Page 54 of Framed and Forgotten
“Unfortunately, I don’t think I can make you remember… No matter how vehemently I wish I could,” he whispered the last part, his voice weak, laden with a sense of powerlessness. It only lasted an instant though, determination brightening up his expression immediately after. “But if you let me, I’ll gladly make new memories with you. And, in time, I hope you will see me as worthy of being by your side. Or at your feet,” he breathed, his words thick with desperation. “As long as I’m near you, it’s enough.”
His vulnerability shook something deep within me. I didn’t have it in me to deny it. I felt my resolve crack, piece by piece, until there was nothing left to hold me back.
“Okay.”
After I decided to give Koen a chance - if only so I could try and figure out why I couldn’t stay away from him - he insisted on taking me to the waterfall on the outskirts of Azure Smoke. It was late at night, but I doubted I’d be able to sleep anyway. In no rush, we changed into fresh clothes and headed off.
Koen was silent for most of the way. He didn’t try to touch me either, which I appreciated. Our future was uncertain, and after how overwhelming every second of his return had been, I relished the brief respite from the constant overstimulation. As we strode through the woods, I didn’t have to think, simply enjoying his proximity at a comfortable distance.
However, when we made it to our destination, I couldn’t help voicing the question that had been at the back of my mind. “Why the waterfall?”
Koen winced, as if it hurt him that I had no memory of what this place meant to us. Still, he pushed through the pain, forcing a smile. “We used to come here a lot.” He paused, taking in the cascading waters before flashing a quick glance at me. “It’s also where I marked you.”
Kea’s ears perked at his casual revelation, and I felt my heart soar. Instinctively, I lifted my fingers to the base of my neck, only to confirm what I already knew - there was nothing there. Touching the spot where everyone claimed he’d laid his mark on me, I couldn’t feel anything at all. Strangely, it made me feel incomplete.
I brushed off the eerie feeling, hoping Koen hadn’t noticed my reaction as I followed him down to the rocks by the edge ofthe water. We sat in silence, the quiet stretching between us as we just existed in each other’s company. For a while, I tried to find meaning in the place, but when that failed, I turned to him. His troubled expression spoke volumes, and I couldn’t shake the feeling it was meant for more than just me.
“You’re worried,” I pointed out, breaking the silence. As he turned to me, he was confused for a second. “Not just about us,” I observed. “What else is on your mind?”
I didn’t really know why I cared.
But I did.
A half smile played on his lips. “Are you sure you can’t feel what I’m feeling?”
“It’s just written all over your face.” I shrugged, only realizing how cruel my answer sounded after I’d said it.
Koen let out a pained chuckle. “Fair enough. I don’t tend to hide how I feel when I’m around you.”
After a moment, he continued, “I’m worried because I have to go back to Crystal Pond.”
“What?” I wheezed, apprehensive at the idea despite my inability to understand why it bothered me so much.
“There are answers I have yet to find there,” he clarified. “I can’t help this feeling that I was more than just Nerine’s obsession. A pawn in her game.” He made a brief pause, organizing his thoughts. “A game that might involve other players. People who could threaten us.” His gaze shifted suddenly to me, sharp and piercing, darkening protectively. “Threatenyou.”
The raw, animalistic edge in his voice sent shivers racing across my skin. He spoke as though I were his most treasured possession, the very purpose of his existence. Normally, such an assumption would leave me unfazed, but from him, it struck me with an unexpected force.
Swallowing the emotions I couldn’t quite understand, I tried not to sound preoccupied as I asked, “If you do go back, can you be sure you’ll be safe there on your own?”
“No.” He averted his gaze, turning it toward the waterfall - not to admire it, but to withdraw into himself. “It doesn’t matter either way, as long as I can protect you and our family.”
I wasn’t sure I was comfortable with his perspective, but for now, I chose not to argue.
33
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K O E N
It hurt, lookinginto my mate’s eyes only to be met with a void expression. I would’ve preferred her glare, the fire in her eyes threatening to burn me alive, over this...apathy. She truly didn’t remember any of the moments we’d shared or the barriers we’d overcome together. Our story, though still new, had been so intense, so raw, it felt like we’d lived a lifetime in those fleeting months. And realizing it was all gone to her now destroyed me.
Yet somehow, that devastation was exactly what fueled me to make things right again.
Once my relationship with Avril was…stable - to put it kindly - I couldn’t avoid the need to look into the other problems pounding in my mind. As much as I wished I could focus solely on earning my mate’s trust back, I knew I couldn’t afford to delay my other problems any longer. After all, Nerine and whoever had told her about the Ashen Wolves could be a threat to Azure Smoke.
Enemies I would take upon myself to neutralize.
I had promised Avril she could always count on me. Yet, lately, I’d left her no choice but to take care of everything on her own. It was only fair I didn’t make her stress about what I’d found at Crystal Pond as well. And I had to deal with it quickly.
