Home / Romance / The Lycan's Mate / THE NAME I CAN'T FORGET

Share

THE NAME I CAN'T FORGET

Author: Diike
last update Last Updated: 2023-07-11 15:59:04

RACHEL'S POV

They got there in under thirty minutes, but it felt like a whole day had passed.

Ryan didn’t make it.

He was gone.

And I couldn’t believe it.

If only he’d just stayed with me.

“Hey.” One of the paramedics gently pulled me from the pavement, guiding me aside so they could take Ryan. I barely noticed her touch. Everything had been perfect just minutes ago, his laugh, his hand in mine. Then the shot and silence.

She led me to the back of a nearby vehicle, where another paramedic began shining lights in my eyes, checking my pulse, asking questions I couldn’t answer.

It had started snowing again so the first paramedic took off her jacket and draped it over my shoulders. Around us, the students stood frozen, like the cold had locked them in place. The Willowvale Police Department officers were scattered among them, asking questions. Taking notes.

I watched the crowd through a blur of cold and grief until something sharp cut through the fog.

That voice.

> “Relax, Gabriel, man. We still have the money!”

It came back to me like lightning.

Logan. He was standing just a few feet away, being questioned so I stood up on impulse. I needed answers.

“Hey! We’re not done with you!” the paramedic called after me but I didn’t answer. I just kept walking, needing—desperate—to hear more.

The female officer with Logan turned just as I reached them. She offered me a short, sympathetic nod, clearly about to wrap things up.

“Gabriel!” I blurted quickly as she was about to walk away. “The shooter’s name is Gabriel.”

She paused mid-step, turning to Logan. “I thought he didn’t have a sister?” 

“I’m his girlfriend,” I said quickly.

“What? Since when?” She turned back to me. 

“Today,” I replied, my voice steady.

A slow silence passed between us before she raised a brow. “So you know about the gambling money?”

“What?” I frowned. That caught me off guard.

“I think we’ve got all the information we need, miss. We’ll get your boyfriend’s killer. That’s a promise.”

And just like that, she turned away.

I stood there, stunned. She didn’t believe me. None of them did.

I sat back down near the fountain, not far from Logan while he avoided my eyes.

“Those guys,” I asked, keeping my voice low. “The ones who did this... do you know them?”

Before he could answer, the officer called back to him. “Let’s go, Logan.”

He glanced at me, guilt flickering across his face. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, before walking off with her.

And just like that, I was left out in the cold. Was this going to be one of those cases where the people who needed answers the most were the last to get them?

“So you were here all along and didn’t hear me calling your name?”

Sarah’s voice startled me.

I turned to her. One look at my face, and all the color drained from hers.

“Who got shot?” she asked, her voice suddenly small.

I swallowed, trying to speak. My throat tightened.

“R... Ryan.”

I couldn’t hold it in anymore. The tears came freely as Sarah sat beside me, pulling me into a quiet hug.

“Hush,” she whispered gently, her hand brushing over my back as I cried into her shoulder.

We never heard anything else about the shooter. No name. No motive. No arrests.

Nothing.

Logan and his family packed up and left town not long after. Just like that, gone. Sarah was crushed. He didn’t even say goodbye. Being human, he wasn’t bound to any pack rules or territory lines which made tracking him down nearly impossible. It was like he vanished into thin air, as if he’d never existed.

And Ryan’s family? They wouldn’t speak to me. Wouldn’t answer my calls. One time, I even showed up at their doorstep hoping for answers only to be threatened with the cops for violating the restraining order they’d filed against me. I don’t know if they were grieving or hiding something. Maybe both.

I should have just let it go.

Held onto the good memories from high school. The times he finally worked up the courage to flirt with me, or those playful fights we had when I refused to do his homework.

But I couldn’t.

Life didn’t just pick up where it left off. Not for me. Everyone else seemed to move on. Classes. Exams. Graduations. I was stuck in that moment—frozen like the snow that had fallen the night he died.

I made a vow at his funeral, that no matter how long it took, I would find Gabriel. The real one. And I would bring him to justice.

My dad always wanted me to study law. Said it was the best way to serve our community especially with how often our kind got blamed for things. He had this dream that I’d become a judge one day. I didn’t fight him on it. Not at first.

But after what happened with Ryan... my path shifted. I couldn’t sit behind a bench or desk waiting for justice. I needed to be the one out there chasing it.

And almost five years later, I became a cop. A detective, actually—much to my parents’ disapproval. They still hoped I’d come around.

But I had a mission. And that mission had a name.

Gabriel.

Most of the Gabriels I’d helped arrest over the years weren’t him. I always knew. Something in me, something in my wolf could feel the difference.

The real one was still out there. Somewhere.

