โEnough!โ My voice thundered through the room, startling even the healer into stillness. โYou havenโt settled your scoresโand instead of talking, you draw your swords? Do you even realize what youโre doing to yourselves? To me?โ
I sighed and sat on the bed. He came closer, squatting in front of me. โItโs nothing,โ I said quietly. โMy mother wants me back home, but I donโt want to go.โ
โYou did this on purpose!โ Levi snarled, glaring at Lennox who stood by the window, chest heaving.
I gasped, clutching my side as my wolf howled inside me. Mate!
The room fell silent, their chests rising and falling heavily, but the tension between them still crackled like fire waiting for fuel.
Louis came out of the bathroom, towel slung low around his waist, his hair damp and dripping down his temple. My eyes betrayed me, tracing over the sharp lines of his chest, the ridges of his abs, the water glistening on his skin. Heat stirred low in my stomach before I could stop it. My wolf stirred inside me, pushing, urging. Go to him. Touch him. Let him fuck you again.
I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that didnโt quite reach my lips. โI donโt want to talk about them right now, and yes, it was my mother, not them.โ
But then Levi broke it, his glare snapping back to Lennox. His face was twisted in pain, but his voice carried louder than anything else.
โThat was no mistake!โ Levi cut him off, pushing against the healerโs hand. He winced but still pointed accusingly. โYou wanted to hurt me. Admit it!โ
When I looked up, Louis was already on his feet, striding toward me with that same worried look. His eyes scanned me, as if he could pull the truth out without me saying a word.
He smirked faintly as he reached for his clothes, and I quickly looked away, pretending not to be caught fantasizing. But before I could even tease him, a sudden pain ripped through my chest.
โYes!โ Levi roared back. โBecause lately you fight like a man with something else in his head. Like you donโt care if you cut me down!โ
Oliviaโs POV
Lennoxโs eyes snapped to me in surprise, then quickly back to his brother. His jaw tightened. โIt was a mistake, Levi. I didnโt meanโโ
Without hesitation, I teleported us both, my wolf guiding me. The familiar scent of blood hit me firstโLeviโs blood. I followed it through the mansion halls, heart pounding, until I burst into Leviโs room.
Louis studied me for a moment longer, then finally sighed. โFine. Then you donโt have to go home. Stay here with me.โ
โOliviaโฆ please, you need to come home. We have something to discuss with you,โ my mother pleaded through the mind link again.
โWhat is wrong?โ Louis asked, concern plain on his face.
My frown deepened. โIโm not in the mood to see you, Mother. Iโll come home when I feel like it.โ I didnโt give her the chance to argue before cutting the link.
โOkay,โ I whispered, watching him disappear into the bathroom.
Louis tilted his head, not convinced. His gaze softened, but there was a sharp edge to his voice when he asked, โItโs not really about your mother, is it? โฆ Is it Lennox and Levi?โ
The sight made me stop cold.
So I stayed on the bed, nails digging into my palm as I fought the urge to move. My wolf snarled with frustration, but I forced myself to breathe.
The suggestion cut deep. I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. โNo. Not this time. They need to fix this themselves. I canโt always be the bridge holding them together.โ
His words warmed me, and I nodded. He gave me one last searching look before rising to his feet. โIโll go shower.โ
My wolf growled, impatient. โThey are Alphas, Olivia. They have pride, they have egos. None of them will admit they are wrong. None of them will bow first. That is why you are their mate. Itโs your duty to hold them together. Without you, they will break.โ
My lips parted, a quiet ache slipping from my chest. I imagined walking up to him, tugging that towel free, feeling him harden against me, bending under his weight as he fucked me until I couldnโt even remember my own name.
But as quickly as the fantasy flared, I smothered it. No matter how much my body screamed for him, I knew it would be selfish now. I was drained, still sore. My wolf might crave his dominance again, but my bodyโand my heartโneeded rest.
โYouโre matesโmineโand youโre cutting each other open like enemies!โ
Their voices crashed together, hot and furious, filling the room. My wolf bristled, snapping inside me, unable to take it anymore.
Lennoxโs eyes darkened, his voice low and sharp. โAre you accusing me of deliberately hurting my own brother during training? Really, Levi?โ
Levi was on the bed, his chest bared, a healer bending over him with glowing hands pressed against a deep, ugly cut along his ribs. Leviโs eyes snapped up first, widening when he saw me. Lennox turned too, his face tight with surprise. For a heartbeat, silence fellโjust the three of us, staring.
My breath hitched, my thighs pressed together instinctively. Memories from last night flooded backโthe way his strength had crushed me into ecstasy, the way he had pushed me past every limit until I broke in his arms. Goddess, I wanted it again. I wanted him again. Right here, right now, dripping wet and looking like sin carved into flesh.
Left alone, my thoughts turned heavy. My life felt like one mess after another. I had been ignoring Lennox and Leviโs mind links. I told myself it was punishmentโthat shutting them out was the price they had to pay for fighting each other, for letting our bond weaken. But deep down, I knew it wasnโt just their punishment. It was mine too. Every time I ignored them, my chest ached. Not seeing them, not hearing them, it hurt.
Lennoxโs fists clenched, his voice rising. โIf you can remember clearly, you were the one swinging like youโd lost your mind! Like something else had taken over you!โ
I let out a long breath, too tired to argue anymore. But deep down I knew she was right.
My wolf stirred restlessly. โMaybe you should go to them. Maybe you should end this."
Louisโs head snapped toward me instantly. โOlivia? Whatโs wrong?โ
โSomethingโs wrong,โ I panted, already reaching for his hand. The bond was tugging at me hard, sharp with distress.