Threads of Fading Memory – K. S. Whitman 9

Threads of Fading Memory – K. S. Whitman 9 Summary

Zane and Thalia had planned to keep their relationship private for a while, especially since Zane, as the Alpha of Coghaven, was always under scrutiny. They intended to wait until their official marking before announcing anything. However, Zane’s recent involvement in a significant medical reform brought him into the public eye, making secrecy difficult. Despite meeting only at night, the risk of being seen was high, and Zane grew tired of hiding. One night, he spontaneously proposed to Thalia with a silver ring he designed, and she accepted immediately.

 

As they walked home hand in hand, Damon unexpectedly appeared, calling out to Thalia with red-rimmed eyes. Though Zane held her protectively, Thalia allowed Damon to speak. Damon, with a soft and almost drifting voice, claimed he meant no harm but wanted to talk because their parents missed her and had spoken of her often. Thalia remained cold and guarded, wary of the dangers posed by ex-mates. She firmly told Damon she was doing fine and asked him to send her regards to the Alpha and Luna before returning to Zane.

 

From Damon’s perspective, he has been reborn at 26 but finds his world changed. The villa is empty, and Thalia’s scent is gone. His parents, older and worn, reveal that Thalia has changed and no longer waits for or revolves around him. They tell him she is never coming back, which devastates him. Damon learns that Thalia must have been reborn as well and has cut all ties with him after he hurt her deeply. After months of searching, he finally finds her in a neighboring city, hand in hand with another wolf, clearly moved on.

 

When Damon calls her name, Thalia responds curtly, showing no interest in him or their past. This encounter makes Damon realize that his rebirth is not a second chance but a painful confirmation that Thalia has moved on and he no longer has a place in her future.

 

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Zane and I hadn’t planned on going public so soon. 

As the current Alpha of Coghaven, every move he made was closely watched. We agreed to wait until we officially marked before making an announcement. 

But recently, Zane had taken charge of a major medical reform for Coghaven Council, which placed him right in the middle of the pack’s core spotlight. 

Even if we carefully arranged to meet only at night, there was always a chance we’d get caught on camera. 

He’d had enough of hiding. So one night, he pulled out a silver ring he’d designed himself and proposed on the spot. 

I didn’t hesitate and immediately said yes. 

As we were walking home hand in hand, a low, hoarse voice suddenly called out behind us, “Thalia…” 

I instinctively turned around to see Damon step out of the shadows with red–rimmed eyes. The sight had me frowning deeply. 

When he spoke, his voice was soft and almost drifting. “Don’t be afraid, Thalia. I’m not here to cause trouble. I just… wanted to talk to you.” 

I could feel Zane’s hand tighten protectively around mine, so I gave him a gentle pat of reassurance. 

Reluctantly, he stepped back a few paces but kept looking over his shoulder at me every few seconds. I couldn’t help but smile a little. 

Damon stood under the dim streetlights, his wolf eyes shining with warmth that made my skin crawl. “How have you been?” 

My expression stayed cold as I replied, “I’d be doing much better if you hadn’t shown up at all.” 

His gaze dimmed a little at my reply. 

“What exactly do you want, Damon?” 

He softened his tone and said, “Father and Mother miss you so much, and they kept talking about how you used to be… “Then I heard you were here, so I figured I’d come to see if you were doing okay. I don’t mean anything else.” 

Still, I didn’t let my guard down. There were plenty of stories about ex–mates attacking in fits of madness that constantly haunted me. 

“Well, now you see for yourself that I’m doing just fine. Give the Alpha and Luna my regards, and tell them to take care.” With that, I turned and strode over to where Zane was waiting under a tree, slipping my hand into his. 

Damon’s point of view. 

I was reborn. 

The moment I opened my eyes, I realized I was back at 26. 

My first instinct was to rush outside and find Thalia, but something about the house was different. The villa was empty, and there wasn’t a single trace of her scent in the air. 

She was gone. 

I lost my mind searching everywhere. “Father, Mother… Where’s Thalia?” 

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It was only when I asked that I noticed how much older they looked with gray hair at the temples. They seemed more worn than 

I remembered. 

Mother indifferently said, “Why are you looking for her? You drove her away, didn’t you? 

“Forget about her. She’s never coming back.” 

I could feel my chest hollow out–all the joy at having a rebirth burned away in an instant. 

Later, when I repeatedly pressed for the truth, they finally confessed. 

In this life, Thalia had changed since my birthday. She no longer waited for me or revolved around me. 

Deep down, I knew she must have been reborn too. 

I spent months tracking her down, but since I’d hurt her too deeply, she’d cut off every tie between us. 

Half a year later, I ran into someone who had once known us, who mentioned having seen her in a neighboring city. 

After cleaning myself up, I got there as fast as I could. And when I did, I saw her hand–in–hand with another he–wolf, looking at 

ease. 

When I stood still and called her name, she stopped and turned around impatiently. 

I asked, “How have you been?” 

And she curtly replied, “I’m fine.” 

She didn’t bother to ask about me or even spare me a single glance. 

That was when I realized that this rebirth wasn’t meant to give me another chance at life. Instead, it was to show me, clearly and without a doubt, that she’d moved on. 

I no longer held a place in her future. 

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Conclusion

 

The chapter delicately captures the bittersweet reality of moving forward when the past still lingers close. Thalia and Zane’s decision to step into the light together symbolizes a new beginning, a courageous embrace of love despite the shadows that Damon’s unexpected return casts. Their quiet strength in facing this moment underscores the theme of resilience and the power of choosing hope over fear, even when old wounds threaten to reopen.

 

From Damon’s perspective, the rebirth serves as a haunting reminder of what he has lost and the irreversible nature of change. His journey through regret and acceptance reveals the painful truth that some connections, no matter how deeply felt, cannot be reclaimed. This chapter poignantly explores the complexities of love, loss, and the necessity of letting go, leaving readers with a profound sense of closure tinged with the promise of new chapters yet to come.

 

What to Expect in Next Chapter?

 

The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complex emotions swirling between Thalia, Zane, and Damon. As Zane and Thalia begin to step into the light with their newly declared bond, the lingering presence of Damon casts a shadow that is impossible to ignore. His unexpected reappearance and the raw vulnerability beneath his hardened exterior hint at unresolved feelings and the potential for tension that could challenge the fragile peace they’ve built.

 

Meanwhile, Damon’s rebirth and the painful realization that Thalia has moved on add layers of introspection and conflict. His journey to come to terms with the past and his place in Thalia’s life will unfold, raising questions about forgiveness, acceptance, and the true meaning of moving forward. The emotional stakes are high, and the characters must navigate their intertwined fates with care, leaving readers eager to see how these threads of memory and change will shape their futures.