Chapter 87: Chapter 86

“Oliver,” I quietly say as I approach him not wanting to startle the poor little thing. I try to keep my voice as gentle as I can regardless of the anger which is brewing inside me thinking about someone hurting this innocent pup.

He only whimpers in response, as he is curled on the ground, as if he is trying to become small so that no one can see him.

My heart breaks watching him scurrying away from me afraid that I will hurt him.

Gavin and Luca have stopped at little distance so he would not feel threatened or scared more than he is already feeling.

“Oliver, sweetheart,” I whisper and bend to gently touch his arm to get his attention.

But as soon as he turns to look at me, I instantly take a step back when I notice the wild look in his eyes. The sound of shifting behind me, tells me that Gavin or Luca has shifted back.

Not a second later, they both are beside me while their eyes are fixated at Oliver.

“What’s happening to him?” I ask as I glance at Oliver whose eyes still have a feral look in his eyes like doesn’t recognize me at all.

“The beating he received has triggered his wolf,” Gavin speaks gravely, “All these bruises on his body are not just because of beating, but some of them are because his wolf is trying to shift.”

“Sometimes trauma triggers the early shift, but our human bodies are not ready for the change as they are weak to accept the wolf.” Gavin’s voice turns quieter, “Not many people can go through this change.”

My heart drops in my stomach, thinking about something happening to Oliver.

“Ella can shift and she is just a baby,” I counter hoping that what he is saying might be wrong.

“Ella’s wolf might be triggered due to trauma she went through while she was in your womb, but she learned to shift from you. Your wolf unconsciously guided her wolf to shift and also her body readily accepted her wolf.” He looks at me sadly, “But this is different. It seems like his body not ready for the shift and all this beating has weakened his body, even more, and also he has no one to guide his wolf to shift.”

“We can’t let him die!” I panic as I hear another agonizing whimper from Oliver. “There has to be some way to save him.” Tears prick my eyes, while my heart clenches painfully.

“Can’t you guide his wolf?” I look at Luca and Gavin hopefully.

“No, Ivory, it doesn’t work like this.” Luca shakes his head, even his eyes are filled with pain, “His wolf should recognize our wolf to allow our wolf to guide him. There should be a connection between our wolves.”

“But no one guided me through my shift.” I run my hand through my hair nearly plucking them out.

“Your wolf was mature and, also your human side was ready to accept your wolf. Mostly early shifters need someone to help them through the shift, even then chances of them completing their shift are low.”

The look in Oliver’s eyes tells that his wolf doesn’t recognize me which means even I can’t help him.

Suddenly, I hear footsteps coming towards us and I move closer to Oliver ready to protect him if I need to.

But a sigh of relief leaves my lips when Donovon along with Cole appears. He glances at us then his eyes widen when he notices Oliver curled up form.

“What is going on?” He asks as he immediately rushes to us.

“He is going through an early shift,” Gavin informs which makes Cole curses loudly.

“Ollie, buddy.” Donovon nears him ignoring the feral growl coming from Oliver’s mouth, “It’s okay.” He bends down and extends his hand towards him.

Oliver is now whimpering and growling, but his eyes are locked with Donovon’s.

“Cole, call dad and inform him what is happening with Oliver,” Donovon orders without breaking his eye contact with Oliver.

“You will be alright, pup.” Donovon voice is soft, but I can feel he is using his Alpha power to calm him.

Only a few minutes have passed when Arthur comes along with Julia. Oliver instantly turns his head to Arthur, as soon as he nears us.

The cry which leaves Oliver’s mouth when he watches Arthur is heartbreaking and I can’t stop the tears from falling from my eyes.

Arthur’s eyes flash while a growl vibrates through him, and his wolf comes forward as he approaches Oliver.

Oliver lets him touch him, and crawls towards him like he is seeking comfort from him.

This is the connection which Luca was talking about.

“Dad had saved him from the rogues who killed his parents, so his wolf recognizes him,” Donovon answers the unvoiced question, “He may be able to help him.”

His wolf even allowed Donovon to be near him, it was because of Arthur. He felt the connection between Arthur and Donovon, that’s why he felt safe even with Donovon.

“So, when Oliver said Alpha saved him, it was Arthur?” I ask as I watch Arthur gently running his hand through Oliver’s head trying to calm him which seems like it is working as Oliver's cries have quietened down a bit.

“Yes, it was dad.” He nods his head, “Two years back, Dad was checking the border patrol when he smelt rogues and followed their scent taking a few warriors with him. Their scent led them to a house where they found some rogues attacking the house. By the time Dad reached there, rogues had already managed to kill his parents, and was about to kill him as well when Dad killed the rogues and brought Oliver to the pack.”

“Donovon, look...” I whisper looking at Oliver as now he is lying in Julia's lap.

“Luna is like a mother to her pack, that’s why even you felt his pain earlier and become protective of him, and now his wolf is feeling safe with mom as she is the closet person he has to a mother,” He answers in a quiet voice.

After a few moments, Arthur picks up Oliver and carries him to the middle as Julia follows him.

He places Oliver on the ground whereas Julia kneels beside Oliver as she whispers sweet nothing into his ears while kissing his head as he continues to whimper in pain.

Taking a few steps back, Arthur shifts into his wolf. Giving his fur a firm shake he steps closer to Julia. I watch him running his muzzle against Julia’s neck as she strokes his fur greeting Arthur’s wolf.

He gives Julia a soft growl. She nods her head then kissing Oliver’s head once again she steps away from him.

“It is already too late to stop his shift, so Arthur is going to help him in completing his shift,” Julia informs as she stands beside us.

“I hope nothing happens to him.” I bite my lip nervously while watching Arthur’s wolf licking Oliver’s bruised arms while circling him.

“That pup is strong, he will make it through the shift.” Julia’s confidence even lifts my hope.

Involuntarily, tears start to stream down my face while my eyes clenches shut when I hear Oliver’s pain-filled screams along with the snapping of his bones.

Wrapping his arm around me, Donovon turns my face into his chest while holding me securely against him as my heart hammers wildly against my ribcage.

“Breathe,” he softly orders as I don’t even realize when I have started to panic, “Breathe, Ivory.” He rubs comforting circles on my back as Oliver’s screams still echoing in the background.

I don’t know how long has passed when suddenly Oliver goes silent. Dread spreads through my heart when I notice even Donovon’s body has completely gone still while his grip on me has tightened.