After hearing her exnation of the ident, it seemed clear to him that Ellie really had lost her memories.


    It was the only exnation that made sense for how much she''d changed so quickly.


    And honestly, it made his feelings for her even moreplicated. Being physically attracted to her was one thing, but Lance was truly enjoying the time he spent with her. He was finding himself feeling almost protective of her.


    "I wish I knew anything about astronomy," Ellie said suddenly.


    "What are you talking about?” Lance asked, ncing at her curiously.


    "The stars. They''re beautiful, but I have no idea what I''m looking at. I wish I could, like, pick out a constetion or something."


    "Why can''t you just appreciate them for what they are?" he asked.


    He looked at Ellie''s profile in the moonlight as they walked together, her face turned up towards the sky. She looked almost carefree for once, trusting Lance to guide her home safely.


    That thought made his breath catch just a little, but she didn''t seem to notice.


    "I guess that''s a good point," Ellie admitted. "I hadn''t really thought of it that way."


    "Sometimes it''s better not to overanalyze things," Lance said. "Just take it for what it is and enjoy the experience without thinking too much about it. When you put too much thought into beautiful things, sometimes they lose their spark."


    He was talking to himself, more than anything. What he had with Ellie right now was something rare and beautiful for him, genuine connection with another person He shouldn''t over think it and ruin it. No matter how much he wanted to explore this thing more and see where i might lead.


    “That''s the smartest thing I''ve ever heard you say,” Ellie said teasingly.


    "Hey, I can be smart sometimes," Lance replied, crossing his arms with an exaggerated pout on his face. "I''m not always an idiot yboy."


    "You just pretend to be one, don''t you?" Ellie asked, turning her head to face him fully. "If you pretend to be a simpleyabout, then no one expects anything of you."


    "Damn, you caught me,” Lanceughed. "It''s all my borate n to annoy Nn to death.


    They bothughed again, the quite street filled with the sound of their momentary happiness.


    The conversation died down again as they approached the pack house. Lance led Ellie around to the back, where her bedroom window was still propped open. He gave her a boost as she climbed up onto the eave and slipped back through the window.


    "Good night," he called up softly.


    Ellie smiled down at him-a genuine, sleepy smile-as she replied, "Sweet dreams.”


    Lance watched her close the window, then turned and walked down the courtyard path toward the road to return to his own home. As he went, he couldn''t help but reflect of all the revtions of the night.


    Maybe it was normal for Ellie and Nn to end up this way Maybe this was what happened with all arranged marriages.


    Lance was going to find out.


    +25 Bonus


    He still knew almost nothing about the woman Nn was trying to arrange his marriage with. Maybe that was the reason thinking about it made him feel almost nauseous. It felt so deeply unnatural to him to even considermitting himself to aplete stranger.


    But it was his responsibility as a member of the alpha''s family. He had to set a good example and hept strengthen the pack. Marrying a member of an influential family would help with that, regardless of how it made him feel.


    Would the marriage make things better for him? Would it help him settle down and be more responsible?


    Or would it leave him feeling as trapped and miserable as Ellie was with Nn?