Page 21 of Framed and Forgotten (Ashen Wolves #3)

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K O E N

My recent discovery kept me up all night. Questions tossed and turned in my mind, leaving me restless. With every passing second, another drop of my sanity slipped away as I struggled to find answers.

Lying in bed, I stared at the ceiling, my body motionless, as if stillness could slow my racing mind.

It was undeniable that Nerine was doing something to me, but what, exactly?

Considering I was mated and marked, she had to be using some incredibly powerful magic to override the bond I shared with Avril.

Just thinking about it made me sick. What was messing with my mind?

Was it inside me, running through my veins?

Or was it something external? Perhaps it was something my deceitful ex-wife was wearing?

I spent hours guessing, unable to land on the right answer.

The truth was, it could be anything, and that only fueled my anxiety.

Not knowing what was poisoning my feelings or how to stop it was unsettling enough.

But the shame of letting it go on for so long, without even realizing it, was eating me alive.

The signs had always been there - I was simply too blind to see them, too overwhelmed about my secret pup to bother looking for evidence that it could be a trap.

Was Elias even my son? I couldn’t deny the bond between us, but now I wondered if that, too, was just another of Nerine’s tricks.

The thought was as devastating as it was infuriating.

Could she really fabricate something so real?

Even if she could, it wouldn’t explain the positive paternity test. The sheer number of people she’d have to manipulate to alter the results made it seem impossible.

And yet, I couldn’t trust anything anymore.

In either case, I couldn’t understand why Nerine had waited so long before allowing Elias and me to meet.

If this was all part of some psychotic plan, why hadn’t she told me about her pregnancy right away?

The longer I dwelled on it, the louder one question echoed in my mind, rising above all others: what did she stand to gain by making me fall for her?

Nothing about this made sense, but maybe that was the key to unraveling the rest of the mystery.

And I was determined to solve it.

On top of my doubts and confusion, Columbus tormented me with thoughts of Avril whenever he had the chance. He forced me to relive our recent arguments and the ways I’d failed the woman I’d sworn never to let down again. I was awful - not only for making her feel unloved but also for ignoring it.

Even if I was under the influence of some wicked spell, it did little to drown out my guilt.

All I wanted was to run to my mate, fall to my knees, and beg for her forgiveness.

I longed to take back every cruel word, every moment I’d failed her.

Regret gnawed at me, a constant reminder of how deeply I’d hurt the one person I promised never to let down again.

And what was worse, I knew I couldn’t do it yet.

First, I needed to figure out what Nerine’s plan was.

When the first flashes of light filtered through the curtains, illuminating my room, I reached for my phone on the bedside table.

Though I knew what I had to do, I found myself staring at the screen, hesitant.

My heart was heavy knowing I would have to disappoint her one more time, but it was absolutely necessary.

If Nerine’s goal was to break us apart, she wouldn’t stop until she succeeded.

For the safety of my mate and her pack - our pack - I had to put an end to this.

With trembling fingers, I typed a message to Avril.

It was short, dry, meant solely to inform her that I’d be staying at Crystal Pond for a few more days.

I knew it would break her heart further, and just knowing that shattered mine, but I couldn’t afford to give her more details.

If I told her the truth, there was no way she’d agree to me being around Nerine for even a second longer.

I needed her to believe this was my heart’s desire.

Still, I couldn’t help but send a sign through our bond - a simple warmth, to let her know I loved her deeply.

As weakened as our connection was, I trusted she would feel it and prayed she’d find comfort in it.

“I’m sorry, mate,” Columbus whimpered in my mind as I hit send. “I love you,” he whispered, hoping the words would reach Kea.

As he howled in sorrow, my chest ached, and I clutched it in an attempt to ease the pain.

It would be tough to concentrate with his amplified emotions taking over me, but I wouldn’t dare push him away again as long as I was here.

As pathetic as it was to admit, I couldn’t trust myself around Nerine until I figured out what she’d done to me and how to rid myself of it.

“No prison would keep me from preventing you from hurting mate,” he rasped. “I would’ve freed myself and torn that bitch’s face off before you could kiss her. I don’t care that she’s our pup’s mother,” he threatened, and strangely, it brought me peace.

“I’m counting on that,” I replied, feeling an ounce of relief.

