Chapter 338 Chapter 338 Aria's POV +5 Free Coins The forest roared around us , alive with snapping branches , jagged roots , and the coppery tang of blood and fear . My lungs screamed , my legs burned , and yet Sia surged beneath my skin , coiling and stretching with raw power , pushing me faster than I thought humanly - or welfishly - possible . Lucien was beside me , every muscle taut , his golden eyes scanning the shadows with predatory precision . His scent poured into the air , a fierce , golden blaze that made Sia roar in recognition and hunger . Behind us , the Western Pack's pursuit was relentless . Growls cut through the night , paws pummeling the earth , scents thick and bitter , trailing like a curse . Every step I took , I could feel their desire for blood closing the distance . And yet , weaving through the chaos , I sensed the faint ripples of magic in the air . Maeryn . Silent , unseen , she bent the forest to our favor- fallen trees tripping our pursuers , roots twisting to delay them , mist rising to cloud their vision . Without her , we wouldn't have survived the first ten minutes . I tried to focus on the present , but fragments of memory clawed at the edges of my mind , unbidden . Dark cells , the smell of rot , the cold weight of chains pressing into my wrists . Faces I loved - and who had betrayed me . My father , mother , even my brother ... all turned against me , leaving me alone in a black pit of despair . Pain , hunger , abuse . Every scream , every insult , every lash pressed itself into my soul . And then , as if stepping out from the shadows of memory , a face appeared . A man I had seen in my dreams , a vague shadow that had haunted my nights . He held me , his arms a sanctuary , whispering that he would always protect me . The memory shivered and flickered , details sharpening ... until the shadow coalesced into the golden - eyed man running beside me now . Lucien . It was him . It had always been him . Riley . That was my name . My true name . The truth slashed through me with all the force of a wolf's bite . I gasped , Sia surging in frantic excitement . " Lucien ... " The syllable burned on my lips , half in disbelief , half in relief . He turned to me , the storm in his golden eyes colliding with mine . " Riley ... my Riley , " he whispered , voice breaking , trembling with raw emotion . " It's really you ... you're alive ." Before I could respond , before I could even process the truth , his hands were on my face , ripping away the mask that had hidden my identity for so long . His touch was electric , reverent , desperate . And the moment our eyes locked fully , tears streaked down his face . He pulled me into a fierce embrace , trembling , his wolf snarling in pure , uncontained joy . " Riley ... it's really you ... my Riley ... alive ... " The relief was almost overwhelming , almost . Almost , because the sounds of the Western Pack 1/2 9:10 Fri , Sep 12 Chapter 338 : 84 +5 Free Coins grew louder again - snapping branches , the barked orders , the pounding of paws against earth . We had only a few seconds to savor recognition before the hunt resumed . We ran again , hearts pounding in synchrony , wolf and human , mate and mate , bound by instinct and fate . We darted through thick underbrush , leapt across fallen logs , ducked under twisted vines . Every corner held death , every shadow a threat . But with each pulse of adrenaline , more fragments of memory returned . Hints of my childhood in the Eastern Pack , lessons learned under cruel eyes , the training that had shaped me , the whispers of a destiny I had almost forgotten . And through it all , the golden thread of Lucien's presence held me upright , grounded , tethered to truth . - Hours or maybe minutes - passed in a blur of motion . Exhaustion clawed at my muscles , Sia coiled tightly , claws slicing the dirt , teeth bared in unrelenting determination . The Western Pack had narrowed the gap , relentless as wolves in hunger . And then , the forest opened into a ravine , sheer walls on either side , rocks jagged and treacherous . Ahead , a dead end . Behind us , relentless pursuers . Trapped . Lucien's hands pressed firmly against my shoulders , grounding me . " Riley ... stay with me . Focus . We survive . Together ." I nodded , letting Sia surge forward , leaping instinctively with him , trusting his body , trusting his wolf . My memory flickered again : the prison , the chains , the screams , the nights of torment . And over it all , his promise - golden eyes , warmth , protection . The bond was undeniable . I was Riley , and he was mine . We landed on the rocky outcrop , panting , hearts hammering . The Western Pack was still closing , snarling , teeth bared . And then ... the wind shifted . A scent , clear and sharp , cutting through the fear and smoke of the hunt . East Pack . The insignias gleamed in the moonlight , banners snapping , paws pounding the earth with precision . Reinforcements . Rescue . Lucien's arms tightened around me , his wolf coiling protectively around mine . " They're here , " he growled , golden eyes blazing with triumph and relief . " Riley ... we're safe . For now . " I exhaled shakily , letting the moment wash over me . Sia purred , twisting and snapping in celebration . For the first time in years , clarity returned . I was Riley . Alive . Unbroken . And in Lucien's embrace , I felt the world stabilize , even as danger still lingered . Lucien lowered his head , golden eyes scanning mine . " Riley ... this is just the beginning . But you're mine . Always ." 2/2