The Alpha’s Forgotten Mate

Everly ran as fast as she could. Her breath was fast, her feet running on the cold, hard ground. Shadows chased after her. Her heart hammered in her chest, her eyes wide with fear. She didn’t know what or who was behind her, only that it was after her and she had to escape. Sticks snapped under her feet and branches reached out to claw at her arms and face as she raced through the dark forest. 

She ran for a long time, long enough for her muscles to scream for her to stop but she couldn’t. She stumbled, catching herself just before she fell and gasped when she looked back. Whatever was chasing her was closing in and they were closing in fast. 

Everly clutched her head, wincing when a sharp pain shot through her head but she kept moving. The trees around her blurred as her vision dimmed, and then, her foot hit something that sent her falling forward.

She hit the ground hard, the world around her spinned as she tried to get up one last time but her body failed. Her legs felt heavy, almost numb. So she lay there, gasping for air while the footsteps came closer and closer until they were all she could hear.

Then, everything went… silent.

****

Everly’s eyes shot open, her body dropped with swear and her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. It was a dream? Her heart still raced. She looked around, blinking, trying to understand where she was.  Sunlight entered through tall windows, casting a warm glow across the grand room she had never seen before. She looked down and noticed she was lying in a massive, king-sized bed covered with thick blankets and pillows.

She tried to sit up but that was a bad idea because she was stopped by a sudden throb and dizziness. The pain in her head had returned. Slowly, she looked around the room. Again.

She had no idea where she was. Or how she had gotten here. None of it felt real.

She pressed her palms against her eyes, trying to remember something—anything—before the nightmare. But there was nothing. Just a vast emptiness where her memories should be.

A creak made her jump. She turned to find a man watching her from a leather armchair near the bed. She hadn't even noticed him there. He had short gray-streaked black hair. He was older, lean but muscular and calculating brown eyes that studied her like she was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.

"You're finally awake," he said, his voice steady and measured. "I'm Silas…Silas Blackwell."

Everly clutched the blankets tighter. "Where am I?"

"Somewhere safe." He leaned forward,along Everly to move back slightly, elbows on his knees. "What do you remember?"

"Nothing." The word came out as a whisper. "I don't—I can't remember anything."

Silas nodded as if he'd expected this. "You were in an accident. The trauma affected your memory."

"What kind of accident?"

"That's not important right now." He stood, smoothing his jacket. "The only thing important is that you’re safe and in the right place where you belong."

She felt a chill run down her spine. "And where exactly is that?"

"This is Blackwell Manor. My brother's home." He paused, watching her reaction. "Your home too, actually. Or it will be, in three days."

Everly's stomach dropped. "What do you mean?"

"You're to be mated to my brother Callum. The ceremony was arranged before your accident." His tone left no room for argument. "He's the Alpha of the Midnight Pack."

The word 'Alpha' triggered something—a flash of fear, gone before she could grasp it. "I don't…how can I be mated to someone that I don’t remember."

"We have everything ready. All we need is a Luna now. The ceremony cannot be postponed." Silas moved toward the door. "Pack politics, you understand."

"No, I don't understand!" Everly pushed herself up, ignoring the dizziness. "Where is he? This Callum?"

"Handling a pack crisis. He'll return when he can." Silas opened the door. "Rest. Dr. James will check on you shortly."

The door closed softly behind him, leaving Everly alone with her racing thoughts. She ignored her shaky legs and forced herself out of bed , stumbling to the nearest window. Beyond the glass lay sprawling grounds surrounded by dense forest. The property was beautiful, but all she could think about was how far she'd have to run to escape.

She tried the open the window. Locked.

A knock interrupted her thoughts. A woman entered, carrying a tray. She looked young, and her eyes looked kind. Everly looked closely and saw something else in her eyes…pity?sympathy?

"I'm Maya," she said softly, placing the tray on the table. "I brought you some tea."

Everly watched her warily. "What is this place?"

Maya's eyes darted to the window, then back to Everly. "I'm here to help you feel better." She hesitated. "The tea will help with the headache."

Everly arched her brows. “You ignored my question. How did you know I had a headache?"

"You always do, after the nightmares."

Everly stared at her. "You know me?"

"I..." Maya looked away. "I should let Dr. James explain things."

Before Everly could press further, another knock came at the door. An older woman entered, her silver-streaked hair pulled back in a neat bun. Maya quickly excused herself, leaving Everly with the newcomer.

"I'm Dr. James," the woman said, approaching with a medical bag. "How are you feeling?"

“Like I’m being held prisoner,” Everly replied.

Dr. James’ expression softened. “Child, you’re not a prisoner. You’re being protected.”

“From what?”

The doctor checked her eyes with a small light. "That's not for me to say. But I can tell you that you're safe here."

"Everyone keeps saying that," Everly said. "But if I'm so safe, why can't I leave? Why can't anyone tell me what happened to me?"

"Some answers might do more harm than good right now." Dr. James pulled out a small vial. "Take these for the pain. They'll help you sleep."

Everly didn't take the offered pills. "In three days, there's supposed to be some ceremony. The other guy said it’s for me but I don’t understand. Please…I beg of you. Say something… please."

Dr. James's hands stilled for a moment. "You need rest, not questions."

"I heard voices last night," Everly pressed. "In the hallway. Someone was arguing about powers. About securing them before 'they' find me."

The doctor's face remained carefully neutral, but her fingers tightened around her medical bag. "The medicine will help you sleep. You need your strength for what's coming."

She left before Everly could ask more questions. The door locked with a soft click.

Moving to the window again, Everly pressed her forehead against the cool glass. She had to leave this place but where would she go? She didn’t even know where this place was. Oh moon goddess, help me.

The morning light did nothing to lift Everly's spirits. She stood before the ornate mirror in her room or should she say her prison, really—studying her reflection. Dark circles covered her eyes. Her fingers traced the reflection of her face, wondering if she had always looked this haunted.

As she changed into the clothes someone had left for her, a flash of something in the mirror caught her eye. Turning, she saw an ugly mark on her shoulder—a scar, about three inches long. She gasped and traced around it. She tried to remember how she got it, but like everything else, the memory slipped away like water through her fingers.

The clothes felt foreign on her skin. Expensive, tailored pieces that someone else had chosen. Did she usually wear things like this? The soft sweater and fitted pants seemed to belong to a different person, someone who lived in mansions and attended ceremonies with powerful Alphas.

After walking around her room for what fe