But Col hadn’t forgiven me for blocking him out. “If only you’d listened to me from the start,” he spat. “Maybe then, we could’ve worked with mate instead of behind her back.”

“You’re right,” I acknowledged, the guilt in my stomach growing. “I’m sorry. Please, help me fix this.”

“Not for you,” he emphasized. “For mate.”

“Fair enough .”

Settled on what I had to do, I glanced at my phone one last time.

My heart skipped a beat when I noticed Avril had already read my message, though she didn’t bother replying to it.

With shaky hands, I turned off the device, knowing I wouldn’t be able to concentrate if she tried calling me.

I needed to focus, so I could finish this as soon as possible and get back to her.

As I left my room, every step felt heavier than the last. I didn’t know where I was going, exactly, but I knew I had to keep moving.

I couldn’t sit still in the quiet of my thoughts any longer.

The walls of this place, once a sanctuary to my foggy mind, now felt like a trap.

The kind of trap I had deliberately walked into.

When I reached the private dining hall, I saw her immediately - Nerine.

She stood by the window, her silhouette framed by the soft light pouring in.

She looked serene, almost ethereal. I hated that I still felt drawn to her, that the sight of her could make my pulse quicken.

Even with everything I now knew, it was an involuntary response.

She turned toward me as I entered, a smile curling on her lips. "Good morning, Koen," she said, her voice soft and melodic, the kind that always made me forget the world around me. “I’m glad we’ll have you for breakfast one last time before you leave.”

I swallowed the bitter taste in my mouth, trying to push aside the tangled mess of emotions. I cleared my throat, shifting my weight as I tried to force the words out. “I thought about what you suggested last night, and I…I think I could stay a little longer.”

Her eyes widened for a moment, just a flash of surprise before it was replaced with something that was almost too eager. Her smile grew wider, her gaze softening, the perfect picture of someone who had gotten what they wanted.

“Of course!” she said without hesitation. "Stay as long as you want to.”

There was no trace of doubt in her voice, no second thoughts.

Just the same, smooth affability that made everything seem so effortless.

But this time, I wasn’t blind to the red flags anymore - something was off.

She hadn’t even asked about Avril, like she usually would.

It was as if she didn’t care, or maybe she was just too confident in whatever game she was playing.

“I’m sure breakfast is almost ready,” she announced, making her way toward the kitchen door, already reaching for the handle. Then, as if a thought just occurred to her, she turned back, eyes gleaming. “Oh, and while I’m at it, what would you like to drink?”

The question was so familiar, so routine - but today, it hit me differently.

I couldn’t help but think about every drink she’d offered me since we started hanging out, always with that knowing smile; that air of sweetness.

At first, I had no reason to question it.

I thought she was simply being polite and welcoming.

From the cups of coffee she’d served me at her house to the milkshake at the amusement park, I’d always accepted them so easily, and each time, they seemed to accompany a change of heart from me - a willingness to be around her a little longer.

To trust her.

Even when Elias brought me the hot chocolate at the beginning of the family reunion… I was determined to return to Azure Smoke that night. Yet, shortly after downing the last sip, it suddenly sounded like a better idea to stay.

Is she spiking my drinks?

I stopped and let the silence hang between us, watching her expectantly. She tilted her head, a spark of curiosity flickering in her eyes. Although she didn’t push me, it was obvious I was taking too long to answer her, and it would soon become suspicious.

"I don’t really feel like drinking anything right now," I said, my voice firm despite my inner uncertainty.

The shift in her expression was immediate. Although barely perceptible, it was there. For a moment, her smile faltered - just the briefest twitch of her lips. I almost convinced myself I hadn’t seen it, but I had. The mask slipped, just for a second.

She recovered quickly, though, her expression snapping back to the usual cheerfulness that now made me sick.

After a nod, she walked into the kitchen, moving with that same effortless grace.

Once she was gone, I exhaled, as if I’d only just come up for air.

The emotions I had fought to suppress surged forward, guilt and shame drowning out everything else.

I had let this woman weave herself so deep into my mind that even now, with every part of me screaming to break free, I couldn’t fully trust myself. But I was ready to turn the tables.

If this was a game to her, so be it - I’d make damn sure she lost.