Chapter 24

OLIVE

“Can’t we do something?” I cry out, desperation seeping into my voice. “I’ll do anything!”

I remember how I sucked the venom out of Eddie, so I pick up the blade and sniff it, hoping for a similar urge... Nothing. The smell makes my stomach churn.

“There might be a way,” Daisy murmurs.

“What is it? Please, Daisy... I’ll do anything,” Zeke pleads, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Olive, do you remember where we first met?” Daisy asks.

“Sure, but how does that help us now?” I ask, puzzled.

“Do you remember the spring?”

~The spring! Of course!~

“Daisy, you’re brilliant! We have to try! The fastest way is if you teleport her there.”

“I’m sorry, Olive. I can’t take her there. Teleporting her in her current state could kill her,” Daisy says, her voice heavy with regret.

“I’ll take her,” Zeke declares, his face set in determination, even as his eyes well up with tears.

“Olive, I need you to hold her comfortably and I will have Blade carry you both there with your directions.”

I nod. “Okay, let’s go now. We can’t waste any more time.”

Zeke quickly transforms into his wolf form, and I climb onto his back. Max walks over to Dinah and carefully lifts her, placing her over Blade.

Her legs drape over either side of his back. Max leans her forward, gently resting her face on the back of Blade’s neck.

I’ll act as a seatbelt, keeping her safe during the journey.

***

We’re nearing the cave. Dinah is barely hanging on; her breathing is ragged and shallow.

Zeke stops at the entrance to the cave. I quickly dismount, carrying Dinah with me.

Zeke transforms back and helps me carry Dinah through the cave.

Navigating through the cave was hard enough when it was just me. Now, we have to carry Dinah, who’s on the brink of death and needs to be handled with utmost care.

Even with my eyes shifted to use Raven’s vision, I can barely see where I’m going.

As we enter the clearing, I see Daisy waiting for us in her true nymph form. Her lower half is already completely submerged in the water.

Birds are singing from the trees surrounding the clearing. It would be a beautiful scene if we weren’t here under such dire circumstances.

“Quickly, put her in the water. We’re running out of time,” Daisy says, her voice laced with panic.

Zeke and I lower Dinah into the water and step back, giving Daisy room to work.

I wrap my arms around Zeke’s waist, pressing my face into his chest, praying to the Moon Goddess to save our friend, our family.

Zeke holds me close, inhaling my scent to calm himself.

I can feel his emotions swirling around like a storm inside him. Fear and sadness are all he can focus on right now.

Daisy pulls Dinah’s limp body into the middle of the spring. She stands with her hands on either side of Dinah’s head and closes her eyes.

A soft glow begins to radiate from the spring. The birds stop singing and flowers bloom in Daisy’s hair.

The glow intensifies, sparkles dancing on the surface of the water. The glow seems to seep into Dinah’s skin, making her look like she’s glowing too.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking or the glow from the spring, but Dinah’s skin looks less gray now. It looks like some color is returning to her body.

A blinding light fills the clearing, forcing me to bury my face into Zeke’s chest and Zeke to hide his face behind mine.

As the light fades, I slowly open my eyes, hoping for a miracle.

Dinah’s figure is still lying in the water.

I feel my heart sink as she remains motionless.

~It didn’t work.~

I look up at Zeke, ready to comfort him. But his eyes are fixed on the water. He’s not moving, not even blinking.

He squeezes my hand. “Dinah,” he whispers.

Confused, I look back at the water.

I gasp as I see Dinah’s healthy, bronzed skin. She looks better than I’ve ever seen her.

Zeke rushes to the spring, jumping in and wading over to Dinah. He takes her hand. “Dinah?” he whispers. “Can you hear me?”

Through our mate bond, I can feel Zeke’s hope growing, pushing back his fear and sadness.

Dinah’s eyes flutter open. “Zeke,” she murmurs, a warm smile on her face.

Joy surges within me. I throw myself into the spring, letting out a squeal, and rush to Dinah’s side. “Oh my gosh, Dinah! You’re okay!”

“Like a stupid blade could kill me,” she chuckles weakly.

“Daisy, thank you. I can’t thank you enough. How can I ever repay you?” Zeke says, his voice filled with relief and joy.

“No need for that. I’m just glad I could help,” Daisy says modestly.

We all gather around Dinah, hugging her tightly.

~She’s okay. She’s really okay!~

***

Dinah has been in the pack hospital for the past few days. They’re being ~very~ thorough, much to her annoyance.

But after her brush with death, we don’t want her to rush back to her duties.

I’m heading to my mom’s house for a long overdue catch-up while Zeke and Max are once again discussing new border patrol shifts and routes.

Extra training sessions have been scheduled for border patrol and lookouts, ensuring everyone knows how to respond to an attack of this magnitude.

The Dark Wood Pack is known for producing exceptional warriors, but they rarely see combat. More often than not, allied packs approach them for assistance in their own battles.

As the sun begins to dip below the horizon, I stroll through the town’s cobblestone streets. I decide to pick up a couple of lattes for my mom and me.

I head towards Danny’s café, hoping for a less awkward encounter—or better yet, that he’s not working today. That would certainly simplify things!

The door chimes as I step inside, and I immediately spot Danny’s sandy blond top knot behind the counter. My heart starts to pound.

I’m not in the mood for a scene. I just want some coffee!

Our eyes meet. A flicker of something I can’t identify crosses his face, and my heart sinks.

I approach the counter nervously, but then Danny’s face breaks into a warm smile, and I feel a wave of relief.

“My queen! What can I get for you today?” he asks cheerfully.

“Hi, Danny. Two lattes to go, please.”

