The walk to Shadowpine was silent and tense.
Declan Blackwood kept a distance of exactly three meters ahead of Olivia the entire way—neither closer nor further. As if there were an invisible line he refused to cross.
He didn't look back once to check if she was keeping up.
He didn't offer help when she tripped on a root.
He didn't say a single word.
He just walked with that cold, relentless confidence of someone who knew he would be obeyed without question.
Olivia followed him in silence, each step painful on her exhausted legs. She wanted to ask how much further it was, she wanted to ask for a break, she wanted anything to break the suffocating silence.
But the power emanating from Declan Blackwood—even in human form, even without saying anything—was so absolute that she didn't dare speak.
And there was something else. Something Olivia didn't understand.
From the moment her eyes met his in the forest, she felt…something. As if an invisible cord connected them, pulling her toward him even as every rational instinct screamed to keep her distance.
And there was a voice—weak, distant, almost imperceptible—in the back of her mind.
"Mate," the voice whispered. "He is our mate."
Olivia shook her head, pushing the thought away. She must be delirious from exhaustion. Mates were for older wolves, wolves who had presented themselves. She was just a sixteen-year-old omega who shouldn't even be able to transform.
That…thing that happened in the forest was an abomination. A mistake. It would probably never happen again.
Finally, after what seemed like hours, they emerged from the forest onto a hill.
And Olivia stopped, breathless.
Shadowpine.
The city stretched across the valley below, illuminated by lights that shone like fallen stars. It was larger than Nightshade—much larger. Organized buildings, paved streets, and atop a distant hill, an imposing mansion that looked like a castle from dark fairy tales.
It was... civilized. Prosperous. Organized.
Everything Nightshade wasn't.
"Come." Declan's voice cut through her thoughts—the first word he'd spoken in an hour.
Olivia walked down the hill behind him, entering the streets of Shadowpine.
Even though it was almost three in the morning, there were wolves patrolling. They all stopped when they saw Declan, bowing slightly in respect. Their eyes swept over Olivia curiously, but no one asked.
No one would dare question what the Alpha was doing.
Declan led them through the streets to a modest three-story building near the center of town. He opened the front door—unlocked, Olivia noticed—and climbed the stairs to the second floor.
He stopped in front of a specific door, pulled a key from his pocket, and unlocked it.
"This is your apartment," he said, his voice completely devoid of emotion. "One bedroom, bathroom, basic kitchen. Bedding is in the closet. Food in the refrigerator."
Olivia blinked, surprised. "You... you already had this prepared?"
"We always keep some apartments available for refugees." He finally—finally—looked directly at her, and Olivia felt the impact of those gray eyes like a physical punch. "You will stay here. Do not leave without an escort until the pack rules are explained to you."
"I—"
"Someone will come in the morning to debrief you." He placed the key in her hand—his fingers did not touch hers, Olivia noticed. He was careful to avoid any contact. "Until then, rest."
He turned to leave.
"Alpha Blackwood?" Olivia called, her voice small.
He stopped but did not turn around.
"Why are you helping me?"
Silence. Long and heavy.
Inside Declan's mind, his wolf growled, scratched, demanded that he turn around, that he pull her into his arms, that he mark what was his.
"OUR MATE. PROTECT. CLAIM. NOW."
Shut up, Declan mentally ordered his wolf. She's a child. We can't touch her.
"SHE'S OURS!"
She's SIXTEEN YEARS OLD. We can't—
"IT DOESN'T MATTER. SHE'S OURS. I FEEL IT. YOU FEEL IT."
I know, Declan admitted silently, pain tearing through him. But we can't do anything about it. Not yet.
Aloud, keeping his voice perfectly controlled: "Because Marcus Thorn is my enemy. And anyone who runs from him weakens his pack. It's strategy, not charity."
And with that, he went down the stairs and disappeared into the night, each step away from her a physical agony.
Olivia stood alone in the hallway with a key and a thousand unanswered questions.
And in the back of her mind, that voice whispered again: "Why did he leave? Why did our companion leave us?"
Olivia shook her head violently. I don't have a companion. I'm not old enough. I'm just confused.
