Her Faded Memories

Chapter Four

Nick

Only one month left until I can say goodbye to this place. Hunter and I decided to leave our pack and train with my uncle’s pack in the mountains. I was eager to learn from the best, and Mountain Pride was one of the top packs in the north. Tomorrow, Hunter will reach 21, and in a week, it will be my birthday, which means we will both be the right age to find our mates hoping to find both of ours at Mountain Pride. I had dedicated my entire life to training for this moment. To compete with the top packs, we needed a strong Luna who could elevate our pack to the next level. If my mate wasn’t there, I would choose Freya as my chosen mate. Intelligence and power emanated from her, while she treated everyone she met with care and sweetness. The best trained Freya, the daughter of one of our top warriors, and it showed.

I maintained a steady pace as I made my way down the path that always brought me to the tranquil lake. The lake was in the community’s central park. I stood still, marvelling at the sight of the lake and the scenery of the trees and bushes. Growing up, this was the place that meant the most to my sister. Arabella was so enamoured with it she pleaded with our father to build her a small hideout near the lakes, where a blossoming tree would create a cover and make it a secret hideout. When she left, I was devastated, but her mate discovered her during a visit to our pack. She left that same day and I haven’t seen her since.

Haven’t been in the hideout in ages. The thought crossed my mind.

I strolled towards the secluded hideout and discovered a tiny figure huddled in the corner, propped up against the blossoming tree. I couldn’t move as her scent surrounded me and I recognised her as the girl from yesterday. I went completely unnoticed by her. I witnessed her silent weeping, tears streaming down her face, her gaze fixed on the floor. Next thing I knew, I was asking if she was okay, feeling really concerned about seeing her so upset. I mean, someone in our pack being this upset.

Regardless of her being an outcast girl. I had a responsibility towards every member.

As I continued to observe her, it became clear that she wasn’t a child but rather a teenager, possibly 15 or 16 years old. Although she was a wolf, she had an unusually small build, pale skin, and eyes that lacked vibrancy. Her eyes met mine, and then a sense of fear overwhelmed her.

“I’m really sorry. I didn’t know anyone else came here,” she whispered almost inaudibly.

The girl struggled to stand up from the floor.

She is still experiencing discomfort. Voiced Levi.

“You can stay where you are. It’s fine,”

I offered her a comforting smile and took a seat beside her. Despite flinching slightly, she remained still. Just as I was about to inquire about her name, I observed two identical small bruises on both sides of her cheek. In an instant, I feel a surge of anger.

“What happened to your cheeks?“ With authority, I spoke using my Alpha voice. Without even knowing her name, I was already demanding answers about what had happened to her. Relax, Nick!

She stutters, saying “Nothing.”

I nodded at her. “You’re really going to lie to your future Alpha, huh?” I spoke sharply to her.

Her gaze locks onto mine, understanding dawning fear flickering in her eyes, and she trembles slightly, avoiding my gaze.

“My apologies. I did not know you were the Alpha.”

I have to relax; she’s shaking uncontrollably, and I’m only aggravating the situation.

“No worries, I haven’t seen you before either.” I give her a warm smile as we both sat there in silence. I couldn’t fathom why her aroma surrounded me and I yearned for it endlessly. In a week, I’ll turn 21 and you can’t predict your mate’s scent beforehand. This girl clouded my mind, igniting a fierce desire within me to keep her safe at all costs. I frowned as she shuffled away from me. I wanted to be near her for a stronger scent, so I nudged closer. Look at this, a 20-year-old trying to get close to a girl four years younger. I must be crazy.

“Alpha, what made you decide to come here?”

She pulled me away from my bizarre thoughts and I gazed down at her. Curious about her habit of looking down, I gently raised her chin to meet her teary eyes with mine.

“Don’t even think about looking at the floor when you’re talking to me.” I expressed it in a more possessive way than intended.

I watched as her trembling slowed down while she kept her gaze fixed on me, and a smile spread across my face.

“My sister used this place as her hideout before she left and now it’s your spot if you’d like?.”

I released her chin, and she responded with a faint smile before gazing at the lake.

