Fated To Not Just One, But Three

Chapter 25: A man in the woods

Chapter 25: A man in the woods

Olivia POV

I ran through the woods, the cool evening air brushing against my skin as I raced between the towering trees. The crisp air brushed against my skin, providing the comfort and relief I had sought for the past few days. I continued racing, trying to clear my head. I ran and didn't realize when I crossed the border of our pack.

Feeling exhausted, I found a clean stream, and in my four-legged form, I strolled over to it, bent down, and began quenching my thirst. I was still drinking from the stream when I suddenly sensed a presence. It felt as if someone was watching me. My ears perked up, and my body tensed. A low growl rumbled in my throat as I spun around, my sharp eyes scanning the woods. Someone was here. My instincts screamed at me to be on guard.

I howled in warning, ready to attack if necessary. The underbrush rustled, and within seconds, a large black wolf emerged from the trees. My fur bristled as I assessed him—he was strong, his stance confident, but there was something oddly unsettling about him.

Then, right before my eyes, the wolf began to shift. Bones cracked and reshaped, fur receding to reveal smooth skin, and within moments, he stood before me in his human form, naked.

My frown deepened when I noticed it was a man. He had a good physique, probably in his early thirties, with black jet hair, brown eyes, and a faint scar running down the left side of his jaw.

My wolf let out a low growl, ready to pounce, but the man simply lifted his hands in surrender, as if he had no intention of fighting.

"I mean no harm," he said suddenly.

I furrowed my brow and studied him for a moment, then realized he had the tattoo of the Shadow Pack on his left arm. That was when I realized this man was from the Shadow Pack. But how did he get here? I looked around, and that's when I realized I had crossed the border of our pack and was now in Shadow Pack territory.

Shit! How long have I been running?

the earth filled my ears, and then the scent of Louis filled the air.

was coming, smirked at me. "It seems you have company.

he shifted back into his wolf form, his sleek black fur blending into the darkness as he sprinted

wondering how he knew me, but I didn't have time to dwell on that because Louis appeared

me, his massive, wine-colored wolf towering over me. His eyes burned with anger

deep voice laced with frustration as he shifted seamlessly into his human form. Just like the stranger, Louis didn't seem to care about his

was still replaying the moment with the strange wolf—the way he knew

darkening. "Someone was here," he muttered, his eyes narrowing as they swept the

pack, my paws digging into the earth as I pushed forward. I didn't want

authority, but I ignored him.

chasing after me. I knew he wouldn't let this go, but for now,

were. Slowing down, I shifted back into my human form, the cool evening air brushing against my

was here. His presence was unmistakable, his scent thick in the air. I straightened just

dangerously low. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides, his chest rising

one of my own. "I don't feel like talking, Louis," I muttered, pulling

not your choice, Olivia. You crossed the border into Shadow Pack territory. Do

least if I'm dead, you'll get to be with Anita—the woman you love—instead of being in a marriage with me," I

against a tree, his hand wrapped around my throat. Not tight enough to choke me, but enough to hold

die, don't you?" he growled angrily, as if the thought of