Olivia POV
One more year of high school and I can finally start working toward my degree in marketing. I know it's strange for a seventeen-year-old to want to have such a specific career, but I want to follow in my dad's footsteps. He owns his own advertising business that I plan on joining after I graduate. I am definitely a daddy's girl. Not that I don't love my mom, but my dad and I have a special bond.
I have an older brother who is a bit of a jock, but he isn't conceited. As older brothers go, he is a pretty good one. Don't get me wrong, we have our fights, but for the most part we get along well. He is two years older than me and in his second year of college. He was actually supposed to pick me up today but flaked, which isn't like him. I make my way down our street and notice a car I've never seen in the driveway.
As I make my way up onto the porch, I can hear raised voices. I can tell one is my mom's but the other isn't familiar. A few seconds go by and the yelling stops. I push the door open and stop dead in my tracks at the sight in front of me. My mother is with a man I've never seen before. He's k^ssing her. I don't even realize I gasp until both their heads turn toward me.
"Olivia," my mother says, and I take a step back. "How could you," I say before I turn running back out the door I just walked through. I don't get far when I run into the solid ch^st of my brother. "Oli, what's wrong" he says, wrapping his a*ms tightly around me. "Mom," is all I manage to get out. He rvbs circles on my back, but his next words have me stepping out of his embrace. "Mom will explain everything, Oli," he says.
I step even further away from him and look back at the porch where my mother and the pr*ck she was kssing are standing. I look back at my brother. "You knew, you knew she was cheating on dad." "It's not that simple, Oli. Let's go inside, and we can all talk" he says, taking a step toward me. I move before that. "Where is dad?" No one answers, and I take another step away from them, ready to run. "Where is dad," I scream.
"I'm right here, Oli girl," he says from behind me. I run the five steps and wrap myself around him. I can't stop the tears that flood my cheeks and the sobs that shake my b*dy. "Dad, I want to leave, please." "Alright sweetheart, let's go" he says. My dad keeps me tucked under his arm as we head toward his truck. "Charles," my mother calls out, but he doesn't turn to acknowledge her. He helps me into his truck and rounds it to get in. Before he opens the door, my mother stops him.
"Charles, please," she says. I hate the pain I see in my father's eyes. "You made this choice, Evelyn." "You know it's not that simple, Charles. I never meant to hurt you," she says. "It's not me, I'm worried about Evelyn. You hurt our daughter. She is all that matters right now," he says. Without another word, he slides into the truck.
My mother comes to my window, but I refuse to acknowledge her. "Oli please. I can explain everything if you just give me a chance. I need you to stay and talk to me. I love you," she pleads. I finally can't stop myself from responding. "Well, I don't love you. You made your choice and I'm making mine. I choose dad. Go be with your boyfriend and your son. We don't need you." "Oli," my dad whispers.
"Please just drive dad." Out of the corner of my eye I see my mother sob, but I can't bring myself to care. As my father turns off our street, I let more tears fall. A few minutes later he pulls into the ice cream shop we have been to as a family countless times. Some of my best childhood memories are getting ice cream here and playing at the park across the street. "I don't think ice cream is going to fix this dad."
"I don't think so either, Oli. I just figured it would be easier for us to talk if I parked. I'm sorry you're hurting kiddo" he says. "No, don't you dare apologize for what she has done. This is not your fault. This is all mom's fault and I will never forgive her." "I know your hurting Oli, but this is between me and your mother. No matter what happens, she loves you and your brother" he says. I can't believe him. She cheats on him, and he is still trying to defend her.
"Don't dad. Don't defend her. She cheated on you. I saw it with my own eyes. She destroyed our family." "I know you're upset, Oli, but she is your mother. What happens between me and her won't change that," he says. "It changes everything. I don't care if she is my mother. I won't ever forgive her for destroying our family and hurting you."
There is silence for a few seconds as I stare out the window. "Oli, your mother wanted to be the one to tell you, but after what happened today, I think it's best for me to tell you now. Your mother and I are divorcing. She is going to live with Xavier. She wants you and your brother to go with her," he says. Rage bubbles up inside me. How dare she even think I would live with her and that a**hole. "No, f**k no." "Oli, language" he says, but I see the hint of a smile.
"I want nothing more than to keep you with me, Oli" he says, but he sounds defeated. "Good because I choose you. I'm staying with you. I'm seventeen, and I'll be eighteen in eight months. I can decide who I want to live with and it's you. She and Connor can live with her boyfriend, but I'm staying here." He pulls me over the console and holds me like he did when I was a kid. An hour later we are heading back toward the house that has always been my safe place.
I was hoping Evelyn and Connor would be gone, but unfortunately they are still here with the man my father called Xavier. I follow my father inside and my mother rushes toward me. I loop my arm with my father's and stare at the woman that seems like a stranger to me. "Oli, let's go sit down and talk." "No, you, Connor, and your boyfriend can leave our house. I have nothing to say to you."
"Charles, please talk to her." "She is angry Evelyn and I can't say I blame her." I swear I hear a low growl, but when I look past her I only see Xavier. "You know this isn't easy for me either, Charles. I'm not trying to hurt you or Oli," she says. "You could have fooled me. Honestly, Evelyn just leave. You have a new family so we don't need you here." "Oli, don't you ever call me by my name. I am your mother no matter how upset you are with me," she says, her voice angry.
"No, you're not. You stopped being my mother when you betrayed dad and destroyed this family. Now I'm going to my room and I hope you're gone when I come back down." I start up the stairs, but her words stop me in my tracks. "Oli, don't make me do something I don't want to do. You can't stay here. You need to live with me," she says. I turn and look at her. "I would rather die than live with you, Connor, and that pr*ck."
