THE ALPHA'S FORGOTTEN MATE

CHAPTER 2

ARIA

“Please, Moon Goddess, I don’t want to die like this,” I muttered a prayer.

A light appeared, and the entire area suddenly became foggy. I was suddenly in a forest, and the moon shone upon me. I blinked profusely, trying to get a hold of my environment.

Where was I?

The last thing I remembered was being in the pack mansion before I suddenly passed out after Kade rejected me. The thought of the rejection stung my heart, and I had to find a way to get out of here.

My body ached, but I managed to get myself up. I staggered around, trying to find my way out of here. I was far away from the pack, and judging by my surroundings—I’m guessing they left me to die in the forest.

Alpha Kade left me to die.

I dispelled the thoughts and continued walking around. I noticed a cave, but there was a light coming from it. Maybe someone was starting a fire.

I staggered until I got to the cave. “H–Hello? Is someone here?” I yelled.

There was no response, and I was about to walk out until a figure appeared in front of me. It disappeared after I blinked. I ran, trying to catch up with the figure.

“Please! Wait up.”

I kept running until I got to the cliff. The figure was gone—I had been chasing a shadow all along. I slumped and cried out. My life was so pathetic. I’m the cursed girl who everyone hates, and my own mate rejected me.

Then the moon started glowing. It was glowing brighter than usual. “I’ve heard your cries, my child.”

I stumbled backward. “W–Who are you?”

“The creator of your destiny,” she replied. “I’ve heard your cries, and I’ve decided to give you another chance. But it’d come with consequences, and your fate is in your hands.”

I was confused. “W–What do you mean?”

“You’d be given a second chance and a new body,” she replied.

Before I could ask further questions—she disappeared. And I was left in a daze, suddenly feeling dizzy.

***

My eyes fluttered open, trying to get used to the environment around me. I realized quickly that I was not in a familiar place. The faint smell of lavender and honey hit me, also a little bit of antiseptic smell.

I slowly laid up on the bed, clutching my head and trying to remember something—anything. But nothing came to my head; my memories were just so vague.

Then the sound of plates falling on the ground caught my attention. I turned my head to see a girl who looked about my age and seemed so stunned, closing her mouth with her hands.

“Y—You’re awake,” she yelled. “I have to go inform the Beta. Don’t go anywhere, just stay tight. I will have the Beta come check up on you soon.”

She ran out to call the Beta. I just sat there, still confused by what had just occurred. I tried to get up, but my legs felt so wobbly that I had to hold onto the wall for support.

I stared at my reflection through the glass walls and relaxed my hands around my face, trying to recollect something. But nothing came through—my brain was completely empty.

Then I heard a voice yell, “What do you think you’re doing?”

I gasped and turned to look at a very furious man, who did not look so pleased just by the expression on his face. I could tell that he’s the Beta the girl was referring to.

He walked towards me, and I started panicking, fearing that he might do something to me. But I was quite surprised when he gently touched me instead.

He carried me in a bridal style back to the bed and laid me on it. “You shouldn’t try to get out of bed. Your body is still healing, and you need to rest.”

I don’t know why my heart fluttered, but I could tell that I wasn’t used to receiving such care and attention. It made me wonder what my life was actually like.

“W—Who are you?” I asked, my voice low and steady.

He smiled. “My name is Rowan. I’m the Beta of the Silver Pack, and you don’t have to be afraid of me. I’m not going to harm you,” he assured me.

It was my first time meeting him, but I don’t know why his words comforted me so much. Like, I knew he was saying the truth and would never harm me.

“Where am I?” I asked again.

I blinked at him in confusion, my mind struggling to process everything he just said. “Silver… Pack?” The name didn’t sound familiar, but at the same time, something about it tugged at a distant corner of my memory.

He nodded patiently, pulling a chair closer to the bed and sitting down beside me. “Silver Shadow Pack,” he said softly. “You were found near the borders two nights ago, unconscious and bleeding. A few rogues discovered you and brought you here before the guards could chase them off.”

