CHAPTER 349: HURT

Olivia’s POV

"What is wrong?" Louis asked, concern plain on his face.

"Olivia... please, you need to come home. We have something to discuss with you," my mother pleaded through the mind link again.

My frown deepened. "I’m not in the mood to see you, Mother. I’ll come home when I feel like it." I didn’t give her the chance to argue before cutting the link.

When I looked up, Louis was already on his feet, striding toward me with that same worried look. His eyes scanned me, as if he could pull the truth out without me saying a word.

I sighed and sat on the bed. He came closer, squatting in front of me. "It’s nothing," I said quietly. "My mother wants me back home, but I don’t want to go."

Louis tilted his head, not convinced. His gaze softened, but there was a sharp edge to his voice when he asked, "It’s not really about your mother, is it? ... Is it Lennox and Levi?"

I swallowed hard, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach my lips. "I don’t want to talk about them right now, and yes, it was my mother, not them."

Louis studied me for a moment longer, then finally sighed. "Fine. Then you don’t have to go home. Stay here with me."

His words warmed me, and I nodded. He gave me one last searching look before rising to his feet. "I’ll go shower."

"Okay," I whispered, watching him disappear into the bathroom.

Left alone, my thoughts turned heavy. My life felt like one mess after another. I had been ignoring Lennox and Levi’s mind links. I told myself it was punishment—that shutting them out was the price they had to pay for fighting each other, for letting our bond weaken. But deep down, I knew it wasn’t just their punishment. It was mine too. Every time I ignored them, my chest ached. Not seeing them, not hearing them, it hurt.

My wolf stirred restlessly. "Maybe you should go to them. Maybe you should end this."

The suggestion cut deep. I wrapped my arms around myself and shook my head. "No. Not this time. They need to fix this themselves. I can’t always be the bridge holding them together."

My wolf growled, impatient. "They are Alphas, Olivia. They have pride, they have egos. None of them will admit they are wrong. None of them will bow first. That is why you are their mate. It’s your duty to hold them together. Without you, they will break."

I let out a long breath, too tired to argue anymore. But deep down I knew she was right.

Louis came out of the bathroom, towel slung low around his waist, his hair damp and dripping down his temple. My eyes betrayed me, tracing over the sharp lines of his chest, the ridges of his abs, the water glistening on his skin. Heat stirred low in my stomach before I could stop it. My wolf stirred inside me, pushing, urging. Go to him. Touch him. Let him fuck you again.

My breath hitched, my thighs pressed together instinctively. Memories from last night flooded back—the way his strength had crushed me into ecstasy, the way he had pushed me past every limit until I broke in his arms. Goddess, I wanted it again. I wanted him again. Right here, right now, dripping wet and looking like sin carved into flesh.

My lips parted, a quiet ache slipping from my chest. I imagined walking up to him, tugging that towel free, feeling him harden against me, bending under his weight as he fucked me until I couldn’t even remember my own name.

But as quickly as the fantasy flared, I smothered it. No matter how much my body screamed for him, I knew it would be selfish now. I was drained, still sore. My wolf might crave his dominance again, but my body—and my heart—needed rest.

So I stayed on the bed, nails digging into my palm as I fought the urge to move. My wolf snarled with frustration, but I forced myself to breathe.

He smirked faintly as he reached for his clothes, and I quickly looked away, pretending not to be caught fantasizing. But before I could even tease him, a sudden pain ripped through my chest.

I gasped, clutching my side as my wolf howled inside me. Mate!

Louis’s head snapped toward me instantly. "Olivia? What’s wrong?"

"Something’s wrong," I panted, already reaching for his hand. The bond was tugging at me hard, sharp with distress.

Without hesitation, I teleported us both, my wolf guiding me. The familiar scent of blood hit me first—Levi’s blood. I followed it through the mansion halls, heart pounding, until I burst into Levi’s room.

The sight made me stop cold.

Levi was on the bed, his chest bared, a healer bending over him with glowing hands pressed against a deep, ugly cut along his ribs. Levi’s eyes snapped up first, widening when he saw me. Lennox turned too, his face tight with surprise. For a heartbeat, silence fell—just the three of us, staring.

But then Levi broke it, his glare snapping back to Lennox. His face was twisted in pain, but his voice carried louder than anything else.

"You did this on purpose!" Levi snarled, glaring at Lennox who stood by the window, chest heaving.

Lennox’s eyes snapped to me in surprise, then quickly back to his brother. His jaw tightened. "It was a mistake, Levi. I didn’t mean—"

"That was no mistake!" Levi cut him off, pushing against the healer’s hand. He winced but still pointed accusingly. "You wanted to hurt me. Admit it!"

Lennox’s eyes darkened, his voice low and sharp. "Are you accusing me of deliberately hurting my own brother during training? Really, Levi?"

"Yes!" Levi roared back. "Because lately you fight like a man with something else in his head. Like you don’t care if you cut me down!"

Lennox’s fists clenched, his voice rising. "If you can remember clearly, you were the one swinging like you’d lost your mind! Like something else had taken over you!"

Their voices crashed together, hot and furious, filling the room. My wolf bristled, snapping inside me, unable to take it anymore.

"Enough!" My voice thundered through the room, startling even the healer into stillness. "You haven’t settled your scores—and instead of talking, you draw your swords? Do you even realize what you’re doing to yourselves? To me?

You’re mates—mine—and you’re cutting each other open like enemies!"

The room fell silent, their chests rising and falling heavily, but the tension between them still crackled like fire waiting for fuel.