She gasps, but I don't wait around to hear what she has to say. Once I reach the hallway, I breathe a sigh of relief until the door to Connor's room opens. He steps out of his room with his bags. I try to walk past him, but he reaches out and grabs me by my arm. I rip my arm from his hold. "Oli, I know you're upset" he starts to say. "My name is Olivia to you. Only my family and friends get to call me Oli and you are neither now."
He looks as if I just slapped him. "Olivia, you will always be my sister." "No, I won't. Go join your new family. We will be fine without you or Evelyn." His eyes get big hearing me call my mother by her name. I take the opportunity to slip inside my room and lock the door. He knocks a few times, but when it goes unanswered, I figure he must have given up until I hear him speak. "I love you, Oli" through the door. The tears start to fall again, but I quickly wipe them away. Neither of them deserve my tears.
I refuse to cry over him or my mother. They made their choices and I've made mine. I grab my favorite pajamas and head to my bathroom. I step under the hot spray and lean my head against the tile wall. How did all this happen? I thought my parents were happy. They have always acted like they were so in love. I mean I'm sure they have had fights but nothing that was ever serious.
I'm not sure how long I stay in the shower, but when the water starts to cool I step out and wrap a fluffy towel around myself. After I'm dressed, I step back into my bedroom. A knock on the door startles me. "Oli, sweetheart, can you open the door?" I walk over and when I pull open the door I'm engulfed in strong arms. "I love you, Oli. I'm so sorry you're hurting, but I promise you everything will work out," he says.
"As long as I have you, dad, I'll be alright." "You'll always have me. What do you want to do for the rest of the night, Oli girl" he asks. "Can we order a pizza and watch movies?" "I think that sounds like a great idea," he says. He presses a k^ss on my forehead. "I'm going to go order the pizza while you pick out a movie." I nod and heads toward the door. He turns when he reaches it and offers me a sad smile.
"No matter what happens, Oli, I want you to remember I love you." His words do nothing to quell the torrent of emotions raging inside me, but I know he needs me to be strong for him. "I love you too, dad."
Two Days Later
Olivia POV
"I know you don't want to see them, Oli, but we all need to sit down and talk. The divorce is happening, and I don't want you making a decision to spare my feelings. She is your mother" he says. "No, she stopped being my mother two days ago." I can see he wants to say more, but a knock on the door has him moving to answer it. "Hello Charles, thank you for agreeing to sit down and talk." "I only agreed for Oli's sake, Evelyn."
I'm not sure what I expected, but it sure as wasn't for Xavier to step into the room behind my mother. "What on eаrth is he doing here? He isn't part of this family. I'm leaving if he is staying." "Oli," my mother starts to say. "Olivia. You don't get to call me Oli anymore." Pain and sadness flash in her eyes, but I can't bring myself to care. "Olivia, I know you are upset, but you will not disrespect your mother," Xavier says.
"She isn't my mother. I only agreed to speak with her because my dad asked me to. Honestly, I have nothing to say to any of you. I am staying with my dad till I graduate and then going to college just like I planned. I won't abandon him like Evelyn and Connor did." "Olivia, please. I love you," my mother says. "You should have thought about that when you cheated on dad." I turn to my father. "I've said all I have to say. Can I go to my room?"
"Olivia, please just come sit and talk with us," Connor says. "No, you are in the same boat with her. You chose a cheater over our father. You are no longer my brother." "Enough, you are not a child anymore, Olivia. Things don't always work out the way we plan, and we need to learn to adapt. Now come down here and act like an adult," Xavier says. I look at him as anger bubbles up inside me.
"F**k you. You are nothing to me. You don't get to tell me what to do or how to act." I turn and a low growl has me turning in time to see my mother wrap her arms around the pr*ck. "Real nice Evelyn. Why don't you just let him scr'w you in front of dad? I never knew you were such a monster. I'm just glad I realized it now. You can all leave because I'm done talking to any of you."
"Olivia, if you don't come down here and talk this out, we will have no choice but to take your father to court for custody," Xavier says. "Xavier, please" my mother says. "No, Evelyn. This is not up for discussion. She is acting like a spoiled child. She isn't even giving you a chance to explain why all of this is happening," Xavier says. "It's happening because my mother is a wh*re who cheated on my father." "Oli, that's enough. Go upstairs, and I'll be up in a minute," my father says.
I stomp up the stairs, but I don't go to my room. Instead, I sit on the landing eaves dropping on the rest of the conversation. "You will not come into my home and threaten my daughter again, Xavier. I don't care what you are or where you come from, but this is my house and that is my daughter as much as you wish she was yours," my father says. I fist pump the air, proud of my dad for telling him off.
"Charles, please don't make this any worse" my mom says. "Make what worse Evelyn? You have completely destroyed our lives, you have taken Connor from me, and now you're trying to take Oli. No matter the reason, you are hurting me and Oli. You are the one that broke the vows you made to me knowing this could happen. I will not force Oli to go with you," he says.
"Dad, no one is taking me from you. I love you, but the pack is where I belong. I will always be your son," Connor says. What on eаrth is he talking about, a pack? Is Xavier in some kind of radical group? "Charles, Evelyn, never meant to hurt you. I know you don't understand the pull of our bond, but it can't be controlled," Xavier says. What the hll is he talking about? "Honestly, Xavier, I don't care. She made her choice, but I won't force Oli to leave the only home she has ever known," my father says.
"Then you leave us no choice. Olivia needs to be in the pack when she turns eighteen, or you are putting her and our kind in danger. He isn't going to listen, Evelyn. We should leave," he says. "Charles, I didn't mean to hurt you. I loved our life together. I never expected to find Xavier" she says, her voice cracking on every word. "It's not enough, Evelyn. You destroyed me and I have no choice but to hold myself together for Oli girl," he says.