“Absolutely! Coming right up!” He turns to prepare my order, but I stop him.

“Danny… I just wanted to apologize for what happened last time I was here… I didn’t mean for you to get hurt,” I say, shifting uncomfortably.

My gaze drifts from his eyes to his neck, where the bruise is still painfully visible.

“Please, my queen, no need to apologize. I shouldn’t have acted that way towards you, regardless of who your mate is.”

He flashes a quick smile before turning back to make my order.

***

After avoiding any further awkwardness at the café, I arrive at my mom’s house.

I’m about to knock when the door swings open, and I’m pulled inside.

“LIVI!” my mom squeals, enveloping me in a tight, motherly hug.

“Mom!” I laugh. “It hasn’t been ~that~ long!”

“For me it has! Oh, Livi, I’ve missed you ~so~ much!” she says, a tear welling up in her eye.

“We’ll always make time for each other,” I assure her with a smile.

“I know, I know. It’s just going to take some getting used to. Seeing you mated and all grown up…my little girl.”

I head to the fridge and pull out a bottle of wine while Mom fetches the glasses. I set the wine and lattes on the coffee table.

I always need a bit of coffee to keep me awake when I’m drinking wine. Otherwise, it can easily lull me to sleep.

I notice that she’s already set up the sofa like old times. The duvet is spread out, ready for us to snuggle under.

~Bridgerton~ is queued up on the TV. I glance at my mom, surprised.

“You haven’t finished ~Bridgerton~ yet?”

“No, I wanted to save it so we could watch it together,” she says.

My heart swells. She waited for me, even though she didn’t know what my future would hold.

I could’ve been whisked away to the palace at any moment if my mate hadn’t been so understanding.

She waited.

We only have a few more episodes left, which I’m sure we’ll finish tonight, but it’s the thought that counts.

“I’ve ordered our usual, too,” Mom says, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.

“Mmm, Chinese!” I practically drool.

As I settle under the duvet, I notice there are three glasses on the coffee table.

I furrow my brow in confusion. “Mom? Are we expecting compa—” A knock at the door interrupts me.

~Chinese!~

Mom skips over to answer the door. “Come in, come in!” she calls.

My head snaps to the door. I already know who it is, but I never thought he would be ~here~.

I watch as Zeke’s towering figure ducks through the door frame.

He pauses just inside the doorway, holding a bag that I can only assume is our Chinese food, a lopsided grin on his face. I can’t help but beam back at him.

EZEKIEL

I stand there, grinning at my beautiful mate. She looks utterly stunned!

To be fair, this is one of the last places I’d expect to find myself—in a small cottage in a quiet pack.

My life has always been about luxury and grand, opulent homes—but this is another reason why I love my mate.

She was raised to appreciate everything she has. She’s always had to work for what she wants. Nothing was ever handed to her.

This is a trait I want to instill in our pups one day. And to do that, I need to understand what it means to be part of a “normal” family, not a royal one.

So, when Sasha called to invite me over, I didn’t hesitate!

Now that I’m here, looking at Olive’s shocked expression, I can’t tell if she’s happy to see me or if she thinks I’m overstepping.

The mate bond only reveals her utter surprise.

Suddenly, she moves. She slaps her hands to her cheeks, her mouth falling open.

“Mom? Did you?” she asks.

“Yes, sweetie. You’ll always be my little girl, but times are changing and so are our TV nights. It seemed only fitting for Zeke to be here too.

“Besides, I want to get to know my daughter’s mate as well!”

“Aww, Mom! Thank you,” she responds, a tear glistening in her eye.

She bounces up and down a bit on the sofa, patting the space next to her. “Come, come, come!” she squeals. “I’m so happy you’re here!”

I stride over to the sofa, plant a kiss on top of my mate’s head, and hand over the bag of Chinese food. She opens the bag, brings it to her nose, and inhales deeply.

“Mmmm, ohmygoddess! Heaven!” She lets out a satisfied sigh.

Sasha returns to the living room, her arms full of plates, knives, forks, and serving spoons.

Olive rummages through the bag, then looks at me, her face a picture of confusion.

“You didn’t get any of your usual stuff?” she asks.

I clear my throat, feeling a bit awkward. “Well…truth is, I’ve never had Chinese food before.” I admit, a little embarrassed.

“No way! Well, someone’s about to have a first-time experience tonight! I’ll dish up a little of everything for you to try!” she says, her voice bubbling with excitement.

I can’t help but laugh. “Thanks, Little Wolf.” I watch her, my heart swelling with affection.

We’ve come a long way since that day when I had to sling her over my shoulder and carry her back to the pack house.

She’s not as wary of others as she used to be.

Every time I see a genuine smile light up her face, my heart fills with pride and joy. Especially when I’m the reason behind that smile. I’d do anything to keep her happy.

We finish our meals, or rather, I inhale mine in about ten seconds flat. Why didn’t my parents ever order Chinese food at the palace!?

My childhood would’ve been so much better with takeout! But then again, I guess with the constant threat of an attack on the crown, it was just an extra risk they didn’t want to take.

Still, these king prawn balls are like little bites of heaven.

Now, I’m cozied up under a duvet with my mate at one end of the sofa, Sasha at the other. We each have a glass of wine in hand, watching ~Bridgerton~.

It might not be my kind of show, but just being here with my mate, enjoying the simple things in life, makes this one of the best nights of my life.

I can’t help but wonder what my life would’ve been like if I hadn’t been born into royalty.

The things I could’ve done, the places I could’ve seen that weren’t tied to a business trip.

All I can hope for now is to balance my work and home life, and give Olive and our future pups the best of me.