Chapter 179: In The Garden

Olivia’s POV

I frowned and stepped closer to where he lay. "I was just taking a walk," I murmured, lowering myself onto the grass. I didn’t know why I sat—when I should’ve kept walking.

His gaze lingered on me. "You always come here when you’re overthinking."

I frowned. He still knew me—too well. Even after everything.

"I could say the same about you," I replied softly, folding my arms. "Why are you out here? What’s got you tossing and turning?"

Levi looked back up at the stars, sighing through his nose. "Just... stuff. Couldn’t stay in that room. Too many memories."

The silence stretched between us, not uncomfortable, just... heavy.

Not able to endure it anymore, I stood up to leave, but Levi spoke. "Please stay," he pleaded.

I looked at Levi for a long moment.

His eyes were still closed, facing the sky, but his voice... it shook something deep inside me.

"I’m running mad... please just stay."

My chest tightened. I felt it—the bond pulling at me, gently but strong. My wolf whined inside me, begging me not to walk away. And then I felt it.

His pain.

It was quiet, buried deep, but real. Like a slow, heavy weight pressing down on him. His energy felt dim, like a candle struggling to stay lit.

I didn’t understand how, but I knew it—he was draining. Like he had nothing left in him.

Without thinking, I walked back and sat beside him again, closer this time. I didn’t speak. I didn’t need to.

He didn’t look at me. Just whispered, "Thank you."

We sat there in silence, the grass cool beneath us, the moonlight soft and silver. The air smelled like flowers and earth, and for a moment, I let myself breathe him in.

Then Levi spoke again, his voice low, almost like he was talking to himself.

"Do you remember your twelfth birthday?"

I turned my head slightly, frowning. "Of course I do. I wished for something impossible that day."

He chuckled softly, but there was no real joy in it. It was a bitter sound. "You looked up at the sky with those big, dreamy eyes and said, ’I wish the triplets would give me one of the stars.’"

I blinked, surprised he remembered that.

were serious about it too," he went on, still staring at the stars. "You

soft breath. "I was a kid. I didn’t

turned to look at me, and there was something wild and

"What do you

voice quieter now. "We were seventeen, and so damn stupid and in love with

caught. "You’re

gave another bitter laugh and dragged a hand through his messy hair. "She

know what to say. My heart was pounding now, and part of me didn’t

that?" I asked, barely above

it was you. You asked for a real star, and we would’ve burned

looked away, my throat tight, emotions bubbling too close to the

didn’t want to feel this. Not now.

after what

already pierced through the walls I spent years building. And

whispered to myself, shaking my

heart

Neither did the bond.

beside me, like he could feel my inner fight. Maybe he could. That was the curse of the bond—feeling too much, too deeply, even

Gabriel seeing each other now?" he

wondered what kind of wolf asks his mate—his wife—if she’s

but he didn’t look at me. He just kept his eyes on the sky like it

frowned before responding. "Do you have a

quiet for

finally, with a dry laugh, he said, "No. Do

than I expected. Not because they were sharp, but because they were so... hollow. Like he had already let

from his pants,

he muttered,

Slow steps, shoulders low, like the

him to head toward the

But he didn’t.

passed the path that led to the house and kept going—toward

sitting up straighter, unsure at first if I was imagining

But no.

wasn’t heading back

myself not to care. Let him go. Let him do whatever he

But I didn’t move.

gate creaked

sound alone was enough to shove panic into my chest.

he going? Why now?

myself out

air. I saw him just ahead, walking into

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