Threads of Fading Memory – K. S. Whitman 5

Threads of Fading Memory – K. S. Whitman 5 Summary

 

After being slapped by Damon and collapsing on cold stone steps, the narrator reflects on the ongoing distrust and betrayal she has endured, particularly from Damon and Raven. Raven, who has a history of manipulating situations to her advantage, once falsely accused the narrator after being rescued from a locked restroom. Damon, despite claiming he needed a break, secretly spent time with Raven, leaving the narrator feeling abandoned and used as their healer during dangerous off-road climbing. A rockslide during the climb left her poisoned and unconscious for a month, deepening the pain of Damon’s betrayal.

 

Damon marked her as his, yet continued to be unfaithful and cruel, refusing to sever their bond and accusing her falsely of murder under pack law. She learns that Damon always believed she was responsible for poisoning Raven, which led to her near execution. Despite this dark past and Damon’s relentless distrust, fate offers her a new beginning when she encounters Zane Duskbane, the Alpha of Coghaven, who appears unexpectedly and offers her a chance to work as an advanced healer at the Coghaven Medical Institute.

 

Waking up in a hospital bed, she finds Zane by her side, who gently inquires about her well-being and the abuse she suffered from Damon. She refuses to engage with Damon’s calls, symbolically breaking ties by destroying her SIM card. Zane’s calm presence and professional offer give her a sense of pride and hope, as this opportunity is based on her own skills and merit. As she accepts the offer letter, she quietly asks Zane for help with something important, signaling the start of a new chapter in her life.

 

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Chapter 5

After taking just a few steps, every ounce of strength seemed to vanish from my limbs, and I collapsed onto the cold, unforgiving stone steps. The sting on my cheeks was sharp, a fiery reminder of the force behind Danton’s slap. He never held back when it came to me—his distrust was as fierce as ever.

Raven, on the other hand, had always delighted in her little performances, especially when it came to framing me. Ever since high school, she had a knack for turning situations to her advantage. I remembered one time when she got herself locked inside the restroom. Without hesitation, I kicked the door down to free her, only for her to throw herself into Damon’s arms, sobbing, “Thalia locked me in.” The betrayal stung just as much as the slap.

In another life, when Damon complained about stress and claimed he needed a break, I had been the one to plan our escape—booking flights and securing a beach villa in Alohara a full six months ahead. But when I arrived, I discovered he hadn’t attended any parties or relaxed as he’d suggested. Instead, he had taken Raven off-road climbing, with me reluctantly assigned as their healer.

During that climb, the danger escalated quickly. Rocks suddenly loosened and tumbled down from above. Just as a massive boulder was about to crush Raven, Damon lunged, grabbing her and dodging the falling debris. But in doing so, he exposed me below. The rocks struck me hard, hurling me off the cliff and into a jungle thick with poisonous mist. I was left poisoned and unconscious for an entire month.

After marking me as his, Damon spent his nights with other she-wolves, leaving my wolf writhing in silent agony. Every time I begged him to sever the bond that tied us, he sneered, “Don’t ever think you can escape me, you vicious thing. You’ll pay for this your entire life.”

Later, he accused me of murder and condemned me to death under pack law. Before my life ended, I learned the bitter truth—he had always believed I was the one who poisoned and killed Raven.

Damon never trusted me.

Yet, fate granted me a second chance.

“Need a ride?” A low, steady voice broke through my spiraling thoughts.

I looked up to see a man standing beneath the streetlights, clad in a dark gray coat. His features were sharp and commanding, framed by neatly slicked-back brown hair. My breath caught. It was Zane Duskbane, the current Alpha of Coghaven.

Until now, I had only seen him on the news.

Just as I opened my mouth to speak, darkness swallowed my vision, and I pitched forward.

When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed. I tried to sit up, but a wave of dizziness forced me back down.

Zane was there, seated beside me, scrolling through my medical chart. When he noticed I was awake, he looked up and asked gently, “How do you feel?”

Before I could answer, my phone buzzed with an incoming call—Damon again. I refused to pick up, yanking out the SIM card and snapping it clean in two.

Zane observed quietly, then asked, “Did he hurt you?”

I hesitated, nodding slightly before shaking my head. “It’s nothing. I’ll handle it myself.”

He studied me for a moment, then said, “You know who I am, don’t you?”

“Alpha of Coghaven, Zane Duskbane,” I whispered.

“Good,” he replied with a faint smile. After a pause, he added, “I happen to need a private healer, and I’ve reviewed your résumé.”

Before I could fully process his words, he reached into his coat pocket and pulled out a neatly stamped offer letter. Sliding it across the bedside table toward me, he declared, “From now on, you’re an advanced healer at Coghaven Medical Institute, reporting directly to me.”

“Just tell me if you need help with anything, including what happened,” he added softly.

My hands trembled slightly as I took the letter, feeling a surge of pride. This was an opportunity earned on my own merit—not out of pity or scraps from anyone else.

Looking up at the calm, sharp-eyed Alpha before me, I lowered my gaze and murmured, “Actually, there is something I’d like your help with.”

Chapter 6

Conclusion

 

The chapter closes on a note of fragile hope, as the protagonist emerges from the shadows of betrayal and pain into the possibility of healing and new beginnings. Despite the scars left by Damon’s cruelty and the weight of past injustices, there is a quiet strength in accepting Zane’s offer—a chance to reclaim agency and rebuild a life on her own terms. The emotional turmoil of distrust and isolation lingers, yet it is tempered by the gentle promise of support and understanding from someone who sees her true worth.

 

In this delicate moment, the themes of resilience and redemption intertwine, underscoring the journey from suffering to self-empowerment. The protagonist’s trembling hands grasp not only the physical offer letter but also a symbol of renewed purpose and connection. As she cautiously reaches out for help, the chapter leaves us with a poignant reminder that even in the darkest times, the threads of fading memory can weave into a tapestry of hope and healing.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

In the next chapter, the tension between past wounds and new beginnings deepens as the protagonist steps into a role that could redefine her future. The offer from Zane Duskbane, the enigmatic Alpha, is more than just a job—it’s an invitation into a world where trust is scarce and alliances are fragile. As she navigates this new environment, questions about her past with Damon and the true nature of their bond will surface, challenging her to confront old fears and hidden truths.

 

Emotions will run high as she grapples with the lingering pain of betrayal and the cautious hope kindled by Zane’s unexpected kindness. The delicate balance between vulnerability and strength will be tested, and readers will find themselves drawn into a web of intrigue, where every gesture and word carries weight. The next chapter promises to unravel more of the protagonist’s story, revealing the complexities of loyalty, identity, and the price of freedom.