Page 46 of Before the Bond
Your parents were ahead of the trail while you lingered to watch a few birds.
I remember you standing in a wash of afternoon light watching a hawk cut through the canopy like you had all the time in the world.
That’s when you saw me.
Our eyes locked. I couldn’t look away. It was like time didn’t exist.
You were the only thing that mattered.
When wolves find their mate… they claim them. They make their bond known and let it form.
I couldn’t do that to you.
You had an entire life ahead of you, a world where you were happy.
It took every ounce of strength in my body, but I tore myself away.
I told myself I was giving you time. That I’d come back when you were older, when I’d figured out how to do it cleanly — how to approach it without dragging you into something you didn’t choose. I told myself I’d do it right.
And then… the accident happened.
“The accident happened,” Olivia repeated.
I nodded solemnly.
“Those… vile creatures attacked you and your parents,” I affirmed. “I made myself scarce after seeing you only to feel your end of the bond in distress.”
Olivia's body stiffened. Her jaw tightened, and her gaze drifted to a point on the table between us. But I forced myself to continue.
“You almost died that night,” I said. “When I saw you lying there, barely breathing, covered in wounds… I almost lost it.”
My lips pressed tightly together.
To this day, the image haunted me.
“I saved you in the only way I knew how. I shared my life force with you.”
Olivia straightened up.
“Wait…” she murmured. “The ranger that was hovering over me that day…”
I nodded.
“I went to you before anyone approached,” I explained. “I shared my blood with you. That was enough to not only lock our bond in place, but to keep you alive. My only wish was that I could have done the same for your parents. I…”
I couldn’t keep my voice steady. Guilt ground against my bones like a mill.
“I’m so sorry, Olivia…” I murmured. “I understand if this changes… everything.”
I had nothing more to say after that. The air between us stood still. For everything I was capable of doing as a wolf, I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze.
I felt Olivia stand up. I expected her to leave the kitchen. Instead, she sat next to me.
I finally looked up.
An ache carved itself through my chest as I stared at her. Her eyes showed no resentment or disgust, only wonder.
Olivia smiled, the most open smile I'd ever seen in all her weeks here.
