#Chapter 62: A life for a life

Olivia’s POV
I don’t know how long I had been unconscious, but when I came to the zooming lights that passed overhead gave me indication that I had been in this area before. I saw several houses I had passed during times that Reese and I walked together. I even recognized a restaurant or two that I would go to when I was picking Herold up some food.
How many meals had I cooked for Harold here, only to have them turn at my face?
Herold?
Then it sunk in; the events of a few hours ago flashed in my mind. Herold had kidnapped me. He was the one that messaged me for attention before I left the hospital. He cornered me by the car, but I was unsure how he knocked me out. As I made an attempt to unlock the door, I noticed I was having trouble holding up my wrist.
I glanced down at my hands to see that not only were they handcuffed, but someone also handcuffed them to the steering wheel. At least he gave me the courtesy and left my legs and feet unbound. Part of me wanted to pretend to be asleep, but before I could shut my eye, I heard his voice.
“No need to pretend to be asleep, Olivia. I felt you heart rate and breathing change.” His growled reached me in the car’s darkness.
I growled at myself. Fucking hyper senses.
“Why are you doing this Herold? I told you there was nothing between us.” I said, straining my voice.
“I just wanted us to talk about everything. I wanted you to see that I could be the mate that you deserved.” Herold said, reaching his hand out to brush my hair out from my face. I tried to jerk away from his touch, only to have him pull his hand back. All I could do was glare at him.
What’s with the men in my life? Why the hell are they so determined to be with me when I have no desire to be theirs?
My wolves were screaming at the sign of the capture I had exposed us to. I felt a sense of dread and panic.
“What did you do to me?” I cried. I tried not to panic, but every fiber in my being was telling me that Herold had lost all rhyme and reason.
“Nothing that would have harmed you. You hit your head against the car so I picked you up and put yourt in the passenger side. You were not well enough to drive home.” He said, keeping his eyes on the road as he spoke to me.
“Gee,” I snarled. “I wonder why.” I took a deep breath as I looked at the area that the car was zooming by. I was sure that we were headed to the land of Herold’s pack, but the terrain started to change.
The building shifted to hills while the concrete roads and sideways transformed into dirt and natural gravel.
“Where are we?” I whispered to myself. I know that Herold heard me and if he did, he chose to ignore me.
As the sun was beginning to rise and the dusk was boding farewell, I saw a cabin in the distant.
“Herold, where are we!” I screamed, finally getting his attention.
He pulled into the driveway of the empty lot and turned the car engine off.
“Answer me!” I shouted once more.
“I brought you somewhere that we can talk and air out your grievances,” He was speaking way too calmly for me.
He opened the driver’s side of the car, but not before he unlocked the cuffs that were attached to the steering wheel. He put them back in his jacket and got out of the car. I was able to move enough to open the door to the passenger side and take off.
However, Herold was quickly in my way, staring at me with yellow eyes glowing. I glared at him, feeling my wolves’ growl and snap at the man that captured me. The man that refused to let me go despite my rebuffs to his pursuit.
“Olivia, you admitted to Gabriel you true identity and I cannot accept another man being with you.” His words were choking up, but he did not have my sympathy.
““You cannot be serious I said, trying to break the cuffs.”
“Pure silver. You won’t break them, honey.” That’s when I finally got a look at his hands. He had been wearing gloves the entire time. So he would not get burned.
I have not even noticed the tinge of pain on my wrist weakening me. I had thougth it was from the blow to the head and how tight the cuffs were.
“So what is your plan, Herold? You plan to poison me for not returning your feelings.”
He stayed silent as I continued berating him. “Do you really think that saying you are upset because Gabriel accepted and me and loved me hurts you would make me feel anything for you? Because I had to watch you for years as you paraded Alicia around like she was your mate while I was abused by the two of you constantly.”
Herold’s gazed did not soften at my words. If anything, his gaze and thoughts seemed elsewhere.
“Do you know how many injuries I had suffered as your mate and wife? Do you? No, you don’t, because Alicia had you believe she was the tortured soul that was cast out by your mother. The bitch left you and I took care of you when you were unable to be the Alpha of the pack. I was by your side and what was the thanks I got? Nothing!”
I screamed to the heavens. I did not feel good about anything that I said because the memories played repeatedly in my mind. Both of my wolves whined and howel at the pain I endured.
Just then, Herold went into his pocket and pulled out two items, throwing them at my feet. One was a set of keys that I assumed unlocked my wrists. The other was a gun. I looked at him, confused by this.
I bent down, not taking my eyes off the Alpha and grabbed that key quickly, unlocking myself and tossing the cuffs out into the forest.
“A life for a life.” Herold said.
“What,” I hissed.
“This is my atonement for you, Olivia. Take the gun. There is a silver bullet in the chamber and shoot.”
My eyes widen at the lunacy of the man in front of me was sprouting. “NO!”
I owe my life to you and our unborn child. If I survive, I hope you can forgive me for all the wrong I have done.” Herold said as he walked up to me and picked up the gun.
He forced it into my hand and dropped to his knees.
I let out a shaking breath as Herold closed his eyes and put his arms at his side. He would not fight back at all. I looked at the gun and thought about everything that I had gone through.
I looked at Herold and growled in anger. I did not hesitate when I pulled the trigger. The shot rang out that I could hear wildlife running away from the area. I could see birds leaving their nest at the signs of disturbance.
I threw the gun at his feet. I had pulled the trigger, but I pointed the gun into the air.
“It’s all over. I forgive you, but I will never love you again, and I will love no one ever again.” I said as I walked over to my car.