My brows furrowed. “Rogues?”

“Yeah,” he said, studying my expression carefully. “They didn’t stay long. Just left you at the gates and disappeared before we could question them. You were lucky, honestly. Most rogues would’ve left you for dead.”

I swallowed hard, staring down at the blanket covering my legs. My hands trembled slightly as I picked at the fabric, my thoughts spinning. I couldn’t remember any of that.

“I don’t…” My voice came out shaky. “I don’t remember being attacked.”

Rowan leaned back slightly, his gaze softening. “You hit your head pretty bad. It’s not unusual to have memory loss after something like that.”

He said it so calmly, but deep down, I could tell there was more behind his eyes—like he was wondering who I really was.

I tried again, closing my eyes and forcing myself to think. But all that came to me were flashes. A red moon glowing in the sky. A searing pain spreading through my chest. And a name echoing faintly in the darkness.

Kade.

The name made my heart twist painfully.

When I opened my eyes, Rowan was still watching me, concern written all over his face. “You remembered something?” he asked quietly.

I hesitated. “Just… a name. Kade. But I don’t know who he is.”

He frowned slightly but didn’t push further. “It’s alright. Don’t force it. Sometimes memories come back slowly. You just need rest.”

He reached for a small bottle on the table and handed me a glass of water. Our fingers brushed for a moment, and I didn’t know why, but it made my chest feel lighter—like I wasn’t completely alone anymore.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“Don’t mention it.” His smile was small but genuine. “You’re safe here. That’s what matters.”

He stood up to adjust the blanket around me, careful not to make me uncomfortable. I watched him silently, noticing how different he felt compared to others I’d met before—calm, patient, kind. Not dominant or intimidating like the Alphas I vaguely remembered seeing in my dreams.

My eyes dropped to my shoulder where the mark used to burn. The skin was smooth now, only faintly glowing beneath the surface—like an ember refusing to die out. I quickly covered it with the blanket before he noticed, but his sharp eyes caught the motion.

“What’s that?” Rowan asked quietly, tilting his head.

“Nothing,” I said too quickly, clutching the fabric tighter.

He didn’t argue, but the curiosity in his eyes didn’t fade. “That mark… it’s special, isn’t it?”

I looked away, unsure how to answer. “I don’t know. I can’t remember.”

He hummed softly, not pressing further. “Alright. When you’re ready, you can tell me. Until then, no one will touch you here. I promise.”

Something in his voice made me believe him. His tone wasn’t just kind—it was protective. Like he’d already decided he wouldn’t let anything happen to me.

I should’ve been afraid, but instead, I felt… safe. Safer than I had in a long time.

“Why are you helping me?” I asked quietly.

He smiled faintly, resting his elbows on his knees. “Because everyone deserves a chance to heal. And because my instincts tell me there’s something different about you.”

I tilted my head slightly. “Different?”

He chuckled softly. “Yeah. My wolf’s been restless ever since I brought you here. It’s like… he recognizes something in you. But that’s impossible, right?”

I didn’t know what to say, so I just stared at my hands, pretending I hadn’t noticed the way my chest fluttered again.

Rowan stood after a while, walking toward the door. “Get some sleep. I’ll check on you in the morning. And if you remember anything—no matter how small—tell me, okay?”

I nodded quietly as he left the room, his scent of pine and smoke lingering in the air.

When the door closed, silence filled the space again. I stared out the window, the moon shining faintly through the glass.

Sleep came slowly, but when it did, it wasn’t peaceful.

The moment my eyes shut, the darkness around me shimmered—and then I heard it.

Aria.

The voice was deep, familiar, broken with guilt. But I didn't know who's it was.

My mark burned beneath my skin, glowing through the blanket. I gasped in my sleep as the pain flared again, light spilling across the room.

And somewhere deep in my chest, something ancient stirred—something that refused to stay forgotten.