Chapter 385
Freya reveals to Parker that their parents died while he had disappeared, leaving her alone and forcing her to leave active duty and marry, though not to the right man. She explains that her mate was Caelum, the Alpha of the Silverfang Pack, but their marriage ended five months ago because he was a poor partner who never met her needs. Parker struggles with this revelation, showing concern and anger on her behalf.
Freya reflects on the deep bond she once shared with her brother Eric, who has now lost his memories and is living as Parker Williams. She expresses her unwavering love and loyalty to Eric, hoping he will reclaim his identity and not regret his lost memories. Their journey continues as they drive toward Ashbourne, where Freya intends to visit the Ashbourne Legion’s Hall of Martyrs to honor their deceased parents.
At the memorial, Freya recounts the tragic death of their parents during a mission three years ago, emphasizing the profound impact it had on her and the vow she made to find Eric and bring him home. Parker shows signs of emotional turmoil, revealing his internal conflict and fear, especially concerning his relationship with a woman named Jenny, who may be manipulating him.
Freya confronts Parker about Jenny, sensing that he might be protecting her under duress or manipulation. This confrontation highlights the tension between Parker’s current identity and the principles Eric once stood for, as well as the fear that Parker has betrayed those values. The chapter ends with Freya demanding to know what Jenny has done to him, underscoring the emotional and psychological struggle Parker faces.
Chapter 385
Freya’s Perspective
“Because you disappeared,” I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. “Our parents died, and I was left all alone p>
Even now, uttering those words caused a tightness to grip my throat, making it hard to breathe.
Arthur and Myra had carried so many dreams for us—hopes we never quite fulfilled. Their deepest regret, before their final mission with the Iron Fang Recon Unit, was that neither their son nor daughter had found a partner or started a family. When they were gone… I made a decision. I left active duty and got married.
Just not to the right man.
Parker spun toward me abruptly. “Your mate wasn’t Silas p>
“No.” I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself. “His name was Caelum. He was the Alpha of the Silverfang Pack and the head of SilverTech Forgeworks. We severed our bond five months ago p>
Parker hesitated, his voice thick with unspoken questions. “Did he… treat you badly p>
I let out a bitter, humorless laugh. “I was only his second choice—the fallback when what he truly wanted slipped away. He wanted too much, and the things I needed… he could never provide. Three years of marriage, but it was nothing more than my own private illusion. So I ended it p>
Parker’s jaw clenched tightly. “A man like that… doesn’t deserve you p>
A faint smile tugged at my lips. “If you were the brother I remember—the Eric who never let anyone hurt me—you’d be threatening to break Caelum’s jaw about now p>
His lips pressed into a thin line, and his shoulders stiffened. “Freya… what if I never recover my memories? Will you still call me your brother p>
I looked at him—not Parker, the stranger wearing my brother’s face, but the man who, piece by piece, instinct by instinct, still felt like Eric.
“My brother,” I whispered, “was the one person in this world—besides our parents—who loved me unconditionally. From the moment I was born, he protected me. He would have traded his life for mine without hesitation. And I would do the same for him p>
A sharp ache settled in my throat.
“A man like that—if he ever regains his memories—should never wake up one day regretting the choices he made while he was lost p>
I held his gaze firmly.
“So instead of asking whether I’ll still recognize you… maybe you should ask yourself whether you want to be Eric, or if you want to remain Parker Williams forever p>
A heavy silence filled the car.
When we pulled into a quiet service station on the road to Ashbourne, I stepped out to refuel. The cold night air bit into my skin—crisp, sharp, and clean. Sliding back into the car, I tossed Parker the keys.
“You’re driving the next two hours,” I said.
He nodded. “Okay p>
We swapped seats.
The moment his hands gripped the wheel, a painful twist curled in my chest.
Even without his memories, the way he held the steering wheel, the subtle tilt of his wrist, the way he leaned into each turn—it was all exactly the same. Eric had been the one to teach me how to drive. I still remembered his hands guiding mine—steady, confident, patient.
Now those very hands were in front of me again, belonging to a man who didn’t know me.
By the time we arrived in Ashbourne, the moon was sinking low, casting a soft silver glow over the quiet world.
“Let’s find an inn for the night,” I said as I opened the car door. “Tomorrow morning, we’ll go to the Ashbourne Legion’s Hall of Martyrs p>
My foot barely touched the ground before Parker spoke.
“How did they die p>
He wasn’t asking as Parker.
