Leviโs POV
It had been three days since Olivia nearly wrecked Anitaโs face. That day, I was shockedโbut also proud. Proud that she was finally standing up for herself, no longer taking Anitaโs constant bullying. I had known how Anita treated her for years, but I kept quiet, trapped in the stupidity of wanting to hurt Olivia. Not anymore. I wonโt stand by and let Anita belittle her. I was also proud of Oliviaโs newfound strength, the no-nonsense fire I always knew she possessed.
It was a freezing morning, and we were all seated for breakfastโLennox, Louis, Olivia, and even Anita. Luckily, as Olivia predicted, the healer had successfully repaired Anitaโs face, leaving only a few tiny, soon-to-heal scratches.
My eyes were locked on Olivia, who sat directly across from me. Damn, I couldnโt look away. She looked breathtaking this morning. Her long blond hair was pulled into a loose braid draped over her shoulder, with strands falling freely around her face like golden threads catching the morning light. Her skin looked soft and fresh, kissed by the cold, and those sea-blue eyesโฆ Those eyes were unreal. They sparkled under the chandelierโs glow, like waves catching sunlight. I had seen those eyes dulled by pain and sadness before, but now they were sharp, focused, almost icy.
She spoke little, silently cutting her food and bringing it to her lips with quiet grace that held my gaze captive.
โEat your food,โ Lennox said beside me without looking up, as if he knew exactly where my mind had wandered.
But I ignored him. I voiced what had been on my mind for the past few minutes. โOliviaโฆ you look beautiful this morning,โ I said.
An awkward silence fell over the table as every pair of eyes turned to me. Lennox looked at me as if Iโd uttered blasphemy. Louis stared as if Iโd confessed to murder. His fork hovered mid-air, his brow slowly rising in disbelief. Anita choked on her drinkโactually choked. She grabbed her napkin and dabbed her lips aggressively, shooting me a glare as if Iโd spat in her coffee.
But Olivia didnโt react like the others. She lifted her eyes slowly and looked at me. There was a slight tilt to her head, a soft arch of her brow. โThanks,โ she said flatly, her tone unreadable. She didnโt smile, blush, or give me any indication of her feelings. Then she returned to her food as if nothing had happened.
My chest clenched at her reaction, but I didnโt back down. โThereโs this movie that just came out,โ I continued. โI was wondering if youโd like to go watch it with me at the cinema.โ
She didnโt even look up. It was as if she hadnโt realized I was speaking to her.
โOlivia?โ I called out again, my voice softer now.
She slowly lifted her eyes and locked them with mine, those glacial-blue irises colder than the weather outside. โWere you talking to me?โ she asked, her tone laced with disbelief.
I swallowed hard. โYeahโฆ I asked if youโd like to see a movie with me. At the cinema.โ
Her gaze held mine for a long, uncomfortable second. Then she gave the tiniest shrug and said, โNo.โ
Just like that. No explanation. No emotion. No hesitation. Just no.
I blinked. โWaitโฆ just no?โ
She finally set down her fork and leaned forward, her elbows on the table, her voice calm but firm. โYou donโt get to ask me out like everythingโs fine, Levi. Like you didnโt treat me like I didnโt exist for years.โ She nodded toward Anita. โAnita is available; you can take her out.โ
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. My tongue felt useless.
โIf you have nothing else to say, Iโd like to finish my breakfast in peace,โ she muttered, then resumed eating.
Where I sat, I felt utterly miserable. But I wasnโt going to give up. I knew getting Olivia back wouldnโt be easy, but I wouldnโt be discouraged.
I glanced at Lennox, who glared at me and then looked away. I looked at Louis. He stared at me like Iโd betrayed him, then dropped his gaze. I didnโt care what my brothers thought. All I knew was that I wanted Olivia backโand I wasnโt ashamed of it.
After breakfast, Olivia turned to Lennox. โI heard you have the record of all the she-wolves. Iโll need them for my next meeting.โ
Lennox opened his mouth to respond, but I cut in. โYeah, sureโฆ Iโll give it to you. Follow me,โ I said, rising to my feet.
Olivia stared at me, one brow arching in disapproval. She didnโt say a word, but her eyes clearly conveyed the message: Donโt speak for me.
Still, after a beat, she stood. โFine. Lead the way,โ she said coolly.
I could feel everyoneโs eyes on usโAnita practically burning holes in my back, Lennox scowling as if ready to throttle me, and Louisโฆ Louis looked disappointed. But I didnโt care.
We walked down the hallway in silence. The tension between us was palpableโso thick I could barely breathe. I wanted to say something, anything, but the words were stuck in my throat.
When we reached the office, I opened the door for her. She walked past me without a glance. I followed her inside and went to the file cabinet. My hands shook slightly as I opened it and pulled out the folder labeled She-Wolf Records.
I turned to hand it to her, but instead of taking it, she stared at me. โIs this what youโre doing now?โ she asked softly.
My brows furrowed. โWhat do you mean?โ
She folded her arms. โTrying to get me back. Giving me files and compliments and movie invitations as if thatโll erase everything.โ
โIโm not pretending,โ I said immediately. โI do want us back.โ
Her jaw tightened.
I stepped closer, carefully, like approaching a wounded animal. โIโm not asking for your forgiveness right now. I just want a chanceโฆ a real one. Let me prove to you that Iโm sorry, Olivia.โ
Her eyes softened for a secondโbut then it was gone, replaced with that look of hatred.
She took the folder from my hands, her fingers brushing against mine briefly. Even that slight contact made my heart stutter.
โThank you,โ she said curtly, then turned and walked out, leaving me breathless and full of regret.
The door opened again, and for a moment, I thought sheโd come back. But my heart dropped when Lennox and Louis walked in.
Well, Levi has taken a step, but he still has a long way to go.