Waves Carry Lost Memories by Niro Dane Flint 144 Summary
In Chapter 144 of “Waves Carry Lost Memories,” Elle finds herself at a lavish gathering at the Blair family estate, celebrating her new status as Stella’s goddaughter. Dressed in a stunning sapphire gown, she feels the excitement in the air, but a sense of unease grips her as she realizes that Brad, a significant figure from her past, has not been invited. As she mingles with influential guests, the atmosphere shifts when Brad arrives, causing a wave of tension among the attendees. Elle’s heart races as she confronts the emotions tied to his presence, revealing the complexities of their relationship.
When Brad approaches, the tension escalates. He brings a gift from his Alpha, which Martin, Elle’s guardian, is reluctant to accept. Sensing the potential conflict, Elle steps forward, asserting her independence. Despite Martin’s protective instincts, she insists on handling the situation herself, showcasing her determination to confront her feelings for Brad. As they retreat to a secluded laurel grove, memories flood back, and the weight of their past looms heavily over their conversation.
In the grove, the emotional stakes rise as Elle confronts Brad about his choices and the manipulative tactics of Mira, his former lover. Their exchange is charged with raw emotion, revealing the deep-seated pain and confusion in their bond. Elle expresses her desire to break their mate bond after the baby is born, a request that devastates Brad. He struggles to comprehend her decision, revealing the depth of his feelings and the sacrifices he has made for her. Despite his pleas, Elle stands firm, leading to a heartbreaking realization that neither of them is willing to compromise.
As Brad walks away, the finality of their conversation shatters Elle’s composure. Alone in the grove, she succumbs to her heartbreak, feeling the weight of loss and rejection. Just when she feels most vulnerable, Sophia appears, offering a comforting presence in her darkest moment. Their connection hints at a deeper understanding and support, suggesting that even in pain, Elle is not entirely alone. The chapter closes with Elle’s emotional turmoil, highlighting the struggle between love, loyalty, and the harsh realities of their intertwined lives.
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**Waves Carry Lost Memories by Niro Dane Flint**
**Chapter 144**
**Elle’s POV**
The Blair family estate had undergone a stunning transformation tonight, radiating an almost ethereal charm. I found myself standing at the grand entrance, enveloped in the deep sapphire gown that Stella had meticulously selected for me. As I gazed out, a steady stream of luxury vehicles rolled up, each filled with the elite of Moon Lake City—humans and werewolves alike. This gathering was a celebration of my newfound status as Stella’s goddaughter, and the air buzzed with excitement.
“They didn’t invite him,” I muttered softly, almost as if speaking the name would conjure him into existence. My eyes were trained on Martin, who was effortlessly welcoming another cluster of guests with his signature warmth.
“Who?” Sophia’s voice broke through my thoughts, her presence beside me as graceful as the silver gown she wore.
“Brad.” The name slipped from my lips, heavy and laden with memories. “Martin ensured that every powerful werewolf family received an invitation, except for the Raynes.”
Sophia’s brow furrowed in contemplation. “Perhaps that’s for the best, given the events of yesterday.”
I nodded in agreement, yet a tightness gripped my chest, a reminder of the tumultuous emotions that had surfaced recently.
As the evening unfolded, I mingled with influential human families who offered me genuine respect, a stark contrast to the wary deference I had grown accustomed to in werewolf society. It felt refreshing, yet the atmosphere shifted abruptly.
A sudden hush enveloped the crowd near the main entrance, a silence so profound that I could almost feel it in my bones before I even turned to look. That familiar electric tension, the unmistakable herald of Brad’s arrival, washed over me. My gaze immediately zeroed in on him across the garden, and my heart tightened painfully in response.
He stood there, exuding an air of authority, dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit that made his amber eyes shimmer under the soft glow of the lanterns. Flanking him were Alex and several other werewolves, their mere presence causing a ripple of unease among the human guests.
“Fuck,” I whispered, barely audible to myself.
Brad’s gaze swept the crowd until it landed on me, and even from afar, I felt the weight of his stare, a primal Alpha dominance that sent shivers down my spine, igniting every instinct within me, whether I wished it or not.
Martin approached Brad, tension radiating from his posture, yet he maintained an air of dignity. I noticed Alex step forward, holding an ornate box that gleamed with exquisite craftsmanship, a clear indication of its werewolf origins.
“Mr. Blair,” Alex’s voice rang out, slicing through the stillness of the garden, “this is a gift from our Alpha for your family. He requests that you do not refuse it.”
The politeness of the words belied the underlying message; when an Alpha extended a gift, it was more of a command than a request.
Martin’s jaw tightened visibly. I could see him weighing his options, his hands clenched at his sides as he readied himself to respond.
I couldn’t allow him to take that risk.
“This is my business anyway, Martin.” I stepped forward, my voice ringing clear in the hushed garden. “You should attend to the other guests.”
Martin turned to me, his eyes a mix of concern and something that resembled pride. “Elle…”
“Let me handle this,” I stated firmly, though my heart raced like a wild animal trapped in a cage.
He squeezed my hand tightly, his voice low and fierce with paternal love. “I’ll protect you, I promise. No matter what it costs.”
“I know you will,” I whispered back, my voice barely above a breath, “but this is something I need to face on my own.”
Martin nodded, albeit reluctantly, and turned back to the guests, though I could feel his vigilant gaze tracking my movements as I approached Brad.
“Can we talk somewhere private?” I asked as I reached him, my heart pounding in my chest. “The laurel grove behind the house should be secluded enough.”
Brad’s amber eyes searched my face, a flicker of uncertainty crossing his features. “Of course.”
