Chapter 13

• Olivia's POV
• As I sat alone in the small chamber, my thoughts swirled like the wind outside. The events of the day replayed in my mind, over and over, refusing to settle. The sight of the forest wolves—massive, ancient protective guardians that seemed to materialize from the very earth itself—had been shocking enough. But even more unsettling was how I had spoken to them, as if I had known their language all along. It felt as natural as breathing, and yet I had never learned it, never been taught. How could I have understood them?
• My inner wolf stirred, restless inside me. She had been silent for most of my life, more a presence than a voice. But today, she had been clear, guiding me, speaking to me in ways I hadn't understood until now. I had always known I was different, maybe there was more to my power than just being a werewolf. Maybe I wasn't as weak as I always thought.
• I closed my eyes, remembering the sensation. The wolves had called me their sister, had pledged their loyalty to me as though I were one of them. And yet, I wasn’t one of them, not fully. Not like Bustan, or Bianca, or the other alphas. I was something in between—something more, or perhaps something less. The thought unsettled me.
• "Lost in thought again, are we?"
• I jumped slightly at the sound of Bianca’s voice. She stood in the doorway, her arms crossed, one eyebrow raised in that familiar, almost teasing expression. Despite everything that had happened, there was a sense of solace between us now, we were now battle sisters. She had entrusted her safety to me, she was so brave and I genuinely admired her bravery. Why did they ever dissolve their bond?
• "I didn’t hear you come in," I said, my voice softer than I intended. Bianca stepped into the room, closing the door behind her.
• "You looked like you were a million miles away." She smirked, but there was a softness in her tone. "What’s on your mind? Is it the battle? Or something else?"
• I hesitated, unsure of how to explain what I was feeling. "It’s the wolves," I admitted after a moment. "The ones from the forest. I... I understood them, Bianca. I spoke to them, but I don’t know how. It’s like my wolf knew their language, even though I’ve never encountered them before."
• Bianca studied me for a moment, her gazewas sharp. "You’re not like the rest of us, Olivia. I’ve sensed it for a while now. You might not be an alpha like us but you're definitely a special one.” I nodded, but it didn’t make me feel any better. If anything, it only raised more questions. "What am I supposed to do with this power?" I asked, more to myself than to her. "I don’t even know how to use it."
• "That’s why I’m here." Bianca moved closer, sitting across from me. "I’ve been thinking about this since the battle. You need to learn how to reach your wolf, how to tap into that power fully. You’re strong, Olivia, but you’re not using your full potential. I can help with that. I can teach you."
• I blinked, surprised by her offer. Bianca was an alpha, one of the strongest fighters I’d ever seen, and her wolf was fierce, commanding. The idea of her teaching me how to fight, how to connect with my wolf, was both exciting and daunting. But I couldn’t deny that I needed guidance. There was so much about myself that I didn’t understand, and with the dangers we were facing, I couldn’t afford to be unprepared.
• "You really think you can teach me?" I asked, my voice hesitant.
• She smiled, a genuine smile this time, and I saw a flash of the Bianca that Bustan had once cared for. "I do. But it’s not going to be easy. Your wolf, she’s powerful. You’ve been holding her back for too long. Once you let her in, really let her in, things are going to change."
• I nodded slowly, her words sinking in. I had felt that shift today, the way my wolf had come to life in the midst of battle. She had guided me, shown me how to call the forest wolves, how to speak with them. But what would happen if I opened that door fully? What would I become?
• "And there’s something else," Bianca added, her tone more serious now. "You need to learn how to fight. Not just with your power, but physically. If we’re going to stand against Nate, the hunters, and whatever else comes our way, you need to be able to defend yourself."
• I knew she was right. I had always relied on others to protect me—Bustan, Bianca, even the wolves. But I couldn’t keep doing that. I had to be stronger, not just for myself, but for everyone who was counting on me.
• "I want to learn," I said firmly, meeting her gaze. "I need to."
• Bianca nodded, a glint of approval in her eyes. "Good. We’ll start tomorrow."
• As she stood to leave, a thought struck me, something I had been pushing to the back of my mind since the battle. "Bianca," I called, my voice softer now, uncertain. She turned to face me, waiting. I hesitated for a moment, unsure if I should ask, but the question gnawed at me.
• "Is it... strange for you? Being here with Bustan? I mean, after everything between you two."
• Bianca’s expression flickered, just for a moment, before she masked it with a casual shrug. "It’s complicated," she admitted, her voice quieter now. "But Bustan and I, we had our time. Whatever we were, it’s in the past now. I’ve accepted that. I’m here for the pack, for the fight, not for him."
• I nodded, but her words didn’t fully ease my mind. There was still something unresolved between them, a tension that I couldn’t ignore. And as much as I wanted to believe her, a small part of me couldn’t help but wonder if old feelings would resurface. Would Bustan still have lingering emotions for her? And where did that leave me?
• "Don’t worry about Bustan," Bianca said, almost as if she could read my thoughts. "He’s focused on the fight, on protecting this pack. And from what I can see, his eyes are on you now."
• Her words sent a shiver down my spine, though I wasn’t sure if it was from relief or something else entirely. I forced a smile, nodding as she left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again.
• What does she mean his eyes are on me?