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Chapter 10 Find Her, Dead or Alive
Chapter 10 Find Her, Dead or Alive
As soon as Hunter opened the front door, Celine burst out of the bedroom.
“Hunter, you’re home!” she exclaimed, eyes wide with relief. “Are you hurt?”
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She quickly scanned him from head to toe, only relaxing when she saw he was completely unharmed. “Thank God you’re okay,” she breathed.
Hunter responded flatly, “Yeah. I’m fine. I just went to an island. What could’ve happened?”
“There were wolves on that island!” Celine shot back. “They could’ve killed you!”
Hunter raised an eyebrow. “Wolves, huh? How do you know that?”
It was a casual question, but something in his voice made the air turn cold. Celine felt a chill crawl up her spine,
Crap! Panic flickered in her eyes. She knew she’d slipped up.
She swallowed hard, forcing a smile. “O–of course I know. You took me there before, remember?”
Hunter’s voice stayed level. “Yeah, I took you there. But I don’t remember any wolves.”
Celine bit her lip and stayed silent. Hunter’s expression turned sharp, his eyes like ice. “Celine, why did you insist I leave Dana on that island yesterday? Where did those wolves come from? What exactly did you do?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Celine whispered, avoiding his gaze. “Wolves? Islands? What does any of that have to do with me?”
She looked around nervously, avoiding his gaze.
Hunter stepped forward, his presence looming. “I’ve told you before–I hate being lied to. You better tell me the truth. Stop playing games with me.
“My patience,” he said slowly, “is wearing thin.”
Celine could feel the weight of his anger pressing down on her. She knew–he’d figured it out.
She knew then–he already knew everything. And if she lied now, there’d be no mercy.
She lowered her head and confessed, “It was me. I released the wolves.”
Hunter’s voice cracked with restrained fury. “Why would you do that? After everything–you’ve lied, hurt, and manipulated Dana. Was that still not enough? Why do you want her dead so badly?”
Tears welled in Celine’s eyes as she shook her head. “No, Hunter. I didn’t want her dead. I just… I’m scared. I thought if I didn’t kill her, she’d eventually kill me. Or worse–make me lose my memory again, make me forget you.
“You have no idea how terrifying it is to lose your memories. Everyone kept telling me they knew me, but I didn’t recognize a single soul, I thought you were all monsters trying to hurt me. I lived every day in fear.
“I finally got my memories back. But last night, when I called you, you hesitated. You stayed with Dana. I was terrified you’d leave me, terrified you’d fall for her. Everything I did–I did out of fear, out of love. I’m sorry, Hunter. I’m really, truly sorry.”
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2:57 pm G ppp.
Chapter 10 Find Her, Dead or Alive
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Celine knew exactly what she was doing. She knew he was angry–furious, even–but she made it all about love, about fear, about needing him.
If she was guilty, it was only because she loved him too much.
If he hated her, then he’d better be ready to hate himself, too–because none of this would’ve happened without him.
And sure enough, it worked. Pain and conflict washed over Hunter’s face.
He murmured, “Celine, do you even hear yourself? Since when did loving someone mean it’s okay to try and kill another person? What have you become? You just took a life.”
Before Celine could respond, Hunter’s phone rang.
He answered sharply, “What is it?”
Adrian Tanny, his assistant’s voice came through the line. “Boss, the rescue team searched the island top to bottom. There’s no sign of Ms. Archer.”
Hunter yelled agitatedly, “What? That’s impossible! She can’t be gone. Dana’s smart–she wouldn’t just die out there! She’s probably hiding somewhere, scared out of her mind.
“These search teams are useless. I’ll go look for her myself. She’s waiting for me–I know it.”
Hunter turned toward the door, but Adrian stopped him quickly.
“Boss, please, don’t do anything reckless. The wolves might still be out there–it’s dangerous.
“I know you’re worried, but we did find something promising.” Adrian added. “There were no signs of blood, no torn clothing- nothing to suggest a struggle. The rescue team thinks Ms. Archer might’ve escaped.”
Hunter finally exhaled, the smallest bit of tension easing from his shoulders.
He commanded with a hoarse voice, “Keep searching. If you really think Dana’s been eaten by wolves, then gut every last one of them. I want her found–alive or dead.”
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Chapter 11 The Devil from Hell
Chapter 11 The Devil from Hell
