Olivia’s POV
Lennox leaned back against the cushions of the sofa, looking better. A mischievous glint appeared in his eyes as he looked over at Levi and Louis.
"Do you two rember," Lennox started, a low chuckle vibrating in his chest, "when Olivia refused to speak to us for a whole day because we made the mistake of smiling at Amanda?" Levi burst out laughing, shaking his head. "How could I forget? She stomped around this house like a tiny hurricane. I think she broke a vase in the hallway just to make a point."
Louis joined in, a rare, genuine grin on his face. "She was so jealous. We weren’t even flirting; we were just being polite."
I rolled my eyes, though a smile tugged at my lips as I rested my head on Lennox’s shoulder. "Back then, anyone was a threat," I defended myself, though I was laughing too. "I was young and territorial. Can you bla ?"
It had been two weeks since the news of his improvent, and day by day, he had been getting better. My Lennox was coming back. The way he moved, the way he spoke—the Alpha iron was returning to his spirit. We were so lucky. Every ti I looked at him, I felt a surge of gratitude so strong it nearly brought to tears. We were very lucky to have him here.
But then, the laughter died down. Lennox’s posture shifted, and the air in the room grew heavy with a sudden, intentional weight. He looked at Levi and Louis, and I could tell from the silent communication passing between them that they had already discussed what was coming next.
"I have sothing to say," Lennox began, his voice dropping into a serious, steady tone. He looked down at , his gaze searching mine. "Olivia... do you really want us to work? All of us?"
I didn’t hesitate. I sat up straighter, looking at each of them in turn. "Yes. I love you three. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it until I have no breath left. Furthermore, I want this family."
Lennox took a deep breath. "Then it starts with this. I’m sorry. I’m sorry for the walls I built and for the way I let my pride nearly destroy what we have."
"I’m sorry too," Levi added, his voice thick with emotion. "For the secrets. For thinking I knew what was best for you without ever asking what you needed."
"And I’m sorry," Louis muttered. Actually, he had nothing to apologize for.
Lennox continued. "I want us to start all over again, Olivia. I know you’ve heard this so many tis before, but this is for real. No more shadows. No more ’Locked-In’ secrets. Just us. Do you want that?"
Tears blurred my vision as I looked at them—my three Alphas, finally standing together instead of apart. "Yes," I whispered, a sob of relief catching in my throat. "I would love that more than anything."
Levi reached out, taking my other hand, while Louis placed a grounding hand on my shoulder.
"We’re going to love you this ti as you deserve," Levi promised, his eyes burning with a new kind of vow. "No more half-asures. No more mistakes."
I smiled. "I hope so."
TWO WEEKS LATER!
I was on a private date with just Levi.
He looked incredible in a dark button-down, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his powerful forearms. But it was his eyes that held ; the haunted look was gone, replaced by a deep, calm affection.
I reached across the table, taking his hand. "I hope you know," I started softly, "that even with Lennox back and stronger every day, I don’t love you any less. I know it’s hard for the three of you sotis, and it’s hard for to show it equally... but I am trying, Levi. I need you to know that."
Levi squeezed my hand, his thumb stroking my knuckles. "I know, Olivia. Just being here with you... it’s enough."
"I was thinking about us earlier," I said, a small smile playing on my lips. "About how we grew up. You were always my ’yes’ man. Do you rember? Whenever I wanted sothing—sothing ridiculous or a stupid demand—I was always a little afraid to go to Lennox. He was the strict one, even then. I was scared he’d say no or tell to be sensible."
Levi let out a low, lodic chuckle, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
"But you," I continued, my voice warming. "You loved too much to ever say no. Even when I was being impossible, you’d just sigh and make it happen. You’ve always been my steady ground, Levi. You gave a softness that I didn’t get anywhere else. That’s why I love you. Not because of a bond, but because of who you’ve always been to ."
Levi’s smile widened, but his gaze grew intense. "I couldn’t help it," he whispered. "Seeing you happy was the only thing that made sense to back then. It’s still the only thing that makes sense."
He leaned in closer, the candlelight dancing in his dark eyes. "I don’t need to be the only one, Olivia. I just need to be yours. As long as I have these monts—this version of you that belongs just to —I can handle anything."
