Attachment 435

In Chapter 435 of “Attachment 435,” the lantern festival in Montrose marks a significant transition for Elias, as he prepares to hand over his responsibilities to Aiden Knight. Despite the festive atmosphere, Elias feels a deep disconnect with Aiden, reminiscent of his complicated past with Cade. The festival, filled with laughter and joy, serves as a backdrop to Elias’s internal struggle as he reflects on the weight of despair many have faced under the oppressive rule of the Roses. The sight of families celebrating brings him a bittersweet sense of peace, contrasting sharply with his growing unease about Mina’s absence.

As the festival progresses, Elias’s attention turns to Rowena and her children. Rowena’s unsettling demeanor raises alarms, especially when she casually mentions that Mina has “run away.” This revelation ignites a sense of urgency and dread within Elias. He attempts to maintain his composure but is overwhelmed by a gnawing feeling that something is terribly wrong. His search for Mina intensifies as he pushes through the crowd, desperately seeking any trace of her before their scheduled meeting beneath the lanterns.

When the lanterns illuminate the sky, the moment he had anticipated becomes a stark reminder of Mina’s absence. Elias’s heart sinks as he realizes that something has happened to her. The encounter with Calista haunts him, and he feels a primal instinct surge within him, driving him to transform and search for Mina’s scent. As he races through the forest, the urgency of his mission becomes palpable, and he senses that she is in danger.

Upon reaching a house where Mina’s scent is strongest, Elias’s determination escalates. Breaking through the door, he frantically searches for her, feeling a deep connection that compels him forward. When he discovers a hidden door leading to darkness, his resolve hardens. He breaks it down and descends into the shadows, where he finds Mina lying bruised and broken on the cold ground. This moment crystallizes his despair and determination, setting the stage for a confrontation with whatever has harmed her.

**TITLE: Attachment 435**

**Chapter 435 Lanterns.**

**ELIAS**

The lantern festival had finally commenced, a vibrant celebration that marked the culmination of my time in Montrose. This event was not merely a festival; it represented the final act of a grand transition, the passing of the torch from my hands to Aiden Knight’s. For weeks, we had meticulously planned every detail, and now, all our efforts were manifesting beautifully before our eyes.

Yet, despite the festive atmosphere, Aiden and I barely exchanged a word throughout the day.

In truth, we didn’t need to engage in conversation. Each moment of silence underscored the stark differences that lay between us. Aiden was so proper, so meticulously polished, that he often reminded me of Cade from my past. Back in our Elite days, Cade’s very presence could irritate me to the point of wanting to punch him for merely breathing wrong. It felt almost cruel that the universe had decided to gift me a second version of him as a colleague.

Nevertheless, we were efficient together.

As dusk settled over Montrose, the town seemed to come alive, exhaling a collective sigh of relief. Families wandered through the streets, their laughter echoing like a long-forgotten melody of joy. It was as if they had just remembered how to live without the weight of fear pressing down on their shoulders. Lantern stalls lined every pathway, casting a warm glow that beckoned everyone closer. Children dashed about, clutching unlit candles, while couples posed for photographs beneath the long, shimmering canopy of glass lamps we had strung across the square.

I couldn’t help but smile at the scene unfolding before me.

I had once taken peace for granted, a lesson Fenra had taught me, though I had never truly witnessed the depths of despair that many had endured. Standing here, surrounded by people who had lived under the oppressive reign of the Roses for decades yet still clung to hope, was humbling in a way that stirred emotions I wasn’t prepared to face.

As I strolled through the celebration, my eyes roamed over the crowd, searching for familiar faces. After a few moments, I spotted Rowena, her children trailing behind her like little shadows. Her smile was unusually broad tonight, almost unsettling. There was always something about her that made me uneasy, but tonight, her demeanor felt even more disconcerting.

Perhaps it was the absence of Mina that heightened my unease.

