EPISODE 8N
I spent the night in the guest house with Valor and his men, tucked away in a quiet corner of the pack’s territory where the moonlight slanted gently through the high windows. I hadn’t slept well. The moment I closed my eyes, flashes of pain and half–formed memories teased the edge of my consciousness, too vague to grasp but strong enough to keep me awake.}
I must have eventually dozed off, because I was pulled out of sleep by something soft nudging my arm. When I blinked my eyes open, I found a tiny wolf cub staring at me, tail wagging, nose twitching curiously. For a moment, I just stared back, confused and slightly amused.
“Hey there,” I murmured groggily. The cub let out a happy yip and trotted toward the door, glancing back as if to say, Come on, slowpoke. I sat up slowly, rubbing my eyes. The cub gave a small yip and trotted toward the door again, more insistent this time. I got to my feet and followed, stepping into the hallway barefoot. The early morning light streamed in through the narrow windows, painting golden strips across the wooden floor.M
As I turned the corner, I saw Valor, Dan, and Leo moving around the common room, quietly packing up their things. Their movements were swift and efficient, each man knowing exactly what needed to be done without having to speak.
They didn’t seem to have brought much with them. It didn’t take long for me to realize they were nearly ready to leave.
Valor looked up the moment I walked in. His eyes met mine, and for a second, I was caught off guard by how different he looked when he wasn’t frowning or barking orders. The tension that usually wrapped around him like armor seemed to ease slightly in the soft light of morning. He looked… almost gentle.
“You’re awake,” he said, not quite smiling, but his tone lacked the edge I’d grown used to.”
I nodded. “The cub woke me.“}]
He let out a short breath that might’ve been a chuckle. “Of course, he did. He’s taken a liking to you.“}}
My eyes drifted toward the little wolf now curled up by the doorway, content after completing his mission. “He’s sweet,” I murmured, then looked back at Valor. “Are we leaving now?”
“Yes,” he replied, slinging a small pack over his shoulder. “We’re heading out in a few minutes. Didn’t want to wake you too early.“}
I stepped closer, crossing my arms loosely in front of me.”
“You’re staring,” I said softly, when I noticed how his gaze lingered on me.“]
He tilted his head slightly, a curious glint in his eyes. “Do you really not remember?“}]
His words caught me off guard. I blinked at him, unsure what he meant at first. Then I realized he was talking about… before. Whatever it was that happened to me, the reason I had no idea who I was beyond a first name. My chest tightened.
“I remember the pain,” I admitted, voice barely above a whisper. “I remember… fainting. Then everything went black. After that, nothing.”
He watched me for a moment longer, as if searching my face for any signs of a lie. Then he nodded, slowly. “That makes sense,” he said. “Memory loss isn’t rare after trauma. Especially the kind you went through.”
I hesitated. “Do you know of anything that could help? Something… to bring the memories back?”
Valor rubbed a hand along his jaw thoughtfully. “Not sure,” he said. “But our pack has a shaman. She’s old, but she knows things… a lot of strange things. If anyone can help, it’s her.”
“Is she far from where you’re taking me?” I asked quietly.
“She stays in a hut near the riverbend, not far from the heart of the territory,” he replied. “You’d like her. She’s a little rough around the edges, but she’s sharp.“?
I nodded, grateful for even the smallest sliver of hope. Still, the anxiety that had been gnawing at me for days rose again, tightening my
throat.
‘I don’t know what I’ll do if I never remember,” I whispered. “Everyone here…, they look at me like I’m someone important to them. But I don’t remember their names, their faces. I feel like a stranger in a life that once belonged to someone else.”
Valor’s gaze softened. He stepped a little closer, lowering his voice. “You don’t have to stay here if it doesn’t feel right,” he said. “My offer still stands. You’re welcome in my pack.“?
I looked up at him, surprised by the quiet sincerity in his tone. “Would that really be okay?“N
“Yes,” he said without hesitation. “You’re not just some burden, Bella. You’re… someone I want to protect. You’ll be safe with me.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. My heart stuttered for a moment, unsure of how to process the warmth blooming in my chest. It wasn’t love, at least not yet, but it was something steady. Something real. And right now, that meant everything.&
‘I don’t know if I deserve that,” I admitted, voice shaky.!!
“You do, he replied firmly. “Even if you don’t remember why.”
Dan stepped forward then, clearing his throat. “We’re ready to go.”#
Valor gave him a nod, then turned back to me. “Is there anything you want to bring with you?“!
I shook my head. “Even if there was, I wouldn’t know where to find it.”
Leo chimed in from the comer, “We already did a sweep of the place. Doesn’t look like she had much here,”
“Figures,” I said under my breath, trying to smile. “Everything feels borrowed.”
He nodded again, then reached for the door. But before he could open it, there was a knock.
We all froze, just for a second, instinctively tensing at the unexpected sound. Valor glanced at me and gave a slight nod, allowing me to
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approach the door. I stepped forward and pulled it open slowly.
Standing outside was Mara.}]
Her long dark hair was tied back loosely, and there was something in her expression I hadn’t seen before, uncertainty, maybe even guilt, or pretend guilt. Anyway, I’m sure Valor could clearly see the façade she’s been wearing.
The silence between us must have been too loud since Mara glanced at Valor briefly, then looked at me.N
“Bella,” she said, with the warmth of an old friend but eyes ready to murder. “Can I talk to you?“N
