Page 41 of Claimed By Fur and Fangs

"Answer me," Aidan’s entire body tensed.

"I…" My throat was dry. I looked away.

The sound of fabric rustling, the bed shifting. When I turned, Aidan was already standing, grabbing his shirt with rough, jerky movements.

"That’s all I needed to know," he muttered, his voice edged with fury.

"Aidan, wait…"

He stormed out, slamming the door so hard the walls shook, leaving me frozen as his absence filled the room, heavy with the knowledge I’d hurt him.

“But what was I supposed to do? Lie? Pretend that the feelings didn’t exist?” I muttered.

"Great. Out of all the men in the world, I had to fall for a vampire and a werewolf," a bitter, humorless laugh bubbled from my lips.

I ran a hand over my face, exhaling sharply. “He just left me here,” I muttered to myself, pacing the room.

My eyes scanned the cabin—dark wooden walls, antique furniture, the faint scent of leather and cologne. It was all so… Aidan.

But then something caught my eye.

“What’s that?” I whispered, stepping closer to the far wall.

The wood paneling looked off, uneven. I trailed my fingers along the surface, my heart skipping a beat when I found a small latch.

“A hidden compartment?” I frowned, hesitating. “What are you hiding, Aidan?”

I pressed the latch.

Click.

The panel swung open.

“Oh my God…”

Inside were pictures. Dozens of them. Old, yellowed photographs, some framed, others stacked haphazardly.

I reached for one, my hands trembling.

“No… this can’t be…”

The woman in the photograph had my face. My eyes. Even the same beauty mark below her collarbone.

But she was dressed in a 19th-century gown, her hair pinned up in an elaborate style.

I grabbed another photo. And another.

“This is impossible,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “This isn’t real. It can’t be.”

Each picture was the same. Her. Or… me.

I stumbled back, clutching the photos.

“No, no, no!” A scream tore from my throat.

The door burst open.

"Amelia!" Aidan’s voice was sharp with concern, but the moment his eyes landed on the photographs, he froze.

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