LOGINOlivia POV:
We were in last period already, field practice. It was one of my favorite subjects because it was the only place where I could take out my pent up rage and not be judged for it not being lady like. "Olivia," smiled Micheal, I noticed Kathy snap a spear as he approached me, "what's up?" I asked as I eyed her, "are you two fighting?" He looked over his shoulder at her and rolled his eyes, "she's being a bitch today!" He grabbed a spear and handed it to me, "today you demonstrate sparring with me," he said, his smile returning. I nodded, "don't expect me to take it easy on your ass!" He smirked at me, "I don't expect you too because I won't be taking it easy on your sweet little ass!" I rolled my eyes at him as we got into position and circled each other.
My eyes were scanning his every move, taking it all in. There was always a weak point and a good warrior knew that it was always best to exploit that in a battle. I watched as he lunged toward me, I blocked with my spear, pushing him off. He growled again and smirked as we continued to circling each other, he did the same thing again and this time I blocked and spun, hitting him behind the knees with my spear. He grimaced but did not fall forward like I would of hoped. "You're going to have to do better than that Olivia!" My hair was tied high so it wouldn't get in the way, I went back to watching, this time, I decided to lunge forward with an attack, swinging myself away from his spear as I did to catch him off guard but it didn't work, he stepped back and blocked me, throwing me backwards. I tumbled and rolled before I got back up and grabbed my spear again, "A walk in the park," he teased and it was my turn to growl, I lunged forward again and he grabbed my spear as I grabbed his, we both twisted, trying to disarm the other but causing both our spears to go flying. "I guess we should get those," he mused, "no," I smirked deviously, "let's pretend this is a real fight," his one eye brow shot up, "are you sure?" He asked as he got into his stance, "I'd hate to kick that pretty little ass again," I rolled my eyes at him, "you wish." He smirked at that and threw a punch which I dodged, hitting him in the stomach, he stumbled back but lunged forward again, I slid to the floor and swiped his feet with my leg causing him to fall on his back. "You okay sweetie pie?" I mocked and he growled as he pushed himself up and ran towards me, he made to tackle me down but I swung myself over on to his back forcing him face down into the dirt. "Should I make it a little easier for you?" I teased, he grabbed my upper thigh, catching me off guard as he rolled himself on top of me and pinned me down, one hand firmly on my thigh and the other pinning down my arm, I reached up with my free hand trying to grab his throat but he pressed down more of his body weight on me, leaning closer into me. "Told you I was taking it easy on you!" He growled as a smirk spread across his face, I rolled my eyes.
He pushed himself off and looked around at the class that we both had forgotten were there, "now class, you've learned a lot of do's and don'ts from Olivia today but one thing all you petite sweethearts need to remember, your strength is your agility and stamina," he looked at everyone as he said this, "the moment you let the heavier person get the upper hand it's over, so let's remember not to be too cocky!" He smiled as he aimed the last bit at me, I rolled my eyes and went over to the weights. Everyone started chattering again and joined up with their partners to train with spears.
"Olivia!" Called Micheal as he approached, "what?" I called back annoyed, "don't be a sore loser!" He teased and I narrowed my eyes at him and shook my head, "maybe you're a sore winner Micheal," I grabbed the rope attached the the truck tire and swung it over my shoulder as I started to pull. "Hey!" He touched my bare shoulder affectionately, "don't be so hard on yourself," I gave him a half smile as I returned to my weight training and he jogged off to aid other students in their spear training.