He was asking as Eric.
I turned back toward him.
“Three years ago,” I began slowly, “they were deployed overseas with the Iron Fang Recon Unit. Their convoy was ambushed. They died protecting each other. When their bodies were recovered, they were still locked together. The medics couldn’t separate them p>
My breath hitched.
“But the Legion honored them. They were cremated together abroad and flown home p>
Parker’s voice wavered. “Did… did anyone go with you to receive their ashes p>
I clenched my fingers at my sides.
“There was no one p>
The memory of that day cut through me like cold steel—the silent airfield, the weight of the urns in my arms, the officer’s voice breaking as he offered his condolences.
Parker’s voice cracked. “Freya… I’m sorry p>
“I wasn’t alone,” I said softly. “The Iron Fang Recon Unit stood with me when the plane arrived in the Capital. And when we brought our parents home to Ashbourne, the Legion honored them. So many people came to pay their respects p>
My eyes lifted to meet his.
“But when I stood before their memorial stone that day, I made a vow. As long as I live, I will find you. I will bring you home. I will take you to see them—so they can finally rest p>
Parker’s lips trembled. He opened his mouth, but no words came.
“Your disappearance,” I continued, my voice low and steady, “was the one regret they carried into death. They planned to search for you after that mission. But fate never gave them the chance p>
“Freya…” The name caught in his throat.
“You are Eric. Son of Arthur and Myra. Scion of Stormveil’s fifth branch. A warrior of Iron Fang. My brother p>
I leaned forward.
“You have always been principled. You have always stood between our family and harm. If anyone insulted our parents, you would never tolerate it p>
I held his gaze.
“So tell me—does a man like that really want to beg mercy for someone like Jenny p>
The words hit him like a blow.
I could feel it—the sharp intake of breath, the tremor in his aura, the way his wolf recoiled.
He pressed a fist to his forehead, jaw clenched so tightly it looked like it might crack.
“I—” His voice broke. “I don’t know what’s happening to me p>
“Unless,” I said quietly, “Jenny is holding something over you. Unless she’s using you. Unless there’s a reason you feel forced to protect her p>
His eyes snapped up to mine.
For the first time since I found him, I saw fear.
Not fear for himself—
But fear that he might have betrayed everything he once believed in.
“Parker,” I whispered, “look at me p>
He did.
“What did she do to you p>
The chapter gently unravels the complex tapestry of Freya and Parker’s intertwined pasts and presents, revealing the deep wounds left by loss and the fragile hope that lingers in the spaces between memory and identity. Freya’s vulnerability shines through her confession of a broken marriage and the heavy burden of carrying her parents’ unfulfilled dreams. Yet, her unwavering commitment to her brother—whether he is Parker or Eric—speaks to the enduring strength of familial love and the fierce determination to heal what has been fractured. The quiet moments in the car, the shared silence, and the tender yet painful recognition of familiar gestures underscore the emotional weight of their journey together.
As the night deepens and the moon casts its gentle glow, the chapter closes on a note of poignant uncertainty and cautious hope. Freya’s plea for Parker to confront the shadows that bind him hints at the difficult path ahead, one that will demand courage, truth, and the courage to face painful betrayals. The themes of loyalty, identity, and the search for truth resonate deeply, reminding us that even in the darkest moments, the bonds of love and family can guide us toward redemption and understanding. This chapter leaves us suspended between past sorrows and future possibilities, holding tightly to the fragile promise of reunion and healing.
The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the tangled web of Freya and Parker’s fractured relationship, as the shadows of forgotten memories and hidden motives loom larger. Freya’s unwavering determination to reclaim the brother she once knew will be tested as Parker grapples with the haunting uncertainty of his identity. The emotional weight of their shared past, combined with the mysterious influence of Jenny, sets the stage for a confrontation that could either bridge the gap between them or widen it irrevocably.
As the story unfolds, expect the tension to rise with every hesitant word and lingering glance. The ghosts of their parents’ sacrifices continue to cast a long shadow, reminding them both of the legacy they must uphold. Freya’s vow to bring Eric home is more than a promise—it’s a beacon of hope in a world where trust is fragile and loyalties are questioned. The next chapter will challenge their bonds, forcing them to confront painful truths and make choices that could alter the course of their intertwined destinies.
Florence
Florence is a passionate reader who finds joy in long drives on rainy days. She’s also a fan of Italian makeup tutorials, blending beauty and elegance into her everyday life.