The Alpha's Forgotten Mate

Chapter 2

A Love Forgotten

—

I walked into the palace hall, my mind a mess. Everything felt different. The palace was the same, but it felt strange. Like I didn’t belong here. The silence was heavy, and every step I took echoed in the large room. I felt lost.

Then I saw her. Aria. She stood at the end of the hall, her eyes locked on mine, full of hope. But I didn’t feel anything. I should have, right? I should know her, feel something. But I didn’t.

She took a step toward me, her voice breaking the silence.

“Tristan… Do you remember me?”

I froze. Her voice sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it. I didn’t know her. I wanted to, but I didn’t. I looked at her face, trying to find a memory, but there was nothing there.

“I… I don’t,” I said softly, my voice rough. It hurt to say it, but it was the truth.

Her face fell. She stopped walking, standing still in front of me. I could see the pain in her eyes.

“What do you mean you don’t remember?” Her voice was shaky. “Tristan, we were everything to each other.”

I wanted to believe her. I really did. But the truth was, nothing felt real. I didn’t remember anything about us. I didn’t even know if I wanted to.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I don’t remember.”

Her hands shook as she took a deep breath.

“We… We spent so much time together. Do you remember how we used to walk by the river at night, just talking about our dreams? Our future?” She stepped closer, her eyes full of hope. “Our child. Tristan, we were going to raise our baby together. Don’t you remember?”

I felt a pang in my chest. I should remember, but I didn’t.

“I… I don’t remember any of it,” I said, my voice quieter. It felt like the more I tried to focus, the more everything slipped away.

Her eyes watered.

“Please, Tristan,” she said, her voice breaking. “We were going to have a family. We promised each other we would build a life, full of love, with our child.”

I felt something stir in me at the mention of the baby, but I couldn’t place it. Was she really carrying my child? The idea scared me, but I didn’t know why.

“I… I don’t remember,” I said again, shaking my head. “I don’t remember any of it.”

Her face crumpled, and I saw her try to hold back tears.

“Tristan, please,” she whispered, taking a step toward me, reaching out her hand.

“I’m carrying our child. Don’t you remember? We dreamed about our future. We were going to be happy. Together.”

I felt the weight of her words, but nothing changed. My mind was blank, and the more she spoke, the more frustrated I became. I didn’t know her. I didn’t remember anything she was saying.

“I can’t… I can’t remember,” I said, feeling helpless. “I’m sorry.”

She stepped back, hurt in her eyes. She turned her face away for a moment, trying to control her emotions. But when she looked back at me, her eyes were full of pain. “You don’t even remember me… or our baby…” she said softly, her voice trembling.

Just then, I saw Liana standing in the doorway, watching us. She stepped in, her eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

“Aria, maybe you should give him some space,” Liana said, her tone sharp. “He needs to heal. Pushing him to remember could make it worse.”

Aria looked at her, then back at me, her face torn between anger and sadness. But she nodded and took a step back.

“I just… I don’t understand,” she whispered.

Liana gave Aria a soft, reassuring look before turning to me.

“Tristan,” she said, her voice low. “Aria’s been through a lot. You have to understand. She’s been carrying your child all this time. But now she’s saying it’s someone else’s.”

I blinked, confused. “Someone else’s?”

Liana nodded.

“Yes, Tristan. She’s been claiming it’s yours, but I know the truth. She’s lying to you. She’s been with another man. The baby isn’t yours.”

I felt my stomach twist at her words. I didn’t know why, but something deep inside me felt like I should believe her. It made sense, didn’t it? Aria’s reaction, her desperation, her pain… all of it could be lies.

“Don’t let her pressure you,” Liana continued, her voice soft but firm. “She’s using the baby to make you stay. She knows how important the pack is to you. She knows you can’t risk losing everything.”

I felt a hot wave of anger rise inside me. The thought of being tricked, of being lied to… it made my blood boil. How could she do this to me?

“You need to focus on healing, Tristan,” Liana said gently. “Aria is trying to manipulate you. You need to stay strong, for the pack. She’s the one who’s hurting you.”

I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. But Liana’s words hit hard, and the more I thought about it, the more angry I became. Aria had lied to me. She wasn’t the woman I thought she was. She wasn’t the one I had dreamed of building a future with.

I looked back at Aria, who was standing across the room, her face full of sadness and confusion. And in that moment, something inside me snapped.

“I don’t remember you,” I said, my voice cold and firm. “I don’t remember the love we shared. I don’t remember the promises we made. I don’t remember anything.”

Aria’s face crumbled, but I couldn’t stop myself.

“I can’t be with you. I don’t know who you are anymore. I can’t live in a lie.”

Her eyes filled with tears, and she took a step toward me, reaching out.

“Tristan, please… don’t do this.”

But I turned away, my heart heavy.

“I’m sorry, Aria,” I said, my voice full of regret. “I have to do this. I have to let you go.”

And with that, I walked out of the room, leaving her broken behind me.