AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Blake looked at Olivia and must have decided that she was no threat. He nodded before leaning down and kissing her forehead. “I’m right out here. Call if you need me.”
She nodded and turned her attention back to Olivia. “Olivia, my name is Niev, do you mind if I step inside so we can see how I can help you?”
Olivia hesitantly nodded and stepped aside so Niev and Katharina could enter the small bedroom. She stood at the open door, staring at Blake as if he were a monster.
“It’s okay Olivia. He’ll stay outside. You can close the door.”
She took her gaze of Blake and closed the door with shaky hands. Looking at her, Niev’s heart started aching for her. She looked terrified even without Blake in the same room.
“Olivia, please show Niev your back so she can help you.” Katharina spoke in a soft and very quiet voice as if she was afraid to scare her even more.
Olivia nodded, turned her back to Niev and with quivering hands pulled her shirt over her head. Niev sucked in a deep sharp breath as she saw what was hiding underneath it. Olivia’s entire back was covered in claw marks. At first, Niev thought it happened during the attack, but some looked older, others just a few days old. Even though they weren’t infected, they had trouble healing. She assumed it was because of her overall health.
“Olivia, do you mind sitting on the bed with me so I can take a closer look at that?”
She nodded again and sat on the bed pulling her legs to her chest. Resting her head on her knees, she wrapped her arms around her legs. She looked even worse sitting down that she did while standing. Her bones were so prominent through her skin that Niev could literally count her vertebrae. She sat down behind her and leaned closer to inspect the wounds.
“Who did this to you? Did it happen during the fight?”
She shook her head but didn’t say a word. Niev looked up to Katharina, who seemed hesitant to share her knowledge. Niev didn’t take her gaze off Katharina until she gave in.
“It was her mate.”
Niev had expected anything but that. She just couldn’t imagine anyone’s mate hurting their loved one like this.
“I’m not a good mate,” Olivia sobbed quietly.
“Where is he right now?”
Olivia’s sobs became louder. “I don’t know. He left me before the fight, and he hasn’t returned since. I’m sure he’ll be mad that I’m not looking for him and that I stayed here.”
Olivia seemed terrified. Niev had a bad feeling about the entire situation, and an even worse suspicion. “Olivia, what does your mate’s wolf look like?”
“He’s pure white.”
Her sobs were heartbreaking and Niev’s heart ached even more. She’d seen that white wolf not once but twice. The first time, she’d stabbed his face, robbing him of one of his eyes. The second time she’d stabbed him in the heart, robbing him of his life.
“Olivia, please turn around.”
She did as Niev asked and looked at her with red swollen eyes.
“I need you to be honest with me, can you do that?”
She nodded, her face a mixture of fear, pain, and confusion.
“Did you truly love your mate, or did you only stay with him because he terrified you?”
Olivia’s facial expression was enough of an answer.
“Your mate will never return to you. He will never touch you, and he will never hurt you again.”
Silence filled the room. Olivia seemed distraught, as if she couldn’t–or didn’t want to–understand Niev’s words. Her whole body shook and tears ran down her cheeks, but Niev couldn’t quite tell if they were tears of relief or grief.
“How do you know that?” Katharina broke the silence.
Niev took a deep breath, knowing that her next words could destroy the trust she’d tried to build between her and the soon to be members of the pack.
“I killed him.”
