That Nightmarish Memory-
That Nightmarish Memory
(Amber’s POV)
+25 BONUS
On the drive from Shadowpeak Tower to Crescent Moon Hospital, Dominic explained our business arrangement. His deep voice filled the car as we moved through traffic.
“Oliver Hunter heads up the partnership between Shadowpeak Enterprises and Silvercrest Television,” he said. “You’ll be working with him regularly as the cameraman.”
I nodded, feeling queasy from the pomegranates I’d eaten earlier. My stomach churned unpleasantly.
“He’s an investigative journalist with an excellent reputation,” Dominic continued. “Very thorough and professional.”
We arrived at the hospital and met Oliver in the administrative wing. He was in his early thirties with kind eyes and graying
temples.
“Mr. Blackwood, thank you for coming,” Oliver said, shaking Dominic’s hand first.
Then he turned to me with a warm smile. “You must be Amber Chase. I’ve heard wonderful things about your photography work.
I reached out to shake his hand professionally. But as our hands met, I saw an old bite mark on his right hand between his thumb and index finger.
The world tilted violently.
The scar was distinctive – two crescent–shaped marks that had healed into pale, raised tissue. My vision blurred as dizziness crashed over me. My body began trembling uncontrollably.
Flashes of memory hit like lightning. A dark cave. The taste of blood in my mouth. Terror consuming everything.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, quickly releasing his hand. “I think I ate too many pomegranates earlier. They’re upsetting my stomach.”
Oliver’s eyes flickered with recognition. But his voice remained neutral.
“Pomegranate seeds can indeed cause indigestion,” he said gently “Perhaps some water would help?”
Dominic’s arm wrapped around my waist immediately. Through our mate bond, I felt his concern radiating toward me.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” he murmured near my ear.
I nodded quickly, not trusting my voice. The trembling in my hands wouldn’t stop, so I clasped them behind my back. During lunch at Moonlight Dragon, I remained silent and distracted. The elegant restaurant with its red lanterns usually would have captured my attention, but I could barely focus.
I clung to Dominic’s arm throughout the meal. He and Oliver discussed their collaboration, but their words seemed far away.
“The documentary series will focus on sustainable development,” Oliver was saying. “We’ll need extensive footage of natural landscapes.”
“Amber’s photography skills will be invaluable,” Dominic replied, finding my hand under the table. “She has an exceptional eye for our territory.”
I nodded when they looked at me, but I wasn’t processing their conversation. My mind kept returning to that scar and the memory fragments it triggered.
The taste of blood. Footsteps echoing in darkness. Overwhelming fear.
Back at my apartment, I felt unsettled and disoriented. The familiar surroundings should have been comforting, but they weren’t.
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That Nightmarish Memory-
“I’m tired,” I told Dominic as we entered the bedroom. “I need to sleep.”
“I’m tired as well,” he said, though I could tell he was more concerned than fatigued. “Let’s rest together.”
+25 BONUS
I quickly changed and slipped under the covers. Dominic joined me pulling me against his chest. His steady heartbeat gradually I calmed my racing thoughts.
Within minutes, exhaustion overtook me and I fell into deep sleep
(Dominic’s POV)
I waited until Amber’s breathing became deep and even before carefully extracting myself. Through our mate bond, I sensed she was truly asleep.
Her reaction to Oliver had been extreme. The trembling when she saw his hand, the sudden pallor – it wasn’t from pomegranates.
I quietly left the bedroom and went to my study. I pulled out my phone and dialed Oliver’s number.
“I was expecting your call,” Oliver said when he answered.
“The bite marks on your hand,” I said without preamble. “They’re from Amber.”
“Yes,” he confirmed quietly. “I thought she might remember eventually.”
I sat down heavily. “Tell me what happened.”
Oliver was silent before speaking. His voice carried old pain and regret.
“It was seven years ago. I was an investigative reporter working with my girlfriend. We were investigating a rogue wolf gang that captured Omega wolves for illegal mining operations.”
My jaw clenched. Omega trafficking was heinous.
“They discovered our investigation and came after us. We fled into the mountains to escape their thugs.”
