Where Lines Don't Meet

Chapter 1 By the edge I feel like I'm going to die. There's this lump on my throat and no matter how hard I try to breathe and reach the surface, there are no chances. The old lady who seemed to be helplessly drowning kept pulling me to the depths when I tried to save her. I... can't... breathe. Bubbles occupied the whole space around me when I struggled to move. I gasped for air but the heart-wrenching water welcomed me instead. “H-Hah...” But then it ought to turn out to be a fever dream. My tired eyes closed, but the moment I opened them, I found myself in a completely different scenario. My heart skipped a beat as I gasped for air. My heart was beating so fast inside my rib cage while beads of sweat formed on my forehead. What the hell did just happen? W-Was it all a dream? “Where am I?” I feel so sick and dizzy. It was like I ran for a marathon all day long. The urgency to pass out was so strong. “Good morning, love.” My eyes widened. It wasn't too late to realize that I'm actually in an unfamiliar room... in a cozy bed... with a strange man hugging me from behind! “I'll have our breakfast delivered here,” his husky, morning voice delivered shivers down my spine. “I know you're tired from last night. You should rest.” He pulled me closer and my face heated up. I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he started to shower it with gentle kisses. “What are you...” I couldn't manage to finish what I want to say. For some reason, I'm melting with his kisses. It was hard for me to move. He got me seized in his arms and it feels like he doesn't have plans to let me go. His rough hand massaged my thighs. I was immediately caught off guard. Without thinking twice, I decided to hit him in his stomach and swiftly got on top of him. I was about to hit him again but was stunned when I saw his face. “Kade?!” My face turned bitter as disgust ran through me. His sleepy hooded eyes looked at me with amusement. He caught my hand which got frozen in the air before he proceeded to tug my hair behind my ear. Kade f*****g Fadden?! Am I really seeing this bastard in front of me right now?! He ruined my life! His vision went down on my half-opened lips. He was about to lean in when I didn't hesitate and slapped him hard. “AGHH!” He groaned. I jumped out of bed while catching my breath. How dare he show up in front of me after all he did?! I know my parents are innocent but he killed them! He then proceeded to throw me out of the pack to make my suffering much worse that night. My head ached. “Cierra...” He tried to reach for me but I stepped back. He heaved a sigh. “I'm sorry if you didn't like what I did. I thought it's fine—” “Are you joking?” He shook his head. “The doctor will come and meet you later at ten... I'm sorry about what happened in the river. I was supposed to protect you at all costs... but I wasn't there.” I stopped. So it did happen then? I did drown? But miraculously brought here only to be cuddled by him? My face was painted with disgust. I was irked at the thought. “Do you know how much I hate you?” My face hardened. “I want to punch you in the face.” He was confused about how I was acting out. Well, he deserves it, I don't think I'll manage to be nice around him. “What is happening here?” I was stopped when suddenly, a woman entered the room. I'm pretty sure she was around my age. She's got nice straight black hair, fair skin, and a very attractive face. She looks familiar, but I really can't exactly remember. She gazed at me before she fully looked at Kade. “What happened, Kade?” she clung her arms around him. “Did she hurt you or anything?” Kade smiled as he looked at her. “No, I'm fine. It was probably the amnesia that affects how she's acting out.” “Oh...” I had amnesia? “We shouldn't scare her more. I'm afraid that she must've forgotten us. The doctor will come here any minute though.” “Then you should get ready. I thought you have a meeting today?” she uttered. “Don't worry, I'll take care of her.” Kade removed her strong grip on his arm as he distanced himself. “Thanks, Janine.” It was clear that the girl didn't like what he did. Her face turned bitter but she didn't say anything. Soon enough, Kade left the room. Janine... Janine sounds very familiar. I'm pretty sure that— Isn't she Kade's girlfriend?! “You're so lucky to have him as your fiance,” she said with pure bitterness. “I knew Kade since we were kids... while you? You don't even know him. Kade was so good to the extent that he's willing to save your dying pack.” She scoffed. “But I'm pretty sure he doesn't love you though. I and him were friends since then. Everyone was expecting that the two of us will get married...” “... I am sure that if only it wasn't out of pity, I would be the one he'll be proposing to.” Her arms crossed, it was clear that she was annoyed by me, but not so long after, her annoyance faded as she plastered a smile on her face. “But never mind! I'm happy for the two of you, really. I'm just hoping that you'll treat him right... not like this,” she went to me and clung to my arms. “The doctor will be here