Chapter 12

Chapter Twelve - Threats

It's Wednesday evening and I'm heading to my room after coming back from school when I hear Atticus and Bastian speaking in hushed tones. I had stayed behind to work on the art project with Leon so I've arrived later than usual. With how quickly Christmas break is approaching I need to work fast on getting all my school work submitted. I'm on the stairs and I assume his bedroom door is open because I can hear them clearly.

"I'll have the warriors training increased." Bastian replies to something I missed.

"Get it done this week. We need to be ready because Vincent will most likely attack without warning." He states which makes my eyes widen. "I want more warriors patrolling the border too."

"We also need to put more guards on Olivia when she's out of pack territory." Bastian mutters and I hear Atticus hum in agreement. "I'll make sure the night shifts are increased too."

"Good call." I hear something rustle as I get to the top of the stairs. "I want the security bunkers checked as well. If he gets into the territory there'll be some damage and I don't want anyone to get hurt."

I swallow harshly at the thought of people being harmed just because I betrayed and rejected Vincent. It's better I leave, I think to myself. I should have never stayed here. Jade whines in protest inside my mind yet remains silent. She's also conflicted because although we feel safe here we could be the cause of a war between two packs.

I'm so lost in my thoughts that I don't hear Atticus and Bastian move. I look up when they walk out and freeze mid-sentence at the sight of me. I meet Atticus' honey eyes that stare at me knowingly before I walk past them and into my room. I sense him walk in after me as I drop my backpack by my bed and sit down.

"How much did you hear?" He asks quietly as he leans back against the door.

"Enough to know that a war might happen because of me." I mutter as I stare at the carpet.

"Remember what you promised me." He murmurs and I look up to see him already staring.

"Atticus, you need to think about your pack." I argue as he begins to walk over to me. "You can't risk their safety just because of me!"

"I am thinking about my pack and their safety." He crouches before me and takes my hands into his. "You're forgetting that you are also a part of my pack now."

"I won't be able to live with myself knowing that people got hurt because of me." I admit hoarsely as tears fall from my eyes.

"Olivia, my pack isn't weak. I have the strongest warriors and we've won countless of wars. Why do you think we can't protect you?" He sighs as he wipes my tears away.

"I know that but...the guilt starts to eat away at me when I think about what could happen." I try and calm myself down. "I'm sorry. I just can't help it."

He shakes his head before taking a seat beside me on the bed. I yelp in surprise when I'm picked up and situated on his lap with my legs around his waist. He chuckles at the instant blush that covers my cheeks and grazes the back of his knuckles against my heated skin. With a tender look in his eyes he pulls me close so that my head rests in the crook of his neck.

"Everything will be okay, Olivia. Just trust me." He whispers as he caresses my hair.

"Okay. At least I've been training before school." I murmur thoughtfully but feel him tense at my words.

"What do you mean?" He frowns as he pulls away to look at me.

"So that I can fight when –"

"No!" He growls protectively as his arms tighten around my waist. "I don't want you anywhere near him!"

"Atticus!" I narrow my eyes and open my mouth to protest but am immediately cut off by him.

"We'll talk about this some other time." He sighs as he pulls me close and rests his forehead on my shoulder. "I don't want to argue right now."

I roll my eyes before tangling my fingers in his soft hair. He groans in pleasure when I play with the ends of it and cuddles closer to me. I smile softly in amusement at his needy behavior before pressing a kiss to his temple.

"Do you have any important classes tomorrow and on Friday?" He asks suddenly.

"No, why?" I frown in confusion at his sly grin when he pulls away.

"Well, I have to attend some meetings in Paris and I was wondering if we could have our date there?" He suggests and my eyes widen in response.

"W-What?"

"We'll leave early tomorrow morning and be back on Sunday afternoon. I know it's not much –"

"Not much?! You're taking me to Paris for a date!" I exclaim and he chuckles in amusement at my outburst.

"It's certainly an improvement from our dates back when we were younger, huh?" He grins boyishly and I smile as I reminisce.

"I enjoyed those dates too." I reply as I wind my arms around his neck. "You and I would finally be together after months of video and phone calls. It didn't matter what we did. I was just happy to spend time with you again."

"Even when I took you to see that horror movie?" He smirks and the memory of me being terrified the entire time makes me scowl.

"Except that!" I huff but can't help but smile as he laughs out loud. "I was paranoid for weeks!"

"Don't worry, we won't be watching any horror movies in Paris." He winks and I cheer excitedly.

"I don't even know what to bring!" I wonder aloud as I stand and walk towards my wardrobe.

