RALPH Keilah's eyes widened at my declaration, and I thought she was going to ask me about it, but instead, she asked, "Ralph, do you remember me now? As your mate? Our plans, everything?" I stared at her for a moment, my heart aching. "I do, mate," I said, my voice thick with emotion. "I remember you, baby girl." Her face lit up with a radiant smile, so pure it pierced through the darkness in my heart. Before I knew it, she threw herself into my arms, and I held her tightly, feeling her tiny hands gripping me as if she never wanted to let go. "Thank God you're back," she murmured, her voice filled with relief and joy. I buried my face in her neck, inhaling her scent deeply, the familiarity of it grounding me in the moment. "I'm back," I murmured, my voice muffled against her skin. "A

