Chapter 75 - Liv

Adea

I gaped at her as my thundering heart tried to adjust to the fact that she was here. Before I could think of anything to say, she sagged in on herself and Gabe’s arms were around her as she crumpled down to the ground.

They stayed there for a moment. Odis’s eyes were wide with a mixture of shock and disbelief. His shoulders sagged with relief as he stared at Olivia. His eyes raked down her body, his eyes filled with tears but before they could escape he closed his eyes.

I drag my eyes from Odis and look back at Olivia. “Let’s get her up,” I said gently, and stride over to where she remained on the floor.

Olivia didn’t look at me or pay attention as I made my way to her side. Instead, she tilted her head to gaze up at the sky then dropping her eyes to the field. Her eyes were hollow as they darted from the field where I shifted to the trees.

“I’m really here,” she whispered. I couldn’t tell if it was relief or shock I heard. “I didn’t think I’d ever come back. The first nights…” she trailed off as her pupils dilated.

I felt relief dance through me as Gabe stared down at her. It looks like she has been through hell but at least we have her back. Tears stained his cheeks but the look on his face clearly showed how relieved he was to have her back.

There was a look in Olivia’s eyes that put me on edge. Her eyes followed my movements and my stomach felt like it dropped. Asking her what happened was on the tip of my tongue but I knew now wasn’t the time. We don’t know what she’s been through and we just found her. Now is not the time to investigate.

As Gabe pulled her to her feet, her frail body seemed even smaller than before. She’d lost weight. Gabe pulled her into his arms as we made our way back to the packhouse. 

“Somethings wrong,” Kor growled. Gabe pulled her to her feet and goosebumps broke out across my skin. “Can you feel it?” She asks.

“Something isn’t sitting well with me but I can’t quite figure it out,” I tell Korra.

My hair was standing on end as she wrapped her arms around Gabe. “I love you,” Gabe says. He leans in to kiss her and I don’t miss the way she flinches but doesn’t dodge him.

I didn’t want to believe Kor but my gut instinct was screaming that something was off. I shoot Odis a glance to gauge his reaction. I wanted to see if he noticed anything but he just stood there watching Olivia.

“It blows my mind that Odis and Gabe haven’t noticed,” I tell Korra.

“We have to wait for our mate. These two are too excited about her being home that they haven’t noticed anything. Ethan has been gone and can give us some clarity,” Korra says. Her words give me hope.

“I think we should have a meeting. Where have you been, Olivia?” Gabe asked as he gripped her shoulders and tried to look into her eyes.

“I don’t think right now is the time, Gabe,” Odis said. “We don’t know where she’s been or what she’s gone through. I think she needs space and a little bit of understanding.”

He assessed Olivia before taking a hesitant step towards her. Her eyes darted to him as he approached her.

“I’m her ma-” Gabe says.

“Yes, you’re her mate but I’m her Beta and she is my Gamma,” Odis says without looking at Gabe.“I’m glad you’re okay Liv,” Odis tells Olivia as if she were a skittish deer. Her eyes almost seem void of emotion.

Gabe opens and closes his mouth. Odis stopped a foot in front of her and made no move to touch her. He stayed a foot away as he looked at her. 

“Ethan isn’t here. As much as we’d like information on what’s happened, where you’ve been, and who had you. I’d like…“ Odis pauses.

He swallows before continuing. “You need rest. You’ve been gone for a long time. After a good night’s rest, you’ll have a well-rested mind. You will have the strength to tell us slowly what happened and where you’ve been.”

Olivia stares at him emotionless. “I’m sure Luna would agree to give you a couple of days to recover,” Odis says.

I nod. “Of course. I wholeheartedly agree.”

Gabe smiles at me gratefully. “Thank you, Ady. I’ll take her home now.

Olivia gives us a curt nod before Gabe wraps his arm around her and leads her to their room. Odis watches them until they disappear.

“Please tell me you noticed it,” I plead.

Odis turns around and his eyes search my eyes, for what, I’m not sure. “We need to be sure. We can’t just assume based off of a few minutes out in the woods.”

“That wasn’t Olivia,” I tell him. “That… that was an empty shell. My hair stood on end as soon as I saw her Beta.”

“We need to wait until the meeting. I’ll set it for tomorrow. We can hear from her where she was and what she has been doing.”

“Beta-” I start but he cuts me off.

“We wanted to bring her home and today, the Goddess did that.”

“Yes, but-”

“We need to tread carefully,” Odis says. “Slow steps Kacie, slow steps. After she rests… she’ll answer our questions. I’m going to link Doctor James and have him go their room to run a few tests and get an evaluation of her physical and mental state.”

I sighed in relief. “I thought I was crazy,” I whispered.

“This past week has been hard on all of us,” Odis said. “We’ve exerted ourselves and we could use some rest as well. I’ll update you as I find out, Luna.”

“Thank you, Odis.”

He bowed in response and headed into the lobby. We split up and the ache in my chest returned as the elevator doors closed.. I headed up to our room and yearned for my mate.