Chapter 10: Sunshine peak

Olivia POV

I finally left my house and was on my way to meet Tyson.

It’s funny how fate is.

It was not so long ago that I would have been a nervous wreck and excited to have this late-night—I don’t even know what to call it—and now I am here walking to meet a gorgeous guy and all that is on my mind is what Lizzy told me about Marcus.

Approaching the place where I was to meet with Tyson, I went to sit under the willow tree.

It was beautiful here. One of my favorite places. Everywhere around me were trees and the grass filled with wildflowers. In the middle of it all stood a beautiful clear water lake.

I would usually come here and sit right down where I am now when I wanted to clear my head and relax. It was my serenity.

When Tyson found me here for the first time, it somehow became both of our “go to place.” When we were kids, we would come here and play or swim in the lake. He would tell me his worries, or I would share mine. There was no judging allowed. It was our rule we set when we were younger.

One day he brought me here saying he had a surprise for me. I had to walk with a blindfold over my eyes and still he didn’t trust me enough because he covered them with his hands too.

I was curious and annoyed at the same time, but as soon as he took his hands and the blindfold off, I squealed.

I couldn’t stop grinning. He gave me my dream swing.

It was hanging on the big branch of the willow and its ropes were wrapped in ivy and flowers, and the seating was a rustic white wood-like. It looked as if it were cut out from a fairy world, so beautiful.

He pushed me on the swing over and over again, and I never got enough of it. I was laughing, so carefree without a worry on my mind.

“Hey, beautiful.”

Startled at hearing his voice, I slightly jumped up from the place I was sitting.

He couldn’t help himself and clutched his stomach while he laughed at me. “Sorry princess, I didn’t mean to startle you.”

He sat down next to me and bumped me with his shoulder. “Speak.”

I frowned at him. “Is that why you asked me to come here at this hour?”

“One of the reasons, yes. Now tell me what is wrong and remember our rule.” He warned me as he closed his eyes to listen to me.

I didn’t plan on telling him the truth, and yet again, even if it was a silly rule, here we were always honest with each other.

“Can we not talk about it, please?” I pleaded, but he shook his head.

“No, now tell me what happened.”

Sighing because I knew well how stubborn he was, I prepared myself to once again speak.

“I found my mate.” My voice was low as I spoke the words.

His eyes snapped open as he turned his head towards me. He narrowed his eyes at me, inspecting me, and finally said, “Who?”

“Tyson… I really don’t want to talk about that.”

“Who is it?”

I looked him in the eyes and noticed they held so many emotions. I couldn’t look at him, so turning my eyes away and looking ahead to the lake, I said, “Marcus.”

He furrowed his brow as he thought about what I just said. “As in Marcus Silverman?”

I just nodded my head.

He exhaled loudly as he raked his hand through his hair. “Did you reject him?”

My head snapped to him as my eyes narrowed at his question.

He didn’t flinch. He was just looking into my eyes, waiting for my answer.

“No.”

“Ollie…”

“Don’t… Why is the first thing you ask me a rejection question?”

I was upset, so I got up and walked towards the lake.

He followed me in an instant, and when he reached me, he grabbed my arm and turned me towards him, his eyes never leaving mine.

“Ollie, he is a player, and in addition to that, a werewolf. Either way, by law you are to reject each other.”

His hands cupped my face as he looked at me intensely, and my eyes started to water.

“Ollie, I know it’s hard, but I am here for you and I will be here for you when it is to happen. Don’t worry.” He kissed my forehead and then placed his against mine.

My eyes were closed as silent tears fell down my face, staining my cheeks at the words he spoke truthfully to me.

His thumbs brushed away my tears as he pulled me closer into his body, wrapping me in his warm embrace.

“I-I can’t do it…” I said, my voice was muffled.

“Not today, but tomorrow maybe,” he said into my hair.

“It’s not fair.” My voice broke as sobs once again raked through my body.

He tightened his embrace to comfort me as I cried.

“Shh… it is going to be ok, princess.” His voice was sweet and soothing, but it didn’t make my heart hurt any less.

I heard a growl and felt Tyson’s body tense under my arms as I clutched tightly onto his shirt while I was crying.

He pulled me away from him and stood in front of me, covering me from danger.

The wind blew, carrying the smell of the forest and flowers, but as its way turned, another scent followed and reached us.

Cinnamon and vanilla…

My eyes grew wide as I recognized the scent.

It can’t be…

I heard another growl, and it was coming closer to us. The sound of it sent sweet shivers running all over my body. It was strong and powerful, even if it was low.

Even more, it got straight to the point of what was wanted by the person behind the growl.

“Don’t move… just stay behind me,” Tyson’s low firm voice spoke to me as his body stance went low, preparing himself for a fight.

My heart was beating frantically, and I didn’t know what to do.

“Get away from her.” I heard the low baritone, making me feel goosebumps all over my skin.

“You have no right to tell me what to do, so turn around and go back the way you came as you are not welcome here,” Tyson spoke as he himself growled in response.

I couldn’t take it, so I leaned over to take a peek at him.

What I saw made my mouth water.

He was standing tall, facing Tyson, shirtless as little droplets of sweat were glistening all over his ripped muscles that covered every inch of his gorgeous torso.

My eyes traveled lower over his strong, solid chest… and lower over his abs till they reached the edge of his shorts.

His eyes snapped in my direction, momentarily locking with my own, making my breath hitch.

I heard him growl again as Tyson’s firm hand pushed me behind his muscular back.

It only took a second for the air around us to be filled with the air of their power as they both crouched down, ready to pounce at each other.

Panic filled me. I didn’t want either one of them to fight and get hurt, not because of me.

I reacted without thinking as I made a move and got in between the two of them, putting my palms on both of their chests.

They didn’t see it coming, and they stopped and looked at me, surprised.

“Ollie… get behind me. I told you not to move.”

Marcus growled louder, making his nostrils flare. He was looking at my hand touching Tyson’s chest.

Removing my hand from Tyson’s chest, I turned fully around towards Marcus, trying to catch his eyes with my own.

“Marcus.” I called his name and he snapped his head towards me, not uttering a word.

I could barely breathe from the tension in the air.

When I looked back at Tyson, I noticed that he looked rigged and his chest was moving rapidly up and down.

“Tyson, could you please give us a moment?”

He looked at me, then back at Marcus. He looked like he was contemplating what to do. Then he nodded and said to me, “I will wait for you near our willow tree.” And then he walked off slowly.

Marcus snorted as he watched Tyson leave.

Taking a much-needed breath, I looked at Marcus and said, “Marcus, what are you doing here?”

His eyes looked into mine, and I could see a silent battle going inside of him. He was silent for a minute, taking in my face.

“I came to see you…”