Before I could think it through, my body moved instinctively. I approached Calista and seized her wrist, causing her to gasp in surprise. Rowena’s smile widened further upon recognizing me, though she quickly pursed her lips, attempting to mask her joy. “Please do take my daughter, Alpha,” she said, her voice dripping with sweetness as she bowed and pulled her son along.

Calista’s excitement bubbled over. “This is amazing, Alpha! The celebration is absolutely to die for! I haven’t felt this happy in ages,” she gushed, her smile brightening as she bit her bottom lip.

“By the way, are you staying here longer? Have you fallen in love with Montrose?”

My patience waned, and I interrupted her. “Where’s Mina?”

A flicker of something passed through her eyes—an emotion that wasn’t annoyance, which was typically the case when Mina was mentioned.

Instead, it was satisfaction, leaving me more perplexed than before.

“She ran away,” she replied casually, as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

“What?” I snapped, my brows knitting together in disbelief.

A look of feigned pity settled on her face, as if she had rehearsed this moment. “We don’t know. Maybe she tasted freedom and wandered off. She’s always been ungrateful.”

I could sense the lie hanging in the air, thick and suffocating.

Then, to my disbelief, Calista had the audacity to take my hand.

“Say, Alpha, this celebration is quite grand. You must be exhausted from all your hard work. I give wonderful massages, and perhaps… something more—”

I shoved her away with such force that she staggered back, her expression morphing into one of disbelief.

But I didn’t care.

Without another word, I plunged into the heart of the celebration, pushing through the throngs of people, ignoring their greetings and the curious glances cast my way. My heart raced as I scanned every alley, every bench, and every vendor stall.

Nothing.

No trace of her.

I glanced at my watch.

7:30 PM.

Half an hour until the lanterns illuminated the night sky.

Half an hour until the moment we had agreed to meet.

Determined, I searched again—this time with more urgency. I even approached a few festival-goers, asking if they had seen Mina, but they all shook their heads in confusion, some not even recognizing her name.

A gnawing feeling settled in my gut. Something was terribly wrong.

I sprinted down the path lined with willow trees, the cold wind whipping against my face as I reached the overlook—the very spot where I had instructed her to meet me.

It was empty.

My heart plummeted.

I checked the time again.

7:43 PM.

I told myself she might simply be running late. Mina never struck me as someone who rushed. Perhaps Rowena had detained her, or maybe she was caught up with chores. Maybe she was just nervous about our meeting.

I waited.

Minutes dragged on like hours.

I could see the crowd gathering, their excitement palpable as they prepared for the festival lights.

Still no sign of Mina.

By 7:58 PM, I felt the electric anticipation in the air. Children began counting down, and the entire town fell into a hushed silence.

Then, as if on cue, thousands of lanterns burst to life simultaneously, painting the night in hues of gold and amber, illuminating the sky above.

In that moment, a spark ignited within me, a burning realization that coursed through my veins like wildfire.

She should have been here.

As the light spread across Montrose, it only solidified the dreadful truth rising in my throat like bile.

Something had happened to Mina.

Calista’s expression replayed in my mind like a haunting refrain. That tiny smirk she tried to conceal. The sickly sweet tone she had used when she spoke of Mina running away.

Calista had always carried a faint trace of Mina, simply due to their shared living space, but tonight… something felt distinctly wrong. The familiar scent was faint, but it lingered, suggesting Mina hadn’t run far.

Or more likely—she hadn’t run at all.

My bones cracked as I shifted, fur tearing through my skin in a burst of instinctual urgency.

Then, I was running again.

Leaves and gravel scattered beneath my paws as I tore through the forest, the lantern lights becoming mere blurs of color in my peripheral vision.

I followed her scent, the only tether keeping me grounded. It was a soft sweetness, now stretched thin and frayed by fear.

Something had hurt her.

A snarl erupted from my throat, wild and furious, echoing through the trees.

