Episode 28: "Jealousy & Confessions"
Briarâs POV
I hated this feeling.
Jealousy.
It curled in my stomach like an angry beast, its claws digging in deeper every time I saw Olivia with her.
Sophia.
An old friend of Oliviaâs, someone she had known for years before I even came into the picture. She was beautiful, confident, and worst of all, comfortable around Olivia in a way that made my skin itch.
I watched from a distance as Olivia and Sophia stood outside the packhouse, talking and laughing like they had no care in the world. Oliviaâs hand brushed Sophiaâs arm lightly as she threw her head back, laughing at something she said.
My chest tightened.
I knew I was being irrational. I knew Olivia was mineâshe had made that clear time and time again. But watching her with someone else, seeing how easily they interacted, stirred something ugly inside me.
"Briar, are you even listening?" Taraâs voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see Tara and Ethan staring at me with knowing expressions.
I forced a shrug. "Yeah, of course. What were you saying?"
Tara narrowed her eyes. "No, you werenât. You were busy glaring daggers at Olivia and Sophia."
I scowled. "I wasnât glaring."
Ethan smirked. "You looked ready to rip someoneâs throat out."
I rolled my eyes and pushed off the tree I had been leaning against. "I donât care what Olivia does."
"Liar," Tara and Ethan said in unison.
I groaned, shoving my hands into my pockets. "Itâs stupid, okay? Olivia and I are fine. I just... I donât know."
Tara sighed. "Briar, youâre jealous."
I scoffed. "Iâm not jealous."
"You so are," Ethan muttered under his breath.
Tara ignored me and continued, "Instead of standing here sulking, why donât you talk to her?"
I shook my head. "No. Itâs dumb. Iâm not going to act like some clingy, insecure mate."
Ethan gave me a pointed look. "So, instead, youâre just going to act distant and piss Olivia off?"
I opened my mouth to argue but stopped when I realized... that was exactly what I was doing.
Damn it.
Oliviaâs POV
Something was wrong with Briar.
She had been acting strange all dayâavoiding me, keeping her distance, and barely talking. At first, I thought she was just tired, but the more time passed, the more obvious it became.
She was mad at me.
The problem was, I had no idea why.
I had caught her staring at me earlier when I was talking to Sophia, but when I waved her over, she just turned and walked away. It made no sense.
I wasnât going to let this go on any longer.
I found Briar sitting on the back porch of the packhouse, staring off into the woods like she was lost in thought. I leaned against the railing beside her, crossing my arms.
"Youâre avoiding me," I said bluntly.
Briar tensed but didnât look at me. "Iâm not."
I scoffed. "Really? Because Iâve barely seen you all day. You wonât talk to me, wonât even look at me."
Briar exhaled sharply, running a hand through her hair. "Iâm not avoiding you. I just... I have stuff on my mind."
I studied her carefully. "Is this about Sophia?"
Her jaw clenched, confirming my suspicion.
A slow smirk spread across my lips. "Are you jealous, Briar?"
She shot me a glare. "No."
I chuckled. "Oh, you so are."
Briar groaned, standing up abruptly. "Itâs stupid, okay? I know youâre mine. I know that. But seeing you with her... it justâit messed with me. Sheâs perfect, Olivia. She knows you in a way I donât. And I hate that it bothers me."
I stood up too, reaching out to take her hands in mine. "Briar, listen to me. Sophia is just a friend. Thatâs all she has ever been. She means nothing compared to you."
Briar sighed, finally meeting my gaze. "I know that logically, but my brain doesnât seem to care about logic."
I smiled softly, pulling her closer. "You have nothing to worry about, love. No one, and I mean no one, could ever take your place."
Her shoulders relaxed slightly, but I could still see the uncertainty in her eyes.
"Briar," I said more seriously, lifting her chin so she had no choice but to look at me. "I love you."
Her eyes widened slightly.
I had never said those words before. Not because I didnât feel them, but because I was waiting for the right moment.
And this? This was the perfect moment.
Briar swallowed hard. "You... you love me?"
I smiled. "Of course, I do."
She let out a shaky breath before breaking into a wide, almost disbelieving grin. "I love you too, Olivia."
Hearing her say it made something inside me settle, like everything had fallen into place.
I cupped her face and pulled her in for a kiss, pouring every ounce of emotion I had into it. She kissed me back just as desperately, her fingers tangling in my hair.
The jealousy, the doubts, all of it melted away in that moment.
She was mine. And I was hers.
Forever.
Ethan & Taraâs POV (Because They Totally Spied on This)
Ethan peeked around the corner of the porch, whispering, "Theyâre kissing."
Tara grinned. "Finally. I was getting tired of Briar being a moody little wolf."
Ethan smirked. "I was kinda enjoying watching her squirm."
Tara smacked his arm. "Youâre the worst."
Ethan laughed. "Yeah, yeah. But hey, at least now Olivia wonât kill us for meddling."
Tara nodded. "True. We just saved their relationship. Weâre basically heroes."
Ethan nodded sagely. "Yep. We should get medals."
Tara rolled her eyes. "Or at least a thank-you."
They both grinned as they walked away, satisfied with their successful matchmaking.
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