Chapter 2

Early the next morning, my bedroom door was pounded violently.

"Yara! Get out here! You have the nerve to lock your door after doing something so shameful?!"

It was Martha's voice.

A bad feeling settled in my stomach. I couldn't open this door.

I peered out the window. To my horror, a crowd had already gathered outside our house.

Our apartment was on the first floor. If I jumped out of the window now, I’d be caught instantly.

Before I could think of another escape, Thomas kicked the bedroom door open.

His face was deadly serious, devoid of any fatherly warmth. "Come out. Now."

I braced myself and walked into the living room. There they were—the six Alphas from my past life.

My heart skipped a beat, and my breath caught in my throat.

I thought my adoptive parents were going to force me to the ceremony hall. I didn't expect these six Alphas to hunt me down at my house.

Six pairs of predatory eyes locked onto me, tracking me like prey.

"Found you."

"I knew you were alive."

"The mate bond never lies."

They muttered, their voices thick with years of dark obsession.

Standing in the center of the living room were several elders dressed in black robes.

They were the esteemed judges of the Crescent Council, responsible for resolving disputes among Alphas.

I recognized one of them—Elder Raymond, the High Elder of the Northern Wilds Pack.

Their presence meant this was no longer a private matter. It was now a council trial.

"I always thought Thomas's daughter was a good girl. Who knew she was messing around with so many Alphas?"

"Oh, please. Girls like her know exactly how to play innocent."

"None of those Alphas look like ordinary wolves. How did she even hook up with them?"

"She probably threw herself at them."

The neighbors' whispers made my blood run cold.

My adoptive parents sat on the sofa, keeping their heads down, too terrified to speak.

I shook my head violently. "You have the wrong person! I don’t even know you!"

"We don't have the wrong girl," the first Alpha stepped forward, his eyes locking onto mine.

His name was Greyson, the Alpha of the Grey Stone Pack. He was built like a tank, with spiky grey hair.

"Five years ago, you disappeared in the Northern Wilds. Everyone said you died. But I knew you were alive because our mate bond, though faint, never broke. I never stopped searching for you."

The second Alpha stepped up. His name was Silva, the Alpha of the Savage Swamps Pack. His skin was dark, and his eyes were sharp like a hawk's.

He held up a silver chain. "This is the token you left me. You said if you ever disappeared, I should use this to find you. I’ve carried it next to my heart every day."

The third Alpha spoke, his voice deep as thunder. "You have a two-inch scar on your left shoulder. You got it protecting me. That scar carries my scent. The mate bond connects us through it."

He was Logan, the Alpha of the Eastern Ridge Pack, a man built like a mountain.

My hand instinctively went to my left shoulder. There was indeed a scar there, but Thomas and Martha had always told me I had it when they found me.

"I don't know you! I’ve been in school every single day! I’ve never even been to your territories!"

My friend could prove it!

In my past life, my best friend Chloe had gone to look for Kaden and missed this confrontation.

Last night, I had texted Chloe on Snapchat that the ceremony was off. She hadn't asked why; she just supported me.

I reached for my phone to call her, but one of the Alphas snatched it from my hand and slammed it onto the hardwood floor.

"Who are you calling? Another lover?" he sneered. "Are we not enough for you, you little slut?"

"I heard you were getting mated today. I’d love to see what kind of idiot would want a passed-around toy."

"Stop it! I am not the woman you are looking for!" I screamed, watching my iPhone shatter into pieces. Fury bubbled in my chest.

"Still lying? You have a two-inch scar on your left shoulder, don't you?"

"And a faint scar on your waist from a silver blade."

"A small red birthmark right below your collarbone."

"And a bite mark on your right wrist—the mark I left on you years ago!"

They knew every detail of my body. But I had absolutely no memory of them.

Elder Raymond spoke, his voice ancient and commanding. "Little girl, these Alphas are leaders of their packs. They wouldn't accuse you without reason. If you truly share mate bonds with them, by council law, you must return with them for investigation."

"I don't!" I screamed. "I don't even know who they are!"

"Then this is indeed strange," another elder murmured, stroke his long beard. "A mate bond is etched into the soul. It doesn't just vanish. Unless... your memory was erased."

My heart dropped.

***

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