Alethea
“Ally, are you okay?” Selena asks, her voice trembling with concern as she cups my face gently in her hands. Her eyes search mine, and I can feel the genuine care radiating from her.
Whoever Selena is, she must truly care about me. In just the short time I’ve been awake, her concern for me has been unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. No one has ever looked at me the way she does.
I swallow hard, my hands shaking as they move to my stomach. My breaths come faster. “I… I’m pregnant,” I stammer, my voice barely above a whisper. “How? When? Who… who’s responsible?”
My mind spirals with fear. My parents are going to kill me. They’ll say I’ve brought shame to the family, pregnant without finding my mate. Worse, I can’t even remember anything.
Selena hesitates, her hands dropping from my face. “Yes, Ally, you’re pregnant, and I’m sorry… I don’t know who’s responsible.”
The latter part comes out strained; it’s as if she’s hiding something. It feels like there’s more she isn’t saying, but I’m too overwhelmed with emotions to question her.
Tears sting my eyes as I whisper, “You don’t know?”
“No, Ally, I don’t know. When we discovered you were pregnant, we didn’t get the chance to talk about who was responsible before your accident.”
Her words settle uncomfortably in my chest. The way she says it makes it clear she’s been a significant part of my life, a life I can’t remember.
The absence of my parents and the depth of knowledge this woman seems to have about me makes me hesitant, but I ask. “Where are we?”
“Ally, we’re in Northville. We moved here from Redwood Pack after your accident. I noticed some threats to your life and thought it would be safer here.”
“Northville? Redwood?” I repeat, shaking my head in confusion. None of this makes sense. “My pack is BloodMoon Pack. How did I end up in Northville?”
“Rest, child, you need to heal first. I’ll explain everything when the time is right. For now, I need to do my rounds, but I’ll be back soon.”
I nod reluctantly. She gives a small smile before turning and making her way to the door.
As the door clicks shut, I sink back into the bed, overwhelmed by the pieces of a life that feel like they belong to someone else.
Left alone with my thoughts again, I can’t help but let my eyes drift to my stomach. From the size of it, it looks like I could give birth at any moment.
I close my eyes and try to rack my brain, searching for any shred of memory that might explain how I got here or who the father of this child is. But no matter how hard I try, my mind remains a frustrating blank.
The harder I push, the more my head begins to ache. It’s like my mind is resisting me, blocking me from the answers I so much need.
As much as I want to keep fighting, I know she’s right. My body is tired, my brain overwhelmed, and maybe, just maybe, rest is the first step to piecing myself back together.
*******
The test results finally come in, confirming what I feared most-my brain has erased certain recent events from my life. The memories of whatever brought me here, whatever led to my accident, are gone.
Selena explains how she found me. She’s been taking care of me ever since, ensuring I was safe. But the details of that time are lost to me. It’s like a chapter of my life has been torn out, leaving me struggling to piece together who I was.
I slowly begin to accept my fate. Selena has a beautiful soul, and sometimes, I find myself wishing she were my mother. With her, I feel something I’ve always craved-love.
Northville is nothing like BloodMoon Pack. The town is mostly populated by humans, though werewolves and other supernatural beings live here too.
But what’s most surprising is the absence of hierarchy. There are no Alphas, Betas, or any of the rigid ranks of a werewolf community.
Here, everyone seems to exist on equal footing, free of the expectations I’ve grown up with. It feels like a different world, and I can’t help but wonder if this place could be the fresh start I need.
I can’t just sit and let life happen to me, not after being given this second chance. Surviving the coma feels like a sign to take control of my future, even if my past remains a mystery.
I’ve started taking online courses, and to my surprise, I’ve discovered a passion for app development. It excites me, giving me something to focus on as I wait for my baby’s arrival.
Selena has gone above and beyond, filling the house with everything a child could need. From the crib to the tiniest socks.
Yet, despite her kindness, I cling to the fragile hope that the father of my child will walk answers and maybe even the promise of healing.
My baby is due in just a few weeks, and I can’t wait to meet him. I hope he looks like his father. Maybe his resemblance will unlock the memories.
“Come sit, child. Your food is getting cold,” Selena calls, pulling me from my thoughts. I hadn’t even noticed her return.
Startled, I glance over my shoulder and realize I’ve been standing at the window, lost in my head. “Oh, you’re back early,” I say.
She smiles, setting a plate on the table. “Yes, I finished my rounds quicker than expected. Now come eat before it’s too late.”
I scoop some rice onto my plate, adding some veggies. As I eat, Selena talks about her day.
Once we finish eating, I gather the plates and take them to the kitchen. Selena protests, but I insist-it’s the least I can do.
As I take a step toward the sink, a sudden sharp pain shoots through my lower abdomen. I freeze, clutching the counter for support.
The pain vanishes just as quickly as it came, leaving me bewildered. I straighten slowly, testing my movements. It’s as if it was never there.
I take another step and place the plate in the sink, ready to start washing, when the pain shoots through me again-sharper this time.
My hand instinctively rests on my stomach, and my heart starts racing as beads of sweat form on my forehead.
“Shit, what’s going on?” I mutter, though no one’s around to answer.
I struggle to steady myself and make my way back to the dining area, my steps feel heavy.
Selena looks up from her seat with furrowed brows, the instant she sees my face. Without hesitation, she rushes to me.
“Ally, what is it?” she asks.
Before I can answer, I feel another wave of pain, stronger this time. I cry out, clutching my belly as my knees threaten to give out. The pain seems to come in intervals.
Then, I feel it-something wet trickling down my legs. My eyes widened in shock. “Selena, I think I just… peed on myself,” I stammer, with a shaky voice.
Selena’s eyes widen, and her face is alarmed. “Oh no, Ally. This is it. It’s happening.”