Chapter 17

17

RUSH OF HOPE

Octavia

The sun hangs low in the sky, casting a warm golden hue over the garden, where the vibrant colors of autumn dance in the breeze. I sit on a weathered wooden bench by the pond, my fingers lightly tracing the surface of the water, lost in thought. The stillness of the scene contrasts sharply with the turmoil inside me. I can’t shake the feeling of anxiety that clings to my heart, like a heavy mist that refuses to lift.

Wyatt Saltman — the man who sets my heart racing and my thoughts spiraling — has been haunting me. It’s maddening, really. Just when I thought we were navigating our world together, Rachel barges in, pregnant, or so she claims. The very idea makes bile rise in my throat. I should be reveling in the promise of a life with Wyatt, but instead, I’m caught in a web of confusion and jealousy.

I pull out my phone, my fingers trembling slightly as I hit dial. The familiar sound of Jeanette’s voice on the other end brings me a flicker of comfort. “Octavia? Is everything alright?” she asks, her tone immediately motherly, as it always is.

“No, not really,” I admit, feeling the weight of my emotions threatening to spill over. “Can we meet? By the pond?”

“Of course, dear. I’ll be there shortly.”

Five minutes later, I see her approaching, the autumn leaves swirling around her as if nature itself is welcoming her. Jeanette’s presence is a balm to my soul. When she envelops me in a warm embrace, I feel the tension in my chest ease, if only for a moment.

“How are you holding up?” she asks, pulling back to look at me, her brow furrowed in concern. “I can’t imagine how difficult this must be for you with that awful she-wolf prancing around...”

I shake my head, fighting back tears. “It hurts, Jeanette. The thought of her having his child... it was supposed to be me. I was supposed to give Wyatt everything, and now...”

Jeanette’s expression hardens, a fire igniting within her that I’ve rarely seen. “I’m furious with Wyatt. He’s waited so long for his mate, and yet, here he is, entangled in this mess. It’s reckless, and I won't stand for it.”

My heart sinks a little at her words. I know she’s right; Wyatt’s carelessness has placed us all in this precarious situation. “Rachel puts on this perfect facade, but there’s something off about her. She’s been so... underhanded. And Wyatt? He’s trying to be diplomatic, but it feels like he’s just letting her walk all over him.. and me.”

Jeanette’s eyes narrow. “I had breakfast with Rachel earlier today, and I felt nothing — no connection to what would be my grandchild, no maternal instinct from Rachel. I suspect she might be lying about the pregnancy.”

A rush of hope floods through me, but I temper it with caution. “What if she’s not? What if she really is not pregnant? I don’t want to think about Wyatt having a son with her.”

Jeanette reaches for my hand, squeezing it gently. “I’ve ordered the pack doctor to conduct a pregnancy and DNA test. By the time of the Luna Ceremony tomorrow, we’ll have our answers. If that little bitch is trying to deceive us, she will be exposed.”

I can’t help but laugh at the fire in her words, the fierce protectiveness that radiates from her. “You really don’t hold back, do you?”

“Not when it comes to my son and his mate,” she replies with a smirk. “But you must not let this drive a wedge between you and Wyatt. You need to go to him. Your bond is strong, and you have to remember that.”

I look down, my heart racing at the thought of facing Wyatt, of feeling his arms around me again. “It’s hard, Jeanette. I feel... hollow without him. But how can I just forget about Rachel?”

“Focus on what’s real. You are his mate. That bond is powerful, and it deserves to be nurtured. Go to him, Octavia. Talk to him. Don’t let this situation define your relationship.”

Her words strike a chord deep within me, and I nod slowly, contemplating my next move. Jeanette leans in, kissing the top of my head with a tenderness that feels like home. “I believe in you, dear. Just remember, you are stronger than you think.”

As I watch her walk back up the path toward the house, I sit in the quiet for a few more moments, the golden light filtering through the branches overhead. The decision crystallizes in my mind: I want my mate. I want to be with Wyatt, no matter the chaos surrounding us.

I rise from the bench, resolve filling my veins. I won’t let Rachel take what’s mine. It’s time to reclaim my place in Wyatt’s heart, to show him that we can face this together — whatever it may be. He keeps telling me he will be there for me, and waiting for me.

With each step I take toward the house, my heart beats louder, a rhythm of determination and hope. I’m ready to confront my fears, to fight for the love that I know is still there, waiting for me. I will not shy away from this challenge, not when it comes to Wyatt.

I find him in the living room, pacing back and forth, his face etched with worry. His mother must have told him I would be coming for him, the sneaky woman. The sight of him sends a rush of warmth through me, but I can’t let the moment distract me from the gravity of our situation.

“Wyatt,” I call out softly, my voice trembling slightly. He stops, turning to face me, and for a second, the entire world fades away.

“Octavia,” he breathes, relief flooding his features. He strides toward me, and I can feel the magnetic pull between us, the connection that has always defined our relationship.

“I need to talk to you,” I say, my eyes locking onto his emerald gaze that melts my insides every time I see them.

“Is it about Rachel?” he asks, his voice heavy with concern.

“Yes,” I reply, taking a deep breath. “But it’s also about us .”

As I stand before him, I realize that this is the moment we both need. The truth is messy, but it’s ours to navigate together. I take a step closer, ready to bridge the gap between us, ready to fight for my love.

“Let’s figure this out,” I say, my voice steady. “Together.”

And just like that, I know we’re on the brink of something monumental. The journey ahead may be fraught with challenges, but I refuse to walk away. Not now, not ever. The bond between us is worth fighting for, and I’m ready to claim my place at his side.

As we stand together, I realize that love, in all its imperfect glory, is a force to be reckoned with. And I won’t back down. Not for Rachel, not for anyone. I am Octavia Bellmont, and I will fight for my mate. I will soon be Octavia Saltman, Luna of Waterton Pack.