The sound of the door clicking closed echoes in the silence. I peek down the stairs and, in time to see my father lean his head against the wall. The way his shoulders move let me know he's crying. My chest aches at the sight. I don't think I've ever seen my father cry like this. I move down the stairs and wrap my arms around his middle. He stiffens at first but then turns to wrap his arms around me. "We are going to be alright, Oli," he says. I'm not sure if he is trying to convince me or himself.
Two Weeks Later
"Oli, hurry up, or we're going to be late. That won't look good to the judge," my dad yells from downstairs. True to his word, Xavier had my mother petition the court for full custody. I have no doubt that at seventeen the judge will ask me where I want to live. hll, in six months I'll be eighteen and nobody but me gets a say. I just hope that after today my mother leaves us alone.
The ride to the courthouse is in comfortable silence. Both of us are lost in our own thoughts. My dad shutting off the truck has me reaching for the handle. His hand on my forearm stops me. "No matter what happens today, Oli, I want you to remember I love you. You will always be my Oli girl." "Dad, don't worry. No judge is going to force me to live with mom. I'm not a child that can't think for herself." "I know, but I just want you to remember what I said," he says. I hate the sadness I see in his eyes.
I reach out, pulling him in for a hvg. "I love you dad. No matter what happens." He k*sses my forehead and we both get out of the truck just in time to see my former family and Xavier coming down the sidewalk. "Oli" Connor calls out, but I don't acknowledge him.
We make our way inside and take our seats behind a long table. A few minutes later the judge takes her seat on the bench. "We are here today to determine custody of Olivia Crocker. Both sides will present the reasons why they are requesting soul custody and I will determine what is in the best interest of the child," the judge says.
It doesn't take long for both sides to give their reasons and, honestly, my mothers weren't compelling in the least. "She is my only daughter and a young lady should be with her mother. Charles is a good father, but he doesn't understand what a young girl goes through at this time in her life," she said. What a crock of sh*t. The judge asked for my opinion and my father's lawyer spoke on his behalf.
"Well, this decision is never an easy one. There are many factors that come into play when deciding on custody of a minor. I have reviewed both petitions and take into account everything that was presented here today. In the matter of the custody of Olivia Crocker. Sole custody is awarded to Evelyn Crocker," the judge says. I'm immediately on my feet. "No, I won't go with her."
She pounds the gavel and my father reaches for me. "I know you're upset, Miss Crocker, but my decision is final," she says. My father pulls me into his arms and tears run down my cheeks. "It's going to be alright, Oli. I know you're upset but it's only six months. Then no one has a say where you live" he says. "No dad, please don't make me go with them." "Oh honey, I wish I could stop this from happening, but you heard the judge. Just remember it's only six months," he says again.
"Oli" Connor says. I turn and see sympathy flash in his eyes. "Oli, it's time to gom" Connor says. "I'm not going now. I have to get my things and make sure dad is alright. I know you don't care about him, but I do." "Oli, I care" he starts to say. "Bullsh*t, you have your new dad now. Just leave me alone. I already told you I'm not your sister anymore." "Olivia, that's enough. You are coming with us now. I will send someone for your things," Xavier says.
"Six months, Oli, and we will talk every day," my dad says. I press a k*ss on his cheek before I spin on my heel. "Fine, I'll go, but I'll make sure you all wish you had left me and dad alone." I push past Connor and Xavier. My mother reaches for me, but I quickly sidestep her. When I reach the sidewalk, I wait for them to catch up. "This is the car Oli" Connor says. "I don't know how many times I can say it, but don't call me Oli. In fact, don't talk to me at all."
I slide into the back seat and buckle myself in. I focus on the window as the other doors cl0se around me. "Olivia, I know you're angry." I glare at her before I look back out the window. I meant what I said. They are going to wish they had never wanted me to move in with them.
Olivia POV
Connor tries to talk to me as the car continues to move toward a place that will be my hll for the next six months. Knowing this isn't permanent is the only thing keeping me from completely losing my sh*t. If I knew my father wouldn't get in trouble, I would run back home the first chance I got. A hand on my forearm pulls me out of my thoughts.
I immediately shake his hand off me. "Connor let me make this clear. Don't tovch me. Don't talk to me. I may have no choice about living the next six months with you people, but that is all you'll get from me. The minute the six months are up, I'll be going back to my real home with my only real parent." I look at my mother hoping my words hurt her as much as she is hurting me. Tears stream down her cheeks.
"That's it," Xavier says, pulling the car off the road. "Out of the car Olivia, now," he says. I'm tempted to tell him to f**k off but something inside me has my hand moving of its own accord to open the door. I step out and cl0se the door behind me. I cross my arms over my chest and refuse to look at Xavier.
"Look at me Olivia. I want to make sure you are listening and the only way I'll know for sure you are is if you give me your eyes." I look at him and I swear his eyes change color, but I shake that thought away. "I know you're angry, and you have every right to be. This situation isn't easy for any of us. I understand you love your father, and you want to live with him, but the woman in that car is your mother," he says.
I go to open my mouth, but he silences me with a raised hand. "She is your mother and she deserves respect. You are not a child, Olivia. In six months you'll be an adult and you need to start acting like one. Life is rarely fair, so you had better learn to roll with the punches because someday it might be you sitting in the car and your daughter acting like she hates you."
"That will never be me because I'm not a cheater. I would never betray my husband. So as unfair as life is, I'll never be her. As far as respect goes, it's earned, not just given. I lost all respect for her when she chose you over my father. You don't like my attitude towards her, then send me home. I'll be happy to never see the three of you again in my life."
