Chapter 28

Helen’s eyes sparkled with excitement as she wiped down the counter for what seemed like the tenth time that hour.

"He’s so dreamy," Helen gushed to Olivia, who was busy organising the pastry display. "He’s been coming here almost every day this week. And he’s so polite! He always says ’please’ and ’thank you,’ and he tips so well. The girls practically fight over who gets to serve him!"

Olivia glanced up, raising an eyebrow at Helen’s enthusiasm. "Sounds like you’ve got a bit of a crush," she teased, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips.

"How can I have a crush on your mate?" Helen feigned shock.

Olivia had gone out with Asher a few more times since that dinner. It was easier to just humour him rather than block him completely.

"Speaking of mates. What are they exactly? Like soulmates?"

Olivia paused, considering how to explain it. "Yes, you could say that. Mates are like soulmates for wolves. It’s a bond that’s supposed to be unbreakable, forged by something deeper than just attraction or affection. When wolves find their mates, it’s like... finding the other half of your soul. Everything just clicks into place."

"That sounds so romantic! So, it’s like love at first sight?"

Olivia tilted her head, thinking. "In a way, yes. But it’s more than just love. It’s instinctual, like a pull you can’t resist. Your wolf recognises your mate, and once that happens, there’s no going back. It’s both wonderful and terrifying at the same time."

Helen sighed dreamily, resting her chin in her hand. "That sounds amazing. I wish humans had something like that. It would make dating so much easier."

Olivia couldn’t help but laugh. "It’s not always as perfect as it sounds; trust me. Mates can be... complicated. But when it works, it’s something truly special."

"How are you doing this?" Helen asked.

"Doing what?"

"Resisting him ! I mean, look at him !"

Olivia glanced over at Asher sitting in the room.

"Our mate bond is a mistake; Goddess Luna was probably in a foul mood when she created our bond."

"Godess Luna! Now who is she?"

"Goddess of the werewolves. She is said to have created the first werewolves and is believed to watch over our kind. Some say she guides us. " Olivia explaied.

Before Helen could respond, she glanced up to see Asher striding towards them.

"Asher," Olivia greeted him, her voice steady.

He offered her a warm smile, one that sent a ripple of awareness through her. "Olivia, Helen," he acknowledged them both before turning his full attention to Olivia. "I was just wondering if you’d like to join me for a movie tonight."

The casualness of his question threw Olivia off guard. She blinked, taken aback by the sudden invitation. "A movie?"

"Yes, a movie," Asher said with a hint of amusement in his eyes.

"I can’t; I have to help Helen with a few errands this evening." Olivia made an excuse.

Sensing her hesitation, Asher softened his approach. "It’s just a movie, Olivia. No pressure. If you’d rather not, that’s fine too."

"You should go, Olivia; I was planning to go to the fun fair, anyway." Helen quipped in.

Olivia turned towards her surprised, "Since when did you get interested in a fun fair ?"

"Since I heard they have a new roller coaster," Helen replied.

"She will go," Helen said to Asher with a big smile.

Asher’s smile widened, a genuine expression of pleasure lighting up his face. "Great. I’ll pick you up at seven."

"NO, don’t trouble yourself; just tell me the place. I will be there." Olivia said quickly.

"Looking forward to it," Asher said, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer before he turned and headed back towards the door.

As soon as Asher was out of earshot. Olivia turned to Helen.

"Why did you make me agree to go to the movie with Asher?"

"Olivia, think about it. If you had disagreed, Asher wouldn’t have just taken ’no’ for an answer. He would’ve remained persistent, and you know it. He’s not the type to back off easily."

Olivia frowned, knowing deep down that Helen was right. Asher wasn’t one to give up without a fight, and she had already seen how determined he could be.

"So, what am I supposed to do? Just go along with it." Olivia asked, her arms crossing defensively.

Helen nodded, her expression softening. "Yes, exactly. Think about it this way: if you go along with these dates, make him feel like you’re slowly warming up to him; he might start to relax. And when he’s relaxed enough, he’ll feel secure, like everything’s going according to his plan. That’s when you can slip away, when he least expects it."

Olivia’s eyes widened slightly as she processed Helen’s words. "You’re saying I should play along... to keep him from getting suspicious?"

"Exactly," Helen confirmed, a hint of mischief in her smile. "If you keep pushing him away, he’s only going to get more suspicious, more determined. But if you let him think he’s getting what he wants, he’ll drop his guard. And when the time is right, you can make your move."

Helen had a point—if she wanted to keep her life intact, if she wanted to protect Kylian and herself, then keeping Asher in the dark was crucial.

"But what if...?" Olivia began, her voice trailing off as uncertainty crept in. "What if he doesn’t relax? What if he..."

Helen reached out and squeezed Olivia’s hand reassuringly. "He will, trust me. If you give him what he thinks he wants, he’ll eventually stop pushing so hard."

"I just... I don’t know if I can do this, Em," Olivia admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Why ? Is it because you still have feelings for him?" Helen asked gently.

"No !" Olivia shook her head quickly. "It’s just that I’m scared for Kylian."

Helen had a smug smile.Kylian is in good hands; don’t worry. I am taking him to the funfair,"

Olivia chuckled. "Really? That sounds like a great idea, thank you. What would I do without you?"

"Probably be a nervous wreck," Helen teased, causing Olivia to laugh.

***

Detective Fred Monroe sat at his cluttered desk, absently twirling a pen between his fingers. But today, his mind was elsewhere, tangled in the web of an unsolved case that had recently taken a dark turn.

He was snapped out of his thoughts by the sound of footsteps approaching his desk. Detective Steven Harris appeared in the doorway. His expression was serious, a telltale sign that he had news.

"Detective Monroe," Steven began, his voice tinged with a mix of urgency and professionalism, "we’ve got an ID on the body from the marsh."

Fred straightened in his chair, the pen stilling in his hand. This was the break he’d been waiting for. "Go on," he urged, his eyes locking onto Steven’s.

"The victim’s name is Ronald Kray," Steven continued, flipping open a small notebook. "He was reported missing Six years ago. The report was filed by his sister, who was his only close family member."

"Ronald Kray," Fred muttered, the name rolling around in his mind as if it should mean something. But nothing came to him. Six years was a long time for someone to be missing, especially in a case like this. "What else do we know about him?"