The Alpha's Forgotten Mate

Chapter Four: He Knew Who I Was

"Who am I?" My voice came out quieter than I intended. Kael didn't answer. He stood across from me, his attention shifting between my face and the photograph in my hand. I tightened my grip around it. "You know something."

"I know enough to tell you that you need to leave."

"Leave to where?"

"Anywhere that isn't here."

I almost laughed. "That's your answer?"

"Elena…"

"No." I stepped closer. "You don't get to appear out of nowhere, tell me I'm in danger, and then refuse to explain anything."

His jaw tightened. "I am trying to keep you alive."

"Then tell me why I'm in danger."

He looked away.

That tiny movement told me everything. He knew. Maybe not everything, but enough. And suddenly, I wasn't scared anymore. I was angry.

"You knew something was wrong with me."

"No."

"You recognized the photograph." Silence.

"You recognized the symbol." He still didn't say anything.

"And you knew about the bond." His eyes snapped back to mine. My heart jumped. I didn't need him to say anything. His reaction said it all.

"You knew."

Kael took a slow breath.

"Yes." The word landed harder than I expected.

I stared at him. "You knew I was your mate."

His expression didn't change. "Yes."

"Since when?"

"Since the moment I saw you."

I felt something twist painfully inside me. "Yesterday?"

He nodded.

"Then why did you pretend you didn't know?"

His eyes hardened. "Because you cannot be my mate."

I blinked. "What?"

"I know what the bond says."

"Then why are you denying it?"

"Because the bond doesn't change what you are."

I stared at him. "What am I?"

He stepped closer. "You don't know what you're carrying."

I instinctively stepped back. "Stop talking in riddles."

"I'm not."

"Then speak plainly."

He immediately moved between me and the street. My irritation returned. "Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Protect me like I'm some helpless child."

His eyes narrowed. "You don't understand the danger."

"And you refuse to explain it!"

His expression softened for half a second. "I can't."

"Can't or won't?"

He didn't answer. I laughed bitterly.

"Exactly." I turned toward my house.

"Wait."

I stopped.

"Come with me."

I looked over my shoulder. "Why?"

"Because whoever entered your house may come back." I wanted to refuse. Every part of me told me not to trust him. But another part, the part connected to my wolf, wanted to move closer. I hated that part. "Fine." We walked toward the edge of the village.

For several minutes, neither of us spoke. The silence became unbearable. My thoughts drifted back to everything I'd been told, and everything that had been kept from me. Finally, I asked, “What happened to my parents?” Kael stopped and I turned around facing him. His face was unreadable. "Why are you asking me?"

"Because you know."

He looked at the photograph. "Your mother was named Liana."

My breath caught. I'd never heard that name from Mrs. Hale. "How do you know?"

"She was connected to my family."

"How?"

Kael hesitated. "That's complicated."

I groaned. "Everything with you is complicated." A faint smile almost appeared on his lips. Almost. Then it disappeared. "Your mother was running from someone."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

I stared at him. "You expect me to believe that?"

"I know she was protecting you."

"From what?"

"From people who wanted you dead."

The world seemed to tilt. "Why?"

Kael looked at me. "Because of your father."

I frowned. "What about him?"

"He belonged to a bloodline that hasn't existed openly in eighteen years."

I looked down at my wrist. The crescent mark suddenly felt heavier. "What bloodline?" Kael didn't answer.

"Tell me."

"I can't."

I stepped closer. "Then why did you bring me here?"

"Because I need you away from Silvermoon."

"You don't get to decide where I live."

"I know."

"Then stop deciding for me."

His expression tightened. "I rejected you because I thought distance would keep you safe." I stared at him. The words hurt more than I wanted them to. "You rejected me to protect me?"

"Yes."

"You could have told me."

"I couldn't."

"Why?"

"Because if the wrong person heard you were my mate, you'd be dead before sunrise." My anger faded. For the first time, I saw how serious he was. Still, I couldn't let him control my life. "You don't get to decide whether I'm worth the risk."

Kael's eyes softened. "No."

He looked away.

"But I can decide what I'm willing to risk." Before I could respond, a howl echoed through the forest. Kael immediately turned toward the sound. His entire body stiffened.

"What is it?"

He raised one hand. "Stay here."

I frowned. "I'm not…"

"Elena." His voice was firm. "Stay." He disappeared between the trees. I stood there for several seconds. Then I heard something. A branch snapping behind me. I turned. There was nothing there. My heart began pounding. "Kael?" No answer.

Another sound. Closer this time. I took a step backward. My wolf growled. “Run.” I listened. I turned and ran. I didn't make it far. A hand suddenly grabbed my arm. I screamed. Then another figure stepped from the darkness. Before I could see his face, a deep growl tore through the forest. It was Kael.

He appeared between us so quickly that I barely saw him move. The stranger released me immediately. I stumbled backward, barely keeping my balance. Kael stepped between us, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Who sent you?” The man said nothing. Then he shifted into a wolf. I stumbled backward. The wolf disappeared into the trees. Kael stood frozen for a moment. Then he looked at me. "Elena."

I could barely breathe.

"That wolf..." Kael walked toward me."You need

to understand something."

"What?"

His expression was grim. "The people looking for you aren't going to stop."

He glanced toward the forest. "And now they know exactly where you are.”