Xavier takes a step toward me and I swear I feel like I can't breathe. "Xavier, please. I want to get to the house," my mother says from the side of the car. I never even heard her get out. "Get in the car and I don't want to hear another negative word out of you for the rest of the ride." "I'm glad to stay quiet if everyone leaves me alone," I say sliding back into the car.
"Oli" Connor starts to say, and I make a show of zipping my l*ps before I again look out the window. I'm not sure how much longer we drive because I must have fallen asleep. "Oli, it's time to wake up. We're here," Connor says. I quickly sit up and almost gasp when I see what can only be described as a mansion. Thankfully, I stop myself and keep my face impassive. I push the door open and step out.
A loud squeal has me looking toward the entrance. A pretty young girl with long blonde hair is rushing toward me. Before I can step back, she wraps her a^ms around me in a bone crushing h^g. "Oh my goddess, you are so beautiful. You look just like your mom. I'm so excited to meet you. I've heard so much about you," she says, talking a mile a minute.
"Becca, baby, breathe. You are freaking her out," Connor says. She giggles and takes a step back. "Sorry, I'm just happy you're finally here" she says. "Oli, this is my girlfriend Becca" he says. I glare at him and his smile fades. "Sorry, Olivia. Becca, this is my sister, Olivia." As much as I want to be a b**ch to punish Connor, I can't. Becca seems sweet and so much different than the girls he normally dates. Don't get me wrong, she is pretty, but she isn't stick thin. She has cvrves, and she can only be five feet and change.
"It's nice to meet you Becca. If you don't mind, I would really just like to go to my room and call my dad." "Of course, I'm sure today was a lot" she says. "Come on Olivia. I'll show you to your room," my mother says. Without a word I follow her. When we step inside again, I'm amazed by the size of the place. What's even more shocking is the amount of people milling about. My mother starts to tell me about the house, but I tune her out.
I don't care about this place, it isn't my home. We climb two sets of stairs and walk down a long hallway. "This is our floor. My room is at the end of the hall. The room across from yours is Connors and this is your room" she says. She pushes open the door and, under any other circumstances, I would love the room. The decor mimics what my real room is like. A big difference is the size of the bed. My bed at home is queen and this must be a king. "You have your own bathroom through that door."
I nod and move toward a large bay window. "Dinner is at four. Connor will show you to the dining room," she says. "No, I won't be joining you for dinner. I'll eat here. We are not going to be a happy little family no matter how much you want to replace dad." "Olivia, I love your dad" she starts to say, but I cut her off.
"Don't you dare say you love my dad. You're a li*r and a cheater. I may have to stay here because the judge says I do but I don't want to be here. I don't want to be anywhere near you. I will serve my sentence in this prison and the moment I turn eighteen you'll never see me again. Now if you don't mind, I would like to call my dad. The only parent I have left."
"I'm sorry, Olivia," she says. "Those are the two most useless words in the world. They don't fix anything. They don't change that you destroyed our family," I say before I turn back toward the window. The sound of the door clicking cl0sed has my shoulders sagging. Six months, Olivia, I repeat to myself. I pull my phone from my pocket and dial my dad. He picks up on the second ring. "Hey Oli girl. I miss you already" he says. "I miss you too, dad."
"How is the new house?" "It's just a building dad. Even if it was a palace, I would hate it here because I'm not with you." "Oh Oli, I know you're angry, but I don't want you to be miserable for the next six months. Someday all of this will be just a bad memory. As angry as I am with your mother, she loves you. I don't expect you to hate her on my behalf, Oli." "I don't, I hate her on mine. She destroyed everything. She is selfish. I'll never forgive her."
"Alright, let's talk about something else for now," he says. We talk for an hour about everything from movies to school. I'm dreading going to the new school, but my dad wants me to embrace it. When I hang up, I lay back in bed and cl0se my eyes. A knock has me sitting up. I look at my phone and see it's after four. I slide off the bed and walk to the door. When I throw it open, I expect to see Connor, but instead it's Xavier.
"It's time for dinner" he says. "I'm not hungry, and I have already told my mother I will not be eating with your little family." "Olivia, I am trying really hard to have patience with you, but every time you make your mother cry it is making it harder and harder." "Her emotions are not my problem. She made this situation. If you all leave me alone, then I won't hurt anyone's feelings." "Enough, you will not continue to hurt my wife," he says. His words have me stumbling back.
"Xavier," my mother's voice, has him snapping his head in her direction. "Wife, she isn't even divorced yet." "The divorce was finalized five days ago, and we were married two days ago. So grow up Olivia. This is the reality. You will not continue to hurt your mother without consequences," he says. I look between him and my mother before I turn and rush into the bathroom. I lock the door and slide down until I'm curled in a ball on the floor.
"What the f**k Xavier? How dare you tell her that without speaking to me first? That is my daughter, and you had no right." "I have every right. I am the head of this family and the Alpha," he says. "You're right you're the Alpha, but I am the Luna. Leave and make sure you grab a blanket and pillow because you won't be sleeping in my bed tonight" she says. "Evelyn" he says his voice softer. "Leave now, Xavier," she says.
A few seconds later a soft knock on the door has me holding back the sobs. I refuse to let her hear me cry. "Olivia, I'm sorry that just happened. Xavier should never have told you that. Please open the door so we can talk Oli," she pleads. Why didn't my dad tell me that the divorce was finalized? My mother continues to knock, but I can't even bring myself to tell her to go away.
