Chapter 17

Asher was here.

She pressed her back against the door, trying to steady her breathing, but her mind was racing. How had he found her? After all these years, after all the precautions she had taken, how had he managed to track her down?

Her hands trembled as she grabbed a blanket from the bed and wrapped it around herself.

"Calm down, Olivia," she whispered to herself, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath. "He didn’t see you. He doesn’t know you’re here."

But the reassuring words did little to ease the tension coiling in her chest. Asher’s scent had been so close, so overwhelming, that it had nearly driven her wolf to the surface. If she hadn’t turned and run at the last second, he might have caught her scent, and everything would have been over.

She sank down onto the bed, her mind spinning. What was he doing here? Was it a coincidence, or had he somehow figured out where she was hiding? It seemed impossible—she had been so careful, had stayed off the radar, and avoided any contact with the supernatural world. Perhaps he didn’t come for her. He would have already forgotten her.

Her eyes flickered at Kylian; he slept blissfully, oblivious to the turmoil in her heart. His little face was serene, his dark curls tousled, and she felt a surge of fierce protectiveness.

She couldn’t let Asher find him. She couldn’t let him take away the life she had built here and the safety she had found for her son.

But what if he already knew? What if he was here for Kylian? No, that was impossible.

She couldn’t stay here, not with Asher so close. She had to leave to disappear again before he could figure out the truth. But where could she go?

She bit her lip, her mind racing through the possibilities. She could pack up tonight, leave before dawn, and head deeper into the wilderness, where even Asher might not be able to find her. Or she could stay and try to figure out why he was here, to see if there was any way to keep him from discovering her secret.

But staying meant risking everything. It meant putting Kylian in danger.

***

The aroma of simmering vegetables and herbs filled the cosy kitchen as Olivia stood over the stove, absentmindedly stirring the soup pot. Ever since that strange encounter in the forest the night before, her mind had been a whirlwind of emotions she couldn’t quite untangle.

Her thoughts were so far away that she barely registered Veronica’s voice calling her name.

"Olivia? Olivia!" Veronica’s voice was more insistent now.

Olivia blinked, snapping out of her reverie. She turned to see Veronica standing in the doorway, looking slightly pale but still managing a gentle smile. "Sorry, Veronica. I didn’t hear you."

Veronica waved it off. "No worries, dear. You’ve been working hard all morning. But I need to ask a favour."

"Of course," Olivia said, concern creeping into her voice as she noticed Veronica’s pallor. "What is it?"

Veronica sighed, leaning against the doorframe. "There’s an important town meeting at the town hall today. I was supposed to attend, but I’m really not feeling up to it. The flu’s been hitting me harder than I thought. Could you go in my place?"

Olivia hesitated, her mind flashing back to the encounter last night in the forest. What is Asher would see in her ?

"Of course, I can go," Olivia said, offering a reassuring smile. "You should rest. I’ll handle it."

Veronica’s face relaxed with relief. "Thank you, Olivia. I really appreciate it. Just listen in, take notes if you can, and let me know if there’s anything important I need to follow up on."

Olivia nodded, trying to ignore the anxiety bubbling in her chest. "I’ll take care of it. You just focus on getting better."

Veronica smiled gratefully and patted Olivia’s hand. "You’re a lifesaver. The meeting’s in about an hour, so you have some time to get ready."

After Veronica left the kitchen, Olivia turned off the stove and set the soup pot aside. As she washed her hands and began preparing to leave, a sense of unease settled over her.

This will be fine, she told herself, trying to shake off the nervousness. It’s just a meeting.

Dressing in a simple, warm sweater and jeans, Olivia made her way out of the house and towards the town hall.

As she approached the conference room where the meeting was being held, she could hear the low murmur of voices. Steeling herself, she pushed open the door and stepped inside.

The room was filled with town leaders, most of whom she recognised. They were all seated around a large table, engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion. But as she walked in, the room fell silent, and all eyes turned towards her.

"Ah, Olivia," one of the town leaders said, breaking the silence. "Good to see you. Is Veronica not feeling well?"

Olivia forced a polite smile. "Yes, she’s a bit under the weather today, so I’m here on her behalf."

The leader nodded, gesturing for her to take a seat. "Of course, of course. We’re just going over some details about the upcoming changes in town. Please, join us."

As Olivia moved to take a seat.

Asher strode into the town hall. The town leaders were already gathered, seated around a large wooden table that had seen countless meetings over the years. The chatter died down as Asher entered, all eyes turning towards him with a mixture of respect and curiosity.

He scOliviad the room, taking in the familiar faces. The room was filled with the scent of aged wood and the faint musty smell. But then something else hit him—a scent so faint that it was almost lost in the mix of smells in the room. It was a scent that sent his wolf into a frenzy, clawing at his control.

Asher froze, his sharp eyes narrowing as he searched the room for the source. His heart pounded in his chest, and for a moment, he thought he was imagining it. But then he saw her.

Olivia.

She was sitting quietly at the very back, her head slightly bowed as if trying to make herself invisible. Her long, blonde hair casKyliand over her shoulders, partially obscuring her face, but there was no mistaking her. She looked different—more mature, more composed—but it was definitely her.

Their eyes met across the room, and for a moment, the world seemed to stand still. The noise of the room faded into the background, and all Asher could focus on was the woman he had searched for all these years. His wolf howled in recognition, his bond with her roaring back to life with an intensity that nearly took his breath away.

Olivia’s eyes widened when she realised she had been spotted. She quickly looked away, her face paling as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Asher clenched his fists, trying to regain control of his emotions, but it was almost impossible. Seeing her again after so long stirred something deep within him.

As the town leader began the meeting, Asher struggled to focus. The words being spoken were just a blur in his mind. He couldn’t take his eyes off Olivia; he couldn’t shake the feeling that if he looked away, she would disappear again.

Halfway through the meeting, he saw Olivia shift in her seat. She glanced towards the back door. Without warning, she stood up, keeping her head down as she made her way to the exit.

Asher’s heart skipped a beat as he watched her go. She was leaving. Again.

He didn’t think—he just acted.

Ignoring the confused looks from the town leaders, Asher abruptly stood up, the chair scraping loudly against the floor as he pushed it back. He barely registered the town leader pausing mid-sentence, his brows furrowed in confusion.

"Mr Montefort? Is something wrong?" one of the men asked.

But Asher didn’t respond. He was already moving, his long strides taking him quickly towards the door Olivia had just exited through. He had to catch her and stop her from slipping away again.

Without a second thought, Asher sprinted after her.

"Olivia!" he called out, his voice rough with emotion. "Olivia, wait!"

But she didn’t stop. She was moving quickly, her little form disappearing into the trees.