o l i v e r

OLIVER OPARA WAS ONE DAY LATE BUT WHEN HE ARRIVED, HE HAD NO IDEA ABOUT WHAT WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

Oliver strode into the Pack Centre with a bag over his shoulder, full of food that Peony had prepared and several of the newly harvested fruit that he knew Alpha Baxter wanted to have for the rest of the Pack. He felt like there was a hurricane in his stomach after he had stopped at a tavern for the night and was informed that the notorious Alpha Leander was visiting the Baxter Pack to negotiate

As usual, the pack was lively and although the sun glimmered and heat bounced down onto the land, nothing would compare to the beauty and warmth of his estate. Two of the wolves that patrol the border walked either side of him, something that they usually did every month or so.

"Any more oranges, Oliver? I hear that your estate is doing very well for itself." The taller of the two, Norman, mused as he looked at Oliver with a smile. His mate was currently going through her first pregnancy and she had a wild craving for oranges.

"Double from what the harvest produced last time, my friend. For Liza, yes?"Oliver questioned with a smile on his face and Norman nodded as a love struck haze decorated his face when his wife's name was mentioned.

"Yes, most definitely. She is craving them right now and seems to not calm down." Norman informed Oliver as he winced at the memory of his Liza flinging a satsuma across the room and breaking a glass with it as, according to her, it was the 'biggest betrayal' that he could ever do to her.

As they neared the Pack Centre, Oliver reached into voluptuous bag and snatched out an orange from it, handing it over to Norman with a smile.

"If all goes well these next couple of days, she will be having made more where that cam3 from." Oliver spoke to Norman with a grin on his face and Norman nodded at the man in respect. He was well known for his extreme privacy, however he was incredibly lovely and a pleasure to talk to.

"You're a lifesaver Oliver." Norman joked and all three of them laughed as they walked just a few meters away from Alpha Baxter's home. "And this is where we leave you. I'll tell Liza that you gave her the orange; I think she'll love you more than me."

"I don't think Liza could love anyone apart from you Norman, the last time you spoke about your girlfriend you had aged seven she cried." Oliver gave a hearty laugh to his friends who also followed suit, with Norman agreeing completely with Oliver's statement.

A few seconds later, the grand Pack House came into view, its white wood standing out against the colourful flowers that ordained the front gardens. Although Oliver visited every several months, it never ceased to amaze him as it towered over some of the trees right next to it. After all, the house was not only the home to the gracious Alpha Baxter but the epicentre of the pack and a place for influential visitors to stay. However, today he felt overwhelmed, almost nauseous as he knew who was in the house.

Alpha Leander Hargreaves.

Almost instantaneously, the name made him sick to his stomach. Oliver was taken back to the first memory that he had of the authoritarian Alpha of when he was only a boy and his vicious father ran the Hargreaves Pack. If it wasn't for Priscilla originating from the Hargreaves Pack herself, he would have never seen the stone faced child that held no love in his eyes as he shadowed his mountain of a father. Leander was taller than all of the other boys, and clearly severely emotionally detached to them in addition. And in the short moments that Oliver locked eyes with empty crystal balls that he had for eyes, he knew that with a father like that, the Hargreaves Pack would forever be an isolated, authoritarian pack ruled by fear.

Now, here Oliver was, staring at a home that usually comforted him from his longing to be with his wife and daughter but instead, he was stood fearing the Alpha that roamed within its wall. Power is a substance and Oliver could feel it beating out of the pearly white house like a drum.

"Well, you know the drill Oliver, I'll see you later tonight, yes?" Harry spoke, his voice etching out like gravel as he directed speech at Oliver for the first time since he had entered the pack grounds. Oliver gulped as he looked towards the wooden mansion but then turned around to face Harry.

"Yes of course, I'm looking forward to it." Oliver gave Harry a charming smile before they both bowed their heads slightly in respect before marching off in the direction that they came.

Although Oliver Opara did not hold a traditional and official title in the Baxter Pack, he was still highly respected as no none in the pack wanted to live as far away from the Pack Centre as he did, but that in turn brought the fruits, vegetables and flowers that could only be grown in that area due to a warmer area and better soil. Without him and his two girls, the pack and many others that import from the Baxter Pack would be denied many foods that are considered luxuries.

