Chapter 31: Episode 30: "One Last Night"

Episode 30: "One Last Night"

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Briar’s POV

The moment I started packing, it hit me.

I was leaving.

Not forever. Not permanently. But long enough to feel like a part of me was being pulled away from this place—from her.

Tara and Ethan were shoving things into their suitcases in my room, laughing and bickering about who packed worse.

“You don’t need five hoodies, Ethan,” Tara groaned, tossing one at his face.

He caught it, smirking. “It’s called fashion, Tara. Maybe you should take notes.”

She rolled her eyes, then looked at me. “Briar? Earth to Briar?”

I blinked, realizing I had been holding a shirt in my hands for the past five minutes, completely lost in thought.

Tara frowned. “You okay?”

I forced a small smile. “Yeah. Just... thinking.”

Ethan raised a brow. “Thinking or stressing?”

I sighed, shoving my clothes into my bag. “Both.”

Tara sat on my bed, crossing her legs. “You’re thinking about Olivia.”

I didn’t answer, but they already knew.

Ethan nudged my shoulder. “You guys will be fine, B. It’s not like you’re breaking up.”

“I know that,” I muttered, frustrated at myself. “It’s just... different.”

Tara gave me a knowing look. “Because for the first time, you won’t be near her every day.”

I nodded slowly, feeling the weight of it settle in my chest.

Ethan grinned. “Come on, your mate is a freaking Alpha. You really think she’s gonna let some miles stop her from seeing you?”

I chuckled despite myself. “No, she’s way too stubborn for that.”

Tara smirked. “Exactly. Now, hurry up and finish packing before Olivia comes in here and kidnaps you for the night.”

My cheeks burned, but I didn’t argue. Because, honestly? That’s exactly what I wanted.

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Olivia’s POV

I could hear them packing upstairs, but I stayed outside, watching the sunset from the packhouse porch.

Tomorrow, Briar would be gone.

Not forever. Not permanently. But long enough to change things.

I had spent years waiting for my mate, wondering when she would appear. Now, I had her—and I had to let her go.

I clenched my jaw.

No. I wasn’t losing her.

Briar was chasing her dreams, and I would support her, no matter how much it hurt.

I heard footsteps behind me and turned to see Caleb leaning against the doorway, arms crossed.

“You okay, Alpha?”

I exhaled slowly. “I don’t have a choice but to be okay, do I?”

Caleb studied me for a moment before smirking. “You know, if you’re planning to steal her away for the night, you better do it before Tara and Ethan hog all her time.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t steal my mate.”

Caleb snorted. “No, but you’re damn possessive enough to.”

He wasn’t wrong.

Without another word, I stood up and headed inside.

I was done waiting.

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Briar’s POV

I had just finished stuffing the last of my things into my suitcase when Olivia appeared in my doorway.

Tara and Ethan immediately smirked at each other.

“Welp, I think that’s our cue to leave,” Ethan said, grabbing Tara’s arm and dragging her out.

Tara winked at me. “Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

I threw a pillow at her, but she just laughed, disappearing down the hall.

Now, it was just me and Olivia.

She leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, her piercing gaze locked on me.

“You’re overthinking again,” she murmured.

I swallowed. “How do you always know?”

A small smirk tugged at her lips. “Because I know you.”

She stepped closer, her hands finding my waist, pulling me against her.

I melted into her warmth, burying my face in her neck. “I don’t want to leave you.”

Her grip tightened. “You’re not leaving me, Briar. You’re going to college. And when you come home, I’ll be right here.”

I closed my eyes, inhaling her scent, letting it soothe me.

She kissed the top of my head. “Spend the night with me.”

I looked up at her. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

Her smirk deepened, and before I could say another word, she lifted me into her arms.

I yelped. “Olivia—!”

“Shh,” she chuckled. “I’m stealing you.”

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Olivia’s POV

The second I had Briar in my arms, I knew I wasn’t letting her go tonight.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, pressing her forehead against mine. “You’re not subtle, you know.”

I smirked. “When have I ever been?”

She laughed softly, and the sound was everything.

I carried her to my bedroom, shutting the door behind us.

The moment I set her down, she reached for me, her hands threading through my hair as she pulled me into a deep, lingering kiss.

I sighed against her lips, letting myself drown in her.

She was leaving tomorrow.

But tonight? She was mine.

I guided her toward the bed, our lips never breaking apart as we collapsed onto the mattress together.

She pressed herself closer, her warmth, her scent, her heartbeat—all of it consumed me.

She was everything.

And I needed her to know that.

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Briar’s POV

Every touch. Every kiss. Every whispered promise.

I felt it all.

Olivia wasn’t just my mate. She was my home.

Her hands explored me like she was memorizing me, like she needed to hold onto every second before tomorrow took me away.

I whispered her name, and she shuddered, her lips pressing against my collarbone.

“I love you,” she murmured. “More than anything.”

I cupped her face, forcing her to look at me. “Then show me.”

She did.

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Olivia’s POV

Briar was tangled in my arms, her fingers lazily tracing circles on my skin.

I kissed her forehead, breathing her in. “How are you feeling?”

She sighed, nuzzling closer. “Like I don’t want to leave this bed.”

I chuckled. “Tempting, but I don’t think Tara and Ethan would appreciate you ditching them tomorrow.”

She groaned. “They’ll be fine without me for a few more hours.”

I smirked. “Careful, little wolf. I will keep you here if you say things like that.”

She laughed, but then she looked up at me, her expression serious. “We’re really gonna be okay, right?”

I stroked her cheek. “We are.”

She exhaled, closing her eyes. “Then let’s just stay like this a little longer.”

I tightened my hold around her. “As long as you want, love.”

And in that moment, nothing else mattered.

Tomorrow would come.

But tonight?

Tonight, she was still here. Still mine.

And I wasn’t letting go.

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End of Episode 30.