Page 69 of Just One Bite
When she faces the crowd, she’s calm, but when I look into her eyes, I see them glimmering and touch her cheek. “I’ll protect you.”
Camera flashes blind us from both sides.
Autumn from the newspaper has her phone out, ready to take notes.
“Olivia, do you want to make a statement for the paper? Is this fake relationship referring to you and Parker?”
Olivia glances at me.
“It’s not true,” I say. “It’s not fake. Olivia is my girlfriend.”
“Do you want to comment more on the rumors?” Autumn asks.
I press my lips to Olivia’s, with my thumb on her chin, and she responds with a desperate parting of her lips. My tongue slips in her mouth, and I lick the taste of her off my lower lip when I lean back.
“That’s what I think.”
“Oh. Okay. Noted.” Autumn smiles and types something into her phone.
I wrap an arm around Olivia and lead her through the crowd, growling at the men lingering too close to her. My teammates are the only exception when they come up to congratulate me on the nomination. The damage control of that can wait till we find her sisters.
Scenting for them leads us into the boat house. An older building on campus, with crafted moss stone and a rotting wood door. I run my fingers over the iron door handle and breathe in the scent. Inside, there are two heartbeats and soft sobs.
“They’re in here.”
“It’s me, Olivia. And … Parker is here too.” Olivia opens the door, and the sunlight shines on the girls hiding at the back of the room. They’re nestled between the boat slips next to a broken rowboat and a couple of oars.
She runs to them, and they collapse into the deck. I stay at the door, deciding protecting the boat house is the best way to help.
I turn my attention back to the lake to give them privacy. The water is shimmering, and the rowers are out practicing and grunting.
Evangeline is crying inconsolably, and Emma’s voice is a whisper. “It was just a notepad from the lounge. That’s all. That’s all I took. I promise.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“All my friends are texting me and asking. But I just … I want to go home.”
I glance, and they’re both crying into Olivia’s shoulders. She doesn’t say anything but moves her hands through their hair and hums like a mother would.
That’s when I see her. How tired she looks. How she’s the only one who isn’t crying. I know it’s not the only time she’s done that. How many nights has she spent awake being the comforter? Her sisters need her, and despite her world falling, she’s holding it all up, along with them.
Sometimes, we have roles we don’t want to take but we’re born into. And she’s proof of that. Only, she doesn’t fight it.
I think of the nomination, and what it means—opposing the two strongest pack leaders on campus. Aster and Barrett will fight to ensure Cane gets thatseat.
And even if I don’t want it, that seat means power.
Someone has to stick up for people like Olivia and her sisters. If protecting them means stepping up, I’ll do it. I’ll sit on the council. I’ll do whatever it takes to protect her.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Olivia
A boy with brown hair sits on a swing surrounded by moon nightingales.
This place is familiar, with my feet fitting each outline in the worn path through the flowers. I’ve been here before. My feet created this pathway.
I don’t see his face, but he’s waiting for me. I know that. He’s always waiting for me.