Olivia POV:I watched him sleep. For the first time since I’d known Damien, there was no tension carved into his face, no shadow of pain tightening his jaw. His breathing was slow, even, the rise and fall of his chest steady beneath my cheek. He looked younger like this. Softer. Human in a way that made my heart ache. His words replayed in my mind—not loud, not dramatic, just true. I had felt them settle into the bond, warm and certain, but certainty didn’t erase danger. If anything, it sharpened it. My father’s voice echoed in my memory, smooth and cruel beneath its mockery. They will come for him through you. I closed my eyes briefly, swallowing the knot in my throat. "I won’t let them," I whispered, more vow than thought. My gaze drifted to the floor. The dagger lay there where it had fallen earlier, half-caught in the firelight. The flames licked along its edge, turning the steel molten gold for a heartbeat before it dimmed again. It wasn’t just a weapon—I could feel it. Old magic
Damien POV:My wolf was healing by just holding her in my arms, and my strength had returned tenfold. She slowly pulled away from me, her chin lifting towards me and her eyes darkened with something that only mates could understand. I leaned closer into her and she didn't stop me. Why would she? As soon as our lips touched, my entire body exploded with electricity and I pulled her deeper into the kiss. I could feel her body soften in my arms and I wanted her, I wanted her to know that I never stopped thinking about her and that everything I did in the past, the mistakes I made, I was never going to repeat them. I got down on my knees in front of her. "What are you doing?" She asked, looking down at me. I smiled at her seductively, as I lifted her leg, trailing butterfly kisses upwards towards her thigh. She inhaled sharply when I lifted her leg, her hands instinctively finding my shoulders—not to stop me, but to steady herself. The bond hummed between us, alive and radiant, stitching
Olivia POV:I felt the buzzing again as my eyes flew open, the sensation crawling beneath my skin like static. My fingers were locked tight around the dagger’s hilt, the sapphires warm now—too warm—as if they had been resting against my pulse instead of cold metal.I sucked in a sharp breath and pushed myself upright. I was no longer in the garden. I looked around and, to my horror, I was outside my old home. I rushed forward toward the territory line, and I was hit with his scent. Damien. I was overwhelmed with emotions now.Fear. Loss. Heartbreak. Guilt.They crashed over me all at once, so sharp and sudden that my knees nearly buckled. My fingers tightened instinctively around the dagger, the buzzing flaring in response, but I barely felt it. All I could feel was him.Damien.His scent clung to the air like a wound that had never healed—warm earth and smoke, something wild threaded with sorrow. It wrapped around my chest and squeezed until breathing hurt. Memories I had buried deep
Olivia POV:It was dark, but I could feel the cool grass under my palms, damp with night dew. My body ached dully, the pain blooming in slow, unwelcome waves as I tried to piece together what had happened. My head throbbed, every pulse sending a sharp reminder through my skull. I pushed myself up onto my elbows and immediately regretted it. The world tilted, shadows blurring into one another. Stone walls loomed nearby—old, worn smooth by time—and towering hedges pressed in on all sides. Wherever I was, it wasn’t the garden I had been walking toward earlier. That much I knew with chilling certainty. "Dimitri…" I whispered, the name slipping out before I could stop it. The memory came back in fragments. Moonlight. The promise of meeting him. A presence —powerful, too fast. A sharp sting at my neck, followed by cold spreading through my veins like ice water. Panic. Then nothing.My fingers brushed my throat. The skin there was tender, sore, but unbroken. Whatever they’d done, it hadn’t b
Dimitri POV:Her hands wrapped coldly around my neck, her thick scented perfume filling my nostrils. "Just for a little bit," she cooed, and I grabbed her wrists, removing them from my neck. "I am not interested Nila." The smile on her face disappeared and she hissed with anger. "Why!?" She snapped, her eyes glowing red with anger, "because of that mutt bitch!" I stared at her under my cool gaze. She wanted a rise, but she wasn't going to get it. "You should leave, I have things to do." I closed the thick leather book that was in front of me and stood up, smoothing my dark cloak. "Bullshit!" She shouted, "You just want to get back to her!" The emphasis of her that came out of her mouth was laced with venom. I grabbed her by her throat and lifted her feet off the ground, "You are forgetting your place in my nest."Her pulse fluttered wildly beneath my grip, a frantic bird trapped in a cage. For a heartbeat, the room was silent except for the crackle of the fire and the shallow rasp of
Olivia POV:I sat beneath the great oak, its ancient branches stretching wide above me like a silent guardian, leaves whispering softly as the night wind passed through them. The sky overhead was a deep velvet black, scattered with stars that seemed too distant, too indifferent. I hugged my knees to my chest, the cool grass seeping through the thin fabric of my dress. Dimitri was supposed to meet me here after his meeting.He was late.I told myself not to read into it. Meetings ran long. Responsibilities pulled at him from every direction now. Still, unease curled low in my stomach, the earlier buzzing returning as a faint, persistent hum beneath my skin. My wolf shifted restlessly, ears pricked toward the path that led back to the estate. "Any minute now," I murmured to myself, tracing the rough bark of the oak with my fingers. The tree felt solid. Real. I wished I felt the same. Time stretched, measured only by the slow drift of clouds across the moon. I glanced up again, then back







