Chapter 7:The Past Finds Her
1134 Words
The restaurant hummed with soft conversation and the clinking of cutlery, the warm glow from the chandelier cast golden light over polished tables. Selena Rivers stepped inside, her heels clicking against the marble floor, and heads turned almost instinctively.
The whispers began almost immediately.
“Is that Dr. Selena Rivers?”
“She’s even more stunning in person.”
“I heard she’s saved dozens of lives… amazing.”
Selena had grown accustomed to the admiration, fame and compliments, but it no longer fazed her. With a confident stride, she made her way to a secluded corner table. Her transformation over the years was undeniable, her once-simple beauty had blossomed into something breathtaking. Her deep auburn hair fell in soft waves down her back and her piercing green eyes glimmered with intelligence, and her toned figure, accentuated by a sleek black dress, commanded attention without effort.
At the table sat Nathaniel Hayes, the man who had been her steady companion for the past two years. His cute boyish grin stretched across his face as he stood to greet her, pulling her into a warm embrace.
“Selena,” he said, his voice filled with genuine excitement, “you look incredible, as always.”
Selena smiled, taking her seat. “You flatter me too much, Nate.”
Nathaniel was the son of the doctor who had taken Selena in and mentored her years ago, offering her a place of refuge when she had no one. Tall, with sandy blond hair and kind blue eyes, he exuded warmth and sincerity, a stark contrast to the stormy emotions Selena had known before. Nathaniel, after visiting his mother a few times and constantly seeing Selena, he fell in love with her. He was a sweet guy who didn't mind that she had kids. He loved her kids like they were his.
Selena took a while before she agreed to dating him, he was a nice guy and her kids loved him so she just agreed. She first dated him to forget Kieran but she grew fond of him after.
“I couldn’t help myself,” Nathaniel replied, chuckling nervously. “It’s been a while since we had a quiet dinner together. How are the twins? I've not seen them in days and I already miss them.”
“They’re with your mother,” Selena said, her expression softening as she thought of her children. “She insisted on watching them tonight. You know how much she adores them.”
Nathaniel laughed. “She’d adopt them if you let her. They’re lucky to have you, Selena.”
Selena’s heart swelled, though she said nothing. She reached for her glass of water as Nathaniel fidgeted with his napkin. His usual calm demeanor seemed to be away from him, and Selena tilted her head.
“Everything okay, Nate?” she asked.
“Yes—well, no—” He shook his head, laughing awkwardly. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to talk to you about something important.”
Her brow arched, intrigued by the sudden seriousness in his tone. "Is something wrong? What is it?"
Nathaniel reached across the table, taking her hand in his. “Selena, these past two years with you have been… incredible. You’ve brought so much joy and meaning into my life and my mum's. You and the twins… you’re my family now. Sometimes I think my Dad sent you our way.”
Selena’s chest tightened. She could feel the intensity and sincerity of his words, the way his thumb brushed over her knuckles gently.
“I love you,” Nathaniel continued, his voice shaking slightly. “And I can’t imagine my life without you. Selena, will you—”
“Selena Rivers.”
The voice cut through the moment like a blade, deep and commanding. Selena got startled, her wolf stirring instinctively as she felt the unmistakable energy of another werewolf.
Turning sharply, her eyes landed on a tall, unfamiliar man standing uncomfortably close to their table. His dark eyes bore into hers, and his presence felt overwhelming.
“I was asked to give you this,” he said, holding out something small and familiar.
Selena’s eyes widened with shock and her gaze dropped to the bracelet in his hand—a worn leather band with a silver half moon sign. Just the perfect other piece to complete hers. Her mind reeled. It was Kieran’s. The one he had given her years ago when they were inseparable.
“How…” she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Before she could gather herself, the man placed the bracelet in her trembling hand and walked away.
“Wait!” Selena called, rising from her seat. She barely registered Nathaniel’s confused look as she darted out of the restaurant and chased after the stranger.
Her heels clicked against the pavement as she caught up to him in the quiet alley. She immediately grabbed his arm and turned him around . “Who are you?”
The man’s expression was calm, and he looked relieved. “The Silverclaw Pack has finally found you.”
Selena’s heart raced, the words triggering a flood of memories she had tried so hard to bury. Her voice hardened. “Tell me who sent you.”
The man hesitated, and Selena saw a flicker of respect—or perhaps fear—in his eyes. “I was sent by my alpha to deliver the bracelet. That’s all I’m allowed to say.”
She fought the urge to ask about Kieran, her pride keeping her 'strong woman mask' intact. “Leave,” she said coldly, her voice trembling with suppressed emotion. “Go back and tell whoever sent you that I’ll never return to the pack. Not now. Not ever. Over my dead body.”
The man gave a quick nod and disappeared into the shadows without another word.
Selena stood there, her breath coming in uneven gasps. She clutched the bracelet tightly and told herself it was anger that made her hands shake, not the faint glimmer of hope that threatened to unravel her resolve.
“Selena?”
She turned to find Nathaniel standing at the entrance of the alley, concern etched into his face. “Who was that? What’s going on?”
“It’s nothing,” she lied, slipping the bracelet into her pocket. “Just a former patient that wanted to thank me.”
Nathaniel frowned but didn’t press further. She gave him a small, reassuring smile and took his hand, leading him back to the restaurant.
But as they returned to their table, Selena couldn’t ignore the weight in her pocket or the ache in her heart. She didn’t want to ruin what she had with Nathaniel, but deep down, she couldn’t deny the truth she had buried for years.
She missed Kieran. Desperately.
- Writer