But as she entered the apartment and closed the door, she couldn't shake the feeling of loss.
____________________________________
Olivia entered the apartment slowly.
It was small but clean. Simple but functional. A worn sofa in the living room, a kitchen with basic appliances, a bedroom with a single bed and a wardrobe.
Nothing luxurious. But compared to the filthy cells where the omegas were kept in Nightshade, it was a palace.
Olivia collapsed onto the bed, still dressed, and for the first time in hours allowed herself to feel.
Terror of what almost happened.
Gratitude for Emma who saved her.
Guilt for leaving her behind.
And strangely, inexplicably... safety.
Because even though Declan Blackwood was cold, distant, and clearly wanted nothing to do with her, he had brought her to a safe place.
He hadn't touched her. He hadn't threatened her. He hadn't looked at her with that disgusting hunger that Marcus had.
He had simply... helped her.
And then disappeared as if she were just another completed administrative task.
Olivia should be relieved.
So why did a small, treacherous part of her feel something that could be... disappointment?
Exhaustion finally overcame her, and she fell asleep, unaware that she wasn't as alone as she thought.
Outside her building, blended into the shadows, a wolf watched. Not just any wolf—a warrior named Cole, following specific orders from his Alpha.
"Protect her. Always. She must never know she's being watched. If anything or anyone threatens her, you notify me immediately. And Cole? If you fail at this, if anything happens to her... there will be nowhere for you to hide from my fury."
Cole didn't question it. He had served Declan Blackwood for long enough to recognize when something was absolutely critical.
And the new omega, for some reason the Alpha didn't explain, was critical.
________________________________________
Olivia woke to knocking on the door.
Sunlight flooded the apartment through thin curtains. She sat up abruptly, disoriented, her heart racing.
Where am I? What—
Memory came rushing back like a wave. Shadowpine. I escaped. I'm safe.
The knocking came again. "Ms. Bennett? I'm James Carter, Beta of Shadowpine. I need to speak with you."
Olivia stood quickly, smoothing her rumpled clothes and trying to make her hair look less like a bird's nest. When she opened the door, she found a man standing there who was almost as intimidating as Declan.
Tall—maybe six feet six inches. Broad shoulders, a muscular build that suggested power. Light brown hair cut short, amber eyes that studied her with sharp intelligence. He wore casual but quality clothes—dark jeans and a gray shirt—and carried a clipboard.
"Ms. Bennett," he said with a polite nod. "May I come in?"
"I... of course."
James entered, his eyes quickly scanning the apartment—noticing everything, assessing, cataloging. It was clearly a habit from years of training.
"First, let me properly introduce myself. James Carter, Beta of this pack. I serve as second-in-command to Alpha Declan." He gestured toward the sofa. "Please, sit down. We need to discuss your situation here."
Olivia sat down, suddenly aware of how she should look—bruised face, torn clothes, deep exhaustion in her eyes.
James sat in the chair opposite her, maintaining a respectful distance. "First, how are you feeling? Do you need medical attention?"
"I'm... I'm fine. Just tired."
"Understandable." He made a note on his clipboard. "Now, the Alpha informed me that you fled Nightshade. Specifically, from a situation involving Alpha Marcus Thorn. Are you willing to tell me what happened?"
Olivia hesitated. The memories were too recent, too raw.
"You don't need to give details if it's too difficult," James added, his voice softening slightly. "But we need to understand what kind of threat Marcus might pose. If he comes after you—"
"He will," Olivia whispered. "He'll come after me."
"Why? What are you to him?"
Olivia couldn't tell the truth—about the transformation, the white fur, that strange mark. She didn't even fully understand what had happened.
"I'm an omega," she said instead. "An orphan. In Nightshade, orphaned omegas are... used. To satisfy the Alpha and his warriors. To produce illegitimate children who become soldiers. Marcus was going to make me one of his... slaves."
James's expression darkened. "I see. And you escaped before he could—"
"Yes. A friend helped me escape." Tears burned in Olivia's eyes. "Emma. She gave me a chance even knowing she would be punished. I don't know what happened to her."
