"Do you think I’ll ever regain my memories?!"

Ava almost hit the brakes. Instead, she gave a short reply, "I can’t really say. Based on what you went through, it would be almost impossible," She paused and glanced at Theo in the passenger seat, "Do you want to remember?"

Theo looked outside the window and sighed, "I keep remembering everything, as far as I recent memories go. The war, the veil, everything. I remember... Liam too," Her eyes went downcast, like she was trying really hard not to think about it, "And I am curious to know exactly who I was before, and how I lived. It’s been six months, and I...I guess the more time passes by, the more curious I get. Especially now that the adrenaline from the war is completely gone,"

"I won’t get your hopes up by telling you is possible. When your soul formed again, it was like you were reborn. Your memories... might be gone forever,"

"I see," She whispered.

"Maybe it’s time I ask Zeke and Sylas to come back into your life? I’m pretty sure they’ve been dying to...,"

"No!!" Theo exclaimed.

"What? Why?"

"I don’t know if I can handle them right now...,"

"Again, not trying to give you any hope but honestly speaking if there’s the slightest but of chance of your memories returning, being with your mates is the best option. I requested they stay away in the beginning because...well, they can be overwhelming and could overload you. With your newly formed soul, I wanted you to live at first without the burden of...those kind of emotions, but I can’t keep you away from it forever. And I’m deeply surprised that up till this day, neither Zeke nor Sylas have come banging on our door demanding for you," Ava chuckled as she said so.

Theo didn’t say a thing.

"So what do you think?"

Her next question had Ava really stepping on the brakes this time.

"Have you heard of Gravemont Academy?"

And maybe it was luck, or a coincidence because Ava pressed the brakes just in time because a woman had just come into view of their headlights at that exact moment and the cat stopped just inches away from hitting her.

"Oh shit!" Ava half screamed as she saw her.

The next second they had both jumped out of the car.

"Are you okay?!" Theo asked as they both rushed toward the older woman. She looked like someone in her fifties, and had this large scar across her face.

The woman looked between both of them, struck with mortification, "I’m so so sorry, I wasn’t...," She paused, "I shouldn’t have walked into the road like that. This is all my fault,"

Theo looked up at Ava, whom was already staring at her and a brief conversation passed between their eyes.

"Were you trying to get yourself killed?" Ava didn’t even hesitate.

"Oh, heavens no," She shook her head fervently, then showed them a small camera she was holding, "I dropped this while crossing a while ago and I didn’t notice. I only saw it when your headlights came close enough and I didn’t want it to be crushed so I...,"

"I understand," Theo replied, "But it’s dangerous. You shouldn’t jump in front of a moving vehicle,"

"I couldn’t help myself," She smiled softly, "My son gave me this camera. I couldn’t afford to lose it,"

"That’s sweet," Ava said, "Where are you headed? Maybe we could drop you off,"

"Oh no no no," She shook her head once more, "I’m talking a walk. Thank you so much for the offer," she smiled.

"But...," Ava looked around. It was at least One am and everywhere was dark as hell. The road was quiet and empty too. It wasn’t really a suitable time for an old woman to be out, "Are you sure? It could be dangerous out there. We really don’t mind dropping you off,"

Ava kept staring at the woman for a few more seconds. The older woman smiled awkwardly beneath their scrutiny and clutched the camera tighter against her chest.

"I promise I’m alright," She said gently, "You girls have already done enough."

Theo shifted slightly beside Ava, glancing down the dark road again.

There was really nothing except the sound of insects and distant nightlife from the city further behind them.

Her brows pulled together slightly, "It’s really not safe," Theo said softly. "At least let us drop you somewhere closer to where you’re going."

The woman looked hesitant, "Oh, I couldn’t possibly trouble you both—"

"You won’t," Ava cut in immediately, "Honestly, I’ll feel worse leaving you here."

The woman opened her mouth again like she wanted to protest further, but then sighed faintly in defeat, "Young people are stubborn these days," she murmured.

"You have no idea." Ava snorted.

That earned a small laugh from the older woman.

Finally, she nodded, "Alright then. Just for a short distance."

Theo smiled almost instantly, "Good."

