Does he forget about me? That fast? But how so?
Suddenly,...
Damian's warning rings in my mind, louder than ever: "He's not the man you think he is. There are things you don't know about him."
I already want to choose him, just to end this pain of being torn between two fated mates. But what if I choose wrong again? I don't want another Lance Grant in my life!
After what happened with Alpha Torrin last night, I haven't stepped out of my room. I'm scared of seeing him then he'll still look at me like a stranger again.
"Maybe he hit his head while fighting the Dunebourne wolves? That could've caused a memory loss?" Harper says, as if she can read my mind. Her brows pinch together in worry like mine.
"I considered that, but the doctor didn't confirm anything. She just said not to worry, as if it's normal for Alpha Torrin to forget someone," I say.
Then,...
A thought hits me: What if he's ill? Dementia… or something worse?
I rush out of the room and head straight to where I know he'll be: his bedroom.
I stop in front of his door when voices echo from inside.
"Here's my signed decree, declaring that the Dunebourne Pack is no longer our ally. I've included the details of their betrayal to us during Harper's retrieval yesterday and to many packs, including ours, during the Ambush of the Shadowfang Pack more than a decade ago," Alpha Torrin says.
My heart sinks. So he remembers those… but not me?
There's silence for a moment before he speaks again in a softer tone this time.
"Thank you for not telling Harleigh what's happening to me."
My brows furrow in both intrigue and confusion.
So, he remembers my name now?
Damian's voice follows. "I'm in no position to meddle with that… yet. But if this affects Harleigh in any negative way or form, I'll have to tell her everything, including your…" He pauses, as if trying to choose careful words. "I mean, Alpha Cassandra Sharpe."
My stomach churns. Who's she?
Alpha Torrin doesn't answer, and only lets out a long, tired sigh.
A moment later, the door opens. Damian steps out, giving me a long, nonchalant glance before walking away.
Alpha Torrin stands on the balcony, his back to me, shoulders slouched. The wind moves his curly, silver hair as he stares out at the snowy city. When he senses me, he turns and smiles as if nothing's wrong.
I step inside, while he walks closer to me.
He then lifts my chin gently, and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch that once felt warm now feels heavy with doubt.
I force myself to smile back, but it feels awkward. "Tell me, are you sick? You didn't remember me last night. And… who's this Alpha Cassandra Damian mentioned?"
At once, his warm smile fades and his sweet gaze drops.
"I don't know how to tell you now. But maybe soon," he says.
Anger rises inside me like fire. "Soon? You've claimed me, Torrin. I was about to accept your claim last night only to realize that I don't know you at all."
Guilt flashes across his handsome face. He opens his mouth to explain, but I cut him off.
"Never mind. At least if I decide to reject your claim, I won't feel too guilty, since you weren't honest with me to begin with."
I turn to leave, but his hand shoots out and grabs my wrist, pulling me against his chest. His strong arms weaken my body, while his warm breath tickles my neck.
My heart races against my will.
"Whatever you find out about me, my love for you remains true," he says. "Last night, when I temporarily lost memory of you, our fated mate bond still stirred in my veins. I knew you were mine, even if I forgot your name and face."
I blink back my tears, then push myself away from him. "I don't know what to believe anymore. I was betrayed my whole life by Alpha Philip and Luna Lavinia, then by my chosen mate and my first love. So if our bond is built on secrets too, then maybe you're not the right fated mate for me."
Pain flashes in Alpha Torrin's purple eyes. He's fighting to hold back his tears too.
Before he can speak again and soften my heart, I rush out of his bedroom.
He calls my name behind me, but he doesn't follow.
My feet carry me straight to the pack's hospital where I search for the doctor who treated him last night.
"One's health information is confidential. Come back if you have a written consent from Alpha Torrin allowing you to access his medical record and history," she says dismissively.
With that, she walks away.
Frustration builds in my chest. I pull out my phone and search online for any clue about Alpha Torrin's health, anything someone close to him might have accidentally shared.
But,...
There's nothing.
Now desperate, I head to the library next. I scan the shelves and pull down every history book I can find about the Chandler and Frostveil bloodlines. I read for hours, hoping for a clue or some sign of a hereditary disease or strange illness.
Again,...
There's none, but only warriors who died in battle or lived long enough to die of old age.
I close the last book with the heavy silence around me.
Whatever Alpha Torrin is hiding, I must find out about it before I make my decision on whether I should accept or reject his claim.
Asking Damian directly may not work either as I don't wanna make things worse between him and Alpha Torrin.
It's already evening when I finally step out of the library. And before I can take another step, Damian appears in front of me, looking worried.
He grabs my hand firmly as if letting go means losing me.
"We're so worried about you," he says. "Were you hiding in the library all this time just because you had a fight with Alpha Torrin?"
I let out a soft chuckle. "No, why would I hide?"
Reluctantly, I explain the reason I was here, hoping he might reveal what I'm searching for. But he doesn't. Instead, he quickly changes the topic.
"Dinner will be ready soon. Why don't you come and join me?" he says.
I smile sadly. "Your father doesn't like me. Inviting me into your house might only insult him. Besides, I'd rather eat with Harper. It's been a while since we last had a proper meal together. We have so much to catch up on."
Most importantly, which I'm not brave enough to voice out, it wouldn't be right to spend too much time alone with Damian. Everyone knows Alpha Torrin has already declared his claim on me. Until I decide, being alone with Damian would only stir things that shouldn't. Our wolves might not be able to control themselves.
"I understand," he says. "But if you ever need someone to talk to aside from Harper, just call me. I'll arrange lunch or dinner in the restaurants around here."
I nod, smiling softly.
This short encounter with Damian subsides my anxiety a little, which I'm very grateful about.
Damian walks me back to the Alpha's mansion. As we reach the gates, Harper and Alpha Torrin come rushing toward me, their faces tight with worry.
"Where have you been?" Harper asks, panting.
Alpha Torrin's eyes burn with the same question.
"I just took a walk," I lie due to Alpha Torrin's presence.
Before anyone can say more, one of the Gammas runs up to Alpha Torrin, whispering something that seems urgent.
Instantly, Alpha Torrin's face tightens and drains of color.
Even so, he keeps his tone steady and commanding. "Let them in."
My brows knit. "Who's them?"
He swallows hard before he could respond, "Alpha Cassandra Sharpe of the Crimsonbane Pack, and several of her pack's Gammas and Omegas."
My suspicion sharpens. I cross my arms and glare at him. "I'll ask you again: who the hell is she?"
In the spur of the moment, luxurious cars pull up in front of the gates. Several Gammas step out first, wearing crisp military uniforms. Then follow the Omegas in neat maid uniforms, each bearing the same sigil: a red carnation, the mark of the Crimsonbane Pack.
Their bright hair colors, ranging from different shades of orange and red, is another trademark of the Crimsonbane werewolves.
Then,...
A beautiful woman steps out last. Her fiery red curls striking against her pale skin and the white snow. She smiles, but it chills me. "You must be Harleigh Hale I'm hearing about. I'm Cassandra Sharpe, Alpha Torrin's betrothed."
My eyes widen. Betrothed?!
Her smile sharpens. "I'm here to set your boundaries around him and to clarify if the allegiance between his pack and mine still stand."
The ground feels like it shifts beneath me.
So that's it. She's his chosen mate he never told me about, before daring to claim me as his own.