Chapter 293
Chapter 293
Snowflakes
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We arrived after minutes of tense, quiet driving. Eshan pulled the car to a stop a few paces away from the alley’s mouth and parked along the curb. No one spoke.
We all sat there, staring ahead at the narrow gap between the buildings, like it was a living thing waiting to swallow us.
I knew what they were doing. Waiting for me to steady myself. Waiting for the panic to rise. But strangely… it didn’t.
The alley looked different in the pale afternoon light. Less dark. Less empty. People moved past on the sidewalk, heads turning when they recognized us, whispers rippling outward.
H.O.W.L. staff.
The news had already painted us as either heroes or monsters, depending on who you asked.
I opened the door and stepped out.
Snow crunched under my boots. The cold bit my cheeks, but my pulse stayed steady. I walked toward the entrance slowly. Eshan and Mr. Gerald falling in behind me like silent shadows.
I slowed when I reached the mouth of the alley.
It wasn’t black like that night. Sunlight slanted in, turning the brick walls gold at the edges.
People were around. Pedestrians, a delivery guy on a bike but they paused when they saw us. Eyes wide. Phones already lifting.
I blinked at the space.
The snow on the ground was thin, patchy. But in my mind it gradually thickened, became the heavy blanket it had been four years
ago.
Behind me, a car engine idled. I turned.
Reality peeled away and that night settled.
The taxi that had dropped me off that night stopped just ahead. I had no choice but to walk the rest of the way home.
I sighed shakily, turned toward the path to Mooncrest pack lands, retracing my steps from that night exactly, instinct guiding my feet.
I paused abruptly.
A shadow stepped into my path.
Panic surged, old, familiar, choking. I took a hasty step back and slammed into another body. Hands clamped around my arm roughly, unyielding. I was dragged backward, down, into the alley.
I followed the memory slowly, step by step, the panic and trauma unfolding like a film reel I couldn’t pause. Then I stopped at the exact spot where it had all happened.
1/4
2:35 pm
Chapter 203
I fought so hard, Clawing, kicking, screaming before the knife flashed at my lower belly.
I froze. The scene slammed into my face vividly, merciless,
I had seen his face just briefly. The delight in his eyes. The thrill when blood gushed from the first stab.
“One. Two…” I whispered. “Three p>
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He’d stabbed me three times at first then winced sharply. He’d cut himself too. The blade slipped in his grip. But he kept going. Stabbing, stabbing until I was on the ground, gagging on my own blood.
Time blurred. They took what they wanted. Then I… I didn’t walk. I ran after them, staggered out of the alley, into the open only for a hand to grab my arm and yank me back.
“Snow p>
Eshan’s voice snapped me back to reality.
He cupped my cheeks, grounding, urgent.
“Snow? My God, you’re sweating, Snow p>
I exhaled shakily and leaned into him, needing the solid warmth of his chest.
“I saw it,” I whispered. “It played so clearly p>
He pulled back just enough to hear me.
“What p>
“Feroz… he cut himself too p>
Eshan swallowed hard. He released me, already pulling out his phone.
“Sera,” he said the second she answered. “Recheck the clothes from the evidence locker. The blood on them. Zayah said it was only Snow’s. We can’t trust her report. Look for a second blood type. Male. Feroz p>
I stood there, alone now, while he spoke.
My eyes drifted across the street.
A massive apartment building lined the far side, windows glinting in the winter light. The sound of their footsteps had echoed down that street four years ago. A camera must have caught them. Something.
I started walking, slowly, toward the building.
“Snow.” Mr. Gerald called from behind. “It’s here p>
I turned.
He was pointing at a rusted CCTV camera mount, empty now, the camera long gone.
We shared a look.
2/4
Chapter 293
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Eshan joined us, phone still to his ear.
“Sera says she didn’t recheck the blood because Zayah claimed she already did. The report said only Snow’s blood virginity and stab wounds, We’ll know soon p>
I nodded then pointed at the mount.
“Maybe it caught something four years ago before the camera was removed p>
Eshan didn’t hesitate. He strode toward the entrance of the building. A small, mid–tier hotel. Mr. Gerald and I followed.
Inside, Eshan flashed his badge at the receptionist.
“H.O.W.L. There used to be a CCTV camera outside, handle’s still there. It’s been taken down. We need any footage from before it was removed p>
The receptionist blinked, nervous.
“Um… yes, sir. About four years ago. The camera rusted out. We threw it away. The footage… nothing useful, so we recycled the drive too. I’m sorry p>
Eshan’s eyes narrowed.
The receptionist swallowed.
“I can get the manager p>
“Please p>
She hurried off.
Eshan turned to Mr. Gerald.
“Innocent, ” Gerald murmured. “No evasion. Just scared of authority p>
The manager arrived. He look older, in a crisp suit, smile too wide.
“Oh… I didn’t expect Eshan Frost to patronize our little hotel.” He glanced at me, then back. “You’re here with p>
“We’re here for the footage from the camera outside,” Eshan said flatly. “It was removed years ago. We need anything recorded before that p>
The man’s smile faltered, just a flicker.
“Oh, that? No. The camera rusted. We disposed of it. The footage… nothing useful. Recycled. I’m sorry, I can’t help p>
Eshan stepped closer slowly, deliberate.
“Mind telling us the truth here… or do we take this conversation to H.O.W.L.?” That’s just an empty threat but surprisingly the man swallowed hard. We all know what happened at H.O.W.L. That is Eshan’s fort.
“I didn’t do anything. I was… paid to remove the camera and wipe the footage p>
Goosebumps rose on my arms.
3/4
Chapter 293
Eshan leaned in.
“What footage?” Silence. “What footage p>
“The… the dark alley footage p>
My heart dropped.
“Who paid you?” Eshan’s voice was ice.
The man looked between us then dropped his gaze.
“Viviana Mooncrest p>
I went still.
Eshan froze.
“She paid with… with her body.” The man’s voice cracked. “I couldn’t say no p>
Disgust flashed across Eshan’s face. Raw, visceral.
I swallowed, suddenly unable to breathe. I turned and walked out needing air, needing space.
I stepped onto the sidewalk and stopped dead.
Alpha Herold of Mooncrest pack stood just a few paces away, flanked by two of his enforcers.
Tall. Powerful. Unmistakable.
Eshan appeared at my side in an instant, bowing in formal greeting.
“Gerald and I will finish here, Snow,” he said quietly. “Don’t worry p>
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Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.