Chapter 14: Olivia

This is not a kiss.

It tastes like stale alcohol and misery, but if Talon dies, it’ll hurt Hunter, and I feel very responsible for Hunter. Plus, I can’t handle any more death in my life after losing humans.

I blow air into Talon’s mouth, praying and hoping it does something, anything.

He doesn’t even move.

“That’s enough.” Axel sounds like he’s ready to end my life. If I were smart, I would back away now and let a doctor take over. But this boy could be dead by the time an ambulance arrives.

I come up for air, doing chest compressions as if it’s my own life that depends on it, not his.

“Come on, you stubborn wolf,” I mutter. The rush of power I felt earlier bleeds into my fingertips. Every push into his chest feels like I'm pushing life back into him.

I’m definitely imagining things.

But then Talon groans softly, the most subtle sign of life. Hope flutters in my chest.

I bring my mouth to his again.

This time, I feel something. It’s that same fire that brimmed in my heart last night after I kissed Hunter.

I wrap my hands in Talon’s silver hair, pulling him closer. I feel his heart beat with my own, and then one of us gasps into the other’s mouth.

Him.

His weak arm clenches around me, sucking in my breath like it's giving him life.

His scent grows stronger, and his lavender and rain calm my erratic heart.

“STOP!”

We snap away from each other.

Both of us are breathing hard. I stare into his startling hazel eyes, probably the most gorgeous eyes I've seen in my whole life, even bloodshot.

“Hi,” I whisper, too shocked to say anything else.

He seems lost for words for a moment before whispering back, “Hello.”

His voice is rough, but I can tell that on a normal day, it would be smoother than butter. He sounds rich, even richer than his packmates.

Axel’s peppermint and leather scent breaks the moment. “FUCK AWAY!”

I crawl as far away from Talon as possible.

“Axel, what the hell? She just saved Talon’s life?!” Hunter snaps, rushing to my side.

Axel huffs, “Good, that makes up for the fact she spent the night in my house.”

He cannot be serious right now.

Axel kneels by Talon, touching him like he can’t believe he’s okay, but Talon doesn’t look at him.

He keeps looking at me.

I would ask if he was okay if Axel wouldn’t kill me. Enough is enough with this asshole Alpha.

I stagger to my feet, pushing Hunter’s helping hand away, and drag myself to the door.

“Olivia, wait. He’s sorry.”

I don’t bother with an answer. I can still feel Talon watching me as I stumble out of the Crestridge house, into their massive garden, and onto the streets that lead me away from here.

Is it safe for me to walk to my dorm alone? No. Will I risk my pride and ask one of the Crestridge boys to take me? Absolutely not.

I’ve had enough of their crap. I’ve known them for one day, and they’ve given me more trouble than I've had my whole life.

Five minutes into my walk, I’m seething and still trying to understand what exactly happened between Talon and I. It wasn’t just CPR that revived him. It was... me. Some power in me.

I’m so lost in thought I don’t even hear a car park beside me.

I slow my steps, confused. The tinted windows wind down, instantly choking me with the smell of cigarettes and a bitter pine wood scent.

A boy with a mohawk and lifeless dark eyes grins at me. .

“Hello, little Rose,” he purrs. “Need a ride home?”

With him? Hell no.

I put on my sweetest smile, wincing from my bruise. “No, thank you.”

“Don’t be like that; I’ve been dying to meet you.”

His boys snicker in the backseat, and an uneasy feeling settles in my stomach.

“My name’s Everest. Alpha of the Blood Fang pack,” he continues, stretching out his hand. “And I know you. You’re famous, aren’t you? Olivia Blackwood. Human.”

He purrs the word human like it’s a sin. This man looks like he’ll use me and not give a single fuck what happens to me after.

“I have to go…”

“You attend Lycroft, right? The expensive school?” His eyes darken. “I wish my old man could afford a school like that. But you got lucky with Alpha Rick, didn’t you?”

I can hear my heart hammering in my chest. Maybe I should have asked one of the boys for help. Even Axel.

“Come with me; I'll drop you off,” he insists.

“No.”

His smile falters. “I don’t think you heard me-“

A motorcycle zooms between us, shutting Everest up and parking in front of his car.

I don’t need the driver to take off his helmet before I smell that familiar smoky vanilla and recognize him.

“Ryker.” I’m so relieved I could cry.

He doesn’t say a word, only lifts his face shield, revealing narrowed green eyes.

“Saint fucking Claire,” Everest mutters distastefully.

Of course they know each other.

Ryker tilts his head, ushering me to come to him. I don’t have to think about it before I rush to mount the motorcycle, wrapping my arms around his waist.

The moment I latch on, Ryker revs the engine. He shoots a gloved hand out and flips Everest off, then we’re flying down the street.

I yelp, holding on tighter. But before we’re completely out of his sight, Everest’s chilly voice leaves me one last promise:

“I’m gonna get you, Little Rose. I swear it.”