"I could pick some outfits?" He calls from behind which makes me remember the night of being accepted into the pack.

I turn to him with a bemused expression. "No, thank you."

He grins wickedly and watches as I grab a suitcase before picking out some outfits. Since we're going to be leaving early tomorrow morning I should have my packing done tonight because sadly I'm not an early bird gets the worm type of person. I choose some casual outfits, pack my underwear and other essentials.

"Should I bring any dresses?" I wonder aloud as I stare at the casual day dresses and fancy ones hung up.

I hear him walk up to me before wrapping his arms around my waist with a low hum. He presses my body back against him and rests his chin in the crook of my neck. Um, is he trying to kill me?! I think to myself as desire floods my system.

"Maybe something sexy..." He trails off as his hands roam over my body. I fight back a moan at the heat his skin emits, it's like his touch sets me on fire. "But not too sexy. I don't want any other eyes on my beautiful date except mine."

"So possessive." I chuckle with a shake of my head.

He leans down and nips my earlobe playfully. "Always when it comes to you, sweetheart."

I continue to pack a few dresses along with a jacket and coat because of the chilly weather. Atticus leaves after a few minutes to pack before dinner. I manage to get my things together in the next hour and set the case down by the door before leaving my room. I make my way downstairs and immediately dodge a grinning Vasilia as I rush towards the door.

But of course, I'm not that lucky. She uses her speed to run in front of me and stop me from leaving the house. She nods at me to walk with her and I do so with frayed nerves. I know exactly what she's going to ask and it's confirmed when she turns to me as soon as we're in the conservatory.

"So, I hear you and Atticus are back together again?"

"Yes." I nod and laugh when she cheers excitedly and hugs me.

"I'm so happy! You deserve each other!" She grins as she pulls away before her expression changes to one of seriousness. "But you better come to me if he does anything to upset you and I'll handle him!"

"I will, thanks Vasilia."

"And have fun on your Paris date." She nudges my side with a wink which has me blushing in embarrassment.

"How did you know?"

"He asked me if I thought you would be okay with it. Poor thing, you should've seen him! He was so worried!" She giggles and I laugh at the image of Atticus stressing over our date.

"Well, thank you." I reply as we walk back inside. "I'm really excited to see Paris!"

"No problem, dear. I'm sure it'll be a memorable few days." She smiles warmly as she pats my back. "Now, dinner will be ready in twenty minutes so make sure you're at the table."

I nod before making my way to the pack house. Finding Emilia's room, I open it to see Leon helping her with Spanish. I enter the room laughing but yelp when she chucks a pillow at me. Emilia isn't the best at the language and is always asking Leon for help since he was born in Spain and is fluent in it.

"Why did I ever pick Spanish?!" She growls under her breath while writing down what Leon tells her.

"You're not that bad." He smirks boyishly as I take a seat on her bed.

"I failed three exams in a row." She deadpans before closing the books with a relieved sigh.

"Oh wow...okay. Good luck for the finals then!" He snickers which makes her roll her eyes playfully.

"No!" She groans as she hits Leon with the puppy dog eyes. "You have to help me, please!"

"Alright, if I must!" He replies dramatically which makes her grin victoriously.

"Anyways, what's up?" Emilia asks as she takes a seat on the bed beside me.

"I wanted to ask if you two will grab the homework for me for tomorrow and Friday?" I ask and chuckle when Emilia's eyes narrow in mock suspicion.

"Why?"

"Well...Atticus is taking me to Paris tomorrow for our date and we won't be back until Sunday –"

"What the fuck?! You lucky bitch!" She screams happily before tackling me.

I shriek when I lose my balance and we end up the ground. Leon bursts out laughing and pulls us back up but as soon as I'm sitting she's on me again. I chuckle at her excitement because it's more than what I feel right now. I'm guessing when I get on the plane that's when it's going to hit me.

"Emilia told me about you two dating again. I'm happy for you guys." Leon grins and I thank him.

I spend the rest of the evening chatting to them and catching up about Savannah. Apparently, she'll be moving into the pack very soon as Atticus has signed off on the papers. I'm so impressed when Leon tells us that she's a warrior female and will be taking up that position in this pack too. I'm excited to meet her and I'm sure she'll settle into the pack nicely.

Eventually, I head out for dinner when Vasilia mind links me. "Right guys, I'm going to go have dinner. I'll see you two on Sunday or Monday."

"Have fun!" Leon says before Emilia adds in, "Remember! No glove, no love!"

"Emilia!" I shriek before rushing out of the room with her loud laughter echoing behind me.

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