The Mystery of You

Chapter Three

‘Her’ POV 

I stumble out into the night air and limp towards the deep forest. I place my shaky hand on the bark of a large tree and try to stifle the sob that threatens to leave my lips. 

I choke down the tears and run. 

Run. Just keep running and don’t stop. 

The same sentence keeps racing through my mind over and over again. 

I don’t know why… I don’t know where… all I know is that this is what I must do. 

My life depends on it. 

I crash through the trees as fast as my legs will carry me. Protruding branches grab at my face and body like the claws of a great beast attempting to pull me back into its clutches. 

The forest is eerily silent. 

The only sound is that of my feet hitting the damp ground beneath.

Then my heart begins to hammer in my ears. My lungs burn with a deep intensity. 

But I never stop running. 

I can’t stop running. 

My mind is consumed with terror. It’s fear that controls me. Coursing through every nerve in my body, instructing my aching limbs to move. 

To push to my absolute limits. 

It’s then that I hear it. 

The sound of someone… something following me. 

They are close. 

So close I can feel the forest vibrate around me. 

I push harder again, using every ounce of energy, every ounce of fight that I have left. 

I don’t know what they did to me but I know I can’t allow them to take me back. 

Back to that place. 

Suddenly the trees thin, the freezing air hitting my face and body like tiny shards of ice. 

My eyes widen at the sight ahead of me. 

A cliff edge. 

A steep drop to the bottom. 

Those thundering footsteps are closing in. 

Forcing me to make a split second decision. 

The voice in my head repeats again. 

Run! Keep running and don’t stop. 

My feet leave earth as I leap into the unknown. 

Somehow my body knows what to do. 

Even if I don’t, my body knows what to do. 

My bones begin to crack mid-air. 

My body morphs into a new being. 

It’s strong… it’s fast… it’s instincts take over my mind as well as my body.

I hit the ground with a bump but surprisingly continue on, pounding into the new terrain with great speed. 

I don’t know how long I’ve been running now but I keep moving forward. 

Only forward. 

I crash through the trees into a large opening and become aware of the creatures gathering around me. 

Closing in. 

It’s them. 

I wasn’t fast enough. 

I didn’t run far enough. 

My brain begins to shut down and my body isn’t far behind. 

I fight as hard as I can but I have nothing left to give. 

The world fades into darkness and I give myself over to it. 

All is lost, no one is here to save me and I fear that this is the end. 

***

Alpha Sebastian’s POV 

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*

*

“I found my true mate.” 

“What!? Wait, you found your true mate?” 

“Yeah.”

“Wow…well uhh congratulations, that’s great news is it not?” 

“It is…”

“Seb what’s wrong? Who is she?” 

“That’s just the thing… I have no f*****g idea.” 

“What do you mean you have no idea? How is that possible?” 

“Trust me it’s possible… she appeared out of the blue last night. We found her unconscious in the forest. She hasn’t woken up yet.”

“s**t… Are you okay?” 

“I’ve been better… I just want her to be alright. As soon as I know she’s okay… I’ll be fine.” 

“……”

“Aiden are you there?” 

“… yeah hey Seb listen, Natalia and I have been chatting and we are going to come back to Shadow Warriors tonight with Dan and Rosalie. We should be there by morning-“ 

“No Aiden… you really don’t have to-“

“I want to brother… besides it’s been a few weeks since we have visited.”

“Alright… well I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

“See you then… and Seb…”

“Yeah?”

“Hang in there okay.” 

“I’ll see you soon.”

*

*

*

I hang up the phone and let it rest in my hand as I lean back in the chair. 

I cast my eyes back to her once again. 

My mystery mate. 

Damn she’s utterly stunning. 

I know it’s not something I should be thinking about right now but I can’t help but admire her beauty. 

Her long, champagne gold hair tumbles down by the sides of her shoulders, unbound and free. A pair of arched eyebrows look down upon her long sweeping lashes. Her nose is small and dainty, giving her an almost fairy like quality. Whilst her pouting lips are rosy red. Small freckles fleck over her nose and cheeks like little constellations of stars in the night sky. 

I’m sure I’ve never seen a woman so beautiful in all my life. 

Suddenly my eyes reach the smooth skin of her neck and land on the mark. 

The small, red faded patch upon her skin. 

How can something so small be so threatening? How can something that looks so insignificant be so ominous? 

I rub my hand over my face and sigh. 

Fucking hell the Moon Goodess has really decided to test me yet again.

Not content with ensuring my life has been chaotic and tragic … she has to give me a mate… a true mate who has been claimed by another.

I’ve got to laugh at the fact. If I never had bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. 

I pull myself in closer by her side and reach for her small hand again, encompassing it in mine. 

She’s perfect though. I think to myself as I study her again. I’m being dramatic and acting like an asshole.

No matter the situation… no matter how much I curse my bad luck… I’ll always be thankful that she’s here. 

That I’ve found her. 

I look down at our fingers intertwined and allow the gentle tingles to comfort me. 

“What story do you have to tell me? Where did you come from? It’s time to wake up… it’s time to wake up…” I whisper softly as I brush my thumb over the back of her hand. 

Just then the door opens and the doctor sticks his head in, clearing his throat subtly. 

I reluctantly let go of her hand and wander over to the door to hear him out. 

“Alpha, we have run many tests now and there doesn’t seem to be a reason why she hasn’t regained consciousness. It could be that her body and mind have been through a lot… the body has shut down to protect itself. Perhaps when she’s had more time to rest… she’ll awaken.” he says with a look of concern on his face. 

I nod my head in answer. 

“Did you find out anything else?” 

“The X-rays indicated damage to the bones in her wrists and ankles. It seems likely she was bound in some kind of way… though her outer injuries have heeled already.” 

