Chapter 99: Night Ride, Broken Bonds
STEPHEN
She didn’t recognize me. Not even a flicker of familiarity in her eyes.
But she would.
I stepped closer, careful not to startle her. The ache in my chest throbbed with every cautious step.
"I would never hurt you, Selena," I said softly, my voice breaking around the edges.
She flinched. Her back hit the wall, and her arms wrapped instinctively around her swollen belly like a shield. Her eyes were wide and wet with fear.
"You already did," she whispered. "You tried to kill my baby... you made me lose my memories."
My breath caught.
"What?" I blinked, stunned. "Selena, I would never... I didn’t... I couldn’t do that to you."
But her words echoed louder in my head than my denial.
She said she lost her memories.
A cold knot formed in my stomach. How could a Healer Wolf my Healer Wolf forget who she is... who I am?
And then a name flashed through my mind like a thunderclap. Adam. My cousin.
If he had anything to do with this, if he touched her, if he planted lies in her mind he would regret ever breathing the same air as her.
"I swear to you, I never tried to hurt you or our child," I said, my hands trembling. "You don’t belong here, Selena. You’re not safe in this pack. Come with me. Please."
She shook her head firmly.
"No. I won’t go anywhere with you." Her voice was stronger now. "I’ll stay with Adam."
The name hit me like a slap.
Adam.
Something inside me snapped. Rage burned through my veins, threatening to shatter the fragile control I still held.
She’s my mate. That child inside her—my child. And she wants to stay with him?
I stepped forward again.
"I’m sorry, Selena," I whispered, my voice barely human. "But you’re coming with me… whether you want to or not."
Before she could scream, I reached behind her head and struck the pressure point with enough force to knock her unconscious.
She collapsed into my arms, her body limp and warm. My chest tightened as I cradled her carefully, pressing her close like she might disappear again if I blinked.
My boots echoed on the stairs as I descended. Two of my warriors flanked the hallway, weapons drawn, eyes fixed on the figure bound to the chair.
Adam.
He was barely holding it together his breathing erratic, lips curled back in a snarl. He tried to lunge forward, but the silver shackles kept him locked down.
When his gaze landed on Selena in my arms, he roared.
"You can’t take her from me! She’s mine!"
I smirked. His fury only fed the fire inside me.
"I already have," I said, voice cold as ice. "You’re too weak to protect her. And yet you dared to claim what’s mine?"
His eyes narrowed to slits.
"You say you love her, yet she lost everything under your watch. Her memories. Her peace. You weren’t man enough to keep her safe."
That one hit deeper than I expected. But I didn’t let it show.
He wasn’t lying. If he wasn’t behind this, then who was?
Someone had taken her memories from her. Someone had made her forget us. And I would find out who.
I turned, Selena still pressed tightly against my chest.
"Let’s go," I barked to my men. "We’re done here."
As we walked out of the Nightshade mansion, I didn’t look back. He could rot in that chair for all I cared maybe one of his precious guards would wake up and untie him. Or maybe not.
All I cared about was the woman asleep in my arms, and the truth buried somewhere inside her broken memories.
The drive back to my pack was wrapped in silence.
Selena lay curled in the passenger seat, her breathing steady, her fingers resting lightly over her stomach. Every few minutes, I’d glance at her half afraid she’d vanish again like a ghost I’d imagined.
The pain in my chest tightened with every mile.
I reached over without thinking, gently brushing a strand of hair from her cheek. Her skin was warm. Real.
I’ve got you now, I thought. And I swear whoever did this to you, whoever made you forget me they’ll pay for every second you suffered.
Gravel crunched beneath the tires as we pulled into the compound. The gates closed behind us with a metallic clang, sealing the world out. My world ours now, whether she remembered or not.
I stepped out first, still holding her, still unwilling to let her go.
As I turned toward the house, the front door opened.
And there she was.
Julia.
Leaning in the doorway like she owned it, like I hadn’t ended things months ago. She wore a wine-colored silk dress that clung to her curves, the same dress she always saved for when she was trying to remind me of us. That smirk was painted on her lips—the one she wore when she thought she had the upper hand.
She didn’t.
"What are you doing here?" I asked flatly, my grip tightening protectively around Selena.
"I missed you," Julia said, her voice like syrup as she moved toward me, arms outstretched like she belonged in mine.
I stepped to the side, careful not to jostle Selena, and shot her a glare sharp enough to cut glass.
"You missed me?" My voice dropped. “You shouldn’t be here, Julia. You know that.”
Her face flickered with confusion until she saw what I carried.
Or who.
Selena.
Her eyes widened. The mask slipped.
“That’s...” Her voice faltered as the color drained from her face. “That’s impossible. I thought she— I thought she couldn’t be found.”
I stared at her coldly. So you did know she was missing.
My jaw clenched, and I turned to the guards hovering near the gate.
"Send her home. She’s not welcome here. Not ever again."
Julia’s composure cracked.
“What? Stephen no, wait” she stammered, trying to step closer, but the guards had already moved in, flanking her on either side.
She called my name again, voice rising, but I didn’t spare her another glance.
My focus dropped to the sleeping woman in my arms. Her head rested lightly against my chest, her hair tangled from the day’s chaos, her features calm. Too calm.
Something in me broke then.
I’d wasted enough time. Enough trust. Enough chances.
No more running. No more distractions. I was going to find out what happened to her, and I was going to burn down anyone who stood in my way.