Secrets of the Unity

Chapter 4: The Safest Floor

Sage

I was surprised by Olivia’s transformation over the last two years. She seemed to be different, not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well… At least that’s the way it seemed.

The insecure and self-loathing girl who doubted her abilities, strength, and beauty was gone. Now, Olivia is a sexy and confident young woman who knows her worth and has a killer slashing tongue to back herself up.

The warm golden glow that donned her beautiful hazelnut-colored skin was all the proof that I needed to know she was happy. My heart warmed at the thought. However, that warmth quickly faded when I reminded myself of our… circumstances. Olivia certainly wasn’t happy to see me… How I wish she had been though.

Livy may not be happy to see you, but at least she’s happy. That’s all we could’ve ever wanted for her… Right? Axel, my wolf, tried to reason. He didn’t seem too convinced by his words though.

Yeah, I guess you’re right. I mumbled. I didn’t like not being close to her, but I made this bed, so I had to lay in it.

Axel retreated to the back of my mind without another word. He didn’t have to say it for me to know that he was devastated that Olivia hated my guts. And since he’s a part of me, it means that Olivia hates our guts. But she won’t for long… I have a plan to earn her forgiveness. I just have to get her alone so I can put it into action.

“You guys know the little groundhog?” Toddrick asked, looking between the three childhood friends in bewilderment.

Olivia rolled her eyes in annoyance. “Kyson’s my big brother, asshole.”

Toddrick’s eyes grew wide with realization and shock. “Wait!! You’re OJ?! As in, Olivia June Summers?!”

Olivia’s eyes narrowed in offense.

Has he not known her name this entire time? I consciously chuckled.

Axel gave a wolfish snicker and shook his head, relaxing with his paws splayed out in front of him.

“Seriously?! You haven't known my name after four years of insults?! That’s insulting as hell!” Olivia snapped. “And only my close family and friends call me OJ. And we aren’t close, nor are we family or friends, so you can call me June!”

Todd ignored her comment and turned to me with a knowing look and entered our familial link.

Is she the one?

I nodded and linked him back.

In the flesh.

My brother and I have been extremely close since we were kids. We tell each other everything. There’s never been something one of us knew that we didn’t share with the other. We were each other’s confidants and more.

When I got back to the training camp, I told Toddrick everything about that summer with Olivia. I told him her real name, how we met, what led to me taking her virginity, and what happened the day I left saying those horrible things to her, breaking her heart. That was the day I regretted the most, but it had to be done. A necessary evil in exchange for her safety.

Toddrick turned back to the three and eyed Olivia with his sinister smirk. “Mmmm. You’re a freak!” Olivia’s eyes widened in fear.

I punched him… hard. “Ouch! It was just a joke!” He whined, rubbing his arm, attempting to soothe the pain.

“Shut up,” I grumbled, throwing him a death glare. I knew Liv didn’t want anyone to know about what happened that summer two years ago; hell neither did I, definitely wasn’t one of my proudest moments. And if Todd went around blabbing about stuff like that, then it was only a matter of time before the truth came out. And trust me… no one was ready for the chaos that truth would cause.

Thankfully, the conversation was interrupted by my dad calling us inside.

******

“I sent you out there to get them Toddrick, not converse,” Papa sighed as he sat down next to Mama and wrapped his arm around her.

“I know, but I got caught up talking to June. Did you know that she’s Kyson’s little sister?” Toddrick sneakily smirked. Olivia rolled her eyes at his antics.

She does that quite a lot now. I pointed out.

There’s a lot to roll your eyes at with Todd around. Axel chuckled.

Point made. The dog was right. My brother can be awfully irritating at times.

Papa scowled at Toddrick for his playful stupidity. “Yes… I’m aware. What kind of Alpha would I be if I didn’t remember my Gamma’s daughter? The Gamma’s, who are also my best friends. Not to mention the countless times that Daffodil, Broady, and their kids came to the house for family gatherings,” he said in a duh tone. My dad’s friends snickered.