Olivia POV
I'm not even sure how long I lay on the floor of the bathroom after I cried myself to sleep. Pushing myself up and trying to stretch out my muscles, I try not to think about the ache in my chest. I move to the shower and turn it on as hot as I can tolerate. Str*pping out of my clothes and stepping under the spray, I can't keep my mind from replaying Xavier's words. In my heart I knew that nothing was going to bring my family back together, but I never expected my mom to marry him three days after she divorced my father.
Pushing the thoughts of my f**ked up life away for now, I scrub myself. Letting the water soothe my aching muscles, I focus on what I need to do to survive the next six months. I step out and wrap myself in a fluffy blue towel. I move to the door, placing my ear against it. The room is quiet. I pray that no one is out there as I push the door open. My steps falter when I see Rebecca sitting on my bed.
"Why are you in my room," I snap at her. I see hurt flash in her eyes. This girl didn't do anything to me and it's not fair of me to be hurtful to her. "I'm sorry Rebecca. You don't deserve my anger. I just really want to be alone." She stands from the bed and takes two steps toward me. "I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have barged in here even if I just wanted to check on you. I heard the Alpha and Luna yelling at each other and I knew it was about you," she says.
"Can I ask you a question, Rebecca?" "Absolutely" she says with a sincere smile. In any other circumstances, I think we could be good friends. "I heard Xavier call himself the Alpha and my mother call herself the Luna. Now you just called them that. Why?" She looks startled by my question. She goes to open her mouth, but a knock interrupts her before she can answer. I make no move to open the door, and I'm grateful when Rebecca doesn't either.
A few seconds later there is another knock before Connor's voice breaks the silence. "Olivia, I know you're in there. We really need to talk. I know you're upset about mom marrying Xavier, but once you know everything you'll understand," he says. Anger bubbles to the surface as I move to the door. I throw it open not caring I'm still in a towel. "F**k you, Connor." Rebecca gasps from behind me. "Just because you replaced our father doesn't mean I have to accept a thing about this situation."
"This is the last time I'm going to tell you. I no longer have a brother or a mother. I am a prisoner here until I turn eighteen. I'll be perfectly happy to sit my a** in this room and never come out until the day I can leave. Do not try to talk to me again. Forget that I exist." I turn back to Rebecca. "Rebecca, I would really like to get dressed for bed and spend the rest of the night alone. Maybe we can talk another time when I'm not feeling so volatile."
"Of course," she says, and I expect her to head to the door, but instead she walks toward me and wraps me in a h^g. I stiffen at first but then relax. I don't return the h^g, but I don't push her away. When she releases me, she turns walking to the door. Connor's eyes meet mine. "No matter how you feel about me, Olivia, I still love you," he says. I make my way over and cl0se the door without responding. Locking it, I lean against the door and take a deep breath.
After I few seconds, I move to the only door in the room I haven't tried. I assume it's a closet. When I push it open, my mouth gapes open. It is stocked full of clothes. As I move cl0ser to them, I realize they all still have tags on them. Anger immediately bubbles up inside me. If he thinks buying me sh*t will change how I feel it won't. I move back out of the closet and over to a large dresser. The drawers are full of underw**r, panties, and pajamas. I grab a pajama set and drop my towel to the floor.
I have no choice but to use the clothes but if Xavier thinks things will soften me he is sadly mistaken. I grab the towel and throw it in the hamper in the corner of the room. As I make my way to the bed a wave of exhaustion washes over me. I slide under the cool sheets and grab the phone from the nightstand. It rings twice before my dad answers. "Oli girl" he says his words slurring. "Dad, are you alright?" "I'm fine sweetheart. Just had a little to much to drink. I love you Oli girl" he says.
My chest aches as his words have me fighting a sob that tries to escape me. My dad doesn't drink. "I love you, too, dad. I just wanted to tell you good night. I'll call you tomorrow morning." "Alright Oli. Goodnight sweetheart" he says before the call disconnects. I curl on myself and let the tears I was fighting fall.
The Next Morning
The light shining through the window is warm on my face. I stretch and reach for my phone. I'm shocked to see it's nine. That means I slept for twelve hours. I wish I could say it was restful but I was plagued by nightmares of losing my dad. A knock on the door brings me out of my thoughts. "Olivia, I brought you some breakfast" Rebecca says. Just as the word breakfast leaves her mouth my stomach growls.
I throw off the blankets and slide out of bed. When I reach the door I tovch the handle. "Are you alone Rebecca?" "I am" she says. I pull open the door and step aside so she can come in. The smell of eggs and bacon has me salivating. I lock the door and take the plate from her hands. "Thank you" I say as I sit down on my bed. I immediately dig into the food. Rebecca sits on the bed and crosses her legs in front of her.
We sit in comfortable silence while I continue to eat. She finally breaks the silence. "Olivia, can you tell me why you're so angry with your brother, mother, and Alpha Xavier" she asks. "I'm surprised my brother hasn't told you." "He said he wasn't ready to talk about it but I have a feeling he is scared to tell me" she says. I place the empty plate on the table by my bed before I focus back on Rebecca.
"A month ago I had the perfect family. Don't get me wrong we had our fights but we loved each other. My mom and dad always seemed so in love. Then one day I came home from school and found my mother k*ssing Xavier. A few days later I'm being told that my parents are getting a divorce. My mother and Connor effectively replaced my father. If that wasn't bad enough I was forced to leave my father alone because my mother and Xavier took my father to court for custody."
"My father was heartbroken. First he lost his wife and son. Now they have taken me leaving him to face all of this by himself. When I talked to him last night I could tell he was drinking. My father never drinks. He is drowning his sorrows. How can my mother and Connor just cast him aside like he means nothing?" Warm tears flow down my cheeks. I don't think I have cried this much in my whole life.
