Chapter 18: Shadows of the Past
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
“Alright, alright! I admit defeat. I’m the fool here,” Aldrich said, dramatically bowing before me. His playful grin revealed a perfect row of white teeth, and his gray eyes sparkled with mischief. “Now, my lady, may I have the honor of inviting you for a walk?”
A sudden heat rushed to my face, though I was sure it was just my imagination. Still, his tone was so absurdly theatrical that I couldn’t take him seriously.
“You can call me Thelma,” I said, rolling my eyes at his antics.
“Alright, Thelma,” he replied smoothly. “So, what do you say?”
I glanced at him with a shrug. “Do I really have a choice?”
He didn’t need any further encouragement. Flashing another grin, he dashed toward the garage. I followed behind, deliberately dragging my feet in the hope that time might miraculously speed up. Though undeniably handsome, Aldrich was also unbearably irritating. His charm was wasted on me, a woman who had no patience for smooth talk or playful winks. If there were any way to avoid this outing, I would have taken it in a heartbeat.
As we approached his sleek black Mercedes, he leaned against the driver’s door with a playful glint in his eyes. “Where would you like to go?” he asked, dangling the keys in one hand.
“Anywhere is fine,” I replied flatly. My thoughts were elsewhere, far removed from this unnecessary outing.
“Then, let’s go to my house?” he teased, his voice full of mock seriousness.
I shot him a glare, my annoyance flaring. His careless words made me uncomfortable, even though I knew he was only joking. Still, the very suggestion made my cheeks warm.
After a long, tense pause, he raised his hands in mock surrender, the grin fading from his face. “Alright, alright. That was a bad joke. My apologies, Let me make it up to you by showing your around the best parts of the pack. Deal?”
I narrowed my eyes at him. “Do you promise to behave and stop with the nonsense?”
He placed a hand over his heart, his expression overly solemn. “I promise.”
Satisfied, I climbed into the passenger seat of his car. As the engine purred to life, Aldrich seemed content to let the silence settle between us. I stared out the window, watching the lively streets of the pack blur past. Everywhere looked, there were vibrant flowers and lush greenery, their colors brightened by the cheerful energy of the people who lived here.
Despite the picturesque surroundings, my mind wandered back to the life I’d left behind. Memories of my past surfaced unbidden-
laughter of old friends, the warm embrace of
Ghapp: 18 Shadows of the Past
my adoptive parents, and the icy rejection I’d endured at Benard’s hands.
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Benard. His name alone was enough to darken my thoughts. I could still see the disdain in his eyes, the way he had dismissed me without a shred of kindness. I understood his need to find his true mate, but his cruelty had been unnecessary. He had treated me like I was beneath him, like a burden that didn’t deserve even basic respect.
I clenched my fists in my lap. Why had my life always seemed to revolve around men and their choices? Why had I been forced to endure humiliation at the hands of someone who couldn’t see my worth? I didn’t need anyone to define my happiness. I was determined to carve out my own destiny, to rise above my pain and claim the future I deserved.
The car slowed to a stop, pulling me from my thoughts. Aldrich had chosen a quiet spot surrounded by towering trees and vibrant wildflowers. The air was fresh, and the only sounds were the soft rustling of leaves and the occasional flutter of butterfly wings.
“Are you still upset about what I said earlier?” he asked, turning toward me with a hint of concern in his eyes.
I hesitated, realizing that my brooding silence had likely made the car ride awkward for him. He wasn’t as unbearable as I’d thought, at least not in this moment. Tidying my hair, I managed a small smile. “No, I’m fine. I just have a lot on my mind.”
He tilted his head, his gaze soft but probing. “If you need someone to listen, I’m here. Sometimes, it helps to talk things out.”
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His sincerity caught me off guard. For a moment, I considered opening up to him, sharing the burden of the memories that haunted me. But I dismissed the thought almost immediately. It was foolish to trust him, wasn’t it? Only hours ago, he’d been driving me crazy with his
flirtatious remarks.
Still, his steady gaze held no trace of mockery. He looked genuinely concerned, and that was enough to make me falter.
“No,” I said finally, shaking my head. “It’s nothing important. Let’s just enjoy the scenery.”
Most people would have taken that as a clear signal to drop the subject, but Aldrich wasn’t most people. His brows furrowed, and his expression grew even more earnest. “You’re not okay,” he said gently. “I can tell something’s bothering you. Whatever it is, I promise I’ll keep
it between us.
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I wanted to tell him to drop it, to leave me alone. But his persistence broke through my defenses, and before I knew it, the words were spilling out.
“It was the worst day of my life,” I began hesitantly, my voice barely above a whisper. My throat tightened as I forced myself to continue. “That night… I-”
The memories surged forward, vivid and painful The bonfire’s flickering light, the cold night. air, and Benard’s icy rejection all came flooding back. I tried to push it all down, to keep my
Chapter 16 Shadows of the Past
composure,
but my
voice faltered.
“That night, I… I can’t,” I said, shaking my head as tears pricked at the corners of my eyes. Turning away from him, I took a deep breath and forced a smile. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s in the past. I’m focused on moving forward now.”
Aldrich didn’t press me further. Instead, he reached out and placed a hand on my shoulder. His voice was soft as he said, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d been through so much.”
There was no pity in his eyes, only quiet understanding. He hesitated for a moment before leaning closer and wrapping me in a gentle hug. “You’re not alone, Thelma. I’ll be here for you, no matter what.”
For the first time, Aldrich wasn’t the infuriating flirt I’d grown used to. In that moment, he was simply someone who cared. And though I wasn’t ready to fully trust him yet, his words. brought a small measure of comfort to my aching heart.
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