I felt a lump form in my throat. I stood up slowly, walking around the table to stand beside him. Levi imdiately pulled his chair back, drawing into the space between his knees. I wrapped my arms around his neck, breathing in his scent of rain and spice.
I went still, watching the way his jaw tightened.
"I am so sorry," he whispered. "For the lies, for the way I manipulated the situation while Lennox was sick, for the coldness I showed you. There were nights when I looked at myself in the mirror and didn’t recognize the man staring back. I was cruel to you, the one person who deserved only my protection."
He looked down at his hands, his grip on my wrists trembling slightly. "Sotis... I feel like I was let off the hook too easily. I see you smiling at , I see Lennox recovering, and I feel like I don’t deserve this grace. I hurt you, Olivia. I broke your trust over and over again. A part of feels like I should have been cast out, not brought back into your arms."
My heart ached at the weight of his self-loathing. I reached up, forcing him to look at , cupping his face in my hands.
"Levi, look at ," I commanded softly. "You weren’t let off the hook. You lived in a hell of your own making for months. I saw you wasting away; I saw the light leave your eyes. That was your punishnt."
I brushed a thumb over his cheekbone. "Forgiveness isn’t about forgetting what you did. It’s about deciding that the man you are now is worth fighting for. You’ve earned your place back. Don’t punish yourself anymore, Levi. I need you whole."
A single, heavy breath escaped him, as if he were finally letting go of a stone he’d been carrying in his chest. The tension bled out of his shoulders, and he finally pulled flush against him, burying his face in the crook of my neck.
"I’ll spend the rest of my life making it up to you," he vowed into my skin. "I promise."
"I know you will," I whispered. "I love you, Levi," I murmured against his ear. "Thank you for loving ."
He pulled back just enough to look at , his hand cupping my cheek. "And I love you. More than I have words for."
Then, he leaned in and kissed —a deep, slow, and lingering kiss filled with passion. In that mont, the rest of the world faded away. There was no pack, no brothers, no past trauma. Just two people in love.
When we arrived back at the mansion, it was already 9 PM. I kissed Levi goodnight and made my way to the boys’ room to check up on them before retiring for bed.
Pushing the door and stepping into their room, I didn’t expect to see Lennox there, lying on their beds. Seeing Lennox there, in the middle of the boys’ joined beds, made my heart swell. He had literally pushed all three beds together to make one giant bed. Liam was sprawled across Lennox’s chest, his small hand clutching his father’s shirt as if making sure he wouldn’t disappear again. Leon and Leo were tucked into his sides, their breathing deep and rhythmic.
As if sensing my presence, Lennox’s eyes fluttered open. The moonlight caught the sharp, healthy line of his jaw. He didn’t move abruptly—he didn’t want to wake them—but a soft, beautiful smile spread across his face. He carefully disentangled himself, kissing each of their foreheads before sliding out of the bed with a grace that proved his strength was truly back.
We stepped out into the hallway, the door clicking softly behind us.
"How was your date with Levi?" he asked, his voice a low, warm hum in the quiet corridor. He pulled into his arms, his scent wrapping around .
"It was fine," I whispered, leaning my head against his chest. "It was... necessary. We talked through a lot of things."
Lennox nodded, kissing the top of my head. He didn’t ask for details; he trusted the bond now.
"Good," he murmured.
He gave one last lingering kiss goodnight before heading toward his own suite. I watched him walk away before turning toward Levi’s room.
When I stepped inside, the room was dimly lit. Levi was already under the covers, propped up against the pillows. He looked up as I entered, and the hopeful look in his eyes made realize how much he still needed the reassurance of my presence.
I didn’t say a word. I simply changed into one of his oversized t-shirts and crawled into the bed beside him. Levi imdiately opened his arms, pulling into the crook of his shoulder. I rested my hand on his chest, feeling the steady thrum of his heart.
We didn’t have sex. We didn’t even talk. The passion of the restaurant had settled into sothing deeper—a quiet, comfortable intimacy. Levi pulled the duvet up over us, his chin resting on the top of my head, his legs tangling with mine.
For the first ti in four years, the mansion was silent—not because of grief, but because everyone was finally at rest.
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