James made more notes, his jaw clenched. "I understand. Well, you're safe here, Ms. Bennett. Shadowpine doesn't tolerate that kind of... barbarism. Omegas are treated with respect here. You won't be touched, you won't be forced into anything."
"Why?" The question came out before Olivia could stop her. "Why is this pack different?"
"Because Alpha Declan rules that way." James stared at her. "He can be cold, he can be harsh, but he doesn't tolerate abuse. Anyone who hurts an omega in this pack answers to him personally. And his punishment..." he let the sentence hang, "let's just say it's memorable."
Olivia processed that. "So I can... stay? Live here normally?"
"With conditions." James turned to a new page. "You will work to earn your living—we don't have free residents. You will follow the pack's laws. And you will not reveal information about Nightshade without the Alpha's express permission."
"I can do that."
"Good. Now, about the job—do you have any specific skills?"
"I worked in the kitchens in Nightshade. Cleaning, food preparation, that sort of thing."
"Do you like children?"
Olivia blinked at the change of subject. "I... think so? I've never worked with them."
"We have a daycare for pups whose parents work during the day. They need help. Are you interested?"
"Yes. Yes, I'd love to."
James smiled—the first genuine smile she'd seen from him. "Great. You'll also need to enroll in school—I presume you didn't finish high school?"
"I was in my sophomore year when my parents died. I haven't been back since."
"Then you'll enroll at Blackwood College. It's the pack's school. You'll go in the morning, work at the daycare in the afternoon." He made more notes. "We'll also provide clothes, basic supplies, everything you need. Consider an advance against your future wages."
Tears burned in Olivia's eyes. "Why are you being so kind to me?"
James paused, as if weighing his words. "Because that's how Shadowpine works. We take care of our own."
But I'm not one of you, Olivia wanted to say. I'm just a refugee the Alpha helped for strategic reasons.
As if reading her thoughts, James continued, "And before you ask—yes, the Alpha approved all of this. He may seem indifferent, but he wouldn't bring someone to Shadowpine without ensuring they were properly cared for."
"He seems..." Olivia hesitated, not wanting to seem ungrateful, "he doesn't seem to like me very much."
James was silent for a long moment. Inside his mind, his wolf whispered, "Should we tell her? About the bond?"
No, James answered firmly. Declan made it clear. She can't know. Not yet.
"But she suffers not knowing. And he suffers hiding it."
I know. But it's not our choice to do so.
Aloud, James said carefully, "Declan doesn't 'like' almost anyone, Ms. Bennett. Don't take it personally. He's... complicated."
"He's cold," Olivia murmured.
"Yes. Yes, he is." James stood up. "But coldness doesn't mean cruelty. Remember that. Now, there's someone I want you to meet."
He went to the door and opened it. A woman was waiting in the hallway—perhaps in her fifties, her gray hair tied in a simple bun, wearing a practical gray dress. She had kind eyes that lit up when she saw Olivia.
"This is Margaret Thompson," James introduced. "Housekeeper of Blackwood Manor and practically the mother of us all. Margaret, Olivia Bennett."
"Oh, you poor child!" Margaret entered and immediately pulled Olivia into a motherly embrace. "Look at you, all bruised and exhausted. James told me enough. You're safe now, darling."
Olivia, who hadn't been hugged affectionately in five years, collapsed in that embrace and cried.
Margaret just held her, rocking gently, murmuring comforts as James discreetly left to give them privacy.
Two hours later, Olivia was clean, fed, and wearing new clothes that Margaret had brought.
The housekeeper had appointed herself Olivia's personal guardian, insisting on personally tending to every scratch and bruise, bringing enough homemade food to feed an army, and constantly talking to her in a way that was somehow calming rather than irritating.
"—and then you'll start school on Monday," Margaret was saying as she brushed Olivia's hair. "Don't worry about the other students. They might be curious, but Shadowpine is a respectful pack. No one will bother you."
"And the Alpha?" Olivia heard herself ask. "Will I... see him often?"
