Chapter 25

OLIVE

I’m looking into eyes that mirror my own, but they’re different. They’re not the cold, hard, and sinister eyes I’ve seen in my dreams.

They’re warm, full of life, and love.

They belong to my dad.

“Dad? Is that really you?”

“Olive—I don’t have much time to warn you,” he says, his voice rushed and rough.

“Warn me? About what?”

“Asmodeus. He’s not finished with you. He has bigger plans. Keep your loved ones close, do you understand?” His voice is urgent.

“Uh, yeah, yes, I understand.”

His voice starts to fade. “I’m sorry I didn’t come sooner, my Livi. I’m so proud of you. I love you,” His eyes start to disappear into the darkness.

~Livi, he called me Livi. Only my mom has called me that since I was a kid.~ I wonder if it was a nickname they both used for me.

“Dad? Dad, wait!” I call out to him.

“Olive?”

I open my eyes to see Zeke leaning over me, his eyes filled with concern.

“Are you okay? You were calling for your dad,” he says.

“He—he visited me. I saw my dad’s eyes in my dream. They’re nothing like Asmodeus’s. ~He’s~ nothing like Asmodeus. His eyes, they’re full of love, not hate.

“But…he warned me Asmodeus isn’t done. We need to keep our loved ones close,” I say, my words tumbling out in a rush, my eyes wide with fear.

He looks thoughtful for a moment before nodding.

“I’ll talk to Max about moving your mother to the pack house. She’ll be safer there.”

I snuggle into his chest. “Thank you, for always knowing what I need.”

Just as we start to relax, a familiar scent hits my nose.

“OLIVE, HELP!” Daisy screams.

Zeke and I sit up quickly, our hearts pounding from the sudden shock.

“Oh, my goddess, Daisy!” I say, startled. “What happened! Did you—did you teleport here?”

“I’m sorry for barging in, I really am. But I need your help. ~Right. Now~,” she says, her voice filled with worry.

It’s strange to see Daisy looking so worried. It’s not a look that suits her usually carefree face.

I give Zeke a small apologetic smile as I climb out of bed and slip on a silk robe.

I take Daisy’s hand and lead her out to the hallway. I link my arm through hers as we head toward the kitchen downstairs.

Daisy is practically hyperventilating. She looks like she might faint.

“It’s okay, Daisy, breathe. What’s wrong?” I ask, trying to keep my voice calm, hoping she’ll match my calmness.

Daisy is silent. She’s staring at the floor, her eyes darting around as if she’s trying to make sense of something.

As we walk, I notice something. Daisy’s scent is different.

“Daisy…have you and Max mated?” I ask.

Her eyes meet mine before quickly looking away again.

“You have, haven’t you! Oh my gosh, let me see that mark!” I say, excited for my friend.

“We have,” Daisy says shyly. She moves her platinum hair to reveal her freshly marked neck against her snow-white skin.

“Oh, my goddess!!!” I squeal, hugging her.

“But, but that’s not what the problem is,” she says.

“What’s the problem?” I ask.

“I can’t… I can’t…” She takes a deep breath before continuing, “I can’t change back to my true form.” She lets out a long breath.

“What do you mean?” I ask, confused.

“I can’t change back to my natural form—and I don’t know why!”

“Oh wow! Okay, um…we’ll figure this out,” I say, trying to sound positive while my mind races for a solution.

When we reach the kitchen, I guide Daisy to a stool, gently urging her to sit.

I quickly turn on the kettle and watch as Daisy nervously wrings her hands.

“Can you still use your abilities?” I ask.

Daisy looks around the room until her eyes land on a potted plant on a table in the corner.

She gets up and walks over to it, placing one hand on the soil.

She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath.

The plant’s leaves rustle as if it’s coming to life before beautiful blue flowers bloom.

“Yes…so why can’t I change back?” Daisy groans, frustrated.

I stare off into space, thinking.

~Okay, so Daisy is stuck in her more “human” form. This started after she mated with Max… It has to be connected. This can’t just be a coincidence, can it?~

~Could this be what Astris meant when she said Daisy would go through her own change?~

~Did she know this would happen all along?~

Suddenly, I know what we need to do next.

“I think I know who we need to talk to. We need to go back to The Garden.”

Daisy nods.

“But first, let’s get some food in you, okay?”

“If you insist,” Daisy says.

I start cooking some bacon and eggs when Amber peeks around the door, sighing with relief.

“What’s got you up so early?” I tease.

“Ugh, don’t,” Amber says, flopping onto a kitchen stool and rubbing her temples.

“Your wolf giving you trouble?” Daisy inquires.

“Uh-huh,” Amber affirms with a nod.

“Is it because of your weird encounter with Eddie in the palace gardens?” I venture to ask.

Amber’s head whips around to glare at me.

“Your death stare doesn’t scare me,” I retort, brandishing my spatula at her in jest.

“Are you two mates?” Daisy asks, her voice laced with innocence.

Amber remains silent.

I wait for a response, but when none comes, I realize she’s deliberately avoiding the question. Which can only mean…

“Oh my God! You two ARE mates!” I exclaim.

“Shh! Keep it down! I don’t want him to know I’m here!” she implores.

“Why are you hiding from your mate, Amber?” I ask, serving up breakfast.

