Chapter 22
Rhett spent the next week doing two things: hunting for Isla and haunting the abandoned pack house where he’d once lived blind and forgotten.
The place was barely livable. The roof leaked when it rained, and the walls were constantly damp. But despite it all, he felt… calm here.
Because Isla had once lived here too. Her scent still lingered in the corners, and somehow, it eased the storm inside his chest.
He sat in the center of the room, eyes tracing the worn furniture, each object tugging at a thread of memory. It felt both achingly familiar and painfully distant–familiar because Isla had filled this space with warmth, and distant because he had never truly seen it before.
It was Isla who had shown him the way. Patiently, over and over, teaching him how to walk without stumbling. She’d rearranged things to match his habits, making sure he could move easily, never needing to ask.
Wption He hadn’t seen it back then. But now, in the silence, he felt it with
She’d loved him—not just with words, but through every quiet devastating clarity.
Tears slipped down his cheeks before he even noticed.
Then his Beta called.
“We found her. She’s in Koorana. Interviewing for a design firm.”
Rhett’s entire body tensed.
For days, he’d been restless, his mind spiraling. Now, with an address in hand, he didn’t feel relief–he felt fear. What if she didn’t forgive him?
He hadn’t recognized her. He’d hurt her in ways no apology could fix. Why would she ever want to see him again?
“Book me the fastest flight,” he said immediately. “I’m going to her.”
“But, Alpha… your body’s not in any condition for long flights,” the Beta hesitated, voice low.
“I don’t care.”
Rhett stood up, tossed on a jacket, and headed for the door.
The Beta didn’t argue again. He just ran ahead to get the car ready.
They drove straight to the airport.
ས་ག%°་ད་བ་ས་དང་དོ
The plane sliced through the clouds, leaving behind a streak of white across the sky–like Rhett’s heart, caught somewhere between hope and dread.
In Koorana, it had just begun to rain.
Isla frowned as she looked out the window. She’d planned to celebrate passing her interview by grabbing dinner with Riven. Now the rain had ruined that.
Riven noticed her disappointment and grinned. “Hey, aren’t you a decent cook? Who needs restaurants? Let’s stay in and do cheese fondue Oh and my friend just brought back some real comfort food from home. You’ve gotta try it.”
Isla’s eyes lit up. “No way. I’ve been missing proper food for weeks. You seriously just saved my night. I’ll even make my famous grilled
beef ribs.”
“Deal. I’ll handle the dishes.”
With that, they grabbed an umbrella and headed out to the grocery.
Chungiter 27
GoodShort
As they walked, a jeep sped past, splashing muddy water toward the sidewalk.
Without thinking, Riven pulled Isla into his arms.
“Careful!”
The world paused.
They were close. Too close.
Their noses brushed, breaths mingled. Isla could smell the faint, woodsy cologne he wore.
She looked up, eyes locking on his lashes–long, dark, unfairly pretty. She got caught in the moment.
Riven’s face turned crimson, but he didn’t
with the affandove. Didn’t speak.
The bond between them flickered–just a whisper, but
“Isla?” he said softly.
Ha
She blinked, startled back to reality.
Ashes pong enough to make her pulse stumble.
“Uh–w–we’re almost there. Let’s go before the rain gets worse.”
She pulled away, flustered, and picked up the pace. Riven followed, holding the umbrella above her
He couldn’t help but smile quietly to himself.
Good thing his umbrella had broken this morning.
Chapter 22