Oliver’s voice became strained. “I was hiding in a cave system when I stumbled upon Amber. She was covered in mud and blood, absolutely terrified.”
The image of my mate in such a state made my wolf snarl.
“When she saw me, she thought I was one of the bad guys. I tried to quiet her because I was afraid she might alert my pursuers. That’s when she bit my hand.”
“How did you convince her you weren’t a threat?”
“It took time. I explained who I was and why I was there. Eventually, she realized I was also running from the same people. We hid together for the night.”
Oliver paused, taking a shaky breath.
“She shared a dry, hard bread with me – probably her only food. Even traumatized, she showed kindness to a stran”
The generosity was so typically Amber.
“The next morning, she gave me a tattered map with a route down the mountain. We walked to safety together. I helped her stop a car, then turned back to find my girlfriend,”
“Did you find her?” I asked, though his tone suggested the answer
“With the Wolf Enforcement Team, we dismantled the gang. But my girlfriend…” His voice broke. “We found her body at the bottom of a cliff. She’d been sexually assaulted and tortured.”
The brutality made my stomach turn.
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That Nightmarish Memory
+25 BONUS
“I asked about Amber afterward. She’d been sent home safely, but never saw her again until today. Her reaction is normal given the trauma. Please give her time.”
“Of course. Is there anything else?”
Oliver hesitated. “There is one more thing. My former colleague investigated how Amber ended up in that situation. He discovered disturbing information.”
“What kind of information?”
“Evidence suggesting Victoria Chase might have been involved in the incident that led to Amber’s trauma.”
The revelation hit like a physical blow.
“What kind of involvement?”
“I don’t have all details, but there were indications Amber’s presence there wasn’t accidental. Someone may have deliberately put her in harm’s way.”
My hands clenched into fists. If Victoria had orchestrated Amber’s trauma, it would be the ultimate betrayal.
“I’ll need to see that evidence.”
“I’ll arrange for you to meet my former colleague. He kept copies of everything.”
(Henry’s POV)
At Chase Pack Headquarters, I was reviewing reports when Victoria walked into my office. I looked up in surprise.
“You’re back early,” I said, not hiding my lack of enthusiasm.
Victoria smiled coldly. “I missed home. And I heard about your mating ceremony with Naomi Warren.”
Her tone carried an edge that made me uncomfortable. I thought about Dominic’s comments about Victoria’s inappropriate
closeness.
“Yes, the ceremony is next month,” I confirmed neutrally.
Victoria moved closer, reaching for my water glass. Without asking, she took a sip.
The casual intimacy reminded me of Dominic’s accusations. I stood up and poured fresh water into a clean glass.
“Here, have your own.”
She looked surprised but accepted it. “How thoughtful. Naomi is lucky to have such a considerate mate.”
Her words carried subtle mockery.
“What brings you back suddenly?” I asked, putting distance between us.
Victoria’s expression grew serious. “I heard about the Lunar Heights Real Estate crisis. How bad is it?”
I sighed. “Bad enough that Father had to beg Dominic Blackwood for help.”
“And will Dominic help?”
“Yes, but the cost was high. Father won’t tell me what concessions he made, but I could see it pained him.”
Victoria leaned forward, eyes sharp. “What kind of concessions?”
“I don’t know details. Dominic humiliated me during the meeting, so I left before negotiations concluded, Father only said the price was steep.”
Victoria studied my face. “You seem different today. More distant.
That Nightmarish Memory-
+25 BONUS
I thought about Dominic’s warnings about her manipulative nature. “I’m focused on my mating ceremony. Naomi deserves my full attention.”
Victoria’s smile became predatory. “Of course. But surely you have time for family?”
She reached across and playfully snatched my pen.
“I’m hungry,” she announced. “Make me that venison stir–fry I love.”
I hesitated. “I have a pack engagement this evening.”
Victoria’s expression became insistent. “Just this once, Henry. I’ve been traveling for days. Your cooking always makes me feel
better.”
Despite Dominic’s warnings echoing in my mind, I found myself yielding to her persistence once again.
