Mated To My Mate's Worst Enemy (ARIA) novel Chapter 197

Chapter 197

ARIA

50%.

Finished

But the buzz of conversation resumed almost immediately, everyone speculating about the lottery system, about their chances of being selected as captains, about who they hoped to be partnered with, about strategies that would work within the newly announced constraints.

The Ghost Hunt was happening. That was now certain. And the lottery system meant nobody knew who would end up competing with whom. Kael and Ivory might not be partners. Might be on completely different teams. Or they might end up together anyway through random chance, which would create its own complications.

And I might be selected. Might end up partnered with someone who’d spend the entire competition wishing they’d drawn literally anyone else. Might have to compete in challenges I wasn’t prepared for, demonstrate inadequacies I’d been trying to hide, prove to everyone watching that I’didn’t belong in the same arena as wolves who’d been training for this their entire lives.

The anxiety was back full force, churning in my stomach, making the excellent food taste like ash.

Dinner continued with the Hunt dominating all conversation. Speculation about the lottery. Memories of the last Hunt and legendary moments from various rounds. Discussions of training strategies and potential challenge formats. Everyone was excited, energized by the prospect of competition and the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities to the elders.

Everyone except me.

Eventually, the meal concluded. Pack members began filtering out of the hall, still talking animatedly, already forming unofficial training groups to prepare for the possibility of being selected. Kael was preparing to escort me back to our chambers when Mooris called out.

“Alpha Kael, a word before you retire?”

Kael’s hand tightened briefly on my arm-frustration or concern, I couldn’t tell-before he nodded. “Of course, Elder Mooris.”

He looked at me. “Head back to our chambers. I’ll join you shortly after I’ve spoken with Elder Mooris.”

I nodded and left him there, grateful for the temporary solitude even as I wondered what the elder wanted to discuss that couldn’t wait until morning.

The halls were less crowded now, most people having dispersed to their own quarters or gathering in common areas to continue Hunt speculation. I walked slowly, not particularly eager to reach empty chambers where I’d be alone with my spiraling thoughts

As I passed near the gardens, I heard voices. Low, serious conversation that made me slow my steps. instinctively. I recognized both voices immediately-Ivory and Aryada, standing partially hidden by the evening shadows near the garden entrance.

I should have kept walking. Should have respected their obvious desire for privacy. But I couldn’t help myself. Couldn’t resist the urge to know what the elder was discussing with her bl

der.

I moved closer, staying in the shadows, using my wolf hearing to catch their co

19:38 Sat, Jan 10 GG

Chapter 197

Fintshed

memory loss is unusual,” Aryada was saying. “Amnesia from trauma, I understand. But selective memory loss around specific people and events while retaining everything else? That suggests something more than simple brain protection from painful memories.”

“I’ve tried to remember,” Ivory said, and there was frustration in her voice. I hadn’t known that Ivory was actively trying to get back her memories. She had not bothered causing issues, and had drawn a boundary line, not crossing over, despite everything she heard and I assumed that she didn’t care about them. But all this while, she wanted her memories with Kael?

“Kael has told me about our time together during his curse. About the bond we formed. But it’s like trying to grasp smoke. I know intellectually that it happened, because there are a lot of evidences and eye witnesses but I can’t actually recall any of it. The memories are jus… gone.”

“I could try to help recover them,” Aryada offered gently “My abilities extend beyond simple healing. I can work with minds, with memories, with the complex ways trauma and magic can intertwine to hide things we’re not ready to face.”

There was a pause. Then Ivory said quietly,

“Would that be wise? Given the current situation? With Luna Aria and the bond Kael has now? Recovering memories of what Kael and I had-it might complicate things that are already complicated enough.

“That’s your choice to make,” Aryada said. “But child, you deserve to remember your own life. To have access to experiences that shaped you. Whether those memories create complications or not-they’re yours. You have a right to them.”

Another pause. Longer this time. I held my breath, waiting for Ivory’s response.

“I need to think about it,” Ivory finally said. “It’s not a decision to make lightly. Not with everything else happening. The Hunt, the assessment, the political situation. Maybe after-”

“We’re being watched,” Aryada said suddenly, her voice changing from gentle to alert. “Someo to this conversation who shouldn’t be.”

I didn’t wait to be discovered. Didn’t stay to face confrontation or explanation. I just turned and fled, moving as quickly and quietly as I could manage, desperate to put distance between myself and the gare before they could identify who’d been eavesdropping.

My heart was pounding by the time I reached our chambers. I fumbled with the door, got inside, closed it behind me and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath.

Aryada could restore Ivory’s memories. Could give her back the years she’d spent with Kael during his curse. Could return everything they’d shared, everything they’d built, all the connection and intimacy and experiences that I’d been trying not to think about because they predated me and I had no right to feel threatened by them.

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