The memories clicked into place with horrible finality, the missing three years filling in with brutal efficiency. She'd given birth to twins. She'd lost her daughter. She'd abandoned her son. She'd run until the ice broke beneath her feet and the river claimed her.
And Ethan had...
Dakota's gaze swung to Ethan, who was staring at her with an expression that confirmed everything. He knew. She could see it in his face, in the way every muscle had gone rigid, in the way his breathing had become shallow and rapid. He knew she was remembering, knew the exact moment when everything came crashing back.
Her mate. The man she'd bonded with, given her body and heart and children to. The man who was standing beside her sister, who'd been planning a life with Maya while secretly being with Dakota for three years.
Why?
The question burned in her mind with white-hot intensity, but she couldn't ask it. Not here. Not now. Not in front of all these people, not at Maya's engagement party, not when her sister was looking up at Ethan with such pure, unguarded happiness.
Maya didn't know. Maya was innocent in all of this. Maya was in love with a man who belonged to someone else, planning a future that was built on lies Dakota couldn't even begin to untangle.
And if Dakota spoke now, if she said anything, if she let even one word of the truth slip past her lips....
She would destroy her sister. She could destroy her family and herself....
Would destroy Maya's happiness, her plans, her future, her heart. Would shatter her sister's entire world the way Dakota's had just been shattered.
Dakota couldn't do that. No matter how much she was hurting, no matter how badly she wanted to scream the truth, to demand answers, to claim what was hers, she couldn't be the one to break Maya's heart.
"Dakota?" Maya's voice had changed, concern threading through her happiness as she studied her sister's pale face. "Are you feeling alright? You look like you're about to faint."
Dakota realized her eyes were burning. She could feel the change trying to happen, could feel her wolf clawing at the surface with desperate fury, demanding to claim their mate, their pup, demanding justice and acknowledgment.
She forced it down with every ounce of control she possessed. Forced the red back, forced her wolf to submit, forced herself to breathe normally even though each breath felt like swallowing broken glass.
"I'm....." Dakota's voice came out rough, barely recognizable. She cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm fine. Just... feeling a bit overwhelmed. The crowd, the noise..."
It was a lie. Everything was a lie. But she couldn't tell the truth. Not here. Not like this.
Maya's expression softened immediately into sympathy. "Of course. I should have realized, this is too much for you, isn't it? After everything you've been through. Do you need to step outside for some air?"
"Yes," Dakota latched onto the excuse like a lifeline. "Yes, I think I just need... some air. Some space. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to....."
"Don't apologize," Maya said quickly, squeezing Dakota's arm with genuine concern. "Take all the time you need. I'll come check on you in a bit, okay?"
Dakota nodded, not trusting herself to speak anymore. Her gaze flickered to Ethan, found him staring at her with such raw anguish that it physically hurt to witness. But she couldn't look at him. Couldn't acknowledge what was screaming between them. Not without breaking completely.
Her eyes dropped to Cooper one last time. Her son. The baby she'd carried and birthed and abandoned. He was watching her with those silver eyes, Ethan's eyes, his small face curious and slightly worried by the tension in the air.
"Bye bye, 'Kota," he said softly, giving her a little wave with his chubby hand.
The gesture nearly destroyed her. Nearly broke through every wall she was desperately trying to hold in place. Her baby. Her son. Waving goodbye to her like she was just some aunt, some casual family member, instead of the woman who'd given him life.
Dakota's throat closed completely. She bowed her head slightly, politely, the gesture automatic and meaningless.
"Excuse me," she managed to whisper.
Then she turned and walked away.
Not running. Not fleeing. Just walking with as much dignity as she could muster, her spine straight and her head held high even though everything inside her was screaming, shattering, dying.
People parted to let her pass, their conversations resuming in hushed tones behind her. They probably thought she was just overwhelmed, that her fragile mental state couldn't handle the party. Let them think that. It was better than the truth.
"Dakota, wait....." Maya called after her, worry evident in her voice.
But Dakota kept walking, through the great hall, past the curious stares and sympathetic glances, toward the exit that promised escape from this nightmare.