My Mate

2: Lost

Levy fought to let her heavy eyes open as she felt a strong breeze blow over her. She was outside and shivered slightly at the unexpected cold. Her body felt heavy and she knew nothing; with no memory of anything. The only thing she knew was her name.

Another gust of wind blew past, and the weight of Levy's body disappeared. She felt as light as a feather. Sitting up, she looked around. Somehow, she was in a field. On the outskirts of the field, laid a forest. It created a blanket of privacy from anything that lay beyond. In front of Levy, was the one side of the field not surrounded with trees. Instead, there lay a lake, so big, that water was all Levy could see. She stood there, bringing her arms around herself, shielding herself from the harsh breeze. Closing her eyes, she took a breath, trying to remember something - anything. Fear and confusion were the only emotions she felt at first, but somehow, a wave a peace washed over her. A half smile making its way upon her face.

In the distance, a twig snapped, catching Levy's attention. Her breathing picked up ever so slightly. As Levy turned towards the sound, a brown blur was coming straight at her. The force of it caused her to fall backwards, landing painfully on her back. The blur came into focus, revealing a mad and hungry wolf. It's heavy paws stood either side of her head and legs as it's drool dripped out of it's huge mouth. Levy screamed and squirmed in an attempt to get away, but the wolf was faster. It's sharp teeth pieced through the skin of her shoulder, causing Levy to release a pain filled scream. Before the wolf had removed it's teeth, growls were heard, and it was thrown to the ground beside Levy, ripping her skin with it. Levy laid there, gripping onto her now bloodied shoulder, tears drenching her face. Her vision became blurry and darkened, as all sound was replaced by a high pitched wailing. Her body then felt weightless, as it was being placed onto something soft and furry. Tingles flowed through her body, lessening the pain every so slightly. Her vision finally gave out and another wave of peace washed over her...

❧ ❦ ☙

The first sense to awaken was Levy's hearing. Male voices talking. No; Arguing. That's what Levy heard. Next was her touch. Pain rushed through her shoulder, making her wince. She felt the soft material of a bed under her, and the comfy blankets over her cold skin. Smell was the third awoken sense. The smell of blood and freshly cooked chicken filled her nose. Lastly, her sight. Her eyes became light, able to open at last. Looking around, Levy saw the walls of the room. A beige coloured wall with no window on one side. Turing her head, she noticed the opposite was white, with two large windows with translucent brown sheets attached to the curtain pole. In front of the foot of the bed, was a white wall with a door to the side of it, and a dresser on the other side.

Levy attempted to sit up, but a wave of pain rushed throughout her body, causing her to release a scream. The door burst open, and a beautiful smell filled the air. Levy's eyes closed tightly, as her breathing picked up, her body refusing to make the pain go away. Levy felt arms gently lay her back down, feeling those same tingles from before. The person held Levy's arms for a few seconds, as the pain faded and her breathing was returned to normal. Her eyes opened, revealing the person in front of her. Worry was spread across his beautiful face.

"You shouldn't move." His voice was so relaxing. Peaceful. It made her feel calm. However, the calmness instantly vanished as panic overtook Levy.

"Wh-who are you? Where am I? What happen-" Levy tried rushing out all the questions on her mind at once.

"Just breath. I'll answer all your questions." The man before her replied. Levy took a breath and nodded, showing him that she was ready for him to talk. "I'm Orion. But people call me Ryan. You're in my bedroom. I have people here that can help you. You got attacked by a wolf, and the wound you attained is deep. But it is healing well so far. Now my turn to ask questions. What's your name?"

Levy just laid there, searching her memory for reasons why this happened to her.

"Levy." It was all she said.

"How did you end up on our territory?" Ryan asked.

Levy laid in deep thought before shaking her head. "I don't know. Levy. That's all I remember. I don't even know if that name belongs to me." Sadness filled Levy's heart at not knowing anything about herself or where she came from.

"I see..." Ryan answered, him too, in deep thought. "I'll have a friend see if they can find anything out about you. You have no reason to fear us. We wish to help." For some reason, all doubt in Levy vanished. How was it that she was able to trust this stranger with her life when there was no proof to his words? He could be lying. Why did she believe the words he spoke were the truth?

