MILLIE BROWN

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It can't be true, that I'm losing you, I won't let you slip away from me.

Dedicated to Alye and Jazz❤️

My head pounded, and my body ached as though it had been shattered and hastily pieced back together. Flashes of memory played in my mind like a cruel reel I couldn't stop. Images of me in wolf form, tearing through Reed—the man I had sworn to protect. Images of Esme—my mother—reduced to pieces by my claws, and I hadn't hesitated.

Worse, I didn't feel bad about it.

What was this fire burning inside me? It felt primal, undeniable. It wasn't just rage or grief—it was something deeper. It felt right. Like everything was finally falling into place. The world pulsed with energy I could feel coursing through me, an intimate connection to the land itself. It called to me, filling me with power.

And worse still, I could feel Shane. His presence wasn't just near—it was inside me, like a tether I couldn't sever. Every part of me wanted to run to him, to hold him, to kiss him, to let our bodies crash together until the world disappeared.

I didn't understand this pull, but it consumed me. It was all I could think about—aside from Caelum, his lifeless body beside me. My chest tightened at the memory of Clara and Reed, their bodies left behind.

"We can go back for them," Shane said softly, his voice breaking through my thoughts. It wrapped around me, soothing the jagged edges of my mind.

Inside, there was a new presence—no, not new. It had always been there, but now it felt more pronounced. More alive.

"That's your wolf," Shane said, as if reading my mind. "She's excited to meet you."

I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. Nothing made sense anymore. The only thing anchoring me was the urgency to save Caelum. That was all that mattered now.

When we reached the Sylvenwood Forest, my heart stuttered. A memory surfaced, vivid and sharp. I'd been here before—when I first arrived in Lupinmere. It was here I saw Caelum for the first time, in his fae form.

The memory sent shivers down my spine. Caelum had been there, his magic forming an invisible shield that kept the wolves at bay, now I could remember his magic shielding me. He had also directed me to his shop that day.

He protected me then, just as he always had.

Tears streamed down my face. He had been there for me from the beginning. How could I lose him now?

We laid Caelum's body against an ancient tree, and immediately I felt a bond form between him and the forest. The tree's energy wrapped around him, its roots glowing faintly as it tried to heal him.

My breath caught. Shane stood nearby, tense, his eyes scanning for threats. He didn't trust this moment of peace, and I couldn't blame him.

Then, I felt it—a faint pressure against my hand. My eyes widened as Caelum's fingers twitched, and his eyes fluttered open.

"Caelum!" I gasped, tears streaming freely as I threw my arms around him. His grunt of pain made me pull back, apologizing quickly. "I'm sorry. I'm just—thank you. Thank you for coming back to me."

He looked at me, his expression pained but resolute. "Millie, listen to me. I don't have much time."

"What are you talking about? You need to rest—save your strength. We can talk later."

"Millie—"

"I knew nature would heal you," I interrupted, desperate to cling to hope.

"Millie!"

"No, Caelum, you're fine. You'll be fine, you just need to rest," I said, my voice trembling.

"Millie, I'm dead," he said quietly, his words freezing the air around me.

I stared at him, disbelief warring with the truth I already felt deep inside. My laugh was hollow, brittle. "That's not funny," I said, shaking my head. I knew the truth, I could feel it, this was just a mirage of Caelum with no heartbeat.

"Millie, please. I don't have much time. I need you to listen."

"No!" I protested, my tears falling faster. "You're lying. You can't—you can't be gone."

"Millie," Shane said gently, his voice heavy with sorrow. "He's gone. You have to accept it."

My heart shattered. I wanted to scream, to wake up and find this was all just a nightmare.

"I'm so sorry," Caelum whispered, his hand brushing my cheek. "I didn't want it to end this way."

"I'm the one who's sorry," I choked out. "You're dead because of me."

"Don't do that," he said firmly. "None of this is your fault. I would sacrifice my life for yours over and over again if I had to. But you need to know the truth—about who you are."

"A wolf," I said bitterly. "I know. Tristan's my father, isn't he?"

"Yes," Caelum said, "but that's not the whole truth. Esme... she wasn't your mother. Your mother's name was Cecilia. She was an Aztec druid."