“I don’t know. I’m so mixed up! Part of me wants to lose myself in him, but another part warns me he’s bad news and will wreck my life.” She sighs.

“I ~want~ to be with him. But there’s this voice in my head stopping me. Every time I see him, I get mad!

“So I’ve been sneaking down for breakfast at the crack of dawn, hiding out, hoping to sort out my jumbled thoughts before I have to face him again.”

“Eddie’s a good guy, Amber. You’re lucky to have him as your mate. I was scared out of my wits when I first found out Zeke was my mate.”

I continue, “I was convinced he was going to kill me. But it’ll work out. I’m sure of it.”

Amber nods, her face serious. “Please, just…don’t tell anyone else yet. Not until I figure out what to do?”

I smile and dig into my breakfast.

***

Daisy looks at me anxiously as we approach the entrance to The Garden. I take her hand, giving it a comforting squeeze, and offer her a warm smile.

I hope she knows I’ll stand by her and help her through this, no matter what.

A look of fierce determination settles on Daisy as she breaks through the nymphs’ cloaking spell.

Stepping inside, I’m struck by how much I’ve missed this place. The birds are darting through the sky, their cheerful chirping welcoming us back.

Nymphs are going about their daily tasks.

As we cross the square, they greet us with smiles and waves, and we head toward the large tree atop the waterfall—Daisy’s old home.

Daisy pushes open the door.

“Mother?” she calls out.

A few moments of silence pass before Astris replies, “Come up, my dear!”

As we reach the top of the stairs, Astris glides in from an adjoining room.

She looks Daisy over. “So it has happened, I see.”

“What do you mean, Mother? I just want to know what’s happening to me… Am I dying?” Daisy asks, her voice filled with worry.

“Child…we are all dying in one way or another. But yes, your death will come sooner than most nymphs,” Astris responds casually.

“Please, Mother. No riddles… I just want to know what’s wrong with me,” Daisy pleads.

“Very well. But sit,” Astris instructs, gesturing toward the plush bottle-green sofas in the center of the room.

I wrap an arm around Daisy and sit, hoping my presence can offer her some comfort.

“Your mating bond is causing these changes,” Astris reveals.

Daisy leans forward, about to interject, but stops when Astris raises her hand.

“These changes will greatly affect your life, my dear. Your lifespan has been shortened to match that of your mate.

“While some may see this as a curse, you must cherish it,” she advises.

“You have been given a chance that many of our kind can only dream of—a chance for true love, a chance with your soul mate.

“These changes may seem unnecessary now, but your nymph form is not compatible with a wolf…not for reproduction anyway.” She smiles.

“Are you saying…?” Daisy begins.

“Yes, my child. You will be able to bear an heir to the Dark Wood Pack. Nymphs do not bear children. We are born of the trees and plants around us, making us incompatible with other species.

“That’s why we need our human forms… Though, these forms are more elf than human.”

“I-I’m going to be a mother. I’m going to carry my own child?” Daisy asks, tears welling up in her eyes.

“Yes, my dear,” Astris confirms, tears in her own eyes.

“You have been given a wonderful gift, my Daisy. Cherish it always.”

Daisy nods vigorously, a bright smile lighting up her face as tears stream down her cheeks.

“I will, Mother. I will,” she promises, sniffling and laughing softly.

“Daisy, it won’t always be easy for you. There is much you must learn about werewolves.”

Astris turns to me.

“Olive, I hope you will continue to teach Daisy about the pack and how to be a true luna.”

“Absolutely! I’d be glad to help,” I assure her. “We can learn together!” I chuckle.

***

“Are you sure you don’t want to join us?” I ask my mom as I haul her suitcase up the stairs to her new room in the pack house.

“Heavens no, Livi. I’m ~way~ too old for sleepovers, and besides, I’m sure you don’t ~really~ want your old mom there,” she replies.

I’ve invited all the girls over for a sleepover tonight. I thought it might be good for Daisy to spend more time with she-wolves.

This way, she can get to know our species and ask any questions she might have.

She’s right though. I wouldn’t normally invite her to something like this. I just want to keep her safe…and safe is with me.

Zeke and Max have been chomping at the bit to interrogate the demon captive, who’s yet to spill any useful intel.

Could be he’s been subjected to hellish torture before. That might explain his stubborn resilience.

The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

By the time I reach my mom’s floor, I’m slick with sweat.

“You’re absolutely certain?” I ask again, my lips curving into a teasing grin.

“Hand it over,” she orders, batting my hands away from the suitcase.

“Go on, get out of here. Your friends are waiting,” she says, mirroring my smile. She spins me around and nudges me towards my room.

“Alright, alright!” I concede, throwing my hands up in surrender. “But you’ll mind-link me if you need anything, right?” I toss over my shoulder as I saunter off.

“Absolutely! Now, scoot!” she commands, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Once in my room, I start arranging duvets on the sofas.

I scatter chocolate, popcorn, and cookies across the table and pull out a chilled bucket of wine.

I set it gingerly on the side table at the room’s edge, five wine glasses poised for action.

I plant my hands on my hips, taking a moment to appreciate my handiwork.

~Nailed it!~ I congratulate myself.

~What could possibly go wrong?~