Chapter 40 Chapter 40

Chapter 40 Chapter 40
_Anya's POV_

My entire body locked up in panic the moment I heard Mom Jess calling my name.

"Anya!"

The photograph almost slipped from my trembling fingers. My pulse exploded into a frantic rhythm. For one terrifying second, I simply stood there staring at the photograph while my mind raced wildly.

Hide it.

Maya's urgent voice echoed inside my head.

Quickly.

My hands moved before my brain could fully process what was happening. I folded the photograph and shoved it deep into my pocket. My heart hammered so hard that I could hear it pounding inside my ears. Then my eyes darted toward the empty frame lying on the floor.

Panic rushed through me again. I did not have enough time to hang it back on the wall. The footsteps were getting closer.

"Anya?"

Mom Jess sounded much nearer now.

I quickly grabbed the broken frame and pushed it into a dusty corner beside the wall. It was not where it had originally fallen but it was the best I could do. Then I straightened and forced myself to breathe normally.

My hands felt cold. My legs felt weak. And my pocket suddenly felt much heavier because of the photograph hidden inside it.

A few seconds later, Mom Jess appeared at the end of the corridor. She stopped walking the moment she saw me. Her eyes moved slowly around the ruined hallway before settling on my face. One elegant eyebrow lifted slightly.

"What are you doing here?"

My stomach twisted. For a moment, I feared she somehow knew. I feared she could see straight through me. I feared she knew about the photograph hidden inside my pocket.

But I forced myself to smile. "I heard some noise coming from this area."

Mom Jess continued studying me carefully. "A noise?"

I nodded quickly. "Yes. I came to check what it was."

My voice sounded surprisingly normal despite the panic raging inside me. "I thought maybe something had fallen."

"And?"

I forced a small laugh. "It was just a stray cat."

Her expression remained unreadable. "A cat?"

"Yes." I pointed vaguely toward one of the ruined hallways. "It ran through here. I tried chasing it away because I was worried it might get trapped somewhere."

I shrugged casually. "But it disappeared before I could catch it."

For several long seconds, Mom Jess simply stared at me. The silence felt endless. I could feel sweat gathering on my back.

Then finally, she smiled. "Oh."

Relief almost made my knees buckle.

"I see."

She stepped closer. "I was looking for you, actually."

I blinked. "You were?"

"Yes."

Her smile widened warmly. "I went into town earlier and stopped by one of the bakeries."

She lifted a small box she had been carrying. "I brought something special for you."

I looked at the box. "Cake?"

"Not just any cake."

Her eyes brightened. "This is Fire Blossom Cake."

I forced myself to focus on the conversation despite my racing thoughts. "Fire Blossom Cake?"

Mom Jess nodded enthusiastically. "It is one of our pack's oldest traditions."

She carefully opened the box. A sweet smell immediately drifted through the air. Inside sat several golden slices of cake decorated with small red sugar flowers.

"When I was young, every family in the Fireblood Pack made this during important celebrations."

Her voice sounded nostalgic.

"Weddings. Birth ceremonies. Mating ceremonies. Harvest festivals."

She smiled softly. "My grandmother used to bake it every year."

The cake actually looked delicious.

"It is made with honey, cinnamon and fire berries." She picked up one slice. "Since you are officially part of our family now, I thought you should finally taste it."

Guilt twisted inside my chest. She sounded so kind....so normal. Yet all I could see was the image of her standing inside that ritual room. All I could remember was the blood on her nightgown.

Maya growled softly. Do not trust her.

I know. But I forced myself to smile politely. "Thank you."

Mom Jess looked pleased. Then her expression became slightly serious. "But before we eat, we really should leave this place."

She glanced around the ruined west wing. "This area is dangerous."

A loose piece of wood creaked overhead as if proving her point.

"The roof could collapse at any time."

Her gaze moved across the cracked walls. "These ruins become more unstable every year."

She sighed. "I keep telling Jacob that this entire section should be demolished."

Then she reached for my hand. The moment her fingers touched my skin, a cold chill ran through my entire body. I nearly flinched. It took every bit of self-control I possessed not to pull away immediately.

Her touch felt wrong. Not physically but emotionally. Because all I could think about was what I had seen the night before.

I wanted to yank my hand away. I wanted to run. Instead, I forced myself to remain calm. I could not let her know I was suspicious....not now. Especially not while the photograph sat hidden inside my pocket.

Mom Jess smiled warmly. "Come."

She gently squeezed my hand. "Let us get away from this gloomy place."

I nodded. "Okay."

Together, we began walking through the ruined corridor. Every step felt uncomfortable. I kept waiting for her to say something strange. To reveal that she knew about the photograph. To accuse me of spying. But she simply chatted pleasantly as we walked.

"The bakery owner was so happy to hear that you were settling into our pack life."

I smiled faintly. "Really?"

"Oh yes."

She laughed softly. "The entire pack adores you."

I forced myself to nod. Meanwhile, my fingers slowly slipped into my pocket. The folded photograph was still there. I touched the edge of it gently. A strange mixture of relief and excitement rushed through me.

I had it. I actually had it. The woman from my dreams. The photograph was real....which meant the woman was real too. And somehow, she was connected to this mansion. The realization made my heart race all over again.

Maya sounded thoughtful. That photograph was hidden for a reason.

I know.

Someone wanted nobody to find it.

That thought sent another chill through me. Soon we reached the newer section of the mansion. Everything looked brighter and more welcoming here. Servants moved through the hallways. Sunlight reflected off the polished floors. The atmosphere felt completely different from the abandoned west wing.

Mom Jess guided me toward a small sitting room overlooking the gardens. A servant quickly brought tea. Mom Jess carefully arranged the slices of cake on small plates.

"There."

She smiled proudly. "Now tell me what you think."

I picked up a fork and took a small bite. The cake melted almost instantly in my mouth. The honey gave it a rich sweetness while the fire berries added a slight spicy flavor.

"It is good."

Mom Jess beamed. "See?"

I nodded. "I understand why it is important to your pack."

Her smile softened. "My grandmother always said that sharing Fire Blossom Cake was a symbol of trust."

The word trust nearly made me choke. I quickly took a sip of tea. Meanwhile, Mom Jess continued speaking.

"When two families joined together through marriage, they shared this cake."

She looked at me warmly. "That is why I wanted you to have some."

I forced another smile. "Thank you."

The conversation continued for nearly an hour. Mom Jess talked about old pack traditions. She shared funny stories about Jacob as a child. She even showed me old photographs on her phone.

To anyone watching, it would have looked like a perfectly normal afternoon between a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. But inside, I was falling apart.

Every time she smiled, I remembered her expression from last night.

Every time she spoke kindly, I remembered the blood stain.

Every time she touched my arm, I fought the urge to pull away.

Most importantly, I could not stop thinking about the photograph hidden in my pocket.

Who was that woman?

Why did she look exactly like the person from my dreams?

And why did she resemble me so much?

The questions refused to leave my mind.

Eventually, Mom Jess stood. "I should let you rest."

I immediately rose too. "Thank you for the cake."

She smiled warmly. "You are very welcome."

Then she gently kissed my cheek. The gesture made my stomach twist again. "I am glad you enjoyed it."

I nodded politely. A few moments later, she walked away. The second she disappeared around the corner, I released a shaky breath. Finally, I was alone.

Maya immediately spoke. We need to look at that photograph again.

"Yes."

My voice came out as a whisper. I slipped my hand into my pocket and touched the folded paper once more.

My heart started pounding. Because somehow, I knew that photograph contained answers.

Maybe not all of them.

But enough to change everything.