Chapter 2 – The Man Wearing His Face
585 Words
Kael didn’t wake until nightfall.
The pack had dragged him into the Alpha’s old cabin — untouched since the day he died. Lira had cleaned the wounds, stitched what she could, and covered him with furs, her hands trembling the whole time.
Now she sat in the dark corner of the room, watching him.
He looked peaceful. But something about him unsettled her. The Kael she remembered had warmth in his eyes. Strength, yes, but also softness. This man was colder — like he’d been frozen inside. His breathing was even, but every so often his fingers twitched, like he was fighting something in his dreams.
He suddenly gasped and sat bolt upright.
Lira stood. “Easy—”
His golden eyes locked on her. Not the calm gold of the Alpha she remembered — this gold burned.
“You again,” he muttered. “The girl from the clearing.”
Her chest tightened. “You said my name.”
“I did?” He frowned. “I don’t know how. I don’t remember anything.”
Lira stepped closer. “Do you remember who you are?”
He looked down at his hands. Flexed his fingers. Then his eyes scanned the room — the wooden walls, the fire pit, the Alpha’s crest carved into the bedframe.
“I feel like I belong here,” he said. “I don’t know why. It’s like… pieces of a dream.”
“You’re Kael,” Lira said quietly. “Our Alpha. You died a year ago.”
He flinched. “I’m dead?”
“You were. Or we thought you were.”
“I’m not.”
“No. But you’re not the same either.”
He looked at her sharply. “You think I’m lying?”
“No,” she said honestly. “I think you believe what you’re saying. That scares me more.”
He didn’t answer. He rubbed his temples, breathing hard. “Everything’s dark in my head. Just… flashes. Fighting. Pain. Fire. Your voice.”
Lira’s heart jumped.
“You keep showing up in my memories,” he said, eyes on her now. “Why?”
“I don’t know.”
He leaned forward. “You’re scared of me.”
“Yes.”
“Good,” he said. “You should be.”
She stepped back.
But then his eyes softened, confusion taking over. “I don’t want to hurt you. I don’t even know who I am.”
The door opened.
Torran walked in, cloak soaked from rain. His eyes flicked from Lira to Kael.
“You’re awake,” he said calmly.
Kael stared at him. “You know me?”
Torran didn’t hesitate. “You’re Kael. My Alpha. My brother.”
Lira froze. Brother?
Torran walked forward. “We’ve waited a long time for you to come back.”
Kael’s head tilted. “Why don’t I remember you?”
“It doesn’t matter,” Torran said, voice soothing. “You’re home. The pack needs you.”
Lira stared at Torran. Something about his calmness didn’t sit right. His eyes looked too pleased. Too in control.
Kael didn’t notice.
“I’ll try to remember,” Kael said slowly. “But if I’m not who you think I am—”
“You are,” Torran said firmly. “You just forgot. Let me help you remember.”
Kael nodded.
But Lira’s instincts screamed louder than her thoughts.
The man lying in that bed might wear Kael’s face.
But something dark was hiding inside him
- Writer
