52 Danger

Olivia’s POV

I needed to get a few things from the town square. Tomorrow was my mother’s birthday, and I wanted to buy her something nice with the pennies I had.

As I set out to leave, Anita appeared from the corner and blocked my path. A fierce re burned in her eyes as she stared me down.

“You either leave this pack in one piece, or I will send you out in different pieces,” she spat.

I raised a brow at her. “Are you threatening me?” I asked, my voice calm despite the anger already boiling inside me.

Anita scoffed and took a step closer until we were face to face. Her makeup–caked face hovered inches from mine.

“If I were you, I’d take it as a friendly warning. For old times‘ sake, I’m giving you an option. Leave this pack in one piece–or what befell your father will happen to you, and you’ll join him in

the afterlife.”

Rage red inside me, and my wolf growled, urging me to attack her, but I held myself back. “For old times‘ sake, Anita, I’ll let this pass, I said, watching her narrow her eyes. “But the next time you stand before me and spew such rubbish,” I stepped closer, our noses nearly touching, “I will make sure the guards tie you up and flog you in the middle of the pack house courtyard.” Anita’s lips parted in shock, clearly not expecting me to bite back. But I was done ying nice. Done acting weak. I had kept my distance. I had stayed out of her way. But now, she had crossed

the line.

“You bthink /bbyou /bcan do that to bme/bb?/b” she scoffed.

I bsmiled/b, a bitter smile. “Yes, Anita, I have the bpower /bto do that and more. Remember, I am the bLuna/b. bAnd /bbyou/b… I narrowed my eyes, scanning her from head to toe, “you are just a concubine. Don’t forget that I mocked, then turned and walked away, bnot /bgiving bher /bthe chance to respond.

I was bable /bto leave the pack house after letting one of the warriors escort me. ording to bthem/b, it was mandatory that I don’t bwalk /baloneb, /bband /bI had no choice but to allow the guard to

follow me.

When I got to town, I walked straight to the small jewelry shop at the corner of the square. bInside/b, the shopkeeper greeted me warmly. I forced a smile and scanned the ss disy.

There, sitting in a velvet box, was a simple yet beautiful silver bracelet. Engraved with tiny moon symbols, delicate bbut /bstrong. Just like her.

52 Danger

“My mother,” I murmured to myself, then said aloud, “I’ll take this one, pulling out the few notes. I had saved.

As the shopkeeper wrapped the bracelet carefully in soft paper, I felt a presence beside me. I turned slightly and found a woman, probably in herte sixties, standing just a few steps away. Her silver–streaked hair was tied into a low bun, and her pale green eyes seemed to glow faintly under the sunlight.

“You’re Luna Olivia,” she said, her voice low and hoarse, like wind rustling dry leaves.

I hesitated, instantly on alert. “Yes… do I know you?”

Her eyes locked onto mine, unsettling in their intensity. “No. But I know what lies ahead.”

I furrowed my brows, gripping the paper bag in my hands tighter.

“I’m a seer,” she continued, stepping closer. “I see what others cannot. And child…“–her voice dropped to a whisper- “I see you… lying in a pool of your own blood.”

My breath caught.

“What?” I asked, the words barely leaving my lips.

“There is danger around you,” she said, eyes never leaving mine. “You must be careful, Olivia. You must watch those who smile the brightest… their knives are sharpest.”

My wolf stirred inside me, sensing the truth in her words,

“Is it someone close to me?” I asked, heart pounding.

The seer closed her eyes for a moment, as if searching the threads of fate. When she opened them again, her voice was barely above a breath.

“I have no idea, but you still have time,” she said, cing a wrinkled hand on mine. “Be alert, child… or you won’t live long enough to find the truth you seek.”

With that, bshe /bturned band /bbegan to walk away.

“Wait!” I called out, stepping forward, but she didn’t stop. By the time I reached the street, she had disappeared into the bcrowd/b.

For a bmoment/b, I remained where I stood, contemting decided to return to the mansion to critically think about it.

7 words. I became worried band /b

The walk back to the mansion was slow. The seer’s words echoed endlessly in my mind-“I see you… lying in a pool of your own blood.”

Tentered the mansion through the side entrance, deciding to take the longer path past the gardens to clear my head. As I neared the pool area, a scream pierced the air. High–pitched. Terrified. A chuld.

152: Danpor

My eyes snapped toward the sound–and I froze.

A little girl was thrashing in the deep end of the pool, her AMY arms iling, her mouth opening and closing in silent gasps as bshe /bsank under the surface.

Without thinking, I dropped the bracelet I had gotten for my mother and dove straight in.

The water was cold, but adrenaline surged through me, pushing me forward. I reached her just

as she slipped beneath the surface a wrapping an arm around her and kicking toward the

edge with ball /bthe strength I had.

When I pulled us both out of the pool, Iid her on the warm stone deck. She was coughing violently, water pouring from her mouth as her lungs finally began to take in air.

I knelt beside her, brushing soaked hair from her forehead. “It’s okay, I whispered, voice

shaking. “You’re safe now.”

the

Footsteps thundered behind me.

“Olivia!”

I turned my head to see Levi rushing toward me, eyes wide with concern. He slowed when he saw me soaked, kneeling beside the girl.

He didn’t speak at first. Just pulled off his shirt and held it out to me.

“You’re drenched, he said, his voice lower now, more careful. “Here-”

I looked at bhim/b, at the shirt, and then slowly stood. Water dripped from my clothes, pooling at

my feet

“I’m fine,” I bsaid /bcoldly.

He stepped forward slightly, hesitating.

“Olivia-

I didn’t let him finish.

“I said I’m fine,” I repeated, sharper this time. “She needs warmth, not me.”

I bent down, carefully picking up the shivering child into my arms.

And then, without sparing Levi another nce, I walked past him.

I returned to the training ground and located the girl’s mother, who was a warrior btraining /bin the field and didn’t know her daughter had wandered off.

“Thank byou /bso much, bLuna/b, she said, sounding deeply grateful as she took the little girl from me.

I nodded and turned to go back into the pack house, but my eyes met Levi’s. Instantly, Hlooked away and walked on.