Chapter 3 3

Aria's POV

The morning sun filtered through the curtains, warming the room and coaxing me out of a restless sleep. My dreams had been fractured, filled with fleeting images of faces I didn't recognize and emotions that didn't belong to me. It was like chasing shadows in a fog, and when I woke, I was left with nothing but the hollow ache of something missing.

I sat up slowly, the unfamiliar surroundings reminding me of where I was-or rather, where I wasn't. This wasn't home. Wherever *home* was.

The knock on the door startled me, and before I could answer, it creaked open. Eleanor stepped in, her expression unreadable as she carried a tray of food.

"You need to eat," she said briskly, setting the tray on the bedside table.

I glanced at the plate of eggs and toast, my stomach twisting. "I'm not hungry."

"You need your strength," she insisted, her tone leaving no room for argument.

With a sigh, I picked up the fork and forced myself to take a bite. The food was good, but my appetite was non-existent. Eleanor watched me for a moment before pulling up a chair and sitting down.

"Do you want to talk about last night?" she asked, her voice softer now.

I hesitated, my fork hovering over the plate. "What is there to talk about? I don't know who I am. I don't know why I'm here. And everyone keeps telling me I'm someone I don't feel like."

Eleanor leaned back, her sharp eyes studying me. "You're Aria," she said simply. "You're the mate of Alpha Lucas, and you belong to this pack."

Her words settled over me like a heavy blanket. They were straightforward, matter-of-fact, but they didn't make the truth any easier to accept.

"I don't remember any of it," I whispered.

"And that's okay," she said. "Memory loss isn't unusual after a traumatic event. Your mind is protecting you from something it thinks you're not ready to face."

"Protecting me from what?" I asked, my voice rising. "Why can't anyone just tell me what happened? Why does it feel like there's this giant secret that everyone knows except me?"

Eleanor's expression flickered with something I couldn't place-pity, maybe, or guilt. She leaned forward, her voice low. "Some truths can't be told, Aria. They have to be remembered. And when the time comes, you will."

Her cryptic answer only frustrated me further, but I didn't press. It was clear I wasn't going to get any straight answers from her.

"What about Lucas?" I asked after a moment. "Why does he keep looking at me like that?"

Eleanor's lips pressed into a thin line. "Because he's your mate. The bond between mates is strong, even if you don't feel it right now. For him, it's like losing you all over again."

Her words struck something deep inside me, a hollow pain I couldn't explain. I didn't know Lucas-not the way she claimed I did-but the sadness in his eyes was undeniable.

"I don't know if I can be what he wants me to be," I admitted.

"You don't have to be anything," Eleanor said firmly. "Just focus on healing. The rest will come in time."

I nodded, though her reassurance did little to ease the turmoil in my chest.

Eleanor left soon after, and I spent the rest of the morning pacing the room, trying to piece together the fragments of my memory. It was like trying to solve a puzzle with half the pieces missing. Every time I thought I had a lead, it slipped through my fingers, leaving me more frustrated than before.

By midday, the walls felt like they were closing in. I needed air.

The packhouse was bustling with activity as I stepped into the hallway, warriors and pack members moving with purpose. No one spared me more than a passing glance, though I caught a few whispered words and sidelong looks.

I wandered outside, the crisp air filling my lungs as I took in the sprawling grounds. Wolves moved about, some in human form, others shifting seamlessly as they carried out their duties. The land was beautiful, but there was an underlying tension in the air, like the entire pack was holding its breath.

I followed a winding path through the trees, letting the sound of rustling leaves and distant howls soothe my restless mind. The forest was thick and alive, the scent of pine and earth grounding me in a way I hadn't expected.

But the peace didn't last.

A twig snapped behind me, and I spun around, my heart racing. A man stood a few feet away, his dark hair messy and his eyes glinting with mischief. He leaned casually against a tree, his smile sharp and predatory.

"You must be the infamous Aria," he said, his voice low and mocking.

I frowned, my wolf stirring uneasily. "Who are you?"

He pushed off the tree, stepping closer. "Call me Finn," he said. "And let's just say I've been waiting to meet you."

Something about him set my teeth on edge. His smile didn't reach his eyes, and his energy was off-too wild, too dangerous.

"I don't know you," I said, taking a step back.

"No, but I know you," he said, his grin widening. "And I know what you've done."

His words sent a chill down my spine. "What are you talking about?"

Finn chuckled, the sound cold and humorless. "You think you're the victim here, don't you? Poor little Aria, lost and confused. But you're not innocent. Not even close."

I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could, a deep growl rumbled through the air.

Finn stiffened, his smile vanishing as Lucas stepped out of the shadows, his golden eyes blazing.

"Step away from her," Lucas commanded, his voice laced with authority.

Finn raised his hands in mock surrender, but his grin returned. "Relax, Alpha. I'm just introducing myself."

"You've made your introduction. Now leave," Lucas said, his tone deadly.

Finn held my gaze for a moment longer before turning away. "This isn't over," he said over his shoulder, disappearing into the trees.

I turned to Lucas, my heart still racing. "Who was that?"

"Trouble," he said grimly, his eyes scanning the forest as if expecting Finn to reappear. "You shouldn't be out here alone."

"I needed space," I said defensively.

He looked at me then, his expression softening. "I understand. But the forest isn't safe right now. Come back to the packhouse."

I hesitated but nodded, letting him lead me back. As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that Finn's words had been more than idle threats.

Whatever I'd forgotten, it wasn't just about me. It was bigger, darker, and more dangerous than I could have imagined.