I froze, my mind reeling.

"Esme planted false memories in your mind," he continued. "Everything you thought you knew—it was a lie. She wasn't your mother, Millie. She was your captor."

The world around me stilled as his words sank in. My hands trembled. The years I spent crying in my room, terrified of Esme, her manipulations, her control—they weren't figments of my imagination. They were real.

Tears streamed down my face as the truth crystallized. Esme hadn't been my mother. She had been my captor.

Fragmented memories begin to flood my mind, vivid and splintered like shards of a broken mirror. Each one cuts deep, drawing me back to a time when I was whole—before everything fell apart.

I remember my mother brushing my hair in the soft glow of evening light, her voice humming an old Celtic lullaby that always made me feel safe. My father's deep laughter echoes as he shifts into his wolf form, my small hands clutching his fur as we race through the forest. The air smells like pine and frost, and my cheeks ache from smiling so hard.

The snow in Allister falls in thick, silent waves. We build forts, toss snowballs, and collapse in a heap of laughter. My father tells me stories of Lupinmere's ancient days, of Kalareth, the goddess of the moon, and the sacred rituals we must honor. I still hear his voice in my mind, calm and reassuring as we pray together by the fire, his large hand wrapped around mine. Our creepy neighbor who I was terrified off. The swing dad made in front of the house and how I used to play with it all the time.

But then, the memories darken.

I was young when I lost control for the first time. Power surged through me like a raging storm, raw and untamed, leaving destruction in its wake. I remember the terror in my parents' eyes—not fear of me, but for me. They tried to hide it, but I could see it in the way my mother's hands trembled as she pulled me close, whispering that everything would be alright.

And then I saw her—Esme. She wasn't my mother, though back then I didn't know the truth. She found us that day with Caelidhar.

That day ruined everything.

My parents panicked. They took me and ran, the forest swallowing us whole as we fled for safety.

We ended up at the home of the Celtics, a place of old magic and ancient rites. My mother knelt beside me, tears streaking her face as she explained what needed to be done. They would banish my wolf, lock away a part of me that Caelidhar sought. I screamed, begged them not to do it, but they wouldn't listen. The ritual began, and with it came a terrible price.

My mother gave her life to save mine.

I remember her final moments, the light fading from her eyes as she whispered that she loved me. My father held me as I sobbed, but all I felt was anger. I blamed him for letting it happen. I called him names, told him I hated him, and ran as far away as I could.

Back to Allister.

I needed to see him. Shadow. Even then, I knew he was Shane. I'd always known, though I pretended otherwise. I wasn't sure why I was drawn to him, only that I had to find him.

But instead of Shane, Caelidhar and Esme found me.

They attacked, and without my wolf, I was powerless. I fought back, but it wasn't enough. My father came, his roar shaking the earth as he tried to save me. He fought valiantly, but he lost. I watched him die that day, his blood staining the snow, and I thought it was the end.

But then, I saw Caelum.

He stood between me and Caelidhar, his magic shielding me. He was against Caelidhar killing me because he couldn't get what he wanted. Esme then confidently came in saying she could search through my memories to find a loophole to the spell cast.

He bought me time, he saved my life.

Later, when he found me again, I begged him to erase my memories. If Esme saw what I knew, she'd discover how to reverse the spell. I thought if I forgot everything, they'd kill me and end my suffering.

Caelum hesitated, but in the end, he agreed. Our souls became knotted in that promise. He took my memories and hid them, even from me. And I took his and hid them away from him.

Now, it all comes rushing back. My memories that were stolen by Esme.

I see the truth. The sacrifice that took my mother's life. The way Esme manipulated me, twisting my memories. The night of my party, when Leah handed me the laced drink. The vision I had of Esme's death—it wasn't her. It was one of her minions wearing her face. They had planted that memory in my head, just like she planted the memory of her raising me.

Tears stream down my cheeks as I whisper, "I remember everything."

My parents' faces haunt me now. I never mourned them. I chose to forget because it was easier to blame myself.

"I'm sorry, Millie," Caelum says, his voice weak. "I let my greed blind me. I thought I could bring Sylvia back, but instead, I became a pawn for Alex and Esme. I know it's no excuse."