Alas, Oliver reluctantly walked towards the white, oak panelled doors with hesitation before knocking thrice, the sound booming into the open planned mansion. Seconds later, he was greeted by a familiar old face opening the door.

"Oliver!" A warm smile instantly settled his lurching stomach as he took in the site of the ninety-six year old grandmother of Alpha Nicholas Baxter. She was always on the shorter side but age made her barely five foot, although she never minded. Countless wrinkles decorated her face like medals, evidence of a life well lived and full of laughter. Although, her sparkling brown eyes that reminded him of the glowing shells on the beach still looked brand new, as though they have not seen pain but only joy. Her grey, curly hair tumbled around her shoulders, now completely grey with any indication that she was once a dazzling strawberry blonde gone.

"Luna Eve, it's a pleasure to see you." He sent her a dashing smile as she welcomed him into her home before motioning for him to follow her. As usual, th3 mansion was lit by countless rays of sunlight that brushed the furniture and floor, creating a showcase of light that never failed to amaze Oliver.

"As it is to you Oliver, how is you and your dear Priscilla?" Her voice reminded him of home - gentle and loving. He could see why her reputation was only good things.

"We're both doing amazing right now, plus the harvest this year was plenty and so i brought some more of those orange muffins that I brought last year around this time." Eve's eyes sparkled as they both headed into the large, modern kitchen and Oliver set down his heavy bag. "Trust me, they have gotten even better this year."

Thankfully, humans that were unable to shift did not carry a particular scent with them and so he was always content to say that Priscilla made the food that he brings on these trips as a safety precaution. The only way a wolf could tell a human was there mate was if they touched each other, looked into their eyes or touched a family member. Almost instantaneously, an image of their mate would appear in their mind, as it rooted back to a time where families kept their children hidden in fear of their death and so wolves could still find their mates. Hopefully though, Oliver thought, Peony would never need a mate.

"Your Priscilla is a culinary genius, Oliver." Eve's sweet voice faded as she took a euphoric bite of the muffin that was glazed with gold. He chuckled, if only Eve knew that Priscilla couldn't cook to save her life and it was only cook books and creativity which taught his precious Peony it bake.

"That she is."

"I know I ask every time, but when is that lovely mate if yours going to come down to the Pack Centre? I miss that beautiful face." Eve settled into her chair, still munching on the muffin that tasted like heaven.

"Maybe someday Luna Eve, she just doesn't like the memories here, you know?" Oliver's voice was soft, careful and dripping with pure emotion. In truth, there was two meanings to the isolation that the family decided to put themselves through.

After their first born, a son named Cornelius went missing when Peony was just six years old, Priscilla was thrust into a deep depression and so gone were the days that she used to leave Peony in Oliver's or Cornelius' care and go to the Pack Centre, she just couldn't handle it. Peony's memory was wiped of all traces of Cornelius, in fear that it would prompt her to leave and look for him when she grew up, as much as it pained Oliver to never talk about the brother she loved so much. After all, his patrol around those woods was the last thing he ever did, and now they cannot feel a family bond with him, they know that their son was killed.

Suddenly, the mood in the kitchen dropped as Luna Eve frowned, an ability that most Luna's have. They can change the mood and emotions of those around them with just a switch in their emotions, but it does not work on their mate.

"Ah yes, I'm sorry for bringing Cornelius up, he was a good boy, an excellent wolf." Oliver and Eve both smiled sadly at the memories they had of a possible future Overseer. Well, that's what he had hoped to become anyway.

"He was, but it's been twelve years Luna Eve, and I'm sure he's at rest. I assume Alpha Baxter is in a meeting?" He spoke with a tight smile, leaning against the large kitchen table whilst a few pack members flurried around the kitchen.

"Oh yes, with Alpha Hargreaves I believe. However, I heard that they both want to talk to you."

"Both of the Alphas?" Oliver gulped. He could feel the radiating power already emitting from the house and it intimidated him as it did to most wolves.

"Yes, Alpha Hargreaves has some requests. They're in his office, you know the way." Luna Eve grinned at Oliver with his wrinkled face as he picked up his large bag, bowed his head in respect and smiled before walking out the kitchen and to the office that he knew his Alpha hated as he much preferred the indoors.