Rebecca moves cl*ser and pulls me into a h*g. "I'm so sorry that their decisions have hurt you and your father. Neither of you deserve this pain. I know now there are things that they haven't told you because I asked your brother why you didn't know what a Luna and Alpha are, but that doesn't excuse what's happened. I may be your brother's girlfriend but I hope to be your friend Olivia. Some day I hope you will consider me your sister," she says.
I pull back and she giggles. "You look like one of those goldfish with the big eyes" she says. "I'm just shocked to hear you talk about marriage. How long have you two been dating?" "I know you don't want to but you really need to speak to your mother about this place and Xavier. You don't have to forgive her but you deserve answers and unfortunately I've been ordered to not spill any secrets" she says.
"Ordered, what the hll is this place, a radical group?" She throws her head back and laughs. "I promise it's not a cu1to. Please just think about what I said. What do you plan to do today" she asks. "I'll probably just watch TV or read books on my phone. I'm in the middle of a biker romance on the Dreame app called The Biker's True Love. It is pretty steamy." "Sounds like my kind of book. Are you sure you don't want to get out of the room for a while" she asks.
"Not today. I'm not ready to face anyone else right now." "That's alright. I'll be right by your side when you're ready. How about if I bring you lunch and we veg out and watch movies" she asks. "Are you sure you don't have plans with Connor?" "Connor is on my sh*t list right now. I would much rather spend time with you today." "Then I'll see you at lunchtime." She squeezes my hand before she slides off the bed and leaves my room. I lay back and pray I'm not making a mistake by letting Rebecca in but right now she is the only one I feel like I can trust.
Connor POV
I make my way through the pack house. A hundred thoughts swirling in my head. I know what's happened was out of our control, but seeing Oli so hurt is making it hard for me to breathe. It kills me to hear her say I'm no longer her brother.
We have always been cl*se. I love her and it breaks my heart to be on the receiving end of her hate. I know her anger at me is because she thinks I don't care about dad, but I do.
I love him just as much as she does. She also thinks I'm not angry at mom and Xavier, but she is wrong. I've just had more time to get my anger in check.
Oli doesn't realize the secrets that mom and dad kept from us. That is part of the problem. Dad knew what mom was before they married. From what I was told, he embraced her despite the fact she kept such a huge secret from him.
After she was pregnant with me he always knew there was a possibility that Oli and I would have the wolf gene. He was actually excited about the possibility of us having our own wolves from what he told me.
He loved mom and her wolf, Jenna, too. He and mom were with me the first time I shifted. Mom and dad took me into the woods behind our home when the pain started. She told me what to expect a few months before my first shift, but nothing can prepare you for the pain.
Don't get me wrong, it was worth every second of it, but to think you're human and then find out you're a wolf scr'ws with your head. The best part besides meeting Cosmo was the pride I saw in my dad's eyes when he saw my wolf for the first time. It is something I'll never forget.
I wanted to tell Oli right away, but they insisted I wait. She was fourteen at the time. I wasn't told until I was seventeen, but I knew something was always off about how fast and strong I was. My parents didn't feel she was ready to hear about wolves having grown up among humans. Looking back, that was a huge mistake.
We both should have been told when we became teenagers. We should have been given time to adjust to the fact we were different. Oli should have been there when I shifted. I wish I could go back and tell her the moment I found out we were wolves, but I can't.
Dad and I had a long talk when he found out about Xavier and mom. It was funny to think about now but he was the voice of reason. I was so angry, just like Oli. He insisted that he loved me and that I didn't have to hate my mom on his behalf. It was difficult to listen to what he said until I met Rebecca.
Even though I understood the pull of the bond, I hated seeing my father so broken. Despite everything that's happened, he still loves my mom desperately. My mother and I had a heated discussion about mates and the pain she was causing my father.
Flashback
"Connor, I know you're angry, but I never meant to hurt your father." "Then why did you? You knew there was a chance you could meet your mate and, instead of waiting, you let yourself fall in love with dad."
“It's not that simple, Connor. My birth pack was filled with mis0gynistic ba**ards that treated their mates like possessions. Half of them were physically abusive because the Alpha allowed it" she says. Her look is distant as if remembering the past.
"It was one of the reasons my father insisted we move far away, even though he was the pack Beta. Most wolves find their mates in their own pack or one that is cl0se by. When we moved clear across the country, I never expected to find my mate," she says.
"My father wasn't like those wolves, and he didn't want me to suffer because of the bond. He made arrangements for us to move here and Xavier's father, who was Alpha at the time, offered for us to carry the pack scent but live among humans because he didn’t trust outsiders."
"I honestly believed that I would never find my mate. You have to believe me, Connor. When I met your father, I felt an instant connection to him. It wasn't the bond, but I knew that I could love him. I promise you that when I met Xavier I fought the bond with every fiber of my being, but it's impossible," she says.
"I know you feel it with Becca. You feel empty when you're apart. You feel like she is a part of you. That's how I felt the moment I found Xavier. I didn't want to, Connor. I wanted my love for your father to be enough, but it wasn't. Everything I felt for him was overshadowed by the instant love I felt for Xavier. I will always love Charles, but it pales in comparison to what I feel for Xavier. I hope you can forgive me," she says.
Flashback Ends
I'm still working on it. I'm not as angry as Oli because I understand the bond, but I'm still angry. She should have waited. After our talk, I told my dad that I had found my mate. He was thrilled. Apparently, my mother had explained to him a long time ago what mates were and insisted that even though they weren't fated they were meant to be. My chest aches when I think about how he must have felt the first time my mother told him about Xavier.
When I told my dad about Rebecca, he wasn't angry at me for leaving. In fact, he insisted that finding her was a gift. He insisted I go to the pack to get to know her. He is so excited to meet her, despite his own pain. He always puts us first. It does nothing to quell my guilt about leaving him alone. I wish Oli could have stayed with him.