“Wh… That little chubby kid that always sat by herself and wandered into the forest was you?!” Todd asked Liv, accusingly.

“Yes,” Liv deadpanned.

Axel snickered. Damn, that reminds me of how she treated you when we first met at the cabin.

I rolled my eyes at my wolf. I don’t like being reminded of the beginning of our relationship. Especially since she hates me now just as much as she did then, maybe even more.

Axel didn’t reply, but I could feel his disappointment and sadness as he returned to his previous laid-down position and watched in silence.

Toddrick’s eyes narrowed into slits as he glared at Olivia. “You know… you ruined a lot of family gatherings because of your wandering off, pipsqueak.”

Olivia nonchalantly shrugged. “My parents are overprotective, and they worry a lot… How is that my fault?”

With the roll of his eyes, Toddrick mumbled; “Whatever.” Liv mimicked his eye roll, ending the conversation.

After their bickering, we spent the next few hours chatting with our families about our time away at college and SunFae—a high-intensity training camp for future supernatural leaders.

It was nice to talk to Trevor’s parents, Sonya and Isaac, after not seeing them for a long time. Especially Isaac. He and Broady were always traveling on official pack business while I was in high school, so I didn’t get to see them often. I can only imagine how their kids felt not having them around.

My mom checked her watch. Seeing that it was nearly time for dinner, she stood from her seat with a sigh. “It’s getting late. The kitchen staff is going to serve dinner soon. We better get going.” Mama said, touching my father’s shoulder.

Papa checked his watch and agreed. “Yeah, you’re right. We should let them get ready for dinner.” He stood up from his chair, followed by his friends, and headed for the door.

The guys, Olivia, and I walked our parents to their cars. I hugged and kissed my mom good night and opened her door when I overheard Olivia talking to Broady— her father— about training.

“Are we still going to have our private training sessions now that the guys are back?” Olivia asked, pouting her full brown-pink lips.

I should ask Broady if I could get in on those training sessions. And I know what you’re thinking… and yes, I do have an ulterior motive, but that’s not the only reason.

If I train with them, not only will I be close to Olivia, but I could benefit from Broady’s battle expertise. He’s one of the greatest warriors of the pack. A title he obtained after years of training, practice, and experience. In other words, he earned it, through and through.

Axel let out a yip of approval for my plan. He was on board one hundred percent.

Broady chuckled at his daughter’s feigned pout. “Of course we are. I still have to knock you down, young Jedi.” The father and daughter playfully bowed to each other like a sensei and student and giggled.

Daffodil lovingly chuckled at her mate and daughter’s interaction before kissing her children goodnight and hopping into the car with Broady.

Consecutively, our parents started their cars and slowly pulled out of the driveway. When their cars disappeared out of the front gate, we went back inside to get ready for dinner.

One by one we filtered into the spacious elevator. I scanned my thumb on the security pad and pressed the buttons for the fourth and fifth floors— the floors reserved for the ranks— and waited for the doors to close.

I knew Toddrick and the guys were on the fourth floor, but I wasn’t sure about Olivia. Seeing that she hadn’t pressed a button when entering the elevator, I’m suddenly reminded of a conversation Kyson and I had three years ago when Liv was about to move into the packhouse.

***Flashback***

I zipped up my toiletry bag and tossed my towel over my shoulder as I walked into the luxurious and spacious log cabin that I shared with my three best friends.

Tyler, Trevor, Kyson, and I have been roommates for the past two years that we’ve been here at SunFae. Over the years, we’ve grown closer and closer, and I’m more than happy about that. The goal is to be as close as our parents, and I think we’re on the right track so far.

I noticed Kyson sitting on the couch, gnawing on his pen, something he often did when worried or stressed.

Something’s bothering him. Axel sang.

Mhm. I hummed in reply.

I walked over and plopped down on the couch next to my friend. I ran my fingers through my tangled, damp hair that was already starting to dry. I needed to brush it and put in my leave-in conditioner before I’m dealing with dry tangled curls for the next week.

“What’s bothering you?” I asked, turning towards my friend.

