"And what the hell was that?" Lennox snapped at me the instant Olivia teleported.
Shame burned my chest. I looked away, unable to meet his eyes. "I was just joking," I muttered. "Teasing her… like we used to. I didn't think—"
"You didn't think at all," Levi cut in, his tone calm but his eyes hard with annoyance. He leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, disappointment written across his face. "You saw how wound up she was, Louis. And you pushed her further."
I clenched my fists, jaw tight. "I wasn't trying to hurt her. It was a joke—just a damn joke."
Lennox slammed his palm against the desk, the sound echoing through the study. "This isn't the time for jokes! She's walking a fine line, holding herself together in front of Frederick. One wrong slip, and everything we've worked for goes to hell. And you—" he jabbed a finger at me, fury blazing in his eyes—"you decided to throw fuel on the fire!"
The weight of their anger pressed down on me. My wolf whimpered inside, guilt clawing at my chest. I'd seen Olivia's eyes before she left—hurt, betrayed, furious. She didn't even wait for me to explain.
And goodness, that stung.
"I'll fix it," I said. "I'll talk to her. Apologize. Whatever it takes."
Lennox's glare didn't soften. "You better." He spat.
I swallowed hard and left the study. I stopped in the hallway, dragging a hand down my face. My wolf pawed restlessly inside me, urging me to go after her. To find her. To make it right.
Closing my eyes, I reached through the bond. "Olivia." My voice was softer than usual. "Please. Listen to me."
No response. Just silence. But I knew she could hear me.
My chest tightened. I pushed again, this time letting her feel my guilt through the bond. "I didn't mean it. The joke… it was stupid. I should've known better. You've been carrying too much already, and I only added to it. That wasn't fair."
I paused, pacing the corridor as if the movement would calm the panic inside me. "I'm sorry, Liv. Truly. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please… talk to me. Yell at me if you want. Just don't shut me out."
Still nothing. Only the faintest echo of her wolf.
"Oli… I'm sorry…" I pleaded desperately, but she didn't respond; rather, she shut the mind link at me.
A deep sigh left my lips as I opened my eyes. I needed to do something—really fast—but what could I do? It's not like I knew where she was so I could go after her… Olivia could be anywhere. But suddenly I got a whiff of her scent. My brow furrowed.
"Olivia is around," I whispered to myself and began moving.
Her scent—honey laced with a faint trace of nutmeg, sharp and stubborn, just like her—enveloped me. My wolf stirred instantly, pulling me forward, guiding me through the halls until I reached the old room that used to be hers.
My hand hovered on the knob for half a second, nerves prickling through me, but I didn't give myself time to hesitate. I pushed the door open.
Olivia sat on the bed, back straight, her arms folded tightly across her chest. She didn't look startled, didn't even flinch at my sudden entrance. Instead, her brows knit together in that same stormy frown that made my chest tighten.
I stepped inside slowly, shutting the door behind me. For once, I didn't try to smile, didn't try to charm her with the playful grin that always used to work.
"Liv…" I said softly, my voice breaking in ways I hated. "You are here."
She looked at me—her eyes filled with anger.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself not to look away this time. "Say something. Yell. Curse me. Just… don't stay quiet. Don't shut me out."
Yet I got no response from her. Sucking in a deep breath, I stepped closer and sat beside her, and luckily she didn't shift away.
"I'm sorry, Olivia," I said finally. "I shouldn't have joked like that. Not now. Not when you're already carrying so much. I wasn't thinking."
I leaned forward, forcing her to see the truth in my face. "You mean everything to me. The last thing I'd ever want is to hurt you, yet I keep messing it up. That's on me. Not you. You deserved my support, not my stupidity."
Still nothing. Just that deep, unreadable frown on her face. My chest tightened painfully.
"I'm sorry, Olivia. Please do anything to pour out your anger," I went on, softer now, almost pleading. "Yell at me… scold me… Just… don't shut me out completely."
For a long moment, she just stared at me. My wolf whimpered in the silence, bracing for rejection.
Then Olivia sighed, her arms loosening just a little. "You're an idiot, Louis," she muttered.
Relief crashed through me so hard I nearly laughed. "Yeah," I breathed. "I am. But I'm your idiot."
Her lips twitched, the smallest smile breaking through her frown. And before I could say another word, she grabbed me by the shirt and pulled me into a kiss.
I kissed her back like I had been holding my breath for years. It was strong enough to show I meant it, but gentle enough not to scare her. Her hands slid into my hair, holding me close, and for a moment the whole world faded until there was only her lips and the beat of my heart.
When she pulled away, she was only a little space from me. Her chest rose and fell fast as she breathed, and her eyes locked on mine, bright and full of fire.
"I'm not really sure you've forgiven me," I said, my voice rough and shaky. The words came out smaller than I wanted, but she always knew how to pull out the part of me that was weak.
She let out a short laugh, sharp but happy. Then, without looking away, she stood up from the bed and dropped to her knees in front of me. My heart jumped hard in my chest, and even my wolf stirred, restless and wild.
She reached for my belt slowly, her fingers brushing the buckle. She looked up at me with that dangerous, playful smile on her face. "Maybe this will convince you," she whispered, her voice soft and seductive, sending a shiver through me. Latest content publıshed on 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✦𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✦𝕟𝕖𝕥