Chapter 33

Luka

“Remember, grab the reins once you get in the saddle,” Mia called from atop her horse, Coco.

Mia had pulled out all the stops to find the most fun physical activities for us to do, and I could tell it was to make up for the inconsiderate decision of Caleb to leave without saying anything.

She didn’t say it outright, but I could tell she wanted me to feel as though he cared about me, despite his behavior making me question it.

I placed one foot in the stirrup and whipped my other leg up, pulling myself into the saddle.

“Good girl, Firefly.” I patted my horse’s neck, and she bobbed her head in appreciation. Well, Mia’s horse, not mine. But Firefly was the one that was most suited to me, Mia said.

The first day we went riding, I was terrified. Declan had always been harsh with his horses, so they were violent and grouchy. But Firefly was such a sweetheart, by the time I got off of her, I wanted to bring her home like a pet.

“I tried doing that when I was six, with Coco,” Mia said. “Let me tell you, the housekeeper who found her in my room was not happy.”

We usually went riding every morning, and we’d train with the pack in mid-day. I got to know Mia’s friends a little better, so we’d have lunches and dinners together.

On our third day of riding, we saw Jordyn at the stables, feeding their horse, Gray Lady. So they often spent time on the trails with us, too, and partook in the socializing before and after.

Although I liked Mia’s friends, I was grateful to have one just of my own, not reliant on having an ‘in’ with anyone else. Jordyn and I had a lot in common, always feeling like outcasts. They had lost their parents at a young age, too.

I was still angry with Caleb for leaving, but I could feel my independence growing in his absence. I was always concerned with what I should be doing according to his wishes. It was strange and exciting to have no one but myself deciding what I should do.

Mia and I went shopping at least twice a week, sometimes to mark a milestone or a training achievement, sometimes to make up for a bad day, and sometimes for no reason at all. And sometimes it was out of necessity, if some item of clothing I happened to be wearing was getting too small for my increasingly athletic, strong body.

We rode into the village square, where our favorite boutiques were, along with salons, restaurants, theaters, libraries.

I opened the door to the Crimson Crescent Boutique, holding it for Mia, when I thought I recognized a face. I stared, positive I had to be hallucinating it.

“Hey Mia, does Olivia have a sister? Like, a twin or something?”

“A sister? No. Just brothers. Why?” Mia looked confused.

“I’m probably just imagining it. But look at that girl, right there, do you see her? I swear, she looks exactly like Olivia. She doesn’t have a long-lost sister?”

Mia’s lips curled angrily, and she balled her hands into fists. There was a shift in the air around her.

“You’re not imagining it. But it’s not a sister. It’s Olivia.”

“You’re sure?”

“She’s wearing an amethyst stone that she got for a graduation gift. It’s her, all right.”

“Did she break out of prison?” I asked fearfully.

Mia sighed. “I doubt it. She’s a nasty piece of work, but she’s not brave like that.”

“Should we go back to the estate?”

“Not yet,” Mia said. “We need some retail therapy first.”

We bought three shopping bags of clothes in record time, and we both walked out in gorgeous riding boots and flirty dresses.

As we left, Mia’s phone was glued to her ear. “Why didn’t you warn me, James?”

“Uh huh…Okay…Well, Caleb’s going to flip out, I’m sure. This is all he needs with the elders…Thanks…Yeah, you, too. Bye.”

Mia hopped onto Coco, shaking her head and closing her eyes in frustration. I quickly hopped onto Firefly, afraid that Mia might leave me behind in her hurry to get back.

“So…” I ventured.

Mia’s face was red, and she could barely speak from anger. “The Goddamn Elder Council. There are all of these power struggles, and of course Olivia’s dad is on the committee. Those cowards waited until Caleb left to let Olivia out.”

“Can’t Caleb stop them?”

“The Elder Council has its own authority. They’re supposed to consult with Caleb, or with James since Caleb is out, but it’s not an actual legal requirement. You’d think they’d have a little more respect and wait just a little bit longer. Like, ‘Oh yipee, Caleb’s gone, let’s make some trouble.’”

I brushed the hair from my face. “Should I be afraid, Mia? She hurt me really bad before…”

She shook her head. “She’s on a tight leash. She’d have to be really stupid…”

I looked at Mia incredulously.

“I mean more stupid than she is,” Mia said. “Like, braindead stupid. I’ll protect you. Caleb’s associates will protect you. Security will protect you. They’re good at being stealthy.”

“Okay. I just…”

“Don’t let her stop you from living your life. This is your home, just as much as it is hers. Maybe even more.”

“Not everyone thinks so. Especially since I’m an Om—”

“We’re not Long Lake Pack. I don’t feel that way, and you know Caleb doesn’t.”

I nodded. The rest of the trip back to the estate we were quiet, both of us deep in thought. Once we got to the gates, Mia stopped Coco and signaled for me to stop Firefly.

“I’m meeting James at the training grounds, and then we’re having a meeting. So if you want to go take Firefly back to the stables, you can.”

“Okay. Do you want me to help with anything?” I wasn’t quite ready to be by myself, after seeing Olivia. I didn’t want to run into her again alone.

She scrunched her mouth to the side. “I wish you could help. This is such a shitshow.”

“Are you calling Caleb?” I sort of wanted to hear his voice, to see how surprised he’d be to hear me on the other end.

“James and I are meeting to strategize about how to tell Caleb. Then we’ll call him. It could take a while.”

I rode with her to the training grounds, just to keep her company, planning to go straight to the stables and then to rest. This was a lot to process.

Someone crossed our path, and I was sure it had to be a figment of my imagination. There was no way he could have been let out. Olivia was bad enough. They couldn’t possibly have released him, too, could they?

They could. Seeing him, I wasn’t positive, but now that I smelled him, I was. It was sickening and sweet, and I could feel the smug emotion wafting along with the aroma.

Declan was out.

Caleb was gone and Declan was standing in front of me. It was like I had never left Long Lake Pack at all.