Chapter 4 ****F

Melissa is still looking scared while with Devon, the dream stone still warm in her trembling hands. Her breathing was shallow, and her heart raced. She had seen it. She had felt it. And worst of all, deep inside, she knew it wasn't just a normal thing. It was a memory.

The weight of that truth pressed down on her like a storm cloud. She looked up at Devon, her mind screaming for answers. "What did you do to me?"

Devon sighed. "I didn't do anything."

Melissa shook her head. "No. No, that's not possible. I saw... I saw-" She stopped, pressing her fingers to her temples. A forest. A war. Devon. She clenched her fists. "Tell me everything. Now."

Devon hesitated, but then he nodded. "All right."

Melissa wasn't prepared for what he was about to say.

Devon leaned back against his desk, watching her carefully. "You weren't always Melissa Moore," he said. "Once, a long time ago, you were someone else. And I-" He paused. "I was someone else too."

Melissa swallowed hard. "Who?"

Devon hesitated again as if choosing his words carefully. "In another life, you were called Eris. And I was your mate."

Melissa's pulse skipped a beat. Mate. The word felt like a hook sinking into her chest, tugging at something deep inside.

"Mate?" she whispered. "Like-like soulmates?"

Devon nodded. "Yes."

Melissa stood abruptly, stepping away from him. "No. No, that's insane. I don't even know you! I just met you yesterday!"

Devon's jaw tightened. "You don't remember me, but I remember you."

Melissa wrapped her arms around herself. "This is crazy."

Devon exhaled. "You want the truth, don't you?"

Melissa didn't answer. Because even though every logical part of her wanted to run, something inside her whispered: Yes.

Devon picked up the dream stone, turning it over in his fingers. "In our past life," he said, "we were part of a powerful werewolf pack. But the world was different then. Divided. There was a war-a brutal one."

Melissa swallowed hard. The memory of battle flashed through her mind: the clang of metal, the scent of blood, the howls of wolves in the night. Her stomach twisted. She didn't want to believe him. But she had seen it. Felt it.

"What happened?" she asked, barely recognizing her voice.

Devon's gaze darkened. "You died."

Melissa stopped breathing. She stared at him. "I-I what?"

Devon clenched his fists. "You died in that war, Melissa. And I lost you."

Melissa's legs felt weak. Her hands trembled. This was too much. "I don't-" She shook her head. "I don't understand."

Devon's voice was quiet, almost pained. "I swore that if I ever found you again, I wouldn't let history repeat itself."

Melissa looked at him, really looked at him. And for the first time, she saw something beyond the mystery, beyond the confidence. She saw grief. Deep, aching, ancient grief. She shivered. This wasn't just some story. It was his reality. And now, it was hers too.

Melissa paced the room, her thoughts racing. If this was true-if she had lived another life-then what did that mean for her now? Who was she? Melissa? Or Eris?

She turned to Devon. "Why am I here now? If I died, how did I come back?"

Devon watched her carefully. "I don't know. But I think you were reborn for a reason."

Melissa's stomach twisted. "A reason?"

Devon nodded. "Something is coming, Melissa. Something dangerous."

Melissa froze. "What do you mean?"

Devon hesitated. "I can't explain it fully yet. But I can feel it."

Melissa let out a sharp laugh. "Oh great. So now I'm not just some reincarnated werewolf-I'm also supposed to save the world?"

Devon smirked slightly. "You were always dramatic."

Melissa glared at him. "This isn't funny."

Devon's expression turned serious again. "I know. But you have to decide, Melissa."

She frowned. "Decide what?"

Devon stepped closer. "You can forget all of this," he said. "Ignore the truth. Live your life like nothing happened."

Melissa swallowed hard. Or...?

Devon's eyes locked onto hers. "Or you can remember."

The room felt too small. Melissa's heart pounded. The weight of the decision crushed her. "I-" She took a shaky breath. "How do I remember?"

Devon looked at her and said "If you keep the dream stone under your pillow like i said, "it will take you deeper into your memories."

Melissa stared at the stone. Her hands trembled. This was too much. Too big. She should walk away. Forget. Pretend none of this ever happened. But then she remembered lthe wolf's silver eyes in the painting. The way it had looked at her. Like it was waiting. And deep down, she knew: This wasn't over. Not yet.

Melissa reached out-her fingers brushing against the stone-and made her choice.

That night, Melissa lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. The dreamstone was beneath her pillow. She could feel its warmth, even through the fabric. Her heart thudded in her chest. What would she see this time? What if she never woke up? She squeezed her eyes shut. Too late to turn back now. Slowly, sleep pulled her under.

Melissa woke somewhere else. The air was crisp, and the scent of pine filled her nose. She wasn't in her bed anymore. She was in a forest. The same forest from before. Only this time, she wasn't alone.

A figure stood before her. Tall. Familiar. Melissa's breath caught. "Devon?"

The man turned. But it wasn't Devon. Not the Devon she knew. This one looked different. Wilder. More dangerous. And when he spoke, his voice was rough with emotion. "Eris."

Melissa's chest tightened. That name. Her name. But she wasn't Eris. She was-

Her thoughts shattered when the man suddenly reached for her. "Come," he said. "We don't have much time."

Melissa's pulse raced. "What's happening?" she asked.

The man's golden eyes burned with urgency. "They're coming for you."

Melissa's stomach dropped. "Who?"

But before he could answer, a howl echoed through the trees-and Melissa knew. She was in danger.