Kyson seemed stunned by my inquiry about his well-being.

“Huh?” The pen slipped from his lips and fell to the floor. I snickered and picked it up, wiggling it in his face. “You only gnaw on things when you’re worried. So what is it? What's on your mind?”

Kyson scoffed and grabbed the pen. “It’s my sister. She’s turning fifteen by the end of the school year, and my parents are letting her move into the packhouse by the summer, which is earlier than what they agreed to before I left. She’s going to be living there by the end of the month.” He seemed disappointed by that fact.

Usually, when a werewolf is old enough to move into the packhouse, it’s something that’s celebrated. I was ecstatic when my parents finally let Toddrick move into the packhouse after his fifteenth birthday last September. Why wasn’t Kyson excited for his sister?

“You know, usually when a werewolf moves into the packhouse, especially a year early, it’s a rite of passage that’s celebrated. And you, my friend, are not celebrating, nor do you seem the least bit excited… You should be excited for her! That’s an accomplishment that doesn’t happen often. Aren’t you happy that she’s gaining her bearings in the pack so young?” I asked, trying to get inside his head.

“No, of course, I am! I’m proud of OJ, it’s just…” Kyson trailed off. He heaved a sigh and shook his head.

Kyson and I have recently gotten extremely close. It took him longer to open up to me, the same way it took Trevor a while to open up to Tyler. Considering I was usually the one beating the s**t out of Kyson, and Tyler was the one that beat— and hospitalized— Trevor, it made sense why it took so long for them to consider us trustworthy friends. But they were finally doing it, and we wanted them to know that they could trust us with any and every worry, issue, and/or random thought on their minds. As I mentioned before, it’s a goal of ours to have a friendship as strong as our parents' while leading and taking care of the pack. To make that happen, we had to trust each other with everything, even the simplest of worries.

“What is it?” I pressed, pushing him to continue.

Kyson sighed once more and stood from the couch. He walked around the coffee table and faced me. “It’s just that… OJ doesn’t have… friends. The only friends that she has are me, Trevor, and her two best friends, who I don’t trust, by the way— no matter how long they’ve been around,” Kyson expressed. “I’m worried about her safety in the packhouse. She could be an easy target for teasing and bullying.”

Axel growled possessively. I’d kill anyone who dared to try!

Axel is very protective of our family, and Kyson and Trevor are a part of that family now. And we consider the family of our family, family. So OJ means as much to us as she does to her brother.

I silently agreed with my wolf. Olivia needed to be protected at all times. I needed to figure out how to keep her safe so I could ease my friend’s worries. And just like that, I got a grand idea.

“Well, if you're worried about Liv’s safety, maybe I can talk to my dad and ask him to give her a room on a good floor? That way she’ll be out of harm's way.” I suggested.

Kyson seemed confused but surprised, in a good way. “You would do that for her?”

I nodded. “I’d do it for the both of you… You’re family, Ky, I’d do anything for my family.” I smiled at my brother from another mother.

“That would be amazing! Thank you!” Kyson beamed with relief. “How about one of the safest floors in the packhouse? There’s no way she would be in harm's way if she was on a heavily fortified floor… like one of the pack leader’s floors?!” He suggested.

He really loves his little sister if he’s asking for that! Axel snickered.

Yeah, he does. Which means that we love her just as much. Right?

Right! Family is family! Axel barked.

“Okay. I’ll talk to my dad tonight and see what he says. I’ll make sure she’s safe.” I promised.

Kyson’s smile grew. “Thanks, Sage!” He quickly walked around the table to me. I got up from my seat and clapped his outstretched hand and pulled him into a hug.

We pulled back and looked at each other. “Like I said… Family is family. And we protect our family.” I gave him a closed-lipped smile.

I was happy that I could help my friend with his worries. Part of me felt like I was aiding in our growing friendship. I was proud of this moment, and I knew that more happy moments like these were to come because of it.