The anger swells within me and I take a deep breath to push it down and keep my composure. The thought of anyone laying a finger on her infuriates me like never before. 

“Anything else doctor?” 

“No… not yet. We won’t know the full extent of her injuries until she wakes up. Of course we are aware of the physical ailments but her mental stability is still in question.” 

I run my hand through my hair quickly. 

“Doctor… about the mark…”

“Alpha I cannot tell you much about it to be quite honest. It has significantly faded… indicating that her mate is most likely dead or-.” 

“Dead?” I interrupt quickly, almost ashamed by the moment of joy and relief I experience at the sound of his words. 

“Yes… as you know when a mate dies the mark begins to fade until it disappears but it could also-”  

“Will she still be able to feel that I’m her true mate?” I ask impatiently. 

“Yes… I believe she will. Being marked by another does not break a true bond.” he answers assuredly. 

Suddenly, I hear a crashing sound from behind and my head shoots around instantly to see her, my mystery mate, tugging at the IV in her arm aggressively. 

The machines around her begin to beep violently as she thrashes around in a complete state of panic. 

My eyes grow wide as I see and feel the fear radiating from her in waves. Her eyes are wild and determined despite the confusion in her movements. 

The doctor races to her side and within seconds the room begins to fill as other medical personnel run in to assist. 

“Hey there… it’s okay, calm down.” he says as he approaches her quickly. 

The look of terror on her face hits me like a punch to the gut and I watch in shock as she launches herself at him aggressively, curling her tiny fingers around his neck. 

He crashes to the floor with a thud and she lands on top of him clutching at his throat with a vice like grip.

Another doctor tries to pull her off, tugging at her body. 

I break out of my trance and storm towards the scene, my temper flaring at the sight of someone handling her so forcefully. 

“STOP!!” I shout out amongst the chaos. 

I pull the doctor back by the collar and toss him to the side, bending down quickly to secure my grip around her waist. 

“Shhh stop… let him go. Let him go… you are safe.”  I say softly.

Instantly her small heaving body freezes and she releases her grip on his neck. 

The doctor pants out a puff of air as he clutches at his injured neck. 

How can something so little be so strong? 

I slowly guide her up onto her feet and she follows my direction before turning around slowly to look straight into my eyes. 

I find myself staring into two deep pools of crystal clear blue. They are astonishingly bright, almost twinkling under the fluorescent lights. 

I’m lost for words in that moment. 

I don’t know how to act or what to say. 

After a few moments she begins to back away from me, pushing herself up against the wall fearfully. 

I vaguely notice from the corner of my eye a doctor preparing a needle, holding it steady, ready to pounce. 

“Alpha she may be having a panic induced episode. She may have to be sedated.” the doctor mind links me privately. 

I shoot him a look, letting him know that that won’t be happening if I can help it.

I raise my hands in surrender as she watches, her chest heaving up and down as her eyes dart over me. 

“It’s okay… no one here is going to hurt you. We want to help you… I can help you… you can trust me.” I say quietly, summoning any softness I have within me to give. 

Her breathing begins to calm a little but she doesn’t move. 

I slowly extend my hand towards her and she flitches away from it quickly. 

Her sudden movements causing the doctors in the room to startle. 

The asshole with the needle gets closer. 

“No… hey I’m sorry.” I say cautiously pulling my hand back. 

“All of you leave….” I say through the mind link, my eyes never leaving hers. 

Reluctantly, they begin to back away slowly, making their way outside of the small room one by one. 

All the while I don’t move, I stay rooted to the spot watching her. 

Her body visibly relaxes once the room clears and it is just her and I left. 

“Can you sit down?” I ask her gently gesturing to the bed. 

She shakes her head, her face contorting in a look of pain. 

“You’ll be more comfortable… please believe me when I say… I won’t let anyone hurt you… ever. You can trust me you see…” I say, extending my hand again and turning my palm to face up. 

She looks at it curiously for a moment and I see the cogs in her brain turning… exploring her options. 

Then her shaking hand reaches out towards mine slowly, her finger tips poised and ready to touch my skin. 

The moment that they do, the sparks immediately emanate from the spot. 

Her icy blue eyes open wide in wonder as she stares at the sight between us. 

“See… see I won’t hurt you because I’m the one who was made to protect you. You can trust me.” I say, a warmth spreading through my chest as our eyes meet again. 

She slowly pulls her hand away and nods, her body beginning to shake all over. 

“Please sit?” I ask again gently, gesturing to the hospital bed. 

She keeps her distance as she creeps back towards the bed, sitting on the edge cautiously. 

I pour a glass of water from the jug by her beside and hand it to her slowly. 

Her shaking hand takes it from me and she brings the cup to her nose, sniffing it slightly before taking a gulp. 

My heart aches in my chest as I watch her. 

The sheer fear in her eyes and her demeanour leaves me with a terrible feeling inside. 

I slowly take a seat on the chair by her side and watch as her eyes move around the room. 

“You’re at Shadow Warriors… you’ll be safe here. This is the hospital where the doctors are looking after you… what’s your name?” I ask her gently. 

She looks down at her hands and silent tears begin to stream down her face. 

“Hey… it’s okay. You can tell me.” 

I reach for her hand again but she pulls away this time. 

I try not to be hurt by her dismissal and carry on. 

“My name is Sebastian…can you tell me your name? Can you tell me what happened to you?” I repeat once again. 

She shakes her head and lifts it to look back at me. Her eyes glistening with tears. 

“No…” she says softly, her beautiful voice barely a whisper. 

“No? You don’t want to tell me?” I ask carefully. 

“I don’t know…” 

“You don’t know what happened?” 

She closes her eyes tight before opening them again. 

“I don’t know who I am and I don’t know what happened to me.”