Just a few moments later, he arrived at the intimidating oak double doors that acted as the entrance to Alpha Nicholas Baxter's sun doused room. He knocked thrice once again and moments later, a deep voice told him to come in. Oliver's rough hand took ahold of the golden door knob and pushed it in, walking into the pristine and bright room where two polar opposites sat across from each other at a marble table. He quickly closed the door and bowed his head to his Alpha and the imposing Alpha Hargreaves in the room, baring his neck slightly in submission.

"Alpha Baxter, Alpha Hargreaves." Oliver nodded to them in acknowledgement and tried not to let his voice tremble.

"Oliver, it's great to see you, I'd like you to meet Alpha Hargreaves." Alpha Baxter stood up, his imposing physique was a couple of inches higher than Oliver but when Alpha Hargreaves stood, it was as though they were both belittled. Intimidation was the only thing that Oliver could feel as the Alpha, who was well over six and a half feet stood to his full height, letting both Alpha Baxter and Oliver know why people tended to stay on the right side of the law.

"Mr Opara, it's nice for you to finally arrive." Alpha Hargreaves' words sounded condescending and it made Oliver shrink a little before Alpha Baxter invited him to sit in another chair around the table, which he gladly accepted.

For the next hour or so, Oliver gave both Alphas the details of his harvest, going into depth of his large varieties, the economy, animals and luxuries that he produced. During the entire time, Alpha Hargreaves made no attempt to speak to Oliver which he was very grateful for. However, nearing the end of the meeting, Alpha Hargreaves cleared his throat and stared at Oliver.

"So how much of the proposed stock can be imported to my pack each month?" The Alpha's voice was calculated and impossible to ignore.

"How many members are in your Pack, Alpha?"

"Exactly 1250."

"Will five thousand of each of the produce you would like be enough? We have several acres and the pH levels in the soil allow us a particularly high volume of fruit and vegetables to be produced, so you may have more if you would like." Oliver explained cautiously, making sure that there was no for, of disrespect in his words.

He knows that some Alphas like to be in control in all situations and that they did not like ultimatums, so he made sure that Alpha Hargreaves could decide what he wants.

"Seven thousand would be preferred, my pack's training is rigorous and so they need it."

In a way, Oliver greatly respected the intimidating Alpha that was sat in front of him. He had not once mentioned what he wanted, only what his pack needed and that was a trait of a great man.

"Yes, as long as Alpha Baxter is fine with that, then so am I." Oliver smiled and bowed his head.

"Of course that's fine, I believe that delivery will have to be discussed but other than that Alpha Hargreaves, we have nothing more to discuss." Alpha Baxter's voice was cheery as always and sometimes Oliver wondered how people bowed down to him like they did to other Alphas but he guessed that's just how the world worked - some ruled in fear, some in love.

"I believe so," Alpha Hargreaves stood up and shook Alpha Baxter's hand in thanks and then turned to Oliver. "Thank you, Mr Opara." Alpha Hargreaves reached out his hand to shake Oliver's hand, and the moment he did, his life changed forever.

Images flashed through Leander's mind in a flurry, pictures of an enchantress running through a field of flowers, her hair swishing in the breeze and her eyes contained sunsets. And at the moment, all he wanted to do was protect her and he could only think one word.

"Peony."

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PLEASE READ BABES

well. well. well.

here we go folks! it's been just under a month and I'm sorry but I really just wanted a good relax before I got back into writing! i hope you have enjoyed this chapter (2500 words!!) and you are excited for chapter six where leander and peony will finally meet!

however, I have a couple of things to ask of you!

firstly, I am terrible at making covers and so was wondering whether any of you could make have a go at making one for me? whether it's a cover or a banner, I'll feature them in every chapter every time I get them and will pick a few to be my actual cover! I love you guys so much omg.

my email is [email protected] :)

secondly, i have something quite big to ask of you! i absolutely love getting comments from you and how much some of you love this book! however, i sometimes get really tired of just constant comments that say 'update'. THAT WILL NOT MAKE ME UPDATE. I love to know that my work is actually liked by people and I know that's the underlying message with the comment 'update' and I'm terrible for updating but honestly, if you are going to comment, please leave a lil message so I know you're enjoying the story!

all my loveeeee