The Lost Rogue Heiress

ELEVEN - Lead the Way

Olivia’s fingertips grazed over the wildflowers as she walked through the meadow beside Lizzie. Neither had said much since experiencing the vision that Aries had shared with them. The shock of seeing how it all ended had finally caught up with Olivia, and a heavy sadness weighed on her shoulders. On one hand, her parents had loved each other, had been fated mates, and obviously had a strong bond with one another. Olivia had never seen an issue with her mother being an Omega maid without a mate; in fact, she had been proud. She thought she must have been a brave woman to try and raise a baby on her own in her position.

She now knew that her mother was far from a maid, and had actually been a fierce warrior. A warrior who had been forced to choose between pack loyalty and loyalty to her mate. A decision she didn’t seem to be able to make, because in the end, she had stayed with her mate, albeit in secret, while still remaining loyal to the Jadewood pack.

Olivia was torn between being sad for all her parents lost, and angry at how it all played out. If her mother had switched sides, would they have survived the war? If they were accepted as the future Alpha and Luna of the Northern Rogues, would the war have ended differently, perhaps? Why did her mother stay with the Jadewood’s when her whole heart belonged to her father, Tristan? All these questions and more plagued her mind as she continued to walk in silence next to Lizzie.

Lizzie empathized with her. She was heartbroken for her friend; no one deserved happiness and peace more than Olivia and she couldn’t imagine how she was feeling after seeing her father die the way he did. It wasn’t just for all she had done for Lizzie, but for everyone in her life. Olivia was never selfish, and always put others before herself, even to her own detriment at times.

Suffocating all of her empathy for Olivia was the anger and fear she felt toward her own wolf. Aries was strong, without question; she had to be in order to pair with an Alpha’s daughter. She was also unpredictable, and that made her dangerous. Lizzie couldn’t help but wonder if she would lose control over her just as Sara had, and end up hurting people she loved in the process. Aries going into rage mode after losing her mate only ended up getting Sara killed and leaving Olivia without a mother. She understood why Aries felt so guilty, but her emotions were obviously something that Aries didn’t have complete control over. Lizzie was beginning to feel like she was going to have to tiptoe around Aries for the rest of her life in order to keep her in check.

Breathe, Lizzie. It’s not going to be like that this time. I promise.

Olivia could hear Aries’ promise to Lizzie, meaning her mother’s wolf wanted her to hear the declaration. A shred of hope peaked from under the surface of their despair with the wolf’s words. She had a tone of confidence that almost sounded like she had a plan.

Lizzie could tell that Olivia had something to say, so she remained silent, letting the woman take her time in forming her thoughts. She knew that Olivia had more to process over the last two days than Lizzie had dealt with in her whole lifetime.

Aries, I want to help you. I really do. You have to understand that you’re dangerous, though, right? Your rage takes over and all you see is red.

I can’t take away what I’ve done. I still can’t explain what happened that day. The memories I have are broken and fragmented. I’d never lost control like that before, that I know for sure. Sara and I were close; I never pushed her out until that day, and it’s something I’ll have to live with for the rest of…well, forever I guess.

Lizzie looked slightly confused and slightly angry.

If that was the only time you ever pushed Sara out, and you were so close, what does that make me? Why have you blocked me out before? Don’t you know how terrifying it is to not have control over your own body, Aries?

I never put you in harm’s way. I was very careful. And I couldn’t explain it at the time because you didn’t know who Olivia was, who I really was either.

And who’s fault is that, huh? I didn’t ask to be kept in the dark.

You’re right. I should have trusted you, Lizzie, but you were so young—you still are. I didn’t want to burden you, either of you, with all of this until it was time.

Now it was Olivia’s turn to be confused.

“Burden us with what, exactly?” Olivia asked aloud.

The past. The future. The present. All of it. We’ve only just scratched the surface, Olivia. There’s more to the story, and now we need to go home so you can hear it. It’s time.

“Home?” both women asked.

Yes; home. Your grandfather has left out quite a few important details, and it’s time you knew the whole story.

Home. The weight that she didn’t realize she had been carrying all this time began to slowly chip away at the thought of belonging somewhere. For the first time in her life, Olivia started to feel as though she was where she was supposed to be. Even though the path before her was still very unclear, she felt a sense of relief that could only come with a sense of purpose.

“Come with me, Lizzie. Please,”

“Lead the way.”