Now
Olivia’s POV
As the palace gates closed behind me, a sense of relief washed over me. I had taken permission from Bustan to leave for a few days, something I hadn’t done since returning after successfully making a deal with the hunters. We were finally free from their threats and Nate was in a vulnerable state. I had promised the wolves, I'd be back to learn so it was time.
When I reached the familiar clearing near the cave, I spotted the ancient wolves lounging in the distance, their enormous forms basking in the afternoon sun. As I approached, the leader—the woman who had once been a wolf in front of me—stood, greeting me with a nod.
“You’ve returned,” she said, her voice steady but welcoming. Her name, I had learned, was Maelis, and she carried the wisdom of centuries in her e
