Unexpected Mates

Olivia dashed away quickly, but her speed was no match for Bill's. He grasped her hair and yanked her back with a swift move.

"Do you honestly believe you can make a clean getaway?" Bill's voice was a harsh whisper.

Olivia's hair was soft as silk, causing him to skip a beat momentarily.

The fragrance of flowers emanates from her body.

Bill unconsciously gentled his grip, but his words remained firm, "Considering this is your first offense, I'll give you a chance to make amends. If you admit your mistake and apologize to doctor Bert, I'll let you off."

Olivia's scalp ached from the force of his pull, but she refused to submit.

She hadn't stolen anything. So why should she have to apologize to him?

"You stubborn brat! Let go of me!"

Bill's patience was wearing thin as he saw her defiance. "Another word out of you and I'll teach you a lesson!"

Olivia glared at him defiantly, "Go ahead, see if you can!"

Bill raised his palm, but he couldn't bring himself to strike her delicate face.

Still, he couldn't bring himself to let her go either.

After a moment of internal struggle, he relented, his words hard and cold, "Apologize to me quickly!"

If she made an apology, he would spare her.

But Olivia remained silent.

"Apologize to me quickly!"

"I won't! Even if you beat me to death, I won't apologize!"

Just as the standoff between them seemed imminent, Bert finally returned.

He had gone in search of Bill, intending to introduce Olivia to him, but had found his house empty.

Disappointed, Bert had returned home empty-handed.

What he saw next nearly sent him to his knees in shock.

Bill had a firm grip on Olivia's hair, his palm raised, his face contorted with anger, ready to strike the helpless female.

Bert quickly intervened, separating the two of them.

Bert glared at Bill, his voice filled with disappointment and anger, "What is wrong with you? How could you be so cruel to such a lovely female?"

Bill furrowed his brow, explaining, "This female was trying to steal the herb from you, so I was punishing her on your behalf."

"Steal what? I have nothing of value," Bert's anger was so great that his beard seemed to bristle, "This female is injured, and I asked her to rest here. You, on the other hand, are ready to attack her! You're driving me insane!"

Bill was taken aback.

"She's not a thief? I thought she was trying to steal. I didn't realize..."

"Get out at once!" Bert waved his cane, forcing Bill to leave, "Stay away from me. I can't stand the sight of you!"

Bill stood at the door, watching as the door was slammed shut with a resounding thud, the sound echoing through the room.

He lowered his head, his expression one of dejection.

After a moment, he left, his shoulders slumped.

Bert turned to Olivia, "Don't take Bill's behavior to heart. He has a bad temper, but he's kind. You will get this point later. Plus, he's a formidable fighter, the alpha in our wolf pack ever!"

"It's okay, I'm not angry anymore. I won't see him again."

Bert cleared his throat, "Bill was in the wrong this time. I'll have him come to apologize to you later. If you're still upset, you can give him a piece of your mind. Don't hold back."

Olivia no longer wanted to dwell on the recent unpleasantness anymore. She just waited for Andrew to return so they could leave together.

Why hadn't Andrew returned yet? She stared at the door.

Bert tried to mediate between Bill and Olivia, saying many words in an attempt to reconcile them. However, Olivia remained indifferent, showing no interest in Bill.

Bert cursed the reckless Bill. How could he dare to strike a female? Olivia, what a gorgeous and kind-hearted female. Bill ruined such a good marriage by his own actions.

Finally, Andrew returned.

Olivia leaped off the bed excitedly and threw herself into his arms, exclaiming, "You're finally back!"

Andrew lifted her onto the bed and handed her a pouch of red dates, saying, "I've brought back your fire starter."

"Why did you take so long to come back?"

"I was washing the skins," Andrew placed the hides in front of her, "You like them, so I got them for you."

Feeling moved, Olivia said, "Thank you, Andrew. Now I've had enough."

He set the hides aside and brought out a bouquet of flowers as if performing a magic trick.

The red blossoms were adorned with glistening dewdrops, emanating a faint fragrance.

"Are these for me?" Olivia was delighted. "They're beautiful!"

Andrew placed the flowers in her hands.

"Thank you!"

"We're family, there's no need for thank yous between us."

Olivia embraced him and kissed Andrew's cheek.

Bill stood at the door, peering through the crack to observe the scene inside.

The female held the flowers, her smile incredibly sweet.

He had initially thought she was beautiful but always arrogant, willful and rude.

Now he realized he was wrong. In the presence of someone she cared for, she was gentle and endearing.

Bill felt a pang of regret.

If only he had known she wasn't a thief, he wouldn't have treated her so roughly.

Surely, she must despise him now?

Bill glanced down at his pouch in his hand, filled with round, plump red dates. He had picked them just now, intending to offer them as an apology to Olivia.

But her smile had wounded his pride, preventing him from facing her again.

He placed the pouch at the door and knocked at the door.

By the time Andrew opened the door, there was no one in sight, only the pouch lying on the ground.

Picking it up, Andrew saw the red dates inside, puzzled.

"Who left this here?"