جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 20

Elena’s povNine days.I'd finalized everything with the witch that morning. Now, I just had to say goodbye.I stood in our kitchen, chopping vegetables for a dinner Blake didn't know would be our last. TTonight, I would say goodbye. Not with words, he wouldn't understand words. But with a meal, a memory he could look back on when he finally opened that envelope and realized what he'd lost.Then I would spend my remaining days without him and finding whatever peace existed for wolves like me.Blake came home early.I heard his car in the driveway and a few seconds later, he appeared in the kitchen doorway, loosening his tie, and stopped when he saw the table."What's all this?""Our mating anniversary." I set down the last plate. "I know it's not for another week, but I wanted to celebrate early."His expression softened. "That's..." He crossed to me, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "That's really thoughtful, Elena. Thank you."We sat down together. He poured wine and I pretended to

Elena’s povBlake wasn't too busy for a wedding.But standing in the back of that banquet hall, watching him smile on that stage, I finally understood the truth.It was never about timing.It was never about being too busy.The first wedding of Blake's life, the one he'd planned with care, the one he'd poured his heart into, the one with the flowers and the music and the dress—The bride had never been me.Even though I'd told myself I accepted it, seeing it with my own eyes still swallowed me whole.Ayla released one final cry and then she was gone. The emptiness hit me so hard I staggered. Jacob caught my arm, but I barely felt it. All I could feel was the silence. The music started and the guests turned in their seats, craning their necks toward the back of the hall. I turned with them and watched Lydia appear in the doorway.She wore white.Not just any white. My white. The wedding dress Blake had designed for me, she was wearing my dress, walking down my aisle and marrying my

Blake’s povI moved every corner of the hospital like a man possessed, checking every room, every waiting area, every corner where Elena might be hiding.She wasn't there."Sir, you can't just—" A nurse tried to stop me. I pushed past her without a word.I threw open the door to Room 412. Empty. No sign that anyone had been there at all."Where is she?"I found Elena's healer in the hallway, she looked up from her clipboard and immediately tensed when she saw me."Mr. Blake. I was wondering when you'd show up.""Where is Elena? I know she was here.""I can't discuss patient information with you.""I'm her mate."Her expression hardened. "Patient confidentiality applies regardless of relationship status. If Elena wanted you to know her whereabouts, she would have told you herself.""She's my mate," I repeated, as if saying it louder would change anything. "I have a right to know—""You have no rights here." Her voice was quiet but firm. "Elena made her wishes very clear. I won't betra

Blake’s povBlake hung up before Blake could respond.I gripped the phone as my hands fell on their own.Elena is sick?I couldn’t think of anything else except what that jackass said to me. He has said it like it was my fault. My wolf paced furiously inside me. He'd been trying to reach Elena's wolf for weeks now, trying to mind link her or search for any trace of her presence. I'd told myself she was blocking me or punishing me for the wedding. Being dramatic the way she always was when she wanted attention.But what if she wasn't blocking me?What if her wolf was gone?No. I gripped the steering wheel harder. No, that's impossible. Elena is fine. She has to be fine. I furrowed my brows when I realized all the signs I had been ignoring since. Three weeks ago, she had pressed her hand against her chest, wincing."Blake, my heart—it's been hurting. I think something might be wrong with—""Not now, Elena. I have a meeting."I'd walked out before she could finish.I facepalmed myself

Elena’s povThe color had returned to my cheeks.I noticed it in the car's side mirror, a faint flush where there had been only gray for weeks. Jacob noticed it too."You look better today," he said, glancing at me from the driver's seat. "Maybe the fresh air is helping. Maybe this trip will change things."I didn't have the heart to tell him the truth.Sometimes, right before the end, the body rallies. One last surge of strength before the final collapse. "Maybe," I said softly. "Maybe it will."The drive was long.I closed my eyes and breathed slowly, trying to keep it down.But despite the pain, despite the weakness, something else stirred inside me.Excitement.I was going home back to Silver Moon Pack, where I was born. It was the only place I truly felt like I belonged.The familiar scenery began to appear outside the window. "If I could die here," I whispered, "that would be best."Jacob's hands tightened on the steering wheel."Then it would be like I never had a past with B