I shake my head. "No, Caelum. You saved me. You've carried that guilt for too long, but I've never blamed you. You need to forgive yourself, just like I have."

He nods faintly, his eyes filled with a mixture of regret and peace.

Caelum's tears fall silently as he whispers an incantation. A soft glow envelops his hand, and when he opens his palm, I see it—a necklace. Not just any necklace, but the one I had been admiring at the market that day. The one that bore the Valkera symbol.

My breath catches. "How...how do you have this?" I ask, my voice trembling as tears pool in my eyes.

"I bought it," he says softly. "It is rightfully yours, as a Valkera." He pauses, his gaze dropping. "I would offer to put it on you, but...I don't think I can."

Swallowing hard, I reach behind my neck to clasp the necklace. The weight of it settles on my chest, and when I glance back at Caelum, I see a faint smile break through the pain etched on his face.

"It's beautiful," he says, his voice weakening but full of sincerity. "You're beautiful." His voice starts to sound static and I know we're almost out of time.

I move closer, clutching his hand in mine. "Caelum, you have to hold on. Please."

He grips my hand tightly, his expression serious. "Millie, listen to me. Caelidhar is ancient, and he is dangerous. He won't stop until he gets what he wants. And now that he knows it's possible, he will do everything to find you. You can't let that happen—not until you know everything."

"Know what?" I whisper, my voice cracking.

"You need to go to Herargisen. I have friends there—they'll help you," he says, his breath labored.

"Herargisen?" Shane shake his head. "Caelum, that place cannot be found. What are you talking about?"

Caelum shows me his hand and I see a ring materialize on his finger. My heart stops as I recognize it immediately. It's my father's ring—the one he wore every single day.

"How...how do you have that?" I ask, my voice breaking.

"Your father gave it to me," Caelum says, his eyes distant with memory. "He made me swear on a blood oath never to reveal your identity and to pass this on to you when the time was right."

"The blood oath," Shane mutters, his tone grave.

Caelum nods and holds the ring out to me. "This will guide you to Herargisen. Trust no one but yourself. Remember, Millie—you are stronger than you realize. You are the first of your kind."

As his words sink in, a rush of power surges through me, almost knocking me off balance. I gasp, feeling something inside me awaken—a strength I didn't know I possessed.

Caelum turns to Shane. "Protect her with your life."

Shane's jaw tightens. "I don't need you to tell me what to do with my mate."

My body stiffens at his words. Mate. He's right. The connection between us is undeniable, like a tether pulling me closer to him. My dreams, my feelings—they were my wolf trying to stop me from making a mistake. Trying to guide me back to him.

And then, the memories hit me.

Leah's birthday. Esme's spell. The way she had manipulated me, made me look like Leah, act like Leah, to deceive Shane. Every time I became aware of what was happening, Esme would strip the memories away, leaving me as her puppet. The first time I saw Shane without Esme's manipulation was at the café, and even then, I knew there was something between us.

But now? Now it's all clear.

"Did he know?" I murmur, my thoughts racing. "Does he know everything, that I was the one he shared the mate bond with on that night?"

Caelum interrupts my spiraling thoughts with a weak smile. "Leah is dangerous," he says. "She's been reborn as a wreath, terrible creatures, an abomination of nature. You'll understand once you read this." He gestures to his coat draped over my shoulders.

Confused, I reach into the pocket and pull out a journal. The same journal I had found and lost to Esme.

I clutch it tightly, my heart pounding, but before I can say anything, my stomach growls loudly. The sound echoes awkwardly in the tense silence.

Caelum lets out a free, unrestrained laugh, his hair falling into his eyes as he shakes his head. "Some things never change, huh?" he says, his voice tinged with nostalgia.

For a moment, I'm transported back to the first time we met in his shop. My stomach had betrayed me then too, growling just as loudly. Despite everything, I can't help but smile through my tears, the memory warming the cold edges of my heart.

Flashbacks of us meeting for the first time in Allister: our conversations in his shop, the kiss we shared, the day he saved me from Shane, holding me as i cried terrified of my nightmare, teaching me to control my magic, making me breakfast, giving me his coat, walking down the beach together, our argument, making me the scrunchie and then dancing together under the moonlight.

