When the Hidden Luna Rises novel Chapter 45

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**Chained by Fate**
**Eliza Rowan**
**Chapter 21**

In the long, agonizing days that Tessa had been absent from his life, Ryan found each moment to be a relentless struggle. The silence that enveloped his spacious home felt like a heavy shroud, suffocating him with memories that danced in and out of focus. As he ambled past the living room, the echoes of their shared laughter and whispered secrets washed over him like a tidal wave, pulling him into a sea of nostalgia.

He couldn’t help but yearn for those simple evenings when they would snuggle together on the couch, lost in the glow of the television screen. The warmth of her presence had been a balm to his soul, and now, with Christmas fast approaching, that absence gnawed at him more than ever. He found himself reminiscing about the joy he once felt while meticulously selecting gifts for her, each one a token of his affection, each decision weighed with love and thoughtfulness.

In the early days of their bond, when their hearts had just begun to intertwine, Tessa would often burn the midnight oil, sketching designs for her clothing line. She would work tirelessly for nights on end, her creativity spilling onto the pages as she chased her dreams. He recalled how, on one Christmas morning, she had surprised him with a luxurious watch, a gift that spoke volumes about her understanding of him. He knew she was aware that he had no need for such extravagance, yet it was the sincerity behind that gesture that struck him deeply. In that moment, he had felt the true weight of her love, and tears had brimmed in his eyes as he held her close, vowing to cherish her for as long as he drew breath.

But now, he wondered, when had that promise begun to lose its significance? Had he allowed the passage of time to dull the meaning of his words? He berated himself for his past mistakes, a cruel inner voice mocking his failures, yet a flicker of hope still thrummed within him—a desperate wish for her return.

His search for Tessa had been frantic, a whirlwind of emotions that left him exhausted and hollow. Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of her. His wolf, once a fierce protector, had succumbed to despair, its spirit dimming with each passing day. It was a reflection of his own heart, which felt as if it had been wrenched from his chest and left to wither.

Meanwhile, Audrey had finally emerged from the hospital, a shadow of her former self. She now spent her days in quiet solitude within the pack, her thoughts often drifting to the journal Tessa had left behind. Each time she opened its pages, the weight of her regrets bore down on her. The memories of her coldness, the countless times she had pushed Tessa away, sliced through her like a dagger. How could she ever escape the torment of her choices?

The truth was unbearable. She had been the one to send her daughter into the unknown, the one who had forced her out of their home. And now, as the realization of her actions settled like a stone in her gut, she was haunted by the emptiness that filled the house. The memories of the year she had welcomed Tessa into her life replayed in her mind, a constant reminder of the joy that had slipped through her fingers.

Tessa had always been the diligent one, waking up before dawn to attend her Alpha training while other children remained nestled in their beds. She had excelled in her studies, never once causing her parents concern. Perfect report cards had been her norm, yet the praise she craved had always eluded her. In stark contrast, Chloe received gifts and accolades for even the slightest improvement in her grades, and Audrey had always been quick to shower her with affection.