***End of Flashback***

That night, I called my dad and told him about Kyson’s worries and what he’d suggested. Papa told me not to worry and that he’d handle it. So, I let him work his magic. However, he never told me what floor he put her on. That was the million-dollar question; the question that I was about to get an answer to.

With a small jolt, the elevator halted, and the doors slid open, revealing the ginormous living room area of the Beta, Gamma, and Delta floor.

The guys got off the elevator, but Olivia stayed on. The only floors above this one were the Alpha's floor and the attic. And say what you will, but my dad would never put his best friends’ daughter in an attic, no matter how spick, span, and luxurious it was.

Kyson stopped in his tracks, noticing that his sister hadn’t followed him off the elevator. He turned around and faced her. “OJ, why aren’t you getting off?” His words made the guys stop and turn toward the elevator in wonder.

Olivia glared at her brother, her eyes full of sizzling rage. “Because Kyson… you asked the Alpha to put me on the safest floor in the pack house. This floor and the ones underneath weren’t the safest in his opinion… The Alpha’s floor is.”

My heart skipped a beat. I was ecstatic! This makes my mission of getting Olivia to forgive me way easier!

Thank you, Papa!! I consciously exclaimed.

Axel tilted his head back and howled with vigorous excitement in my conscience. His excitement was more than contagious.

I feigned calm and composed on the outside while I was screaming and jumping for joy on the inside.

Kyson shook off his surprise. “Oh, okay,”—he looked me in the eye—“make sure you keep her safe.”

I nodded. “You have my word, brother.” I’ll always keep her safe. No matter the cost. I silently added.

As will I! Axel yipped. His childlike excitement caused my outer facade to slip, allowing a tiny smirk to grace the corner of my lips.

Kyson nodded his approval.

Olivia rolled her eyes for the millionth time today. “We’re getting ready for dinner Kyson, not war. I don’t need protection in the shower.” Her glare in my direction was duly noted.

“You’re my little sister, OJ, you always need protection.”

The doors of the elevator closed just as Olivia gained her bearings to rebut her brother’s comment. She huffed in frustration and leaned against the wall, folding her arms.

Psst! Here’s your window, smart guy! Take it! Axel whispered.

The fleabag was right. Right now was the perfect time to talk to her while we were alone in the elevator.

You’re no walk in the park either. Axel mumbled at my insult. I just ignored him.

I cleared my throat, mustering up the courage to speak, but Olivia beat me to it. “Just an FYI, your friendship with my brother and Trevor means nothing to me. I want nothing to do with you.” As she spoke, she spared me no glance, not even a snide glare. She stared at the titanium doors of the elevator, stoic and cold.

“Going down that road with you was the biggest mistake of my life. And I refuse to make that mistake again,” she added.

I frowned in disappointment. I never would’ve referred to that summer as a mistake, and definitely not the biggest mistake of my life.

Axel’s whimpers of sadness echoed through the caverns of my mind. Olivia’s words hurt him, they hurt us both.

“Look, Livy, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. I-I mean, I-I did, but I never meant for-” The doors opened, and Olivia stormed off the elevator, cutting me off. She still refused to look at me, and this time she didn’t even speak.

I was starting to get frustrated. I wasn’t going to let her ignore me just to escape this conversation. We needed to talk. So, I stalked after her. I grabbed Olivia’s wrist and spun her around. She stared up at me with anger and disgust oozing from every inch of her being.

For a split second, I thought I saw a bit of lust behind that icy, brown-eyed stare of hers, but it was gone in a heartbeat. It disappeared so fast, I figured it was a figment of my imagination. Unfortunately, the loathing, disgust, and anger were back.

Enraptured by our proximity, I wrapped my arm around Olivia’s waist. The feeling of my touch enticed a sharp inhale from her luscious lips. She liked to be touched there. A fact I could never allow myself to forget.

I was so entranced by her deliciously sweet scent that I hadn’t noticed how close we were. Our mouths were less than five inches away from one another. I couldn’t control myself anymore, I had to-no, I needed to taste her lips again.

I pulled Olivia flush against me and brought my lips down upon hers in a passionate, fiery, breathtaking kiss.