Margaret paused, her hands still in Olivia's hair. "The Alpha rarely shows up at school or daycare, dear. He's always busy with pack business. You probably won't see him much."
Olivia didn't know why that made her feel... disappointed.
"He..." she hesitated, "he really doesn't like me, does he?"
"Darling, you misunderstand Alpha Declan." Margaret resumed gently brushing her hair. "He's not good at showing... feelings. Any kind of feelings. He was raised to be an Alpha since childhood, taught to never show weakness, never show attachment. That made him... difficult to read."
"He made it very clear that he only helped me because Strategic reasons."
"Because it's easier to say that than..." Margaret stopped abruptly, as if she had almost revealed something she shouldn't have.
"Than what?"
"Than admitting that he's capable of kindness," Margaret finished softly. "Just don't judge him solely by his icy surface, okay? Sometimes the coldest people carry the heaviest burdens."
Later that night, after James and Margaret left, Olivia stayed in her small apartment, gazing out the window at Shadowpine below.
The city was beautiful. Peaceful. Safe.
But she couldn't shake the feeling that there was something left unsaid. As if everyone around her knew a secret she didn't.
And deep in her mind, that voice—the one she was beginning to recognize as her inner wolf, even though it didn't make sense—whispered:
"Our mate is near. I can feel him." "Why doesn't he come to us?"
"Because he's not our mate," Olivia answered mentally, feeling ridiculous for having a conversation with a voice in her head. "We haven't even introduced ourselves yet. We shouldn't even have a wolf."
"We do have a wolf. I'm real. And HE is ours. I can feel it. You can too, if you stop denying it."
He barely looks at me. He doesn't care.
"He does care. He just can't show it. Not yet."
Why not?
But the wolf didn't answer, leaving Olivia with more questions than answers.
________________________________________
At the top of the hill, at Blackwood Manor, Declan was in his office with James.
"Is she settled in?" Declan asked, his voice carefully controlled.
"Yes. Margaret took care of her. School starts Monday, work at the daycare in the afternoon."
"Good."
"Declan." James leaned forward. "She asked about you." "If you like her."
Declan's knuckles went white where he gripped the table. "And what did you say?"
"That you don't like almost anyone. That she shouldn't take it personally."
"Good," Declan repeated, but the word sounded hollow.
Inside his mind, his wolf howled.
"GO BACK TO HER. SHE NEEDS US. SHE'S CALLING FOR US."
She's not calling. She doesn't even know about the bond.
"YOUR WOLF KNOWS. I CAN FEEL IT. SHE'S CONFUSED, SCARED. GO TO HER."
I can't. She's sixteen. And I have a contract with Victoria.
"STUPID CONTRACT. KILL VICTORIA." "CLAIM OUR MATE."
I can't kill Victoria. And I can't break a contract my father signed before he died saving me. I owe him that. I must honor his memory.
"AND WHAT DO WE OWE OUR MATE?"
The question went unanswered, weighing on Declan like a leaden anchor.
"Can you do that?" James asked softly. "See her every day, know what she is to you, and never claim her?"
"I have to." Declan looked out the window toward the city—toward the building where Olivia slept. "Because the alternative is dishonoring my parents. And I won't do that."
"And when she turns eighteen? When the bond fully awakens?"
"Then..." Declan paused, pain tearing through him, "then I'll find a way to break the contract honorably. But until then, she lives without knowing." Without the burden of knowing that her mate is trapped in an engagement she can't break."
"This is cruel for both of you."
"I know." Declan closed his eyes. "But it's the only way."
________________________________________
That night, while Shadowpine slept, two wolves stayed awake.
One in a small apartment, confused about the voice in her head and the strange feelings in her heart.
The other in an imposing mansion, agonizing over the mate he couldn't touch, couldn't claim, could barely look at without revealing everything.
Both feeling the pull of the bond.
Both fighting it in different ways.
Neither knowing that the wait would be much longer—and much more painful—than either could imagine.
________________________________________
END OF CHAPTER 02
In the next chapter: Olivia starts at Blackwood College—where her stunning beauty and gentle nature will quickly make her popular, for better and for worse.