Ch. 1

Ch 1

Olivia’s PoV

I took out the oven mitts after I placed Damian’s favorite pie on the table to cool off. He should be coming home soon. I checked my phone for the hundredth time in case he sent me a text, but nothing since this morning.

My wolf Vanilla whimpered in the back of my mind. She is as worried as I am about him. Since the dead of Levi his older brother he has become almost a shell of himself. During a serious rogue attack, Levi threw himself between a rogue and Damian to protect him resulting in Levi’s death.

Vivian, his widow. And Damian… broke down.

Damian continues his alpha duties, but at night he spends restless hours, consumed with guilt, shaking in my arms as tears soak my clothes, breaking my heart piece by piece.

I stood up quickly as I heard a car pull outside the house. ‘It’s him,’ said Vanilla already feeling his presence.

I catch my reflection in the small wall mirror. The necklace Damian had given to me sparked. Damian said the necklace was for our missed anniversary. This was the perfect opportunity to wear it.

I’ve prepared his favorite dishes, and a pie, all arranged neatly across the table. I wanted to lift his spirits after another long day at the hospital with Vivian. The broken mate-bond tortured Vivian for days. She suffered more than anyone could withstand. I just hoped she would get better soon.

“Damian, honey you’re back...!” I said with a big smile. He just stood there looking at me as if assessing me.

His aura was cold, detached, it made vanilla uneasy. “What happened? Is Vivian, ok?” I asked.

At the mention of his sister-in-law, he walked towards me.

“Vivian tried to kill herself,” His tone was full of pain. “She’s dying, Olivia. And she’s pregnant. My brother’s only heir is battling between life and death…”

“Goddess!!” I gasped.

I felt pity for both Vivian and Damian. Levi was also a good brother to me. Everyone grieved him, but we all knew it was especially hard for Vivian, because the death of a fated mate is devastating for every werewolf.

She tried to kill herself, perhaps not knowing she was pregnant. My heart ached for her.

“What can we do to help her?” I really wish I could do something for her.

Although Vivian and I never got along well, I thought I should try my best to support her. We married the brothers, that makes us family.

“You are the only person who can help her.” His tone was strange; something was not right. My chest tightened.

Why am I the only person who can help her?

I felt confused.

“Olivia, you need to share your life with Vivian.” He spat it out.

I felt more confused and couldn’t understand what he meant.

I tried looking at his eyes. He must be joking. “Damian?”

“Conventional medicine won’t help Vivian. But there’s hope. They suggested to bind her life to another, a stronger she wolf with Witchcraft.” He said reaching for my hand with eyes full of hope. I pulled back.

"Witchcraft Damian? You know anything involving life and witchcraft is extremely evil. We werewolves know better than anyone that we should be wary of witches."

He reached for my hand again, grabbing it this time, sending a chill through my bones.

This could not be happening. My own mate could not be contemplating this idea.

"Olivia, I promised my brother to take care of her and now it is not only Vivian but Levi's child. I owe it to him.”

His endless guilt and self blame is willing to sacrifice his own mate. I stared at him in disbelief, my chest aching with every shallow breath.

"Why must it be me?” I searched in his eyes, for a hint of hesitation, for the love I once felt from him. There was none.

I couldn’t stop trembling. The betrayal, the desperation, the love and the rage. Everything was a storm inside me. Vanilla was howling.

"Damian, this is cruel and unfair. I refuse!"

Damian let go of me abruptly, he spun around angrily, a hand going through his hair. Then he pinned me with his hard cold gaze. “Olivia, this spell won’t last forever! Once Vivian gives birth, the spell will be lifted and it’s only you as the strongest she-wolf in the pack that can endure this. I thought of all people you would understand my decision!” He was annoyed, almost desperate.

“Damian I can’t.” My voice cracked. “I don’t mean to be cruel to Vivian and her baby, but…” perhaps is time to reveal my identity. I’m the daughter of the alpha king. I had escaped a political marriage three years ago with the help of my brother. But if I go back, perhaps they can find the best doctors and… “Damian I…”

“You will not deprive her of the chance to live!” He roared with his wolf Nyx’s voice. My body trembled. He had never used alpha command on me. Vanilla was angry.

‘Let me out, Olivia. Let me show what a true alpha she wolf can do.’ She hissed. ‘Vanilla, he’s, our mate.’

Damian noticed me shaking and he softened.

“Olivia, I’m sorry… I lost control.” He held me tight and I melted on his embrace. Relief washing over me. I knew he wouldn’t do that to me. Together we will find a solution.

But then—snap.

I felt his hands touch the necklace around my neck, and a searing magic fire erupted around my body. Every bone in my body felt as if it was shattered.

“Damian, it hurts too much!” I howled inhumanely and fell to my knees.

Damian hugged my shaky body tightly. Strangely, the fire didn’t burn him, meanwhile my body seared inside me. It was no normal fire, simply burning people to ash. The surface of my body was not harmed, but it was indeed causing me pain and killing me agonizingly slowly.

“I’m sorry Olivia.” He said with trembling voice, but resolute. “I’ll lift the spell once Vivian gives birth I promise.”

“What have you done to me?!” My screams ripped from my throat as I writhed in agony. Its dark magic was destroying my wolf from the inside. “No, no!!

Vanilla bellowed in pain. ‘Olivia, help!’

I could see in my head, her beautiful grey silver fur turning dark, and her claws quickly couldn’t support her anymore. She was bleeding. A guttural howl escaped me; my eyes widened with despair.

‘Vanilla, Vanilla!!’ I reached desperately for her.

I couldn’t feel her anymore.

“Goddess please save my wolf.” I sobbed.

Damian looked at me feeling justified. “You’re strong Olivia. You will be fine. I will make it up to you once this is over.”

Tears blurred my face as the pain tore through my heart. Then everything went dark.