Forty-Nine: Oliver

Oliver's P.O.V.

As soon as we left the room, I was on a mission. Nyla needed to understand that our bond was gone. Whatever she was holding onto needed to end. I wouldn't have her hovering over my relationship with Lana. Not when things were going so well.

Conner brushed passed me with a nod in greeting as he made his way into the packhouse, and I dipped my head in return but didn't lower my eyes. I wouldn't ever submit to him as he did to me. He had shown how weak he was when I challenged him and had easily taken him down. But I wouldn't be doing that again.

Now that I had Maddie here, I couldn't imagine having to fight someone while she watched. Challenges could be brutal and lethal. No kid needed to witness that. I felt guilty that Conner's children had to watch me take him down, but at the same time, I was following my instincts.

We were animals, after all.

It was easy to follow Nyla's scent back to her house. The trail was clear as if she had been pacing between her home and