Chapter 20: The Weight of the Past
**Thelma Zane’s POV**
Aldrich studied me carefully, his gaze probing as though trying to measure the depth of my pain. His concern was genuine, and for a moment I felt seen, as though someone cared enough to understand my scars.
He set his drink down with deliberate care and asked, “Why? You’re a Lycan. Who in their right mind would reject you?”
I sighed and looked away, tracing invisible patterns on the table. “He thought I was human, so… It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ve moved on. Or at least, I think I have. It’s not the rejection that stings now–it’s the words he used. He didn’t just reject me; he broke me in ways I didn’t know were possible.”
Aldrich bit into his sandwich with an exaggerated ferocity that made me smile despite myself. It was as if he could fight my battles simply by consuming his food. “Before a Lycan transforms,” he began, his voice tinged with frustration, “we look human. He couldn’t tell? Or did you not tell him who you were?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t tell him. Maybe that was my mistake.”
His expression softened, and he reached across the table to pat my hand reassuringly. “It’s not! your fault. It’s his loss he had a treasure in front of him and didn’t recognize it. You’re incredible, Thelma. Don’t let some fool’s poor taste define you.
The unexpected kindness in his words brought a lump to my throat. Tears threatened to spill but I blinked them away, focusing instead on his serious expression and the genuine indignation on my behalf.
“You’re right,” I said, forcing a smile. “It’s his loss. A real gentleman wouldn’t treat a woman like that, no matter the circumstances. He told me to die, Aldrich. Who does that?”
“What?” Aldrich slammed his palm onto the table, the sound echoing across the restaurant. Conversations halted, and every head turned toward us.
I grabbed his arm, pulling him back into his seat. “Calm down!” Thissed, mortified by the
attention.
“How can I calm down?” he snapped, his voice low but still filled with fury. “If I had known you back then, I would’ve thrown that bastard into the nearest river to knock some sense into him. You don’t deserve that kind of treatment. None of it.”
His outrage, though over the top, warmed my heart. For someone who barely knew me, he cared enough to stand up for me in a way I hadn’t expected.
“I’m fine now,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm of emotions brewing inside me. “It
Changer 20 The Weight of the Past
took time, but I’ve learned to move forward. His words don’t have power over me anymore.”
Aldrich nodded, though his jaw remained clenched. We finished our meal in relative silence, the tension easing as we paid the bill and stepped out into the cool evening air.
Walking side by side, I glanced at him and said, “Maybe you should try to win back the girl you loved. Who knows? Maybe she’s ready now.”
He let out a bitter laugh and shook his head. “It’s not that simple. Our relationship… it’s complicated.”
The weight in his voice made me pause, and I caught the faintest sigh escaping his lips. “I’m sorry,” I said softly, unsure of what else to say.
“It’s okay,” he replied, waving off my concern. “The past is the past. We’re friends now, right? No need for apologies or formalities.”
As we reached the car, Aldrich’s mood shifted again. He gave me a teasing smile. “You know,” maybe you should consider finding a new boyfriend. Or better yet, just tell me where that scumbag is, and I’ll take care of him for you.
3P
The thought made me laugh–a real, genuine laugh that shook the heaviness from my shoulders. “What? You’d beat him up for me?”
“Absolutely,” he said without hesitation.
For a fleeting moment, I pictured Benard with a swollen face, groaning in pain as Aldrich stood over him victoriously. It was a ridiculous but oddly satisfyin
image. Still, I knew that holding onto such thoughts would only anchor me to the past.
“I don’t think I’m ready for a new relationship,” I said honestly. “And as tempting as it sounds, revenge isn’t the answer either. Letting him go completely is the only way to heal.”
Aldrich’s smile faded, replaced by an expression of quiet fury. His eyes, usually warm and teasing, darkened with anger. “How can you just let go?” he asked, his voice tight. “He broke your heart. He deserves to pay for what he did.”
higa
I held his gaze, seeing the genuine hurt he felt on my behalf. It was strange, almost endearing, to witness someone so fiercely protective of me. But even if Aldrich wanted to fight my battles, this was one I had to face on my own terms.
“I appreciate your anger,” I said gently, “but holding on to it won’t help me. It’s time to let it
go.”
He didn’t respond immediately, his jaw tight as he wrestled with his thoughts. Finally, he nodded and opened the car door for me.
As I climbed in, the air inside the car filled with his scent–something warm and calming, like the ocean after a storm. It was strangely comforting, and yet it made my heart race in a way I didn’t understand.
the Past
I avoided looking at him during the drive back, afraid that my thoughts might betray me. Instead, I focused on his lighthearted jokes, laughing at the stories he shared. Despite the tension earlier, the atmosphere between us had shifted. It felt lighter, easier, as though we were finally comfortable in each other’s company.
When we arrived, Aldrich parked the car in the garage. A soldier approached, speaking to him in hushed tones. Whatever the message was, it wiped the humor from his face. He turned to me briefly, his expression serious.
“I’ll see you around, Thelma,” he said, starting to walk away.
Before I could stop myself, I called out to him. “Aldrich, wait!”
He turned, confused. I hesitated, then stepped forward and wrapped my arms around him in a quick hug. His warmth enveloped me, steady and reassuring, but I pulled away just as quickly, feeling self–conscious.
“Thank you,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “For everything. Today was… it was exactly what I needed.”
Aldrich smiled, his expression softening. “Me too, Thelma. It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed myself like this.”
As he walked away, I stood there, my heart pounding in my chest. For the first time in a long while, I felt lighter, as though the past was finally beginning to loosen its grip on me.
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