They walked her back toward the car carefully, and Theo quickly noticed the woman limped slightly on one leg. Probably an old injury.

Once they reached the vehicle, Ava opened the back door for her, "Thank you," the woman said warmly as she climbed inside.

Theo got back into the passenger seat while Ava restarted the engine. The inside of the car became quieter after the doors shut.

For a moment, only soft music played from the speakers.

Then the older woman spoke again, "You two seem very kind."

Ava shrugged casually as she pulled back onto the road, "We almost ran you over. Kindness was the least we could offer."

The woman laughed softly and Theo glanced back slightly, "What were you taking pictures of this late anyway?"

The woman lifted the camera in her lap carefully, "The moon."

Theo blinked, "The moon?"

"Yes," She smiled. "I used to take photographs often when I was a little girl. Tonight reminded me of old days."

Theo watched her quietly for a second.

Something about her felt...warm. Familiar somehow. Maybe she’s met her before she lost her memories. But if they’d met, the woman should have recognised her the moment she saw her.

"I don’t think I got your names." The woman said, tilting her head.

Ava answered first, "Ava."

Then Theo added quietly, "Theodora."

The woman suddenly froze, recognition flashing through her eyes. She was frozen for a moment, and her gaze lingered shockingly on Theo’s face. Infact, her eyes were beginning to water when Theo spoke.

"You seem to recognise us, am I right?"

The woman blinked once, "You’re... Alpha Darius’s Daughter, am I right?"

Ava almost hit the brakes again, "And you’re a werewolf, aren’t you?" She asked, staring at the woman through the rearview mirror.

"Kind of,"

"Kind of?"

"My wolf is dormant,"

"What does that mean?" Theo asked.

"It means...," Ava lowered her voice, "She’s the daughter of a wolf and a human,"

"Is that possible?" Theo’s eyes widened.

"Very," The woman replied from the back.

A few seconds passed before Theo spoke again, "What’s your name?"

The woman looked back at her, "Charlene."

The name hit Theo strangely, tugging somewhere deep inside her chest.

"By any chance, have we never before?"

The woman shook her head, and Theo sank back slightly into her seat. That answer somehow raised even more questions.

"If I may ask, where were you girls headed to?"

"Just following the wind," Ava sighed, a hand coming off the steering wheel, "Let’s just say life have been driving us a little crazy, and we didn’t to cancel it out by having fun,"

"What I would give to be young again," The woman smiled.

"I’m guessing you had a lot of fun while you were our age?" Theo asked casually.

That erased the smile from the woman’s face, "Not exactly," She said softly.

Theo turned around this time, "What happened?!"

"I had no choice but to stay indoors for a really long time. It’s just a few months ago that the doors were opened up to me again,"

"That’s terrible! Were you kidnapped?!"

She laughed, "No, my dear. I was being protected. It was for my own good,"

"Are you sure? Because me and Ava could really whoop the asses of those people who...,"

This time the woman really did burst into laughter, "No, really. I promise you, I was in the best hands. And I’m glad I was being protected,"

"Alright," Theo let out a sigh of relief, "If you say so,"

The woman’s eyes twinkled with pure wonder and joy as she stared at Theo, even after Theo faced the road again.

Finally, they got to a nearby city and dropped Charlene off. As much as Theo and Ava insisted they let them walk her home, she insisted her house was close by and she would be safe on her own as this was her city.

She didn’t let them win this time, and insisted sternly till they stubbornly gave up.

"I guess this is goodbye, then," Theo mumbled.

"I’ve got a feeling we would be seeing each other again very soon,"

"Why do you say that?"

Charlene shrugged, "Small world," She then raised her camera, "Do you mind if I...take your pictures?!"

###############

Hi, lovelies. It’s been a while, I missed y’all so much!

I was hospitalised for a few weeks after falling ill. They wouldn’t let me near my phone or laptop till I made complete recovery. I got discharged a week ago. Still on a few meds, but I’m good to go! I’m soooo sorry I disappeared all of a sudden and kept y’all waiting. It was never my intention!

I’m back to writing, and I’m currently trying to stockpile Chapters so I can give you a massive release. Update might be slower than usual since I’m not fully back in the grove yet... forgive me!