Facing the memories of the past
+25 BONUS
Facing the memories of the past
(Amber’s POV)
I had been unsure for days whether Oliver Hunter truly recognized ine. When we first met at the police station, his reaction seemed normal enough. Nothing unusual stood out.
But over the past several days, I’d watched his careful movements around me. He deliberately avoided direct contact, even after learning I was Dominic Blackwood’s mate.
For someone who supposedly didn’t know me, his behavior was far too deliberate. Too calculated.
This evening at the farewell dinner confirmed my suspicions. Dominic’s third uncle Charles had brought his mate Ivy Reed, and the two couldn’t help but share gossip about Ethan’s family problems.
“You wouldn’t believe the chaos in that household,” Ivy whispered dramatically, her eyes gleaming with malicious delight
Charles nodded gravely. “Benjamin called earlier. The situation is deteriorating rapidly.”
Oliver sat quietly at the far end of the table, but I noticed how his attention sharpened when Ethan’s name came up. He listened intently while pretending to focus on his meal.
“Melissa miscarried again,” Ivy continued, lowering her voice. “But Olivia doesn’t care one bit. She actually blamed Melissa for
it.”
My stomach clenched at the news, despite everything that had happened between us.
“The poor girl pleaded with Ethan to help her brother get a position at Shadowpeak Enterprises,” Charles added. “Olivia was furious about the nepotism request.”
Ivy’s eyes lit up with scandalized excitement. “She slapped Melissa right across the face! In front of the entire pack!”
“Ethan is desperately trying to manage the family crisis,” Charles said, shaking his head. “But Olivia refuses to forgive what she sees as manipulation.”
I glanced at Oliver again. His jaw was tense, his knuckles white as he gripped his fork.
That’s when Ivy noticed something that made my blood freeze.
“Oliver, what happened to your hand?” she asked, pointing to a distinctive scar on his knuckles.
Oliver barely hesitated. “My young niece bit me during a tantrum. Children, you know.”
But I recognized that mark. The shape, the placement, the way it had healed.
I had given him that scar when I bit him during my escape years ago. When he’d found me in that cave, terrified and desperate.
My heart hammered against my ribs as the pieces fell into place.
After dinner, I excused myself to use the bathroom. When I emerged, I heard Oliver speaking quietly to his assistant near the hotel lobby.
“We’re leaving tonight instead of waiting until morning,” he said firmly.
His assistant looked surprised. “Sir? I thought we were departing tomorrow afternoon.”
“Change of plans.” Oliver’s voice was strained. “The longer I stay, the more uncomfortable she gets.”
The words hit me like a physical blow. He did recognize me. He’d been trying to minimize my pain by avoiding me.
I pressed myself against the wall, listening to their footsteps fade as they headed toward the elevators.
When I returned to our room, Dominic was waiting. His blue eyes searched my face immediately.
1/3
Facing the memories of the past
+25 BONUS
“You look pale,” he said, rising from the armchair. “What happened?”
I sat heavily on the bed, my hands trembling slightly. “Dominic, I need to tell you something about Oliver.”
His expression grew serious. “I already know.”
“You do?”
“I suspected when I saw how carefully he avoided you,” Dominic said gently. “His behavior was too deliberate for someone meeting you for the first time.”
I nodded, feeling a strange relief wash over me. “He was the one who found me. In that cave.”
Dominic moved to sit beside me, his presence immediately comforting.
“There’s more I need to tell you,” I said quietly. “About what happened after Nova helped me escape.”
He took my hand, his thumb stroking across my knuckles. “Tell me.”
I took a shaky breath. “Nova risked everything to help me escape that night. But the consequences for her were devastating.”
The memory of her kind face, marked by years of suffering, flashed through my mind.
“After I escaped, the old rogue wolf punished her severely. He broke both her legs with silver implements.”
Dominic’s grip on my hand tightened.
“She endured ten more years in that place,” I continued, my voice breaking. “Ten years of captivity and abuse because she helped me.”
“Amber…”
“The gang finally abandoned her when the old rogue died.
I met his eyes, needing him to understand. “I couldn’t leave her like that. When I had the resources, I went back for her.”
Dominic’s expression was unreadable. “The Moonlight Florist on Howling Boulevard.”
“You noticed it?” I asked, surprised.
“I notice everything about you,” he said softly. “That’s how you’re paying your debt to her.”
I nodded. “I brought Nova and her mother to Silvercrest. Set them up with the florist shop and a seamstress business.”
“They’re safe now?”
“Yes. Nova walks with a cane, but she’s healing. Her mother is skilled with alterations.” I smiled despite my tears. “They’re building a life here.”
(Dominic’s POV)
Listening to Amber’s story filled me with a rage so pure it nearly overwhelmed my control. My body trembled as I imagined what she’d endured during those sixteen days.
Every detail she shared carved deeper into my soul. The terror, the pain, the desperation of a young she–wolf sold by her own
sister.
“I want to hunt down every wolf that harmed you,” I growled, my voice barely human.
Amber placed her hand on my chest, her touch grounding me. “They’re mostly dead now. The old rogue, the others.”
“Not all of them.” My thoughts turned immediately to Victoria. “Your sister still breathes.‘
”
“Dominic.” Her voice was firm. “I’m not telling you this for sympathy or revenge.”
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Facing the memories of the past
I forced myself to focus on her words instead of the murderous rage coursing through my veins.
“I’m telling you because I owe Oliver proper thanks,” she continued. “I can’t keep hiding from the truth.”
The wisdom in her words slowly penetrated my fury. She was right of course.
“What do you want to do?” I asked.
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“Invite him for dinner when we return to Silvercrest. Let me thank him properly.” She paused. “And when our current project ends, I’d like you to meet Nova and her mother.”
I pulled her closer, breathing in her scent to calm my wolf. “Of course.”
My phone buzzed insistently on the nightstand. Ryan’s name flashed on the screen.
I considered ignoring it, but his calls this late usually meant trouble.
“What?” I answered curtly.
“Did you see Liam’s social media posts?” Ryan’s voice was tight with barely controlled emotion.
“No. Why would I?”
“He’s been posting pictures all day. With Paige.” The jealousy in his tone was unmistakable. “They look happy.”
I rubbed my forehead, exhausted by his stubborn denial. “And this concerns you because?”
“It doesn’t,” he said quickly. “I just thought it was inappropriate. Flaunting their relationship so publicly.”
“Ryan.” My patience was wearing thin. “You need to recognize what you’re feeling before it’s too late.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You’re jealous. You still have feelings for Paige.” I stated the obvious truth he refused to acknowledge.
Silence stretched across the line.
“Figure it out,” I said bluntly. “Before you lose her completely.”
I hung up before he could respond, turning my attention back to Amber where it belonged.
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