And I wasn’t done.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • The Lycan's Mate    39. New Dawn

    [Gabriel's POV]The weight of my new role as alpha pressed heavily on me, a mix of uncertainty and an odd sense of acceptance swirling within. My fingers involuntarily tangled in my hair as I muttered to myself, questioning my own actions. What had I done? I hadn't sought this title, yet there was an undeniable allure to it that I couldn't ignore.With a deep breath, I approached the gathered pack members, their hushed murmurs and whispered conversations dying down as I cleared my throat. Their expectant faces turned toward me, waiting for words that I wasn't entirely sure of myself. Gathering my thoughts, I began to speak."Today has been a long day," I started, my voice resonating with a mix of exhaustion and determination. "But with your support, we've taken down Jake, the one responsible for Marcus' disappearance and betrayal." I could feel their eyes on me, their attention unwavering. "However," I continued, "we can't let emotions dictate our actions."I paused, the weight of my

  • The Lycan's Mate    38. Alpha

    [Gabriel's POV]Amidst the gathering dusk, the tension crackled in the air as accusations flew. Jake's voice rang out, venom dripping from his words as he accused me of being a traitor. His words struck like daggers, and I knew I had to defend myself."I'm not a traitor," I retorted, my voice unwavering despite the chaos that was unraveling around us. The gathered pack members watched, divided between curiosity and apprehension.The argument escalated rapidly, the anger between us igniting like a wildfire. Jake's face contorted with rage as he lunged, his transformation into his wolf form both intimidating and terrifying. I braced myself as his powerful blow sent me hurtling into the air, my instincts kicking in to right myself before I landed.In an instant, my own wolf took over, and I met Jake's ferocity with equal force. Our bodies clashed, fur and muscle colliding as we fought tooth and nail. It was a battle of strength, strategy, and a desperate drive to prove my innocence.The

  • The Lycan's Mate    37. After Rejection

    [Lowell's POV]Some of the pack members exchanged wary glances, unsure of what to make of the situation. Gabriel's ability to elude them raised doubts about Jake's leadership."You're a traitor!" Jake roared, pointing an accusing finger at Gabriel. "You betrayed us!"Gabriel's expression turned serious, and he spoke with conviction, "I'm not a traitor. I never did anything he must have told you," referring to the crowd who stood still in awe.Jake scoffed, refusing to believe Gabriel's words. "You're a cunning liar! You were the last one seen with him!"Gabriel's eyes flashed with frustration, but he maintained his composure. He turned towards the gathering, his voice charged with anticipation. "You're all itching to uncover the mystery of Marcus, aren't you?" He gestured dramatically, his finger pointing directly at Jake, whose anger had erupted like a tempest. "Then ask him." The clenching of his trembling hands, stark against his furious demeanor, gave insight into the turmoil he c

  • The Lycan's Mate    36. The Search

    [Gabriel's POV]When Jake first mentioned that we might have to wait until nightfall if his spies failed to locate Gabriel, I didn't take it seriously until now. It had been more than three hours since we gathered in this hideout, and the sun's relentless rays were beating down on us. I occasionally glanced around at the tired and yawning members, including myself, who were growing more restless by the minute. Diana had been keeping me company, but even her presence couldn't distract me from the rumbling in my stomach.As the sun rose higher in the sky, the hunger became more pronounced, and I knew I couldn't wait until noon, my usual breakfast time. Nathan, one of our pack members, finally approached the group, with a pen and a book, asking if anyone was hungry and collecting money to buy lunch. I considered giving him my last five dollars, but then I realized it was my only transport fare, and I couldn't risk being stranded after the meeting. I tried to play it cool, hoping Nathan w

  • The Lycan's Mate    35. The Meeting Room

    The pressure in the meeting room was suffocating as Nathan and his group collected everyone's cellphones, searching for any hidden devices and dealing harshly with those who attempted to conceal theirs. The fear and tension were palpable as we all knew Jake could be ruthless. They were thorough, even breaking the noses of those who tried to hide their phones. I felt a pang of fear and anxiety as they came closer to me, but I had to remain calm and collected.Once all the cellphones were confiscated, Jake addressed the pack again, his voice filled with authority and threat. He mocked those who had tried to hide their phones, questioning their next move. "Was it to call the human police as if they stood a chance against werewolves? Or was it to call Gabriel, the traitor they were all after?"My heart pounded in my chest as Jake mentioned the consequences of Gabriel fleeing before being caught. If that happened, he would assume there was a spy amongst us and go through every member's cel

  • The Lycan's Mate    34. For Loyalty, Not Belief

    [Lowell's POV]Waking up early the next day, I began going about my chores, trying to clear my mind from the anxiety that lingered. Gabriel had returned to the city, and I couldn't help but wonder what changes he might have made to the plan. As I was lost in my thoughts, my phone beeped, and I saw a message from Alpha Jake. It sent shivers down my spine as it mentioned an urgent meeting at 10. The coincidence was too unsettling.Without wasting any time, I dialed Gabriel's number and called him, my heart pounding in my chest. I quickly relayed the message about the meeting and my apprehension about the timing. Gabriel's calm voice came through the phone, and he informed me that Lewis had already informed him about it. He asked me to head to the meeting and give him feedback on whatever announcement Jake made.Arriving at the Silver Crescent Inn, I found myself there ten minutes ahead of schedule, just like before. However, this time, neither Jake nor Marcus's mate had arrived yet. The

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status