Chapter 197
197 A second reunion … Lyla She trailed off sniffing back tears .
That was why I was willing to let you call another woman , mother .
Because I am nothing , Lyla .
I had nothing to me .
No parents , no inheritance , I wasnt affiliated to any pack and oh , your father … she broke down in tears .
He loved you , Lyla .
Everything he did , all the times be mistreated you he did it because he had to appease his mate , but your dad , never hated you ! No ! I shook my head as tears filled my eyes again .
Dont try to defend him because you loved him .
I dont want to hear .
I dont want to hear anything again .
I turned and started walking away .
Lyla ! she ran after me .
Please you cannot leave like this .
I turned to face her , my heart breaking over and over .
I never want to see you again , Nanny .
Do you hear away from me .
22 Stay Her hands clasped tightly around mine .
Lyla , please .
Dont do this .
Dont shut me out .
But I had already turned away and continued towards the temple gates , my heart was heavy anger and filled with pain .
with As I left the courtyard , I heard her crying and it broke my heart .
But I didnt look back .
I couldnt .
After I left the Moon Temple , I turned off my phone , refusing to take calls from Nanny or Nathan .
I wanted to be alone .
I wandered through Golden Gates Pack , trying to distract my thoughts .
I was still trying to figure out how to leave , perhaps , when I am calm , I could ask Nanny to help me secure passage from here back to the human world .
And this time it would be final .
I had nothing left here .
I found myself at a quiet café overlooking a mountain and took a space on the tables outside .
The wing was tugging at my hair and clothes .
The sun was setting , and everything was the same except me .
For the first time since confronting Nanny , I allowed myself to breathe .
I sank into the chair and stared out at the horizon .
The tears came again , but this time , they were quiet .
I didnt sob or scream , and I didnt bother about the strange looks of people passing .
I just let them fall .
Why ? I whispered to the wind .
Why did it have to be like this ? I thought about Nathan , about Nanny , about everything I had lost and everything I had learned .
It felt like i my entire world was crumbling around me , and I didnt know how to stop it .
I sat still , watching the sun dip below the towering mountains , as dusk began to set .
I made a silent vow to myself .
10.27 197 A second reunion ….
I would find a way to move forward .
I didnt know how or where , but I would .
Because no matter how broke I felt now , I refused to let this be the end of my story .
An hour later , I was back to my hotel room at Blue Ridge .
I was sprawled across the bed , staring blankly at the ceiling as my mind replayed the events of the day .
I couldnt even cry anymore .
The tears had dried up leaving behind an emptiness that seemed to echo through my entire being .
Just yesterday , Id been preparing for my wedding , dreaming of a future that now felt like I had .
dreamt it .
I thought I had finally found a place where I could set my roots .
Now everything was in ruins .
My engagement is broken Nathan should be preparing for his wedding night with Clarissa now .
My identity was in shreds and I couldnt even begin to process the fact that the woman Id trusted my whole life Nanny was my mother .
How had everything fallen apart ? After what felt like hours of staring into nothingness , I pushed myself up .
I couldnt stay here , drowning in my thoughts .
Maybe a run would help .
Usually , I am supposed to shift and let Nymeris run wild through the forest , but that wasnt an option anymore .
Not only had I not felt Nymeris since the chaos at the Harvest Moon , our bond had gone silent and I wasnt sure if I wanted her especially as she was being hunted .
And I hadnt dared to reach out , afraid of what I might or might not find .
I rolled off the bed and moved to my suitcase , rummaging through it for my running clothes .
Finally , I located it .
As I wanted to pull out a pair of leggings , an envelope fluttered to the floor .
I froze staring at it .
It was the letter from my father the one Ramsey had handed me during our meeting after his death .
I stared at it for a few more seconds , before picking it up , turning it over and over in my hand .
For a moment , I considered opening it .
I and my dad werent close , so I couldnt imagine what he would want to say to me in a letter .
What if there was something that could give me clarity in this chaos ? But as my fingers hovered over the seal , I hesitated .
After everything that had happened today , did I really want to add another potential bombshell to the mix ? Not today , I whispered and placed the envelope on the small table by the window , shoving it aside for later .
I quickly changed into a pair of joggers and a loose sweatshirt , grabbed a pair of dark sunglasses to hide my identity the last thing I needed was to be recognized by pack members whod attended what should have been my wedding and headed out into the night .
The evening air was cool against my skin as I jogged through the packs park .
It was surprisingly quiet with a few people jogging or walking around too .
I maintained a steady pace , careful not to maintain eye contact with anyone .
With each step I took , I felt lighter .
By the time I was done , I had my emotions in one place .
When I returned to the hotel room , my legs were sore but my head was clearer .
I ordered room service since Id had nothing to eat all day before stepping into the shower .
When I was done bathing , I came out , wrapped only in a towel .
I felt a bit refreshed , but the 10:27 197 A second reunion … ache in my chest was still there .
Id just finished drying off and was reaching for my comb and the hair dryer when the doorbell rang .
I grabbed one of the hotel robes , discarding the towel as I rushed to the door .
My stomach was already grumbling with the anticipation of the food Id ordered .
I ran my finger through my damp hair .
I swung the door open .
Just leave it outside the … The words died in my throat as I saw the person at my door .
It was the last person Id expected or wanted to see .
My grip tightened on the doorframe , my knuckles turning white .
I tried to remember what the clock had said when I came out of the bathroom .
I couldnt remember but it was well past midnight .
For a moment , neither of us said anything .
The silence was as thick as tension and he looked as though he hadnt slept in days .
His usual blank expression was replaced with vulnerability I havent or never associated with him .
Lyla , he finally said .
Ramsey ! I said quietly , tightening my grip on the edge of the door .
What are you doing here ? I came to see you , he said , taking a step towards me .
Your phone was switched off , I was worried .
I poked my index finger on his chest , indicating that he moved back .
How did you even know I was here ? No one else does , I followed your trail from the park .
Please can I come in ? I stepped back instinctively , keeping the door partially closed between us .
You shouldnt be here , Ramsey .
Your wedding is tomorrow .
I dont want troubles and if youre going to insist on wanting to talk to me , you can do it from there .
I heard you didnt marry Nathan again , his amber eyes rested on mine .
Is it true ? Is this some ploy to get back together in the future ? Tears welled in my eyes but I lifted my jaw , sniffing them back .
It is true .
Weve decided that my sister , Clarissa would be a better Luna .
I didnt think I owed him any explanation .
He closed his eyes , running a hand through his dishevelled hair .
When he opened them , he seemed excited .
I love you , Lyla … Ive made mistakes and Ive hurt you but please … everything I did was for a reason .
I scoffed .
Thats what Ive been hearing all day , Ramsey .
People protecting me because they think I cannot protect myself .
Say something else , Ramsey and … I looked back inside the room at the clock .
Its almost 2 am , you should get back home and rest up .
You dont want to look like this for your wedding tomorrow .
Im going to tell you something now because you deserve to know the truth and Ive been keeping it for the longest time .
10:37 197 A second reunion … I stared at him , trying to mask my interest .
But first , he beamed at me , coming to place his hand on the door of my room , with a light .
shove , he pushed it open .
I stumbled back from the shove but he caught me on time .
I am not getting married tomorrow .