Chapter 138
His piercing blue eyes locked onto me, his expression a storm of fury and relief.
"Let. Her. Go," he commanded, his voice edged with danger.
Gregor's grip on me faltered for just a second. It was all I needed. I ripped myself free and stumbled back, my breath coming in sharp gasps.
Rowan took a single step forward, his presence filling the night air like a force of nature.
"I will not ask again," he said, his voice quiet but lethal. "Step away from my queen."
Gregor's face twisted with rage, but he didn't move.
My heart slammed against my ribs as I stared at the man from my dreams, the man who had begged me to remember.
Rowan had found me.
Gregor's grip on me was ripped away so fast I barely registered what happened. One moment he was yanking me backward, and the next, Rowan was there — his hands on me, pulling me into his chest, shielding me from Gregor's reach.
"She can’t be your queen," Gregor spat, his voice low and dangerous. "You can't take her from me! Do you even know what she is?!”
Rowan's jaw clenched, his blue eyes burning with fury. "You think I won’t know my own wife," he growled. "She's my wife. And you... you will answer for everything. Guards seize him.”
His guards closed in, advancing on Gregor.
"You're making a mistake," Gregor barked as two men grabbed him, forcing him to his knees. He struggled, but they held him firm. "I was protecting her! She doesn't even remember you!"
Rowan's eyes darkened. "That's because of you," he said coldly. "Take him away."
The last thing I saw before the exhaustion overwhelmed me was Gregor's furious, desperate face as they dragged him off.
Then everything went black.
\---
I woke to the feeling of warmth, the softest bed I'd ever been in cradling my aching body. The room smelled faintly of pine and smoke, and the faint crackle of a fireplace filled the silence.
I blinked against the golden light filtering through the heavy curtains. The room was enormous — rich tapestries lined the walls, and a grand canopy framed the bed I lay in.
For a moment, I wondered if I was dreaming again.
Then I saw him.
Rowan sat at the edge of the bed, his head in his hands. His usually composed face looked worn, his dark hair falling into his eyes. When he noticed I was awake, his head shot up, and his expression softened instantly.
"My love," he breathed, his voice barely above a whisper. "You're awake."
I tried to sit up, but my body protested. He was by my side in an instant, helping me gently. His hands trembled slightly as they brushed against my skin.
"I thought I lost you," he said, his voice raw. "I've missed you so much. Things haven't been the same without you."
His words felt heavy with meaning — a weight I couldn't fully grasp.
"I... I don't remember," I admitted, my voice cracking. "I don't remember anything. I saw you once… in my dream. I’ve held on to that ever since.”
His expression fell, pain flashing across his face like a blade. He exhaled slowly, nodding. "I know. I talked to Gregor. He told me about how he found you. He told me you could only remember your name.
I looked away, guilt twisting in my stomach.
Rowan took my hand, his voice gentle. "Your memories will come back. I know they will. But... there's something I need to tell you."
I swallowed hard and met his gaze.
"Your real name is Ariadne, like you remember,” he said softly. "But here, your name is Arin. Arin is the name you took when you... when you left. You took someone else's identity to survive when you came back here. Only you and I know of this.”
Arin
The name echoed in my mind, unfamiliar and yet strangely comforting.
"Why would I do that?" I asked, my throat tightening.
Rowan's eyes darkened. "It’s a very long story. I’ll try to explain as much as I can, but it could take a while. You can’t tell anyone here that you are Ariadne. Or show them your mark. They won’t accept you.”
Gregor's voice rang in my head, and I realized — he was right.
"Why do I still have to hide who I am?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're the Alpha King. Can't you change it?"
Rowan nodded, his thumb brushing over my knuckles. "I will. I swear to you, I will. Soon."
My chest tightened. There were so many things I didn't understand, but the way he looked at me — like I was his whole world — made me want to believe him.
"We're at war, Ariadne," Rowan said, his voice quieter now. "After your disappearance, Braam soldiers were caught lurking on our borders. We captured them and Braam attacked our borders. The kingdom's been on lockdown for days. I wasn't supposed to leave, but I had to find you. I could feel you. You were so close yet so far.”
I stared at him, confused. "Feel me?"
He smiled, though it was sad. "My wolf. I sent his spirit out, searching for you. He's the one who led you to me."
The wolf. My wolf. The one that wouldn't let me stop.
My heart clenched. "It wasn't real? A wolf led me here, you’re telling me it’s not real?”
Rowan's hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing away a tear I didn't realize had fallen. "It was real enough to bring you home."
I leaned into his touch, overwhelmed.
His hand drifted to my stomach, warm and steady. "I'm just glad to have you back. Whole."
His words stirred something inside me, something old and familiar.
"I missed you," I whispered, even though I didn't remember why.
Rowan leaned down, pressing his forehead to mine. "I love you," he murmured, his voice trembling. "I never stopped."
Tears stung my eyes. My heart ached for something I couldn't remember.
Rowan brushed a kiss against my temple, lingering for a moment before he pulled back.
"I have to go," he said softly. "Lucian's execution is today."
Lucian. The name jolted me. It sounded familiar. I remembered those soldiers by the fire talking about a Lucian who was to be executed.
"Don't," I blurted out, gripping his wrist. "Why are you killing him? Gregor said he’s your brother.”
Rowan's brows knit together. "Ari—"
"Please," I begged. "Is this because of me? Don’t kill your brother because of me Rowan. There's been enough blood."
He stared at me for a long moment, conflict flickering in his eyes.
"I'll see what I can do," he said finally, his voice quiet. "For you."
And then he was gone.
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