Hunter mind-linked me, reminding me of our meeting with my father once I disconnected. Looking back, I see she has disappeared.

I never asked her what her name was!

********

I was still thinking of the girl I have only seen twice but has invaded my thoughts in defiantly. When I return to the pack house, I hear Hunter and Freya arguing loudly at the bottom of the stairs.

Oh, boy!

I didn’t bother finding out the reason for their fights, as they were always about something silly or pointless. They have despised each other for as long as they’ve been able to communicate. Hunter used to tease Freya by pulling and pinching her, and she would retaliate with a rugby-style attack. Freya was a fierce she-wolf who wouldn’t tolerate disrespect, regardless of rank.

“I am your future Beta. Start giving me the respect I deserve.”

“I wouldn’t respect you even if the moon goddess kissed your ass.”

When I got between them, they were both sizing each other up. With a chuckle, I glanced down at Freya’s determined face and briefly paused. Reconsidering the idea of kissing her forehead.

Why did I suddenly feel like this?

I masked my expression and whispered in her ear that I would sit with her at dinner. That caught her attention, and she left with a smile on her face. My usual dinner routine involves eating with my parents on the alpha floor, but I can make an exception for Freya.

“You spoil her!”

Hunter snapped at me as I turned around with my arms crossed over my chest.

“Yes, she is my girlfriend and the next Luna.”

“You’ve got to be joking? She is so insufferable and has a deep-seated hatred for me.”

We went to my father’s office, and I chuckled at Hunter, saying Freya disliked him because he also disliked her. It wasn’t all one sided. We walked into the office to see my parents and Hunter’s parents. They all looked our way and smiled at both of us.

“Boys, take a seat.” The room filled with my father’s booming voice.

We sat down in the vacant chairs and listened as our parents rambled about Hunter’s upcoming birthday party and mine the week after. Our parents were throwing both of us massive parties to celebrate our birthdays and the possibility of finding our partners. I give an eye roll to every other she-wolf who is invited to both parties for the exact reason.

“My mate will be Freya.”

When my outburst happened, my mum looked at me and smiled.

“Hopefully, she is, my dear.” My mother directed her attention towards Hunter. “Who would you choose as your mate?”

“Anyone but Freya.”

Our parents, fully aware of the intensity of their animosity, laughed, and it seemed like they would probably kill each other if they were fated to be together forever.

“In all seriousness.” My father placed his hands together on his desk while speaking. “It’s important that we develop a plan to handle the rogue attacks on our territory. Our pack is being specifically singled out in the increasing number of attacks.”

Over the past six months, we’ve experienced five fatalities and ten injuries, all connected to Rogues. Special markings are always used to show the specific rogue pack, all of which have belonged to the forsaken brotherhood, the pack of the rogue king. The forsaken pack is the worst of them all, kidnapping, killing, and massacring anyone who crosses their path. I know that they’ve been attempting to intimidate us into joining their alliances, but we do not align with rogue packs. They earned the title of Rogues for a reason.

“My suggestion is to surprise them, capturing one of their warriors as bait, and then retaliating when they attack. If we find someone who will be bait, we can use our warriors to corner and capture the Rogues when they strike.”

My father nodded, but before he could speak, my mother piped up.

“Who would willingly walk towards their own demise? I think you should leave it to us to deal with.”

Hunter and I got up and as we were leaving, I spoke to my mother over my shoulder.

“I will be future Alpha mother. You need to have more faith in me.”

“Enjoy this period with no responsibilities, dear, because you still have a long way to go.”

After the eventful meeting, Hunter and I opted to go to the gym prior to dinner. An argument erupted at dinner when Hunter accidentally spilled his drink on Freya’s new jeans. Being her usual self, Freya threw her food at Hunter, hitting him square in the nose. I had to physically remove Hunter from her presence to prevent him from throwing her out the window. Compared to Hunter’s colossal figure, Freya seemed small. His massive physique made him look like a giant, and I’m convinced his hand was as huge as her face. He would crush her, but I needed her as my Luna. I was able to drag him outside, thanks to my superior strength. Despite his size advantage, my Alpha position made me stronger and faster than him.

What an eventful day this has turned out to be.