Chapter 107: Chapter 107

TRISTAN:

I didn’t know what else to tell Dahlia, so I began to tell her the most basic of all truths between us...

“You and I – we are fated mates… Can’t you tell?”

That’s right. I found Dahlly just now, but I couldn’t just snatch her away as I pleased… especially now that she had lost her memories of me…

Last night, I ventured by myself further into the forest surrounding Dalrus. I knew Samalah was someone who hated crowds. She often went alone and acted alone. If she had planned to kidnap Dahlia, she would probably run into the woods with her and hide her there until her plan was fulfilled.

Samalah was always highly suspicious of people. I thought I was the only one whom she trusted before we planned to extract our revenge against the Talandor royals, but seeing how she had me framed at Payn, it was safe to say she shifted her trust to someone else she could control.

Thus, instead of concentrating on Dahlia’s scent, I followed Samalah’s scent more carefully.

Her smell led me deep into the forest within a shabby looking hut.

I wanted to barge in right there and then, but before I could make my move, I saw Samalah exit the hut at twilight. She called on a messenger bird and sent two letters up into the air before she went back inside.

I intercepted one of the letters. It was addressed to a wolf named Naskan, whom I knew to be one of the rogues who were working with us during the vampire attacks that we used to frame Count Jeteris.

I crumpled the paper with fury in one hand. She spoke of a master whom I don’t know about… Who was Samalah dealing with, precisely?

More importantly, I was able to smell Dahlia from inside… Was she taking her as a hostage?

I decided to eavesdrop and follow them some more, and it was then that I discovered the truth that Dahlia had lost her memory.

Now, she had just discovered me amongst the bushes. Intending not to hide anymore, I stepped forward and assumed Naskan’s identity.

It hurt like hell to see my Dahlia look at me and not remember a thing. It hurt to hear she thought of her husband as beyond evil that she would never dare to see me. Worse, she even thought that Samalah was the kindest person on earth right now…

I couldn’t help but cry at the thought that I put her in this predicament after all. I was relieved to have found her, but at the same time, I was troubled that she had incurred additional hatred for me in such a short amount of time.

I didn’t know which was worse – to be hated by the old Dahlly for betraying her or to be hated by this new Dahlly for being cruel.

Either way, maybe I truly deserved being hated by my mate…

I debated over my head what I should do. Should I just confess and tell her the truth and risk losing her again because of my betrayal? If so, she’ll proceed with her plans of leaving me, and she would eventually have to return to Talandor, right?

If Dahlia returns to Talandor, her life might be endangered because of the spirit stone that had attached itself to her.

I just can’t risk it… I must think of a way to extract the stone first and to protect her from Samalah’s schemes at all cost.

“N-Naskan, what do you mean,” Dahlly said with a frightened look on her face. She didn’t look convinced about what I just said on us being fated mates at all.

“I can feel it. You’re my fated mate. Can’t you hear your own wolf call on me?”

That’s right. If I could awaken Eva from within her, maybe she could remember everything on her own. Then, Dahlia would be able to come with me voluntarily, and we can think of a plan to leave Samalah…

“No… And don’t you dare joke about this thing… Don’t you know I’m already married?”

I sighed. My Plan A failed. I must get ready to execute Plan B.

“I’m not kidding… Just take your time then. Soon, you will feel the irresistible pull between the two of us,” I said. “Now, let’s go back to Samalah. We’ve got a lot to talk about, she and I…”

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DAHLIA:

“Ah, I was about to do some laundry. Can we go back after I’m done?”

Naskan looked quite confused. I pointed to the pile of clothes I brought with me when I exited the cave.

“I was here to fetch water and do the laundry. You can come back with me afterwards. I just have to finish washing that.”

“B-But, can you do it? Won’t it hurt your hands?”

I felt a bit upset with what he said. Did he think I was so stuck up that I don’t know how to wash my own clothes?

“Well, since I worked as a slave, I’m sure I’m used to doing laundry, so it’s not a big deal.”

I stood from the ground and dusted the grass from my skirt, but before I could move towards the pile of laundry, Naskan took my hand.

“Let me do it. I’ll help you,” he said.

“Can wolves wash clothes,” I said in jest.

Remembering that he was still in his wolf form, Naskan’s ears drooped in embarrassment. I laughed softly at how docile he looked just now.

“Wait here. I’ll go change,” he growled.

Before I could decline his offer, he moved towards the bushes where he emerged just moments ago, and he began shifting back into his human form.

My mouth must have hung open in utter amazement. Before me, an incredibly handsome man appeared. His black, curly hair that enveloped a strong, muscular jaw sparkled so beautifully as he tossed them to one side. His tanned skin and chiseled arms and chest were far too godly for my own mortal eyes.

I was almost sorry that I couldn’t see his full nakedness as the bushes fell on his private parts. If I did, I would have died a happy person.

I shook my head awake. Moon Goddess, why did Naskan had to be so temptingly gorgeous? I was with child, but the carnal desires in my heart became so strong the moment he transformed back into a man in front of me.

He proceeded to put some clothes on himself, which I assumed he had prepared beforehand.

I knew that it was rude but I couldn’t tear my eyes away from his alluring body even as he donned his shirt and trousers.

Naskan must have known how magnificent he looked, for when he came back to me fully clothed, he had a sly look on his face.

“I guess some things never change. You also ogled like that the first time you saw me naked too.”

I looked down on the ground, utterly embarrassed. Why did he have to say it that way?

I was about to go towards the pile of laundry, but Naskan was on the way.

“Do you want me to jog some of your memories, Dahlly? Maybe if I do it, you will remember me just like before…”

“And how the hell are you going to do that?”

“With this -”

Without further warning, Naskan’s lips came upon me in the form of a deep and passionate kiss.