"I'm scared." Levy shocked herself with the words that came from her mouth. Revealing a weakness to a stranger wasn't smart and she knew that. So what made her admit it?

"I don't blame you. Having no memories, now laying in a strange place with a stranger. A wolf for that matter." Ryan sighed, leaning on the wall.

"A wolf?" Levy questioned.

"Yes. A wolf. You know? Animals, mates, packs, Alphas?" Ryan sounded surprised that Levy was unaware of the existence of wolves.

"Wait. Werewolves? Like in books and on TV?" Her heart rate picked up ever so slightly, as she tried to understand the fact. It would explain what had happened when she was attacked.

"Yeah. Some call us WolfBloods, some Werewolves. But we just prefer 'wolves'." Ryan explained. "And you're my mate. Which is rare for a wolf to be mated with a human."

"Are you disappointed?" Levy asked, feeling confused by the sadness leaking from her voice.

"No, no! It's just rare, that's all. Alpha Lan has allowed you to stay here. With me. In the pack. Obviously you'll have to abide by the packs rules and such, but we are aware that you aren't as strong as us and can't do all of the same things. When we go on pack runs, you can ride on my back or we'll get you a cart that I'll pull or something since it's mandatory for you to join, and you'll help the females with the cooking and cleaning." At his words, anger started to find it's way into Levy.

"I probably have a family out there, somewhere. A home. I never agreed to stay here. And females cooking and cleaning is a bit sexist don't you think? Personally, I love a man that can cook. And I cannot clean!"

"I thought you didn't have any memories?" He was amused - evident by his tone of voice. His right eyebrow was raised slightly, complimenting his smirk.

"I don't... That just came out. But it feels right. It feels true." Levy looked at the ceiling, still laying down. "Listen, Ryan. I appreciate this; I really do. But I can't stay here. It feels right but wrong. I'm confused..."

Ryan walked over to Levy, looking at her in the eyes. Searching her soul. "Then let's make a deal. You stay here until you've fully recovered and your memories have returned, or we find out where you are from, then we can re-visit whether you stay or leave? Just give me a chance. You're my mate, and I need you. You're my weakness and strength. We can be everything to each other if you just give me a chance. Please." To Levy, it sounded like he was begging. But it made sense what he said about waiting for her memories. Even if she did leave at that moment, where would she go? What would she do? She nodded in response, and they both exchanged smiles. "Thank you. I'll go get you some dinner." With that, Ryan left the room, leaving Levy to process what just happened.

❧ ❦ ☙

A few moments later, the door opened, and Ryan had returned carrying a plate with a sandwich. Walking over to Levy, he placed the plate on the bedside table and carefully helped Levy sit up, placing pillows behind her. The pain was so intense, it caused Levy to bite down on her lip until she drew blood. Ryan sighed, and dragged his fingers lightly across her lips and then her arms. A sigh of relief escaped Levy's mouth as the pain faded slightly.

"How do you do that?" Her voice was timid as she questioned the pain relieving touch.

"It's one of the benefits of having me as your mate." Orion was straight to the point, placing the plate on Levys lap. She proceeded to lift the top slice of bread to see chicken, lettuce, tomato, and ketchup. She took the tomato out and placed it on the plate, before putting the bread back on top.

"Don't like tomatoes?" Ryan's voiced caused Levy to look at him and shake her head.

"I just... sort of did it. Like it was instinct." She picked up the sandwich, taking a bite, and enjoying the taste of the freshly cooked chicken and crunchy lettuce. "Good?"

"Mmhm." Levy nodded, still continuing to stuff her face.

"I'm glad." He pulled a chair from the side of the room and sat next to the bed, as a somewhat awkward but in a way, comforting silence filled the room. "I want to mark you." Ryan broke the silence, and Levy instantly stopped eating.

"As in claiming me? Linking us as one?" Levy had to force the question past the lump of nerves in her throat.

"Well yeah. I mean, it's a part of our nature." Ryan shrugged, replying casually.

"No. You can't." Tears were fighting Levy for their freedom, as time felt like it was about to stop.

"If I don't; If you reject me, I'll die!" Ryan exclaimed, panicking at the thought of his mate leaving him.

"I need time." Levy said monotonously. She looked at her lap. Ryan stood up with a nod and left the room, giving Levy space to think.