anytime soon, you should get ready now too.” And that was what I did. I was brought back to my own room, and with the help of the maids, I was bathed nicely and dressed up in a lovely dress. Janine was just on the couch, waiting and looking at me as I gazed at myself in the large mirror. All of this feels weird. Not once in my life that I thought of this. I'm even trying to forget Kade. Nevertheless, it seems like he just knows how to come back so that he could haunt me. I know that all of this could be traced back to what happened to me in the river. Kade even knows about it. I was drowned. I was supposed to die because of that witch. Right— but where is the witch? I'm sure that she's the one who brought me to this weird place. Everything is so odd. I need to talk to her about this... but I can't see her around. “Madame, it seems like you have retrograde amnesia,” the doctor said. “I don't think so...” “Your head hit a rock when you drowned. You've been out for three weeks, and last night, you just woke up but you aren't saying anything. Alpha Kade requested to send you back here. ” He did what? “But why would he do that? I couldn't understand.” The doctor sighed. “Alpha Kade is your fiance, ma'am.” I kept quiet. I don't know what to say. “Don't worry, madame. It won't be long and your memories will come back on their own. In the meantime, it is recommended that you'll take a rest and avoid stressing yourself.” The comforting warm afternoon wind blew. Time had passed by and the doctor has left. He said that I will still meet him again for continuous therapy sessions. But I'm really not looking forward to anything. I want to leave. I don't belong here. Everything he said remained blunt in my mind. Never in my wildest dreams that I'll accept that he was my fiance. I stood up. I was currently hiding here in the garden. I sat on the bench for so long but they still didn't find me. “Where is Miss Cierra?! Alpha Kade would be so angry once he knew she was missing!” What a shame to think they're not doing their job well. If I were them, I would already find myself within a minute. All they do is panic. “Cierra.” I frowned. My head turned to the one who just spoke. It was Janine. She was showing no emotion while her hands were at her back. “What are you doing here?” she asked. “We are looking everywhere for you.” I looked away. She moved closer and stood by my side. “I want to be alone,” I said. “I would appreciate it if you'll just leave.” Instead of listening to me, Janine straight up held my hand and started to pull me. She giggled which just left me confused. “I know you're just bored. Let me take you somewhere that'll ease that.” For an unknown reason, I just let her drag me somewhere. It wasn't too long after that when she stopped. My brows furrowed. In front of us were tall green bushes that is arranged to follow a structure of tall walls. A maze. “I think we should go back. It's already getting late,” I said calmly. It was clear that Janine didn't like it. Her smile faded especially when I took a few steps back. “Why would we?” she pulled me forcefully, and this time, we both entered the maze. “This will be fun! Why don't we bet who'll reach the finish line first?! I'm sure you'll get there in no time!” We continued to walk inside and slid to different openings. I tried to look back to see if I could still remember the way. But it's absurd. “I'll leave you now. I'll see you by the end!” I was immediately horrified. “No—Janine, don't leave me here!” But it was too late. She left with no interest in looking back. I bit back my tongue and hugged myself. The sun is already settling. Time continued to pass by as I just let my feet take me to wherever it is. The walls are just too thick and tall. Even if I'm tall and I tiptoe, it was just too impossible to overlook the other sides of the maze. “This is so dumb,” I whispered. When half an hour had passed and there was still no progress, I could swear that I might just die here and no one would notice. I was lost. There are some times that I could hear someone calling out for my name and I would respond. But the voice will just fade and I was left alone again. I think I might just be talking to voices at the back of my mind, it's foolish that someone will have the interest to find me here. I'm already thirsty. I haven't taken my breakfast and lunch because I don't have the appetite. Now, my stomach is hurting so bad. I feel so tired. I just got here and all the events are weird. What are the possibilities that I might get poisoned here? But then I was petrified when out of a sudden, a rough hand gripped me strongly on my arm. “AAAHHH!” Before I could make any more noise, I saw Kade. He was raging with anger, but he also looks worried and tired at the same time. Sweat was trickling down his face and chest while he was catching his breath. I thought he was going to say anything, or even scold me— but I was breathless when he pulled me close for a hug. “Kade—” I feel overwhelmed. Different kinds of emotions were bursting out inside me. I feel like I'm going crazy. “We'll go back now,” he said.