The Alpha's Amnesia

e wet dirt and aged wood. His head hurts, and it throbs with every beat of his heart. He touches his temple with one

a battle because his muscles are stiff and sore, yet the only struggle he remembers is the fog in his m

ows throughout the room. He tries to sit up, but his chest tightens and he stumbles, grabbing the side of the be

tries to figure out what's happ

frigid decor. Dark tapestries hang on the walls, thick rugs cover the stone floor, and ancient furniture is scatte

rds, but the tone is urgent. There is a sensation of tension in the air that he can't tell if it's coming from the peop

ey? What d

ent. He tries hard to hear but can't make out the words. But the tone seems too... fami

nd then you hear foot

from the door,

dim light. Her amber eyes are piercing and full of tenderness and worry, but there's something else there t

h from not using it. He can't get her name o

hint of sadness in her grin. "Yes

n them. He wants to trust her, but the tightnes

m his forehead. Her touch is soft, but it doesn't make him fee

voice fades away. Everything that happened before this room is a blur fo

why her name seems strange and fa

"Ryder, you're in the Blackwood Mansion." For day

them but feels a gnawing emptiness-the Blackwood House. The name rings in his head like a

they seem to have somet

signs of truth. Her eyes contact his, and they are too stead

k, his head spi

longer than it should. He can feel her skin's warmth and the tenderness of her

," he says softly, his mind raci

, his voice getting sharper. He doesn't k

s hard." "But you need time to think." "Time?" "It's not easy." Ryder cuts in, squinting his eyes as he tries to focu

re clenched into fists at his sides, and his heart races. He can almost feel it:

e head of a group. His group? But the picture is broken, gone in an instan

suspicious this time. His voice is low an

A treachery. He feels a sudden, visceral sense of loss that mak

shadow, someone from his past that he can't rec

is thoughts, and her hand is close to hi

y?" he says, his v

d, her eyes flash in a way that Ryde

dread grips his chest. His wolf is awake and mov

and regret fill his consciousness. The ac

ut to grab Elara's wrist. "Tell me

answer. A strange, quiet noise ou

e way. Something h

It was hard to see outside. It looked like it belonged to someone he didn't know. He put his fingers against th

something was amiss. She was the one who stayed with him and cared for him, yet every time he

when she said, "You are the leader of the Nightshade Pack."

ng, but it wasn't the comfort he had hoped for. The thought of being an Alpha seemed far aw

like an Alpha," his voice

im, her warm hand brushing against his and her fingers tangling with his. She muttered,

was something more there, something darker, a flash of remorse that made his stomach tighten. There was

ice broke, and there was a questi

eyes softened. "My love," she said softl

e racing. Why did that phrase seem like a lie? A

in a low voice, as if saying

ith tears that she hadn't wept yet. "I kno

ss in his chest deepened, louder than the sound of his wolf, and it seemed

very peaceful.

eces that didn't fit together. Shadows moved across the walls as he looked up at the ceiling, which was very detailed.

ng at the little table by the window. Ryder couldn't help but notice the un

me everything." his voice was steady, b

as she reached for a water pitcher. She didn't look bac

Elara, something's not right." Something I can't remember. And still... He stopped and squin

re black with worry. "You are still healing." "Don't push yourse

now why everything was wrong. His wolf twitched inside him

he sound was so mild that it could have been ima

d. He couldn't understand the words, but the tone,

is legs over the side of the bed. His

flashed in her eyes, but he

to him. She held out her hand, but Ryder

us. Ryder's eyes lit up, and his senses were on fire as he sought to figure out

lara," he remarked in an