Tethered Notes:

• Deleted ending
** Unedited. Not worrying about fixing anything in this chapter. **

• This scene takes place after the van transport with Chase, Dr. Kim, and Nurse Smith. Luna didn't know where they were taking her.

• These scenes are written in first-person point of view. All other versions of Tethered Souls was written in that writing style before being switched to third-person limited.

• 1,500 words

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*Luna*

As I stretch my legs, I was met with someone's hand around my waist and their chin on my shoulder.

Not knowing what the hell was going on or who the hell it was, I jerked myself away and landed on the floor of the room I stayed in at Mera's house. I turned my gaze back to the bed and realized it was my husband.

Confused, I pulled myself back up and laid down beside him, curling against his body. Somehow we were back in the house, and I was away from Chase and that doctor.

Amir looked down at me, grinning wickedly. "Is everything okay with you, wifey?"

My gaze traveled over his beautiful face, lingering on the faint lines along his forehead. "I don't know. I was in a van with Chase, the nurse, and Dr. Kim. I feared of what would happen next. They know something about Liberty that I don't."

"It's okay, Moon. It's okay. You're safe with me, and our daughter. They won't find us."

I watched as his hand lingered on my arm and around the back of my neck. I took a deep breath and gazed up at him. "Chase had an elimination serum. He injected me with it, and I thought it had destroyed our connection."

"No, Moon, your husband is here. I am here to stay." I softly chuckled. "Did you think I would let you be hauled off in a van after we were discovered?"

"I woke up and was scared to death. What happened out there?"

"When I saw them load you into the back area, I sure as hell wasn't going to stay behind while they strapped you down. They shot me with a tranquilizer, but I still pushed myself to go after you. Faisal and I caught up to an abandoned car, found the keys, and chased your van down."

One side of his lips lifted, and it was amazing how his smile, even a small one, could make my insides tumble. "I didn't think you were behind me. I was scared that they got you, too."

"They didn't get me. They wouldn't have a chance against the Khan's." Amir chuckled, and I kissed the place above his heart. He was silent for a moment, and then I looked up at him, just staring. "What is it, Luna?"

Our gazes collided and held, and my breathing became unsteady and intensified. Those beautiful, soulful eyes of his, which were such a bright and caramel color, never failed to make my emotions skyrocket. He was beautiful in a mesmerizing and stunning way that didn't seem possible, but beneath his appearance was his soul. He had true beauty within him, and behind it was an armor of steel. When I first saw him, I'd already felt that, and now, many months later, I can't help but never look away from him.

His lashes flickered, and he placed a kiss on my lips. "I was just thinking how silly it was that Chase tried to . . . disconnect us. Like that could ever happen."

"No. It couldn't. Could it, Moon?"

"Most likely not."

I smiled, knowing that could be a possibility. I didn't want to think about it right now.

"This is good. It failed. It didn't work." I narrowed my eyes, hoping the serum wouldn't eliminate us anytime soon. It could be a delayed effect that we don't know about. All I wanted to do was cherish this moment I have with him. I didn't know what to think, other than how it would suck if I was not connected to him anymore, but it still wouldn't change anything between us. We were soulmates, regardless of our tethered connection. "I mean, I hate that there is such a serum out there and our enemies can split pairs apart. But I'm praying that it doesn't do that to us. I know I can kick some butt when I have to, and I will go all She-Hulk if I need to. I'm just weaker than you."

"You aren't weak, baby. You've never been weak."

"Thanks for reassuring me, but I feel weak. Especially in that van."

"It's okay." He thrust his hands through my hair. "I've got you now."

I searched his face and stared at him. "How is everybody? How is our daughter?"

"We're all just fine. It's midnight, and everyone is downstairs asleep. After our battle, we decided to come back to the house and stay here for the night. Chase and Dr. Kim were given a tranquilizer, administered by yours truly." He gave me a quirky smile.

I scooted up on my elbow and let out a heavy laugh. "That sounds just like you."

"Yeah, well, your prince had to do something. Anyway," Amir rolled over and laid on top of me. "I think today has been . . . very frightening. A true horror show. And it was foreplay. So, if you want . . ."

"Are you wanting to make love to your wife right now?"

"If she wants to."

"All you have to do is rub the bottle the right way and a genie will pop out, granting you three wishes," I told him, feeling his teeth nibble my bottom lip.

Bringing a hand down my undies and rubbing my anatomy, slowly, he hummed. "I think I can manage that." Our kiss deepened, and I began to feel my intimate urges take over.

As Amir continued to rub between my legs, I heard a soft, masculine voice echoing in my head. "Luna!"

My eyes sprung open and I noticed Faisal rushing toward my side. He took my hand and held it tight, his eyes red and glossy. He'd been sobbing for hours, it seemed. I looked around and noticed that I was in a hospital. Then, it hit me. I was dreaming about Amir. Oh, God. What was going on?

"Faisal, what's happening? Where's Amir?"

Narrowing his eyes, he sniffed. "Luna, what is the last thing you remember?"

"I was running with the rest of you, and then I slipped down a tall hill and ended up passing out. I'd woken up in the back of a transport van with Chase, Nurse Smith, and Dr. Kim inside." The air in my lungs grew colder. "What happened with us?"

Clearing his throat, he replied, "Well, Amir was shot by a tranquilizer, and all of us used our strength to drag his body behind a set of bushes as we hid. We saw military guys, police, and SWAT team combing the area, and one of Colin's trusted contacts helped our group load us into an SUV. Raul and I ran back to where you were, but it was too late. Chase had already gotten you." He stopped for a moment and let out a shudder. "We rode with the guard to a safe location, and he told us to take the vehicle and drive. He said he will cover for us and said he was held up at gunpoint. Everyone is fine. We're all together and in a safe place. Sarah is okay, and she still has your lead ring on. There is only one problem, though."

"What?" My voice cracked.

"Luna, it's Amir."

"What do you mean?"

"Do you know if you were given anything before you fell asleep?"

"Yeah. I was given some kind of strong narcotic and a serum that didn't work on me. Chase thought it would work, but it didn't. It was supposed to eliminate my connection to Amir, but I still feel him." My lips trembled as I felt so out of control right now. "Faisal, what is going on?"

"Amir is ill."

"What do you mean?"

He frowned. "Brace yourself, Luna. It's serious."

"What?"

"When Amir woke up . . . he . . . he . . ." Faisal stuttered, unable to explain himself.

"Tell me. Please."

"Amir can't remember things."

"What do you mean?" I could barely croak anything out.

"He can't remember his childhood, who he is, or his family. He can't remember his name, his faith, or the people he knows. He doesn't even understand what he's doing in America. And Luna, he . . ."

"Yeah?" Tears continued to flow down my cheeks. I couldn't take this.

Wiping his tear-stained eyes with his sleeve, he continued, "I don't know of an easier way to tell you this, Luna. Amir can't remember you."

I turned my head and hyperventilated.

The serum didn't eliminate our connection, but it eliminated my husband's identity. I can't wait until I am out of this bed and insert the same thing into Chase. Because now, it's my turn to eliminate him and his memories.

He'd just woken the beast.

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Amir was always supposed to lose his memory at the end of Book One. The Tethered Trials are detrimental to the rest of the series. But you all know the author. Miracles and surprises pop out of thin air. Just like plot twists. 😁💫