Chapter 161

Carol’s POV

It only took about 10 minutes before Oliver burst through the door, a look of pure panic on his face. I quickly stood from the couch and wiped away the tears on my face. I could practically hear the sounds of his heart thumping rapidly against his chest, or maybe it was my own. I couldn’t tell with everything going on around me. Oliver didn’t bother greeting me; he went straight down the hallway and to the bedroom Fiona was once staying in.

I looked at the doorway just as Aiden walked in. His hands were buried in his pockets, and he looked defeated. I could tell he was trying to talk Oliver off the ledge but to no prevail. I could feel his dismay and worry for not only his friend but mine as well.

He met my eyes, and I went to him, wrapping my arms around his neck and pressing my lips against his. I needed to feel him against me; I needed to feel his warmth.

“Fuck!” I heard Oliver hissing, anger evident in his tone and making me flinch as I pulled away from Aiden.

Oliver walked around the corner, his eyes blazing with fury. His Beta power was strong, and I almost had trouble looking him directly in the eyes. I’ve come to know that Beta powers weren’t as strong as Alpha, but they were still strong enough that they could make a simple wolf, or human, coward.

“We checked Oliver’s place first,” Aiden explained. “Then we came here.”

“She left,” I said, wrapping my arms around my parents. “I just said goodbye to her a little while ago. “She went with my parents back home.”

“This is her home,” Oliver sneered, making Aiden growl.

“Watch how you speak to my wife and your Luna,” Aiden said through his teeth, his wolf at the surface.

“It’s okay, Aiden,” I said quickly. “I understand—”

“No,” he growled, leaving no room for arguments. “I don’t care who he is… he needs to show you respect and I will not tolerate his tone with you.”

I wanted to say something to protest, but Oliver spoke first.

“I apologize,” Oliver said, and I knew it was taking everything he had to keep his tone level. I turned to him, my eyes nearly pleading with him to talk to us. I don’t want him to keep in his feelings. His mate just left, and I need him to feel those feelings, or he will explode and this pack might pay the cost.

My heart skipped a beat; when did I start caring about the pack like that? Was I starting to think like a Luna?

“I just can’t believe she left. What am I supposed to do? What did she say? How did she look? She didn’t even tell me… she didn’t… she didn’t say goodbye.”

Oliver fell onto the couch, his face buried in his hands.

I sighed and went to him, sitting beside him. Aiden stood protectively by my side which irritated me because we both knew Oliver would never hurt me.

“Oliver, she was just stressed and scared. I’m sure she will come back around,” I told him, trying to keep my voice soft and compassionate.

He lifted his gaze and stared at me, his eyes shining as his wolf fought to take control.

“What do you mean she was stressed and scared?”

I sighed and stared at my hands.

“I shouldn’t be telling you this because it’s not my story to tell…” I whispered.

“Please, Carol. If you can tell me anything—” his voice trailed off and I could see the desperation in his eyes.

I nodded and bit my lower lip.

“I’ve known Fiona since high school,” I began. “When she was 17, there was a guy she started dating. She’d been in love with him for a couple of years prior, but he never paid her any attention. He was some rich boy, and he hung out with all the popular people. We weren’t particularly popular so she never thought she would get a chance with her. But then he asked her to prom, and she was ecstatic. He was dating a very popular girl previously and Fiona never got along with this girl. But apparently, they had broken up and that’s when he asked her to prom…”

I paused for a moment to gather my thoughts.

“He took her virginity that night,” I continued. “She was on top of the moon when she was telling me how magical it was. But then at school a few days later, she overheard him talking to his friends and it turns out he only took her to prom to make that girl he was dating previously jealous. He also mentioned that Fiona was an awful lay and made her the laughingstock of the entire school.”

Oliver flinched and I could see the hurt and anger in his eyes; even his wolf was hurt by what I was saying because the light in his eyes started to dim.

“Shit…” Aiden whispered. I hadn’t told him this story either. This story wasn’t something I would talk about without Fiona’s permission. But I knew I needed to tell Oliver so he could better understand.

“That piece of shit,” Oliver muttered. “But at the same time, they were just kids… I am a man and—”

“That’s not all,” I said quickly. “Fiona was upset, yes, but she was so in love with him that she ended up forgiving him after he told her how sorry he was. I was furious with her because the entire school was talking about her being a terrible lay and a rebound. His ex-girlfriend spread rumors that she was a whore and that she’s been after her boyfriend for years, blah blah.”

Oliver shook his head as he listened to the story.

I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair.

“Our senior year, she ended up forgiving him and gave him another chance after he made some grand gesture in front of the entire school. So, they dated again for a while, and he told her he loved her more than anything. He squashed all the rumors around the school. I was still skeptical, but it’s Fiona’s life and she has loved him for so long.”

“Then what happened?” Oliver asked.

“They got into different colleges, and they wanted to do long-distance,” I explained. “It worked for about a year into college. Fiona and the guy texted one another all day every day and he would call her every night. We were roommates at the time, so I saw how often they’d communicate. He would come to visit her during breaks, and they’d video chat often. It is sickening but cute because Fiona was so happy. Then a year later, on his birthday, Fiona got some time off from school and work and wanted to visit him. She wanted it to be a surprise. I was just starting my path towards my career, and I had a ton of schoolwork to do, so I didn’t go with her… but she went there and when she got to her dorm… he wasn’t alone.”

“What?” Oliver asked, narrowing his eyes at me. “What do you mean?”

“He was with his high school girlfriend… the one who spread nasty rumors about Fiona and the one he was trying to make jealous at prom. Apparently, they went to the same college and for the entire year, they’ve been seeing each other. Fiona was devasted and flew home. I didn’t know about it until she called me at the airport and asked me to pick her up. Since then, she’s never been in a serious relationship. He’s tried contacting her a few times, but she blocked him and cut all communication. She promised herself she would never fall in love again and put herself in that kind of position…”

“But I am her mate,” Oliver nearly roared. “It’s different for me. I would never hurt her. I would never—”

“You ignored her for days, Oliver. Yes, you’ve slept with her, but that’s the extent of it. She would wake up and you’d be gone. She feared getting deep with you and talking to you and it seems you feared the same because you kept her at arm's length. You didn’t tell her about anything you are going through. You didn’t trust her enough and you didn’t talk to her. She felt unwanted and I don’t blame her one bit because you were kind of an ass.”

He flinched at my words, and I immediately felt bad for raising my voice. I put my hand on his shoulder, trying to reassure him.

“She’s scared, Oliver,” I said softly. “You didn’t help her get settled in this new and strange place. She’s terrified of commitment, and she needs you by her side to help her through these fears and make her feel wanted and loved. If you wanted her, you didn’t show it. You only showed her that you were physically attracted to her and Fiona needs more. She deserves more.”

“I fucked up,” Oliver said, burying his face in his hands again. “What am I going to do? I want her. I need her. My wolf needs her. I didn’t mean to scare her or chase her away.”

I looked up at Aiden who was watching Oliver warily but then he met my eyes.

“Do we have time to take a quick trip?” I asked.

“I don’t, but you do,” Aiden said. “I’ll need you to take some Gamma with you though.”

I nodded and looked at Oliver.

“We aren’t giving up, Oliver. We are going to get Fiona and bring her home.”