Chapter 188
Aria’s Poy
I felt myself floating between darkness and light, my consciousness flickering like a candle flame caught in a gentle breeze. The world around me shifted between shadow and brilliance, neither fully formed yet somehow both existing at once.
There she stood my wolf, Cassandra, her golden–brown fur gleaming with vitality. The companion I had mourned for six long years, the other half of my soul that I believed had been forever tom from me by that poisoned drink. Her amber eyes, wise and wild all at once, gazed at me with recognition and love that transcended our separation.
“Aria,” my woll opened her mouth, her voice resonating with a depth that vibrated through my very being. I could hear the smile in her tone, feel the warmth and longing that matched my own.
The sight of her–so reall, so present shattered something inside me. A dam broke, and all the grief, all the loneliness of these years without her came rushing forth in an overwhelming wave. I couldn’t contain myself any longer. With a strangled cry that was half sob, half laughter, I threw myself toward her, my arms outstretched and trembling.
As my fingers sank into her thick, warm fur, a jolt of recognition passed between us. This wasn’t a phantom or a memory–this was her, truly her. I wrapped my arms around her powerful neck, burying my face in her coat.
Hot tears streamed down my face, soaking into her far as I clung to her like a drowning woman to salvation. My shoulders shook with the force of my sobs, years of bottled longing and loss pouring out of me in waves.
“I’ve missed you so much,” I whispered between ragged breaths, my voice breaking with raw emotion. My fingers gripped her for tighter, afraid that if i Inosened my hold even slightly, she might disappear again. “Every day, every moment without you has been like walking through the world with half my soul missing. I thought I’d never see you again.”
“I’ve always been with you. With our cubs. I protected you, needed time to heal,” Cassandra told me. I pulled back, wiping tears from my cheeks, trying to follow this conversation, but I was simply too overjoyed to see Cassandra to think about anything else.
“I took over when with our mate. I protected us. I slept to heal, she continued.
“I don’t understand what happened. What do you mean by our mate‘? I’m confused, but so happy to see you,” I whispered, trying to piece together any information beyond wanting to pull Cassandra into my arms again.
A gentle voice told me, I think we should restore your memories of that night.”
“Yes, she is ready. She’s been without these memories for too long,” the gentle voice responded. The side of the Moon Goddess’s face smiled, “Being a two- faced deity is difficult. My dark side plucked the strings of fate to ensure you eventually entered your destined mate’s hotel room. We have a particular soft spot for powerful children.”
“I still don’t understand,” I said, but Cassandra sat up, letting out a soft whimper from her throat, then touched her forehead to mine.
“You will understand,” Cassandra and both voices of the Moon Goddess said simultaneously. Then the world began to melt away around me, and I felt my body jerk sharply. As the beautiful landscape disappeared into darkness, that night at the resort played out around me like a movie,
I watched myself stumble down the hallway, half–shifting as I walked, reading door numbers. I remembered this part
“Leave,” a deep, commanding growl vibrated through my entire body to the marrow of my bones, sending liquid heat pooling in my core. A strong, massive hand grabbed my arm, fire spreading from the contact point downward. A whimper escaped my lips. That was the last thing I remembered before blacking out that night.
Suddenly, my eyes flashed with burning desire, and Cassandra’s voice replaced mine. A wolf cannot completely take over without the human side knowing. because like the Moon Goddess herself, our two brings are still one, but I could feel the change.
“Mior,” the growled through me, her deep amber eyes reflecting light instead of mine. I realized Cassandra had completely severed our connection, taking over my human side. No wonder I couldn’t remember. She forced our separation, rendering my human side unconscious
“Mine,” the deep voice responded, and the man turned his head, revealing Ethan’s face. His hand gripped my bicep, holding me in place. I watched his pale eyes glaze over with heat I could identify. I’d seen that look before. It was his wolf at the surface but not completely taking over, I couldn’t believe it. When Enima told me, I’d hoped she was lying. But now I could see it.
“Please, I can’t” My voice cracked as I raised my hand, palm outward, as if to physically block the memories unfolding before me. “Stop this. I’m begging you.”
My chest
constricted painfully, lungs struggling for air as panic clawed its way up my throat. The images continued to form, relentless and clear, showing me the one night I’d prayed never to remember. My knees threatened to buckle beneath me.
“I don’t want to see him like this, I choked out, tears blurring my vision. “Not Ethan. Not the man who- I couldn’t finish, the words lodging in my throat
Chapter 188
like shards of glass. How could I reconcile the Ethan I knew–compassionate, honorable, the man who made my pulse race with a single look–with the monster who had taken advantage of me when I was vulnerable?
“Witness,” the dark half of the Moon Goddess commanded, her voice slithering around me like midnight shadows. Truth lies beneath pain.”
I shook my head violently, backing away though there was nowhere to retreat to in this strange space between worlds. “The truth?” 1 laughed bitterly, the sound edged with hysteria. Tve lived with the consequences for six years! I raised my son alone while bearing the shame my family heaped upon me. Wha more truth could I possibly need?”
The silver side of the Goddess leaned closer, her luminescent eye softening with something like compassion. “Perceptions deceive, daughter of wolves. You memory is but a fragment, broken and incomplete.”
“Don’t make me relive my own violation!” My voice rose to a desperate shout that echoed in the endless space around us. “Do you understand what you’r asking? To watch the moment that shattered my life, that left me pregnant and alone?” My fingers twisted into my hair, pulling it at the roots. “I’ve see countless women destroyed by such memories, haunted by them every waking moment. My amnesia was a blessing!”
I whirled in frantic circles, seeking escape, an exit, any way out of this nightmare. But the images pursued me, pressing in from all sides, becoming cle with each passing second. I spun back toward the Goddess, rage and terror making my voice raw,
“He meant something to me! Can’t you understand? Before I knew who he was, Ethan became important–to me, to Lucas. To watch him become this. predator… it will destroy everything!”
