The Warrior (continuing from optimistic_dreamer)

Decision day

We made our way towards the dining hall, Olivia still in my arms - she tried to walk at first, but she was still too weak for that - and Mason complaining about missing the most important meal of the day.

Shortly before the entrance I set Olivia on her own two feet, because nobody except of us and Sir Alexander knew that Olivia healed Mason. I did not want to raise any suspicions, because if the council members, whoever the culprit was, caught wind that Olivia could bring someone back from the dead, she would be the next target. If she could heal Mason then there was a big possibility that she could bring Sir Alexander back from the dead as well.

My wolf growled possessively in my mind and my protectiveness increased even more.

I mindlinked Mason and Jake during our walk to the dining hall and they agreed with me.

Olivia did not even question me when we entered the hall, her being wrapped in my strong arm supporting her weight. It looked like she could walk on her own, just that I was extremely protective of her, which I was, and I could not not touch her. With the fact or rather the discussed fact of us being mates and us being unmarked it was really no surprise that I was that possessive and to anybody looking at us it seemed like that. Secretly I loved having Olivia so close all the time.

After lunch we went into the garden and I had the feeling that Olivia was getting stronger again. I still had to support her weight, but not all of it like before lunch.

We settled close to a willow and Olivia leaned her back against the tree. She sight and I knew it was because she did not have to walk anymore.

"No more bringing back people from the dead for you!", I whispered to her seriously.

She smiled at me and said: "I don't plan to."

It was not a promise but good enough for my wolf and I at the moment.

We spend all afternoon in the garden, although Olivia told us several times that we could leave her here and go running in wolf form. Although my wolf itched to go for a run, because he had not been out since seemingly forever, he did not want to leave his precious mate so I stayed with her, which I secretly wanted the most.

Mason and Jake as well remained here. I had the feeling that they also developed a protectiveness towards my mate to which I was glad for. My wolf did not really agree with that, but I just shut him out.

My arm was around Olivia's waist and her head rested on me. In this position we lingered all afternoon - it was pure bliss.

In hushed whispers we talked more about the happenings of yesterday's night and Olivia filled us in that the magic circle could only been drawn by someone, who was using black magic, for years.

"You have to be very experienced to draw a strong circle like that. A lot can go wrong if you even make the slightest mistake and a lot of times you end up dead yourself or handicapped.", she explained to us.

"So we're looking for a council member, who has practiced black magic sine forever", Mason pointed out.

Olivia nodded her head, then looked at me and asked: "I wondered about the book with the love potion your uncle showed you. Could you describe it for me?"

I did not really pay close attention to the book, because I was busy being pissed with my uncle. However, for the sake of my mate, I tried to remember what I could.

"It was red on the outside and it said something on the cover, but I can't remember that, sorry. And it was rather thick with lots of potions in it. The headline and the discription of the love potion was written in black ink, I think.", I told her.

Olivia nodded her head, but did not say anything as a response. Mason and Jake looked inquiringly at her, but she just shook her head and said: "I have the same book as well, but it was given to me from a very old healer, who had memorized all the potions already. He told me that there only existed a couple of books like this. However, it does not surprise me that the council's library has it too."

I knew that she was not telling us something and just when I was about to ask Olivia a council assistant came running up to us.

Olivia froze in her spot and even I could feel how nervous I got.

He gasped for breath and wheezed out: "The council is now ready for you. They made a decision!"

Olivia looked scared into my eyes and I tried to give her a reassured one back, but I could not be sure. Now was the time. The council had decided and there was nothing I would not do to gain their approval.

Seemingly in slow-motion we all stood up and walked to the council's room. Olivia was again bridal-style in my arms, but once we were in front of the doors I set her down again and wrapped an arm around her.

To feel her in my arms even if it was just for a few minutes, calmed my wolf and I and I felt ready to face the council and to challenge everything they said.

Mason and Jake took seats on the steps, because they were not allowed to enter with us.

Olivia and I smiled at them and then looked at each other.

I kissed her softly on her red lips, but pulled back rather quickly, because my wolf's emotion where all over the place.

"No matter what happens now, I love you!", I whispered to Olivia.

Olivia's eyes softened with adoration and she whispered back: "I love you too, so, so much!"

My wolf howled in pleasure and there was nothing that would be standing in his way the next time he would want to claim her.

It was time. We entered the council's room and stopped several steps away from the platform the council members where sitting on.

I looked at my uncle and tried to gauge his facial expression, but it was expressionless.

Sir Alexander stood up to welcome us and I could not believe how sick he looked. His face was even paler than yesterday and it seemed that he shrunk in size, because his cloak was far too big for him.

Olivia seemed to notice the changes in Sir Alexander as well and gasped quietly beside me.

However, Sir Alexander's voice was still as powerful as before so when he said: "Warrior Grey, Miss Lockhart we've come to a decision!", even my knees began to shake a bit with fear.