I arrived at the house, skidding to a halt so abruptly that the gravel beneath my paws crunched in protest. Her scent was stronger now, undeniable, wrapping around me like a shroud.

She was here.

Inside.

But she wasn’t safe.

With a growl, I lunged at the door. Wood splintered under my weight, and the entire frame crumbled inward with a single, powerful blow.

I padded inside, forcing myself to shift back to my human form. Staggering to my feet, I rushed into the nearest room, yanking open drawers until I found a pair of sweatpants. They were small, but I pulled them on anyway, ignoring how painfully tight they felt around my thighs.

Dignity was a luxury I couldn’t afford right now.

“Mina…” I whispered, scenting the air again, desperate for her presence.

She was here. So close that I could feel my heartbeat syncing with hers.

Beneath.

The realization hit me like a freight train, causing me to lose my balance and stumble. My shin collided with something hard, scraping across the wooden floor and revealing a dark metal handle beneath.

My blood turned to ice.

I kicked the shelf aside, grasped the handle, and yanked.

It was locked.

This time, I didn’t bother shifting. Rage surged within me, potent and unyielding. I slammed my shoulder against the hidden door—once, twice—and on the third hit, the old wood cracked, and the rusted screws gave way. The frame groaned and finally tore loose, collapsing inward.

A rancid draft of stale air rushed up from below.

I dropped into the darkness.

A flicker of light fought against the encroaching shadows, struggling to hold its ground. The ground echoed beneath my steps as I landed hard, pulling out my flashlight and directing it toward the center of the room.

And then I saw her.

Broken. Bruised. Lying on the cold ground.

“Mina,” I exhaled, my voice barely a whisper, filled with both despair and determination.

As the lanterns illuminated the night sky, casting a warm glow over Montrose, the joy of the festival felt like a distant echo, overshadowed by the chilling reality that had unfolded. Elias’s heart raced as he knelt beside Mina, the vibrant colors around him fading into a blur. The laughter of families and the excitement of children seemed to mock his desperation, a stark contrast to the anguish that gripped him. In that moment, all the meticulous planning and the anticipation of the festival crumbled, leaving only a raw urgency to protect what mattered most. The weight of his past and the haunting shadows of betrayal loomed large, intertwining with his desperate need to save Mina from the darkness that had ensnared her.

In the depths of that hidden room, amidst the flickering light, Elias’s resolve solidified. The emotional arc of his journey had led him to this very moment—a confrontation not just with external threats, but with the fragility of his own connections. As he cradled Mina’s broken form, he understood that love was not merely an attachment; it was the fierce determination to fight against the odds, to reclaim hope from despair. With each heartbeat, his commitment to her surged, igniting a fire within him that would not be extinguished. The lanterns above symbolized more than a celebration; they became a beacon of his promise to protect, to heal, and to never let the shadows reclaim what they had tried to take away.

**What to Expect in Next Chapter?**

As the tension escalates, the next chapter promises to delve deeper into the harrowing aftermath of Elias’s discovery. With Mina’s safety hanging in the balance, readers can expect a frantic race against time as Elias confronts not only the physical threat lurking in the shadows but also the emotional turmoil that comes with witnessing someone he cares for so deeply in pain. The stakes have never been higher, and Elias’s resolve will be tested like never before. Will he be able to summon the strength to save her, or will the darkness that has enveloped them both prove too powerful to overcome?

Moreover, the chapter is likely to explore the sinister implications of Calista’s earlier words, revealing the web of deceit that has ensnared them all. As Elias grapples with the reality of Mina’s situation, the motivations of those around him will come into sharper focus. Can he trust anyone in Montrose, or are they all mere pawns in a larger game? The emotional landscape will shift as allies become potential threats and the truth behind Mina’s predicament unfolds. Anticipate heart-pounding moments, unexpected revelations, and a deeper exploration of loyalty and betrayal as Elias fights not just for Mina, but for the very essence of hope that binds them together.

Sara Lili

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.