Even if you forget me

He felt it before he understood it. A sharp, invisible pull like something deep in his soul had just been yanked awake after years of silence. The alpha froze mid-step. There. Across the street. Standing under the dim glow of a flickering streetlight, surrounded by people who meant nothing… was him. His mate. Alive. Unharmed. Unchanged. For a moment, the world around him ceased to exist. The noise of passing cars, the chatter of strangers, even the wind, everything faded into nothing. All that remained… was him. The one he had abandoned his realm for. The one he had searched for across worlds. The one he had never stopped loving. His chest tightened painfully as memories rushed back warm laughter, whispered promises, a bond that once felt eternal. “I finally found you…” he breathed, voice barely more than a whisper. His feet moved on their own. One step. Then another. Closer. Closer, Until he stood right in front of him. Up close, he looked exactly the same. Those same eyes. That same face. That same presence that made his wolf restless and calm all at once. It was him. There was no mistake. Emotion clawed its way up his throat as he reached out slightly, as if afraid that touching him would make him disappear. “...It’s me,” he said softly. “I came back for you.” Silence. The man blinked. Then frowned. Confusion slowly replaced the neutral expression on his face as he took a small step back. “…Sorry,” he said, his voice polite but distant. “Do I know you?” The words hit harder than any blade. The alpha’s hand froze mid-air. For a second, he couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Couldn’t understand. The bond, he could still feel it. It was there. Faint… but real. So why?, Why was he looking at him like a stranger? “…You don’t remember?” His voice cracked despite himself. The man shook his head slowly, clearly uncomfortable now. “I think you’ve mistaken me for someone else.” No. No, that wasn’t possible. The alpha staggered back slightly, his entire world tilting. He had crossed realms. Given up everything. Endured years of loneliness and war just to find him again. Only to be met with… Nothing. Not even a trace of recognition. His wolf howled in agony inside him, the bond trembling like it was on the verge of breaking. But still— Still, he couldn’t walk away. Because no matter what… This was his mate. Even if he had forgotten. “I didn’t make a mistake,” the alpha said quietly, his voice dropping into something deeper, something resolute. Those eyes lifted again, meeting his. And this time, there was something else in them. Not recognition. But unease. “…Who are you?” the man asked. The alpha stared at him for a long moment. Then, slowly, painfully He lowered his hand. “…Someone,” he said, forcing the words out, “who won’t leave this time.” Even if you’ve already forgotten me.