"Caelum, I can't do this. I can't let you go," I sob, my voice breaking under the weight of my grief.

"Hey," he whispers, his voice barely audible. "Remember that wish we made on my eyelash?"

I nod through my tears, unable to speak. Beside me, I feel Shane stiffen, unsure of how to respond to the sight of my anguish.

"You wished for me to find happiness," Caelum continues, his tone soft but resolute. "These past few months, you gave me that. You gave me a reason to live, a reason to be happy. Even now, as I'm dying, I am grateful it's here—with you. Meeting you was the best thing that ever happened to me. Thank you, Millie."

Tears stream down my face as his trembling hand rises to touch my cheek, gently caressing it. I lean down, placing a soft, chaste kiss on his lips, hoping he can feel how much he means to me.

He stills mid-kiss. When I pull back, his head falls limp.

"Caelum," I whisper, shaking him gently. But he's gone.

My heart shatters, and an unbearable weight settles over me. Tears fall freely as I cradle his lifeless body. "Thank you," I murmur, my voice trembling. "Thank you for everything."

Shane approaches cautiously, his hand reaching out to comfort me. "Millie..."

"Don't touch me!" I snap, pulling away from him, my tears still falling. I try to compose myself, but the ache inside me is relentless.

"Millie, someone's coming," he says and my senses pick up on footsteps approaching but I don't care. There was no way I was going to leave Caelums body here, out in the cold

"I'm not abandoning him," I yelled.

Shane sighs loudly and grabs my hand pulling me up.

Caelum's body slips from my grasp, and I get agitated by this and push Shane, it's just a little push but it sends him flying.

Suddenly, vines begin to creep from the nearby trees, winding around Caelum's body.

"What's happening?" I whisper, panicked, reaching for him, but Shane holds me back.

"The forest is taking him," Shane says quietly. "He's a pure fae, Millie. The purest of faes return to nature in death."

I watch in awe and heartbreak as the vines envelop Caelum, pulling him into the ground. Wildflowers bloom where his body once lay, their vibrant colors and delicate fragrance filling the air. It's beautiful, fitting for someone like him.

"Goodbye, Caelum," I whisper, tears still falling.

Shane grabs my hand, urging me to run, but we're stopped in our tracks by the appearance of a figure in a red cloak, chanting an incantation. Another figure blocks our retreat, and soon, we're surrounded.

"Cover your ears!" Shane shouts."Trust me Millie,"

"What?" I say confused.

"Millie!" Shane yells, dragging me away with super speed. Caelum's flowers disappear from view as we're forced toward the edge of a cliff. There are seven of them and they surround us still chanting something ominous.

Shane suddenly groans, falling to his knees, his body writhing in pain. Bones crack ominously. "Shane!" I call out, panic rising.

"He can't hear you, white lotus" a voice booms.

I turn to see Caelidhar and Leah approaching. My stomach churns as I step back, kicking loose rocks off the cliff's edge.

I feel Shane's voice in my mind, faint but steady. "What do you know about the Isilaven Stone?"

"What?" I whisper, confused. Before I can process his question, he throws me a broken stone.

It's familiar—the same stone I used to get here.

He turns fully and growls wildly. Trashing wildly as the incantation grows louder and I can tell it's affecting him and he's fighting it.

"Come with me," Caelidhar says, arms outstretched.

Without warning, Shane tackles me, and I tumble over the cliff's edge. The wind rushes past me as I fall.

"I love you," Shane's voice echoes in my mind before the connection between us fades into silence.

"Shane!" I scream, clutching the stone. A portal opens beneath me just before I hit the ground, and I fall through.

⋆｡ﾟ☁︎｡⋆｡ ﾟ☾ ﾟ｡⋆

I wake to blinding sunlight.

My head throbs, and my surroundings are unfamiliar. Towering trees loom overhead, their thick canopy casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

"Shane? Shane!" I call out, my voice echoing in the stillness.

A chill runs down my spine as a voice calls back, soft and haunting.

"Millie..."

My body freezes.

THE END

Authors note:
Thank you for reading The Chase. Book 1 in the moonlight saga series. Look forward to book 2 coming in march 🫠
I love y'all .