After Oli has her first shift, I plan on taking her and Rebecca to see him. Xavier insists that it isn't safe for her to be among the humans until she has gained her wolf with all the anger she has about the "situation" as he calls it. I've seen him be loving with my mother, but normally he is all growly Alpha wolf. I hope that I never become that. He insists that I will be the next Alpha because of Rebecca, but I'm not really sure if that's what I want.
I didn't even realize I knocked until the door opening breaks me out of my thoughts. My mother smiles when she sees it's me. She steps aside to let me in. Xavier is seated behind his large desk. I bear my n5ck as Cosmo, my wolf, has told me it is necessary to show respect to our Alpha wolf.
"Connor, that isn't necessary. I consider you my son and someday you will be the alpha of the pack" he says. "With all due respect, Xavier, I have a father. I know you are my step-father now that you and mom are bonded, but that doesn't change that I have a father." "Connor," my mother says my name in warning.
"No, Evelyn, he's right. As much as I wish you were my blood, Connor, I know you are Charles' son. Now it must be important if you have come to speak to us alone. I haven't seen you without Rebecca by your side since you found each other," he says.
Cosmo whimpers and my chest aches. "She is angry with me. She is actually spending the day with Oli." "Why is she angry with you," my mother asks, her voice laced with concern. "It has something to do with Oli, but since Rebecca refuses to talk to me besides to call me an a**, I have no idea exactly why." Xavier runs his hand down his face frustration clearly evident in his expression. "Have you talked to Oli?"
"I wouldn't exactly say we talked. It was more her telling me that just because I replaced our father doesn't mean she has to accept the situation. She also said again she has no mother or brother. She is a prisoner here until she is eighteen. She also said she is going to sit her a** in her room and never come out until the day she can leave." My mother sobs and I p^ll her into my 6rms. "This is ridiculous. She is acting like a spoiled child." Xavier says.
I can't stop the growl that escapes me. His eyes meet mine and I drop my gaze. "With all due respect, she isn't a spoiled child. She has had her life turned upside down and been taken away from one of the people she loves most in this world. Our father is alone and though I know why, it doesn't make what's happening to any of us any easier." "You never should have told her we got married," my mother says with her head buried in my ch5st.
"You are mine, Evelyn. I am not going to hide it for the sake of Olivia's feelings," Xavier says. "Then you should have kept it quiet for the sake of mine. She is my daughter and as much as I love you, she is my pup. She comes before anyone. You say that Connor and she are your pups, but you're not treating her like she is. You would kill anyone who caused your pup an ounce of pain and yet you just keep hurting her," my mother says.
"Evelyn" he starts to say, but my mother cuts him off. She ignores him and reaches her hand up to cup my face. "I'm sorry, Connor. I'm sorry that I hurt you and Oli. I know you understand why all of this is happening, but I fear she never will. I fear I have lost her forever" she says as her body shakes and tears rush down her cheeks. "She needs time and understanding mom. I know she is angry but she loves us. She just misses Dad. Maybe you should let me take Oli to see dad. I can bring Rebecca."
"No, you know that can't happen, Connor. She is too volatile right now. There is no telling when she will shift. If the humans see it happen, it will put our existence at risk," he says. I nod but I don't necessarily agree. I shifted and no one was the wiser. I think there is more to his reasoning than he is letting on. I know he doesn't want my mother around my father, but she wouldn't even be there. "I'm glad that Rebecca has befriended her. I think that will help her settle in," Xavier says.
"I think that you really should tell her everything. I had a year to prepare myself for what was going to happen. If she does shift sooner because of her emotions, things will be worse." "I agree Connor. Your mother and I will sit down with her as soon as we can get her to sit in the same room as me," Xavier says.
"Maybe you shouldn't be there. She might be more receptive if it's just mom. She sees you as the enemy right now." Xavier growls but I know I'm right. "Connor, can you excuse us we have some things we need to discuss," my mother asks. I press a k*ss on her forehead and nod to Xavier before I head out of the office. Goddess, I pray that Oli lets us back in. I can't lose my sister.
Charles POV
How did everything go to sh*t in the blink of an eye? How did I lose everything? I thought what we had was stronger than this, but I was very wrong. I put the bottle to my l*ps and take a long pull. I know I shouldn't want to be numb, but I do. This house is so empty. I can't stand the silence. I not only lost my wife but my kids are gone.
My Oli girl looked destroyed the day that dayum judge gave custody to Evelyn. I knew the outcome before we even got there. The b**ch was a wolf, but I couldn't tell Oli that. We kept so much from her. Why didn't we just tell her? I've hurt my daughter by trying to protect her. I thought we had time but we didn't. I feel the alcohol as it settles in my veins.
My mind wanders back to the day I met Evelyn. She was so beautiful. I had an appointment at the law office where she was a paralegal. The man that was her boss was a friend of mine in college. With my company starting to turn a profit, I needed to make sure that I had a lawyer on retainer, so Greg just made sense.
The minute I saw her, I knew she was it for me. There was something in her eyes that just drew me in. The rest of that week I came up with reasons to visit Greg until I finally got up the nerve to ask her out. I felt amazing when she said yes. We dated for six months before she finally agreed to move in with me. We had our ups and downs, but Evelyn was always my better half.
The day before we got married, she asked me to take a drive. I was never so nervous in my life. I thought she had changed her mind. When we pulled up to the walking trail outside of town, my heart started to race. This is where I asked her to marry me. Did she want to end it in the same place? We reached the same clearing where I had set up our picnic. She turned to face me and I could see the fear and apprehension in her eyes.
