SWNOVELS Chapter 40
Chapter 40: Facing The Past
*Riley*
My brain went into overdrive as a thousand thoughts ran through my head. One minute I was picturing the best-case scenario, sunshine and rainbows and all that, the next I was imagining the worst, like the absolute worst.
I started freaking out, my hands were shaking like crazy. Typical. Here I go again, nerves getting the better of me.
This whole place seemed to run on cliffhangers, you know, always keeping you on edge. There was no way whatever he was about to say was going to be good.
I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst. But what new nightmare was coming at me this time?
He reached out and took my hands in his, his touch ever so gentle. Uh oh, here it comes. The big reveal. I held my breath, counting… one, two…
“The Evermane wolves,” he said softly, “they were attacked by hunters. last night.”
“What?!” The word burst out of me before I could even think.
Chapter 39: The Awakening
The playful mood had vanished. Nicolas’ face was gravely serious now, and I could immediately tell that there was trouble.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he began, his voice low and heavy.
I braced myself, a feeling of dread forming in my stomach. I knew from the look in his eyes that whatever he was about to say was going to break my heart.
Chapter 40 Facing The Past
Chapter 40: Facing The Past
*Riley*
My brain went into overdrive as a thousand thoughts ran through my head. One minute I was picturing the best-case scenario, sunshine and rainbows and all that, the next I was imagining the worst, like the absolute worst.
I started freaking out, my hands were shaking like crazy. Typical. Here I go again, nerves getting the better of me.
This whole place seemed to run on cliffhangers, you know, always keeping you on edge. There was no way whatever he was about to say was going to be good..
I squeezed my eyes shut, bracing myself for the worst. But what new nightmare was coming at me this time?
He reached out and took my hands in his, his touch ever so gentle. Uh oh, here it comes. The big reveal. I held my breath, counting… one,
two…
“The Evermane wolves,” he said softly, “they were attacked by hunters last night.”
“What?!” The word burst out of me before I could even think.
Chapter 40: Facing The Past
A million thoughts had run through my head, but I had s p p e d that one. Never in a million years. It felt like a different lifetime, a whole other chapter I’d completely forgotten about before this whole mess started.
“We don’t know who was hurt yet,” his voice was still gentle as if he was trying his hardest not to upset me. “But there were a lot of casualties, Riles.”
“My…” my voice hitched, the words stuck somewhere between my throat and my lips. I couldn’t bring myself to complete the sentence, to ask the question I wanted to ask.
What about my family? Were they okay? And Noah?
But I wasn’t sure how I should feel. Yes, they treated me badly. Yes, Ava bullied me. Yes, Noah betrayed me and practically ripped my heart out. My father wasn’t any better than the rest of them. And Liam? Liam was the best one out of a rotten crop.
Still, that didn’t mean I wanted them to die. Sure, there were moments when I hated them with a passion. Times where I wished I could go back and have my revenge. That didn’t mean I wanted them to be killed… and by hunters? The image sent a cold jolt through me.
The whole thing was messed up. Here I was, filled with an intense rush of anger and… something else. Some crazy part of me hoped they were all okay. Alive.
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“I have to go back,” I blurted, the words tumbling out before I could stop them. “I have to see for myself. Nicolas, please. Can I go? They’re my…” The word, ‘family,’ hung heavy on my tongue, threatening to escape. But I couldn’t say it. Not because it wasn’t true, but because I wouldn’t mean it.
Nicolas let out a heavy sigh, pulling me into a tighter hug. His warmth seeped into me, calming the storm raging deep inside. He was my family now, that much was clear.
“I get it, Riles,” he murmured. “We’ll head out first thing in the morning.” His lips brushed against my forehead, a soft, loving kiss.
I buried my face in his chest, inhaling his scent, the only familiar comfort in this crazy world. I squeezed my eyes shut, allowing the feeling of peace of serenity to wash over me. I knew it was only temporary and tomorrow would bring something different.
I could barely sleep. The anticipation of what awaited me at the Evermane pack kept me awake. I was up bright and early, ready before even Nicolas was. Unsurprisingly, my nerves were already frayed and my mind raced with worry.
How horrible could it be? Surely my family would all still be alive.
As I paced back and forth in the large hallway, my heart felt like it might burst out of my chest.
Chapter 40. Facing The Past
Finally, I heard footsteps approaching. Nicolas, I thought. Good, we could get moving and I could finally get some answers.
But when I turned, it was Luna Adele who was walking towards me with a worried smile on her lips. She enveloped me in a warm embrace, her motherly love almost overwhelming me.
Tears threatened to spill from my eyes as I realized that I had never truly experienced this kind of affection.
“You’re going to be okay, sweetheart,” she reassured me as she pulled away, her hand cupping my chin gently. “Remember that you are strong and capable. There is nothing you cannot handle. Consider this. a practice for your future role as Luna. You will have to face difficult situations like this.”
I could only nod in response, unable to find the words to express my gratitude for her comfort and guidance.
Just then, Nicolas joined us in the hallway accompanied by his guards. He kissed his mother on the cheek and spoke softly to her. “We have to go now, mother. We will see you soon.”
“Take care of her, Nicolas, she needs you,” she said in response.
He smiled at her knowingly and then turned to me. “Ready?”
I nodded, wrapping my arms around myself for comfort.
Chapter 40: Facing The Past
He took my hand in his and led me to the garage, his touch grounding me. “Everything is going to be okay, Riles, I promise,” he reassured me with a gentle squeeze of my hand.
His promises were like a lifeline, and I trusted him completely, I trusted that he meant it. But even as powerful as Nicolas was, I didn’t think Nicolas could bring back the dead.
Nicolas opened the door to his sleek black car and gestured for me to climb in. The leather seats were cool against my skin as I settled in. He started the engine with a low growl, and we zoomed off.
Despite his presence next to me, I couldn’t shake off my nerves. My mind kept wandering to the Evermane pack, wondering what was happening there in my absence. It seemed surreal that I was going back there after all this time.
I wondered if I was ready to face them. If my family would finally see me in a new light, with pride now that I had proven myself? Would Ava step up as the Luna now that Noah was the Alpha? Had they already moved into their shared quarters?
But as I looked over at Nicolas beside me, his strong features softened by concern, I knew that no matter what happened with my family, I would always have him by my side. As if sensing my distress, he took my hand in his once again, holding it gently but firmly as we drove.
Chapter 40 Facing: The Past
With my eyes closed, I could hear N i c o l a ‘s words echoing through our
mind link.
“I’ll always be here for you Riles,” he assured me.
The warmth of his thoughts and the tightness in my chest told me he was sincere. It didn’t matter to me whether we were fated mates or not – having Nicolas by my side was all that mattered.
As the car came to a slow stop a few hours later, my gut twisted with worry. Something wasn’t right. My heart pounded against my ribcage. as I slowly opened my eyes.
My fears were confirmed as I took in the scene before me. The door of the Evermane pack was splattered with blood, like an eerie painting. This wasn’t the aftermath of a successful hunt – it was a massacre. Wounded guards stumbled around, their bodies wrapped in makeshift bandages.
Shaken but determined, I stepped out of the car and onto the b l o d y ground.
A thousand thoughts, and I had not expected the sight before me. My nerves were gone, I was ready for whatever came next.