Chapter 30: Episode 29: "Dreams & Distance"

Episode 29: "Dreams & Distance"

Briar’s POV

I stared at my phone, my heart pounding so loudly I could barely hear Tara and Ethan screaming beside me.

“We got in!” Tara shrieked, shaking my shoulders. “Briar, we actually got in!”

Ethan grinned, waving his phone. “This is huge! This is your dream, Briar!”

I blinked at the email on my screen, reading the words over and over again.

Congratulations! You have been accepted into Silverwood University.

My dream college. The one I had worked so hard for. The one I had talked about endlessly before I even knew I was a werewolf.

But the excitement that should have consumed me was missing.

Because Silverwood University was twenty-four hours away from here. From Olivia.

Tara and Ethan were still celebrating, but I felt frozen in place.

“Briar?” Tara nudged me. “Why do you look like someone just kicked your puppy?”

I swallowed hard, forcing a small smile. “I—I don’t know. I just... I need to think.”

Ethan frowned. “Think? This is the opportunity of a lifetime.”

“I know,” I mumbled, shoving my phone in my pocket. “I just need some air.”

I walked out of the packhouse before they could ask anything else.

Olivia’s POV

The second I saw Briar’s face as she stepped outside, I knew something was wrong.

I put down my book and motioned for her to come sit beside me on the porch swing.

She hesitated but finally sat, curling her legs underneath her.

“What’s on your mind, little wolf?” I asked softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face.

Briar sighed, playing with the hem of her hoodie. “I got in.”

I smiled. “That’s amazing, love. I knew you would.”

She nodded but didn’t meet my eyes.

I reached for her hand. “But?”

Her fingers curled around mine tightly. “It’s far, Olivia. Twenty-four hours away. I don’t know how to feel about that.”

Ah.

I had known this was a possibility. Briar had talked about this school before—before she even knew she was a werewolf, before she knew we were mates.

I had always supported her dream. And that hadn’t changed.

I lifted her hand to my lips, pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles. “Briar, I want you to go.”

Her head snapped up. “What?”

I smiled. “This is your dream, love. You worked hard for this. I won’t let you throw it away because of me.”

“But—”

“No buts,” I cut her off gently. “I love you, Briar. And love doesn’t mean holding each other back. It means supporting each other, even when it’s hard.”

Her lower lip trembled. “But what if the distance—”

I cupped her cheek. “We will make it work. I promise.”

She stared at me, eyes filled with uncertainty.

So I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her tightly. “Do you trust me?”

“With my life,” she whispered.

“Then trust that this won’t change us.”

She buried her face in my shoulder, and I felt her finally relax.

After a long moment, she whispered, “I’m scared.”

I held her even tighter. “I know. But I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Briar’s POV

Later that night, I sat with my parents at the kitchen table, my fingers tracing patterns on the wood.

They were already smiling before I even spoke.

“You’re going, aren’t you?” my mom said knowingly.

I exhaled. “Yeah.”

My dad grinned, reaching over to squeeze my hand. “We’re so proud of you, sweetheart.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. “I just... I don’t want to lose Olivia.”

Mom smiled softly. “If you think distance will change what you two have, then you don’t understand how rare your bond is.”

I looked at her, and she continued, “A true mate bond doesn’t break because of miles. You two will find a way.”

I let her words sink in.

Olivia believed in us. My parents believed in us.

Maybe it was time I started believing too.

Olivia’s POV

That night, Briar curled up beside me in bed, her head resting on my chest.

“You know I’m still gonna miss you, right?” she mumbled sleepily.

I smiled, stroking her hair. “I know.”

She let out a small sigh. “Promise me you won’t forget about me.”

I laughed, tipping her chin up so she could see my eyes. “You are the most unforgettable person I have ever met.”

A small, sleepy smile tugged at her lips. “Good.”

I kissed her forehead, letting her drift off to sleep.

She was going to chase her dreams.

And I would be right here, waiting for her when she came home.

End of Episode 29.