He’s Ours

OLIVIA

“It’s… it’s from home,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “My cat… Snowy, she’s missing. The guards said the gate was left open and she ran into the woods.”

“Oh no,” Logan said, concern immediately flashing across his face. “That’s not good. The woods are crawling with rogues lately.”

Mia sniffed, wiping at her cheeks. “I know. She’s just a baby. I raised her since she was a kitten.” Her gaze shifted to Logan. “You were always good at tracking animals… right? Could you maybe... please help me find her? Just for a bit?”

Seriously?

My pulse hammered in my ears.

It took everything in me not to roll my eyes.

Of course, Logan’s protective instincts kicked in immediately. “Of course,” he said, already reaching for his jacket. “I can pick up her scent if we leave now before it gets too cold.”

I clenched my jaw. “Logan…”

He turned to me, his eyes full of apology. “Babe, it won’t take long. I just don’t want anything to happen to the poor thing before a rogue gets to her.”

Mia sniffed again, whispering, “I’m so sorry, Olivia. I didn’t mean to ruin the night. I just… I can’t lose her too.”

Everyone at the table looked at her with pity. Everyone except me.

I swallowed hard, forcing my lips into what I hoped looked like a supportive smile. “It’s okay,” I said softly. “Go with her. The poor cat shouldn’t be out there alone.”

Logan leaned over and kissed my forehead. “You’re the best, you know that?”

“Yeah,” I whispered, managing a small laugh. “I know.”

He smiled, then turned to Mia. “Come on. Let’s go before it gets darker.”

I was boiling. This was supposed to be our night. I had spent hours getting ready- the dress, the perfume, the smile I practiced in the mirror, all for him. And now? My stepsister had taken him away.

The others were still at the table, talking quietly, but I couldn’t sit there a second longer pretending to be okay. I forced a small smile, grabbed my handbag, and muttered, “Goodnight, everyone.”

A few murmured their goodbyes, but I didn’t wait, I walked out of the restaurant.

The parking lot was nearly empty now… just a few cars scattered under the dim streetlights. I pulled out my phone and dialed my driver’s number.

No answer.

I tried again.

Still nothing.

A frustrated breath escaped my lips as I checked the time. It was past 11:30. Great. Just great.

I scanned the area and there wasn't a single cab or car in sight. The streets were quiet, and the night breeze carried the faint howl of wolves from the distant woods.

“Perfect,” I muttered.

With a sigh, I started walking. My heels clicked against the pavement, echoing in the silence. Logan and I had barely seen each other for weeks, and now he was out there, with Mia.

I bit the inside of my cheek, trying to push the thought away. She’d been through a lot- rejection, heartbreak, loneliness. I should feel sorry for her. I should be supportive.

Halfway down the street, my phone buzzed in my hand. My heart skipped, maybe it was Logan. Maybe he was done and coming to get me.

But it wasn’t him.

It was Mia.

Mia: Hey, Liv. I’m so sorry again. Logan and I are still looking. It might take a while. Go home safe, okay?

My grip tightened around the phone until my knuckles went white.

“Unbelievable,” I muttered, shoving it back into my purse.

Fine. Let them have their little search party.

The weather suddenly changed and cold rain poured down, soaking my hair, my dress, my heels.

“Are you kidding me?” I hissed, looking up at the dark clouds. “You’ve got to be freaking kidding me!”

I wrapped my arms around myself, shivering, and my wolf, Rhea, stirred restless beneath my skin.

Calm down, I tried to reason with her. We’ll get home. It’s fine.

But she didn’t want to calm down. She wanted to run, to scream, to let it all out… and when another flash of lightning lit up the road, something in me snapped.

My vision blurred, my pulse quickened, and before I could stop it… she took over.

My wolf surged forward, breaking through my restraint. My bones cracked, muscles shifted, and a rush of wild heat spread through me. My clothes tore as I hit the ground on four paws. I didn’t think. I ran through the rain.

The city lights vanished behind me as I raced toward home, mud splashing under my paws, the scent of wet earth filling my lungs. My wolf didn’t care about the rain… she was furious, possessive and jealous.

He’s ours, she snarled in my head. She can't take what’s ours.

By the time we reached home, my heart was still pounding, my breathing heavy. I shifted back behind the trees near the gate, trembling as I pulled one of the spare robes from the porch box and wrapped it around myself.

I pushed open the door, dripping wet, and looked around.

“Mia?” I called out, my voice echoing slightly. “Logan?”

No answer.

My eyes darted toward the stairs. Maybe they’d beaten me home. Maybe they were already here, drying off.

I climbed quickly, heading straight for Mia’s room but it was empty.

I grabbed my phone and dialed Logan’s number.

“Hello?” Mia’s voice came through instead of Logan’s.

“Mia?”

“Oh… Olivia.” She let out a nervous little laugh. “Um… Logan went to his room. I’m in the parlour.”

I frowned. “Wait… what?”

“The rain started just after we found Snowy,” she explained quickly. “She was hiding near the woods… close to Logan’s house. So we went there. Just until the rain stopped.”

My grip on the phone tightened.

His house.

My throat went dry. “You’re… at Logan’s house?”

“Yeah,” she said. “We didn’t have anywhere else to go, and it was pouring. Don’t worry, Liv. We’re fine.”