Olivia’s POV

I looked around, realizing I was standing in the pack house backyard, decorated with twinkling lights and colorful ribbons. It was beautiful, almost magical, and my heart swelled with happiness. My thirteenth birthday. I was struggling to keep a banner from tangling.

The triplets stood near the picnic table, their faces lit up with proud grins. Lennox was wrestling with the banner while Levi arranged a plate of cupcakes shaped like little wolves, and Louis was busy lighting a small bonfire. The scent of roasted marshmallows filled the air, making my stomach growl.

“Come on, Nox, you’re gonna strangle yourself,” Levi teased, laughing as Lennox glared at him.

“Shut up and help me before Olivia sees this mess!” Lennox snapped back, huffing as he finally managed to get the banner straight.

Louis looked over his shoulder and caught sight of me, his eyes lighting up. “Well, too late. Birthday girl’s already here.”

All three of them turned, and I couldn’t help but laugh at how flustered Lennox looked. They grinned at me, their faces softening as I stepped closer.

“You guys did all this for me?” I whispered, glancing around at the effort they’d put in—the decorations, the snacks, the little makeshift stage where they’d set up a karaoke machine.

Levi shrugged casually, but his smile was warm. “Of course. You deserve the best, Liv. You only turn thirteen once.”

Louis came up behind me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders, giving me a playful squeeze. “Plus, we figured you’d appreciate a party just for you. No adults. Just us and you.”

I looked between them, my heart pounding strangely in my chest. They’d always been there—my protectors, my friends, the ones who would do anything to make me smile. But tonight, something felt different. My cheeks heated as I realized how handsome they’d become—taller, stronger, and more confident.

Lennox stepped closer, offering me one of the wolf-shaped cupcakes. “Happy birthday, pup,” he said with a smirk, using the nickname that used to annoy me but now just made my stomach flutter.

I accepted the cupcake, my hands trembling slightly. “Thanks, Nox,” I murmured, biting into it and savoring the sweetness.

Levi pulled me toward the little dance area, turning on some music. “Come on, birthday girl. Dance with me,” he insisted, grabbing my hand and twirling me around. I laughed, feeling dizzy but happy as he spun me.

Not wanting to be left out, Louis cut in, pulling me away from Levi with a grin. “You’ve had your turn,” he teased. “Now it’s mine.”

Lennox rolled his eyes, but his lips twitched into a smile. “You two are gonna make her sick. Let her breathe.”

I found myself giggling as Louis guided me into a slower dance, his hands on my waist, holding mine. I’d never noticed how intense his gaze was—how his lips curved just slightly when he looked at me like that.

My heart pounded as I glanced between them, a sudden realization crashing over me. These boys—the ones who’d always been like older brothers—were starting to make my heart race. I didn’t know what it meant or why it scared me, but I couldn’t deny it anymore. I was falling in love with them.

The thought made my cheeks burn, and I quickly looked down, hoping they wouldn’t notice how flustered I’d gotten. Levi caught my chin, tilting my face up to meet his smirk.

“What’s with that look, Liv?” he asked softly.

“Yeah,” Louis added, giving me a curious glance. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

I swallowed hard, shaking my head. “Nothing… I’m just really happy. Thank you.”

Lennox ruffled my hair like he always did, but this time it made my stomach do weird flips. “Dork,” he muttered, but his tone was gentle.

We spent the rest of the night dancing, singing horribly off-key, and eating way too many sweets. They made me feel special—like I was the only girl in the world. When the bonfire crackled and the night grew colder, they wrapped me in one of their jackets and sat around me, their warmth and presence making me feel safe and cherished. And despite how confused I felt about my own heart, I knew I didn’t want this feeling to end.

Suddenly, the dream faded like smoke, and I blinked my eyes open, the soft glow of morning light filtering through the curtains. My room came into focus, and my heart skipped when I saw them—Louis, Levi, and Lennox—all sitting near my bed, looking exhausted.

I stared at them, my heart pounding as reality set in. The dream had been so vivid, so real, and waking up to see their faces made my chest ache. But something was different—their expressions were hard, their jaws clenched, and their eyes colder than I’d ever seen.

Levi was the first to speak, his voice rough. “What the hell were you thinking, Olivia?” he snapped, his glare pinning me in place.

Lennox scoffed, crossing his arms over his chest. “Are you out of your damn mind? You thought it was a good idea to pull a stunt like that?”

Louis didn’t say anything at first, just ran a hand through his messy hair, his eyes blazing with anger and fear. When he finally spoke, his voice was low and tight. “We didn’t kill your father…. we had no idea he was dead until now.”

Tears pricked at my eyes, pain seeping into my bones as I lowered my gaze. Of course, my father was dead. I couldn’t escape the pain of it.

Louis gritted his teeth, stepping closer to the bed. “We’ve known you since you were a kid. You’re supposed to be stronger than this. Hell, we’ve always seen you as unbreakable, Liv. But you went and tried to… to end it. Without thinking about anyone else. Your mother?”

His voice cracked on the last word, and it hit me like a punch to the gut.

Levi scoffed bitterly, his hands fisting at his sides. “You ever try something like that again, I swear you will get punished for it. Do you hear me? Never!”

Lennox stepped forward, his voice low and threatening. “You’re not allowed to pull that kind of shit ever again. You hear me, Olivia? I don’t care what’s going on in that head of yours—you can’t die until we say so.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but the door burst open, and my mother rushed in, her eyes wide with worry. “Olivia!” she cried, rushing to my side and cupping my face. “Oh, baby, thank the Goddess you’re awake.”

She pulled me into a tight embrace, and I felt more tears spill down my cheeks, overwhelmed by the love and guilt crashing into me. How could I be so foolish to want to end my life? Why didn’t I think of my mother? She lost her mate, her husband, and now I wanted to kill myself, making her lose her only child.

The triplets stayed silent for a moment before Levi let out a harsh breath and rubbed the back of his neck. “We’re done here,” he muttered, glancing at his brothers.

Louis gave me one last look, his jaw clenched, before turning away. Lennox didn’t say anything, just glared at the floor as they filed out of the room, leaving me with my mother.

She stroked my hair, whispering soothing words, but I couldn’t stop the hollow ache in my chest. I hated myself for being weak.

I clung to my mom, trying to silence the sobs wracking my body. This is the end. I will never allow myself to try to kill myself again. I will never be weak anymore. Right now, I live for myself, for my mother, and to prove my father’s innocence.