Alethea
Every part of me feels so heavy like I’ve been hit by a truck. The pain is unbearable, spreading through my entire body, and the loud ringing in my head pounds relentlessly.
“Shit,” I mutter as I slowly push myself up from where I’m lying. Everything is a blur, my mind completely fogged over as if it has shut down. I can’t remember anything.
Oh, my goddess, I hope my amnesia isn’t coming back. The thought sends a wave of panic through me as I look around, trying to make sense of my surroundings.
Everything is hazy, but I force myself to focus. I can’t lose my memory again, not a second time.
I bring a hand to my face, rubbing it slightly, and that small action seems to help. When I pull my hand away, my vision clears, and I finally take in my environment. Relief washes over me when I realize I’m in my room.
But where is everyone? Selena? Declan?
The thought of Declan snaps me out of my daze, and I abruptly sit up. I remember going to the river to check if the drowned boy was mine. I was relieved when I saw it wasn’t Declan. And then-Asher.
I gasp as the memory rushes back. Asher hit me.
Why would he do that? I thought we were on the same page about finding Declan. Why would he hurt me like that?
A voice speaks softly in my head.
“I’m sure he has a reason.”
I spin around. “Selena?” I call out, but everywhere is quiet; there is no one in sight. It must be my imagination.
“It’s not your imagination, dummy.”
I jump, as my heart hammers in my chest. The voice is inside my head. Where is it coming from?
“It’s me-your wolf. Hi, I’m Xena.”
Oh, I am a dummy. I mutter under my breath, and Xena giggles softly.
I had waited so long for my wolf, but my inability to shift at the right age made me forget what it was supposed to feel like. I anticipated this moment for years, yet now that it’s here, I can’t wrap my head around it.
My heart swells with Joy as I stare into the distance.
“You mean to say Asher had a reason for hitting me?” I ask, now comforted by the fact that I finally have a companion to talk to.
“Yes, he has his reasons.”
I slowly shake my head. What reason could he possibly have?
Or could it be… Maya and Asher have been planning this all along? Were they just playing me? Did he take Declan away from me as revenge for denying him access to his child for so long? Did he take my son back to the Redwood Pack?
Are Asher and Maya back together?
Is Maya playing stepmother to my child?
The thoughts are all over me, like a raging storm of fear and I panic. My hands turn clammy, my breathing quickens, and my pulse pounds in my ears.
My worst fear has come to life. Asher has my son. Maya is playing stepmom.
“Chill, big lady. You’re going to give yourself a heart attack.”
“Oh, shut up, Xena!” I snap. “Why didn’t you fight back when Asher hit me? But no, you decided to sleep for so long, and now you’re telling me to chill?”
She laughs softly and shakes her head in amusement.
I glare at nothing, as anger bubbles up inside me. “What’s so damn funny? I’ve been worried sick, and all you can do is laugh?”
“Oh, Alethea, is this how you treat your wolf, your very first day meeting me? Don’t be rude.”
She smiles gently, wagging her tail.
I let out a frustrated groan, running a hand through my hair. Just like that, my anger flares all over again.
My legs move on their own, carrying me straight to my son’s room.
“Please, let him be there,” I whisper a silent prayer.
If the goddess somehow brought me back to my room, maybe she brought my son home, too. The thought sends a slight chill through my heart, a fragile hope I desperately cling to.
I push the door open, but the room is empty.
My heartbeat pounds in my chest, panic threatening to consume me. No, don’t think the worst. My boy is safe. The words keep ringing in my head, and I hold onto them like a lifeline.
Determined, I make my way to the backyard. Selena and Declan often play there. Maybe they’re there, I tell myself, quickening my pace.
My senses are sharp now, my ears straining for any sound. Then, I hear it, soft giggles.
My heart stops for a moment before pure joy surges through me. I rush to the backyard, barely breathing, and then-I see him.
“Oh, my world,” I exhale in awe.
Declan’s face lights up with the most beautiful smile.
“Mummy!” he squeals, running toward me.
I catch him in my arms and spin him around, as I bury my nose in his neck and inhale his familiar scent. Relief crashes over me so hard I can’t put it into words.
“Oh, my boy,” I whisper, holding him close before gently setting him down. I turn him around, checking every inch of him, needing to be sure he’s unharmed.
“Mummy, I’m fine,” he giggles.
I let out a shaky breath. Yes, I can see that.
“But, Mummy, you slept for so long. I thought you were sick. Grandma said you were fine, but I was still worried.”
“I’m okay, baby. Just tired,” I assure him.
Then I see her-Selena. She stands there with a broad smile, warmth in her eyes as she walks up to us. Without hesitation, she pulls both Declan and me into a tight embrace.
I breathe her in, feeling a deep gratitude settle in my heart. I couldn’t ask for a better mother figure-Selena has always had my back. But despite the comfort of this moment, questions still swirl in my mind.
How am I home? How is my son here? What happened?
Where is Asher?
Why did he hit me?
The thoughts refuse to leave my mind as we make our way toward the living room, but for now, I hold onto my son and the peace of having him in my arms.
The television is on, but the sound is muted. I don’t care what’s playing-I just need something, anything, to take my mind off everything, even if it’s just for a little while.
I sink into the couch, adjusting myself so my son is comfortable beside me. My mind is still racing, questions swirling in my head, but then-
“See, Mummy! I know this man on TV!”
Declan’s excited voice pulls me out of my thoughts. He points at the screen, his face glowing with joy. His eyes shine with admiration, so full of love for his father.
But when I finally look up, my heart stops.
The news isn’t saying anything good about Asher.