I led the way through the familiar garden paths, each step echoing memories of my time spent here. The laurel grove was one of my favorite sanctuaries on the estate; ancient trees towered above, their gnarled branches intertwining to create a natural cathedral beneath the star-studded night sky.
As I felt Brad reach out to take my hand, a surge of instinct propelled me to step back, the motion sharp and reflexive.
The flash of hurt that crossed his face was unmistakable, and I felt an ache in my own heart that I desperately tried to suppress.
“I thought,” I began, forcing my voice to remain steady despite the chaos swirling within me, “that after yesterday, you had already made your choice. I didn’t expect you to come here and continue this.”
Brad closed the distance, his Alpha instincts compelling him to corner me against one of the massive laurel trunks. His eyes blazed with frustration and something deeper, an emotion I couldn’t quite decipher. “You know I had no choice—”
“And if Mira keeps using the same tactics to manipulate you?” I shot back, my voice gaining strength as I stood my ground. “Are you going to keep feeling helpless? Are you going to keep hurting your mate just because you can’t bring yourself to hurt your old lover?”
The words hung between us, heavy and charged like a challenge thrown into the air.
Brad’s jaw tightened, a muscle twitching in response. “If she threatens to hurt herself again—”
“Then you’ll choose her again,” I finished quietly, my heart pounding in my ears. “And again and again, every time she decides she wants your attention. Thank you for showing me clearly where I stand in your priorities.”
“Is that really what you think?” His voice was raw, laced with pain.
“Yes,” I replied simply, the truth ringing out in the stillness. “And that’s why, after the baby is born, I want you to break our bond.”
The words struck him like a physical blow. I watched as this powerful Alpha, this man who commanded respect, staggered back a step, visibly shaken.
“Reject our mate bond?” His voice was barely above a whisper, as if the very idea pained him. “Do you have any idea what you’re asking me to do?”
“Elle,” he breathed, his voice cracking. “After everything I’ve done to change for you, after accepting a human mate, after dedicating myself to you, after learning to be gentle when every instinct I have wants to claim and dominate—”
His words hit harder than I had anticipated, each one piercing through the defenses I’d built around my heart.
“I know you had your reasons for being gentle with Mira,” I said, my own voice trembling now, “but I can’t trust that you will always choose me when it matters most.”
Brad stared at me, his amber eyes shimmering with unshed tears, a storm of emotions swirling within them. “Fine,” he finally said, his voice hollow. “If that’s really what you want, then congratulations, Elle West. You win.”
The defeat in his tone crushed me, but I couldn’t allow myself to falter now.
“I never wanted to win anything,” I whispered, my composure finally cracking under the weight of my emotions. “I just wanted to matter to someone. But I suppose I was wrong about that too.”
Brad turned away, his broad shoulders rigid with unspoken pain. “Then I guess we both lost everything.”
His footsteps echoed through the grove as he walked away, each step resonating like a hammer striking my heart, shattering it a little more with every passing moment.
I waited until I was certain he was gone before I allowed myself to collapse against the nearest laurel tree, my legs giving way as the dam I had been holding back finally burst. I bit down on my tongue to stifle the sounds of my anguish, desperately trying to keep my composure as I fell apart.
Looking up, I spotted Sophia emerging from deeper within the grove, her silver hair shimmering in the moonlight, a beacon of understanding in my darkest hour.
Sophia knelt beside me, her face pale with empathy. “Elle,” she whispered, her voice gentle and soothing, as if she could feel the weight of my heartbreak.
Conclusion
In the aftermath of the confrontation, the weight of loss hung heavily in the air, a palpable reminder of the choices made and the hearts broken. I had stood my ground, demanding the respect and commitment I deserved, yet the price of that strength felt unbearably high. Watching Brad walk away, the finality of our severed bond echoed in my heart, a chasm of grief that threatened to swallow me whole. I had wanted to matter, to be chosen above the shadows of his past, but in that moment, I realized that sometimes, even the strongest love can falter under the weight of expectations and unhealed wounds. As I sank against the laurel tree, the tears I had fought to contain flowed freely, each drop a testament to the depth of my pain and the clarity of my resolve.
Yet, amidst the sorrow, there lingered a flicker of hope. Sophia’s gentle presence reminded me that I was not alone in this moment of despair. In the embrace of friendship, I found solace, a reminder that my worth was not solely defined by my relationship with Brad or anyone else. I had fought for my voice, for my autonomy, and while the path ahead felt uncertain and fraught with heartache, it was also a journey toward self-discovery and healing. The waves of my lost memories crashed around me, but as I looked into Sophia’s understanding eyes, I knew that I would rise again, stronger and more resilient, ready to embrace whatever the future held.
What to Expect in Next Chapter?
**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**
In the upcoming chapter, the tension between Elle and Brad reaches a boiling point as the consequences of their fractured bond reverberate through the Blair estate. With the air thick with unresolved emotions and the weight of their past choices looming over them, readers can expect a gripping exploration of vulnerability and confrontation. As Elle grapples with her decision to sever their mate bond, the fallout will not only affect her relationship with Brad but will also challenge her standing within both the human and werewolf communities. Will she find the strength to embrace her independence, or will the shadows of her heart’s desires pull her back into the tumultuous cycle of love and pain?
Meanwhile, the stakes are raised as the presence of Mira, Brad’s former lover, looms ominously in the background. Her manipulative tactics threaten to disrupt the fragile peace that has settled over the estate. As tensions escalate, alliances will be tested, and the true nature of loyalty will be called into question. Readers can anticipate unexpected revelations and dramatic confrontations that will leave them breathless. Will Elle and Brad’s paths intertwine again, or will their choices lead them irrevocably apart? The next chapter promises to delve deeper into the complexities of love, loyalty, and the haunting memories that the waves of their past continue to carry.
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
