Chapter 483 In distress

Olivia’s POV

I didn’t want to do it. Not really. But Levi wasn’t listening. He stood there, his jaw tight, his eyes filled with that same cold stubbornness that always made me furious. Every word I said bounced off him like it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t tell me where Lennox was. He wouldn’t let me see him. He just stood there, calm, silent, breaking me with his stubborn refusal. I was shaking, not from anger but from fear. Fear that Lennox was gone forever. Fear that Levi had done something I couldn’t forgive.

“Tell me where he is,” I said, my voice trembling.

Levi’s eyes softened, but his answer stayed the same. “I can’t.”

Something inside me cracked.

“Levi,” I whispered, trying one last time, “please… I just need to see him. I won’t do the ritual. I swear it. I just want to see him.”

His lips pressed into a hard line. “You can’t.”

That was it. That was the moment everything in me broke.

“Fine,” I said, my voice cold even though my heart was crying. “If you won’t take me to him, then I’ll make sure you don’t have to deal with me anymore.”

His brow furrowed. “Olivia—”

I took a deep breath and let my wolf’s power rise. The air in the room thickened. My heart pounded hard against my ribs. “I, Olivia—”

His eyes widened instantly. “Don’t.”

“Reject—” I tried to finish, my voice shaking as tears filled my eyes.

But I didn’t want to. I didn’t mean it.

Inside, my mind was screaming, Stop me, Levi. Please stop me. Just tell me where he is. I was begging him silently, praying he’d interrupt me, hold me, anything, but he didn’t move. He just stood there, staring at me, his face pale and his hands trembling.

“Please,” I whispered, choking on the word. “Say something. Don’t make me do this.”

And then, before I could finish, Levi’s body suddenly went still.

“Levi?”

He swayed on his feet. His eyes rolled back.

“Levi!” I screamed as he collapsed to the floor.

I rushed to him, my hands grabbing his shoulders. His skin felt cold, his pulse faint.

“Levi! No, no, no!” My voice broke. “Somebody help!”

The door burst open. Two guards ran in, followed by Louis. His eyes went wide when he saw Levi on the ground.

“What happened?!” Louis shouted, rushing to kneel beside him.

“I—” My voice shook. “We were talking—he wouldn’t listen—and I said—” I couldn’t even finish. The guilt was crushing me. “I didn’t mean to! I didn’t want to!”

Louis didn’t waste time. “Get the healer!” he barked.

One of the guards ran out at once.

Levi’s head rested in my lap. His breathing was slow, heavy. Every time he exhaled, I felt like part of my soul was leaving with him.

“Stay with me,” I whispered, brushing the hair from his forehead. “Please, Levi, stay with me. I didn’t mean it. I was angry. I was scared.”

Tears ran down my face and dropped onto his skin. Yet he didn’t move.

Louis’s voice was rough. “You shouldn’t have pushed him like that, Olivia.”

“Don’t,” I sobbed. “Don’t you dare blame me right now.”

Louis looked at me, pain and worry mixed in his eyes. “He loves you too much. You saying those words—it tore him apart.”

The healer rushed in just then. She knelt beside Levi and placed her hand on his chest, closing her eyes. Her brow creased.

“He’s not hurt,” she murmured softly. “But his heart is in distress. Too much emotional shock. It’s like his wolf is shutting down to protect him.”

“What does that mean?” I asked, my voice breaking.

“It means he’s not okay, my dear,” she said gently. “Not physically, not emotionally.”

The guards carefully lifted him onto the bed. His face looked pale, too pale. I stayed beside him, gripping his hand tightly.

“Levi,” I whispered. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”

Louis stood by the wall, his arms crossed, trying to stay strong. But I could see the fear in his eyes too.

The healer touched my shoulder softly. “You need to rest as well,” she said. “This isn’t good for your baby.”

I shook my head. “I can’t leave him like this.”

She sighed. “Your bond is strong. He’ll feel your presence. But you must be calm. If you panic, it’ll only make things worse.”

I nodded weakly, wiping my tears. My chest hurt, my heart ached, and guilt clawed at me like fire.

I looked down at Levi’s face again. Even unconscious, he looked tired, like he’d been carrying too much for too long.

“He was only trying to protect you,” Louis said quietly after a moment.

“I know,” I whispered. “But I was just so scared. I thought he was taking Lennox away from me forever.”

Louis rubbed the back of his neck. “Maybe he was trying to save you both, in his own way.”

The healer finished checking Levi’s pulse and covered him with a blanket. “He’ll wake up soon,” she said softly. “But he needs peace. No more fights tonight.”

I nodded, still holding his hand. “I promise.”

The healer smiled gently and left the room. Louis followed, closing the door behind him. It was obvious he couldn’t stand seeing Levi in that position, so he had to leave. After everyone left, the silence that followed was heavy. Only the faint sound of Levi’s breathing filled the room.

I leaned forward and kissed his forehead softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you,” I whispered. “I just wanted the truth. I just wanted him back.”

I rested my head against his chest, listening to the slow, steady thump of his heart. It was weak but still there.

And as my eyes filled with tears again, I realized something that scared me more than anything. If Levi didn’t wake up, I’d never forgive myself.

I closed my eyes for a moment, praying silently. “Please, Moon Goddess, don’t take him too. I can’t lose another.”

The room was quiet. Too quiet. I could hear the wind brushing against the window, the faint howl of wolves in the distance.

Then, suddenly, Levi’s fingers twitched.

My breath caught. “Levi?” I whispered, gripping his hand tighter.

His body shifted slightly, his lips parting like he was trying to speak. I leaned closer, my heart racing.

But instead of words, a low growl came from his throat, deep, pained, and not entirely human.

“Levi?” I said again, panic rising in my chest. His eyes flew open, glowing faint gold for a split second before his body jerked violently.

“Louis!” I screamed. “Someone help!”

The door burst open again, but before anyone could reach him, Levi’s hand clutched my wrist—tight, almost bruising. His eyes, wild and strange, locked onto mine.

For a moment, I thought he didn’t recognize me.

Then his voice came out rough and broken. “She’s not safe,” he whispered hoarsely. “Keep her away from him.”

“Who?” I asked, terrified. “Levi, who?”

But his grip loosened, and his body went limp again.

“Levi!” I shouted, shaking him, but his eyes had already closed.

The healer rushed in behind Louis, her voice filled with worry. “Get back!” she said quickly, touching his chest again and whispering a spell.

“What’s happening to him?” I cried.

The healer’s face went pale. “His wolf… it’s fighting something. Something dark.”

My heart stopped.

“What do you mean dark?” Louis asked, his voice unsteady.

The healer looked at me, her brow furrowed. “He’s not just collapsing from pain anymore. Something—or someone—is reaching for him through the bond.”

Through the bond.

I froze, realizing what that meant. My wolf whimpered inside me.

“Lennox,” I whispered.