Chapter 3 A Life of Silence

Even after three years, the agony continued to gnaw at my ribcage like a persistent ache. The excruciating, soul-shattering pain of the mating link dissolving was not what had finally subsided, leaving me with bearable scars. No, this was not like the others. It was the type of anguish I had when I yearned for tranquility, which I knew would never come.

I looked at the clock that was mounted on the wall of the clinic in the tiny town where I worked. 6:00 p.m. With the exception of the faint buzz of the fluorescent lights above, the waiting area was deserted once my shift ended. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and massaged my neck to relieve the stress.

Three years. It's been three years since I broke up with him and the Moonshadow Pack. because I made a fresh start.

I wasn't unique in this sleepy little town that was tucked away from the pack territory and the woods. Only Celeste, the nurse who sutured cuts and bandaged injuries. I was reminded of the life I had left behind by the absence of wolves, Alpha instructions, and mate ties.

It was secure. It was easy.

Nevertheless, I kept feeling that it wasn't sufficient.

My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door opening. I looked up and straightened, forcing a businesslike grin. My throat tightened each breath.

Tall, broad-shouldered, and ruggedly attractive, he had eyes like storm clouds and black hair that curled at the corners. Even though his pants and leather jacket were a little old, it just made him seem more mysterious.

"Evening," he replied in a deep, silky voice that had a faint undertone of threat.

I stood up and pointed to one of the seats after forcing myself to breathe. "How may I assist you?"

He grinned, the type of grin that could both stir up trouble and dissolve resolve. collided with some barbed wire. I figured I'd best get it examined.

His hand went to his side, where his blood-stained shirt was ripped. I nodded quickly as the sight of it jolted me out of my reverie. "Take a seat. I'm going to get some supplies.

I could feel his intense gaze on me as I turned to face the cabinet, making my skin tingle.

"Do I know you?" he inquired abruptly.

I was taken aback by the inquiry and froze, clutching the counter's edge. No, no, no. There is no way he could know me. Could he?

With a firm hand holding the first aid box, I turned back to him and feigned a chuckle. "I don't believe so. But it's a little town. After a time, faces most likely begin to appear familiar.

He didn't seem persuaded, but he didn't ask any more questions. Rather, he removed his jacket and raised his shirt to show a ragged slit down his side. My breath caught once again. Because of the body it was sliced into-muscle, slender and strong, with a scattering of scars that told a thousand untold stories-rather than the wound itself.

I took a deep breath, concentrated on the wound, and crouched next to him to clean it.

I said, "This could hurt."

His laughter was rich and low. "I believe I can manage it."

The tension in the room became more oppressive as I rubbed the wound. His aroma, which included woodsmoke and a deeper, more primordial perfume, enveloped me like a second skin and drew me back to unpleasant memories.

"Your hands are steady," he said, his tone suddenly gentler and almost respectful.

Startled by the change in tone, I looked up at him. As if he could see right through the barriers I had spent years erecting, his intense and unwavering stare was fixed on me.

With a firm voice in spite of my racing pulse, I said, "I've had practice."

For a brief time, it seemed as if the world outside this room didn't exist as his lips quivered into a half-smile. It was just him and me, and something I couldn't identify but couldn't ignore was crackling in the air between us.

He abruptly exclaimed, "You're different," his voice becoming almost whispery.

The fabric hovered over his flesh as I froze. "In a different way?"

With his eyes narrowing slightly as if attempting to solve a conundrum, he said, "Not like the others here." "You have a crazy quality about you. concealed.

I stepped back, stood up suddenly, and feigned a chuckle. "I believe you've lost blood." causes folks to say odd things.

I felt vulnerable beneath the weight of his unwavering stare. Then he broke the moment by leaning back. "Perhaps," he murmured carelessly.

While my thoughts raced, I kept my hands calm and busied myself dressing his wound. Who was he? He felt so...familiar, but why?

"There," I exclaimed at last, taking a step back to see my creation. "You're ready to leave. Simply try not to rip it open again and maintain it clean.

He put his jacket back on and stood taller than me. His voice was pleasant but yet tinged with menace as he replied, "Thanks." I guess I should give you one.

Eager to get him out of the clinic and away from the tempest he was igniting inside of me, I hurriedly responded, "No need."

However, he hesitated as he made his way to the door, looking back over his shoulder. "What's your name?"

I exclaimed, "Celeste," before I could stop myself.

Once again, his lips formed that damnable sneer. "Celeste, nice to meet you. My name is Lucian.

Then he was gone, leaving me to stare after him while my thoughts were racing and my pulse was thumping.

Lucian.

Long after the clinic door had closed, I could still hear the name. That was a name I recognized. I was acquainted with him.

And that could only imply one thing if he was present.

My peaceful existence was about to come to an end.

I didn't get any sleep that evening. I was unable to. His face appeared each time I closed my eyes. His sinister smile, his penetrating eyes, and the way he gazed at me as if he knew my secrets.

I was a complete mess by morning, worn out, nervous, and overcome with a persistent feeling of dread.

A message was waiting for me on the counter when I got to the clinic. The handwriting was strong and accurate, and it was written on plain paper.

"We must speak. This evening. The diner's rear woods. Don't force me to look for you. -L

As I read the message over and over, my hands shook and my stomach fell.

It wasn't by chance that Lucian had entered my life. He had a purpose for being here.

And whatever it was, I had a terrible sense that it would make a huge difference.