Without another word, she stepped out and slammed it shut behind her, the sound echoing in the quiet room.
I flinched, staring at the closed door in shock.
“Well…” I muttered to myself, sitting down at the edge of the bed. “That was rude.”
Knox chuckled from where he leaned against the wall. “Don’t take it personally. You’re not exactly a welcome sight for most here.”
I looked up at him, my chest tightening. “Why does everyone hate me?”
Knox shrugged. “You’re an omega, stepping into a position meant for someone stronger. They think you’re unworthy.”
His bluntness stung, but I couldn’t argue.
Knox straightened and walked to the door. “Rest up,” he said, his tone lighter now. “Tomorrow, the real fun begins.”
He left without another word, leaving me alone in the too-grand, too-silent room.
I closed my eyes, willing the tears to stay back, but they came anyway.
“Oh, Olivia…” I whispered, my voice trembling. “If only you were here.”
The thought of her—the only person who had ever cared for me—was enough to break the fragile dam I’d built around my emotions. I curled up on the edge of the bed, clutching the soft fabric of the sheets as sobs wracked my body.
The room was beautiful, yes. But it was a prison all the same.
My sobs grew louder, the tightness in my chest unbearable. I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to stop the memories from rushing back, but they came anyway, vivid and unstoppable.
I was back in the forest, the air thick with the scent of earth and blood.
“No!” My scream echoed through the trees as I ran, my legs burning, my breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps. “No, please don’t hurt her!”
The clearing came into view, and there she was—Olivia. My beautiful, kind Olivia. She was on her knees, her golden hair disheveled and streaked with dirt, her hands bound behind her back.
A sharp blade glinted in the fading sunlight, pressed against her throat.
“Don’t do this!” I pleaded, stumbling forward, my voice cracking. “Please, she hasn’t done anything!”
Another guard held me tight.
“Oh princess you are going to watch the consequences of your actions.” He bit my ears so hard, I screamed.
The man holding her smirked, his grip tightening on the knife. “Orders are orders, little wolf. You should’ve stayed out of this.”
“No!” I screamed again, falling to my knees as tears blurred my vision. “Take me instead! I’ll do whatever you want, just let her go!”
Olivia turned her head slightly, her blue eyes meeting mine.
Despite the fear all over her face, she remained calm and that broke me.
“It’s okay,” she whispered, her voice trembling but steady enough to reach me. “Liana… it’s okay.”
“It’s not okay!” I sobbed, clawing at the ground, desperate to reach her. “You can’t leave me! Please, Olivia!”
The man didn’t wait.
He grinned as he stabbed the knife into her throat, twisting it while laughing.
“No!” The word tore from my throat, raw and guttural, as I watched the light in her eyes begin to fade. Blood seeped through her tunic, staining the forest floor as she crumpled forward.
I scrambled to her, my hands shaking as I pressed them against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding. “Olivia! Stay with me! Please, don’t go!”
Her eyes fluttered, her breaths shallow and labored. “I’m sorry,” she murmured, her lips barely moving.
“Don’t apologize!” I cried, tears streaming down my face. “You’re going to be okay. I’ll get help. Just…just hold on!”
But she was already slipping away. Her trembling hand reached up to touch my cheek, her blood smearing against my skin. “I am glad to have known you…. lily,” she whispered.
“Stop it!” I screamed, shaking her. “Don’t say that! You’re going to live! Olivia!”
Her hand fell limp, and her eyes closed.
I threw my head back and screamed her name, my voice echoing through the forest like a wounded animal. “Olivia!!!”
