my way into the kitchen to warm up some dinner for him. The twins were playing happily in their playpen, and I figured that with Nathan right there, it would be fine.

My heart wrenched a bit as I watched the plate spin around in the microwave. I was certain that if Nathan kept this up, he would wind up getting himself hurt. I was sure of it. No good could come of this much work.

But, then again, I knew that my scoldings would just fall on deaf ears.

When the microwave beeped, I took the steaming plate of food out and carried it out to the living room.

And the sight that greeted me made my heart dropped.

“Elliot, no!” I screamed, the plate falling from my hands and shattering onto the floor.

Somehow, Elliot had managed to unlock the gate to his playpen and was now crawling across the floor—straight toward the flickering fireplace.

In a heartbeat, I dashed forward and scooped him into my arms, away from the hear of the fire. His startled cry filled the room, and I held him close, my heart pounding in my chest as I whirled around to face Nathan, who had fallen fast asleep in the chair.

Nathan jolted awake at the commotion, his eyes wide with confusion and panic. “What happened? Is everything okay?” he stammered, jumping up from the chair and rushing over to me.

I turned to him, Elliot still in my arms, my voice trembling with a mixture of relief and frustration. “Nathan, you fell asleep. Elliot was crawling towards the fireplace. He could have hurt himself!”

Nathan’s face drained of color, his eyes darting to Elliot, then back to me. The realization of what could have happened seemed to hit him all at once. “I... I didn’t even realize I’d nodded off,” he murmured, running a hand through his hair, his expression haunted.

I sighed, my anger subsiding into worry. “Nathan, this can’t go on any longer. You’re working yourself to the bone. You need to take a break before something worse happens.”

He looked at me, the usual confidence in his eyes replaced by a vulnerability I rarely saw. “I know, I just... there’s so much to do. The pack, the council, everything relies on me.”

“But not at the cost of your health, or our family’s safety,” I said firmly. “I know you want to do everything for the pack, but you’re no good to anyone if you’re this exhausted. Something has to give, Nathan.”

Nathan paused, sinking slowly back down onto the chair. He opened his mouth as if to speak, but no words would come.

“Listen,” I said, “I know you want to do what’s right for the pack, but what about us? What about your family? Not only are you being careless with your children, but… I’m tired, too, Nathan. I feel like a single mother over here sometimes.”

My words seemed to hit Nathan to his core. He stood again, closing the distance and reaching for Elliot. But I took a step back, not wanting to take the risk.

“Olivia, I can help—”

“No,” I said, turning away with Elliot still in my arms. “I think it’s best if you just… just get some rest, and I’ll take care of everything.”

“But Liv—”

“Just go to bed, Nathan,” I ordered, already wracking my brain over how I would put the twins to sleep and clean up the mess that I had made from dropping the plate of food. “Before we have another disaster.”

Nathan stood there for a moment, his hand still outstretched, as my words sank in. Then, finally, he silently left the room, disappearing up the steps. I didn’t move until I heard the bedroom door close, and when I did, I let out a heavy sigh that carried the weight of the world.

I was worried about him, so worried. One disaster had almost happened tonight, and if Nathan didn’t get some rest, it was bound to get worse.

But I had to keep my chin up, no matter how exhausted I was myself. Elliot and Aurora needed me, and so did Nathan—even if it broke my heart for us to be like this, so soon after our wedding, when most couples would still be enjoying their honeymoon.

“Come on, loves,” I cooed softly, bending down to scoop Aurora up in my other arm. “Let’s get you to bed.”