"Charles, I have to show you something before we get married tomorrow," she said. "So you still want to marry me?" She looked at me like I had grown ten heads. "Of course I do, but I have been keeping something from you. After you see what it is, you may not want to marry me," she said. I pulled her into my 6rms and k*ssed her like she was the air I needed to breathe. "There is nothing that will make that happen," I said and she took a step back.
When she shifted into Jenna, I thought I was having a dream. Needless to say, I was shocked, but I was right and we were married the next day. We were married for a year when she got pregnant with Connor. That was when she told me about mates. She wanted me to know that if our kids had wolves they would have a mate chosen by the goddess. It was the only fight I remember us having that scared me.
After she reassured me of how much she loved me, I buried that fear. When Oli was born, I was wrapped around her little finger. I love both my kids the same, but she was my Oli girl. I never thought that all those years of happiness could be destroyed in a single meeting. With the kids almost adults, Evelyn decided it was time to go back to work. Greg had lost his paralegal so it seemed like perfect timing. Now I wonder how much was the goddess's doing.
Why would she take them from me? Is it because I'm human, and she was never meant to be mine? Tears stream down my cheeks as I remember the day my world fell apart. The sound of the door opening has me stepping out of the kitchen. I move toward my beautiful wife, but she steps back before I can k^ss her. "Evelyn, what's wrong," I ask, worried that something happened to her.
Her eyes meet mine and I swear my heart stops beating. "Charles, I met my mate today," she says. I immediately felt like the air was knocked out of my lungs. She wraps her 6rms ar*und me and I let her even though in my heart I knew nothing would ever be the same. She tried to fight the bond, but three weeks later I could see the guilt on her face the minute she stepped through the door. "I'm so sorry, Charles. I tried" she said. I finish the bottle and it doesn't take long for the numbness to replace the memories and pain. I'm surrounded by darkness, but at least there is no more pain.
Two Weeks Later
Olivia POV
The sound of the phone on my nightstand ringing wakes me from a deep sleep. When I look at the display, I see it's three in the morning. The number is one I've never seen before. I'm about to let it go to voicemail when something inside me has me answering. "Hello" I say. "Hello, is this Oli" a female voice asks. "Yes, who is this?" "My name is Miranda. I'm a nurse at Mercy Hospital. Are you related to Charles Crocker," she asks, and my blood runs cold in my veins.
"Yes, I'm his daughter. What's going on?" "Maybe I should talk to your mother about what's happening. Do you have a number for her," she asks. "My parents are divorced. I am all the family my dad has left. Just tell me what's going on." "Your father was brought in earlier after a wellness check was done on him by the police. His employees were concerned he hadn't been to work for days.
When the police arrived, he was unconscious, and they weren't sure how long he had been like that." Tears stream down my cheeks. "Is he alright now?" "I'm afraid not. His blood alcohol level was severely elevated, and the doctor feels that he has alcohol poisoning. We have tried to treat the poisoning, but he hasn't woken up yet. The doctor asked me to call you so you could be here in case something happens," she says.
I feel like I can't breathe. Does she mean he might die? "Oli, are you still there," she asks. "I am. I'm on my way. I should be there within the hour. Please don't let my dad die" I say, not being able to hold back the sob. As soon as I hang up, I dial Rebecca's number. She is the only person I trust in this place. "Oli, what's wrong," she asks, panic in her voice. I quickly explain everything to her. "Get dressed and meet me outside the front door" she says.
My shoulders sag in relief before I throw on a pair of jeans and a sweatshirt. I open the door, praying no one is awake. The hall is quiet, and I move quickly down the hall toward the stairs. Once I make it through the foyer, I push open the front door slowly hoping it's not alarmed. Amazingly enough, nothing happens as I step out into the cold night air. "Oli" Rebecca says, scaring the sh*t out of me.
I follow her down to an area of parked cars. "Your lucky my friend, is at the gate tonight, or we would have had to wake up the Alpha. I told him what's happening, and he agreed to help us," she says. I don't want my mother or Connor to know what's happening. They don't deserve to know after what they have done.
"Will he get in trouble?" "No, I told him to tell Xavier I lied about having permission. My uncle won't punish me too harshly," she says. I stop in my tracks. "Did you just say that Xavier is your uncle?" "Come on Oli. We don't have time. I'll answer your questions on the drive to the hospital."
A few minutes later we pull through the gate. My heart feels like it's going to beat out of my chest. As we drive away from my prison, the tears begin to fall again. I can't lose my dad. Rebecca tells me how her father and Xavier were brothers. When her parents died, Xavier took her in. I don't have time to focus on that as we pull up to the front of the hospital.
"I can't tell you what this means to me, Rebecca. I'll call you as soon as I know anything," I say pulling her into a hvg. "Oh no way am I leaving you here by yourself. I know we haven't known each other long, Oli, but I consider you my sister. Let's go check on your dad" she says. We make our way inside and the nurse tells us where my dad's room is. We take the elevator and make our way to room 305. When I step inside, my knees nearly buckle at the sight of him.
He is hooked up to machines and tubes surround him. My strong dad looks weak and frail. I say a silent prayer that he survives this. I'm not leaving him again. I don't care what the Dam judge says. Rebecca leads me over to the chair that's next to his bed. She places her hand on my shoulder as I just stare at him.
"Mr. Crocker, my name is Rebecca. I'm your son's mate and your daughter's best friend. I'm going to need you to wake up so I can meet you. Oli is here, and she needs you" she says. I don't have time to ask her what the hll a mate is because it's not important right now. She leans down and presses a k*ss on his head and then mine. She takes a seat across the room and I take my dad's hand into mine. "Daddy, please wake up. Don't leave me."
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