Chapter 7

I saw the lady's eyes well up with tears, and she stammered.

Agnes: Wh-how...?

I stood up and turned my back to her, lifting my heavy hair. I heard a sob in her breath and faced her again.

Angel: Is this the mark, Agnes?

The woman, tears in her eyes, nodded.

Angel: What... Evangeline, is that my name?

I felt Xander join me and take my hand.

Agnes: But, how is that possible? Evy, is that you? Oh, my Goddess, thank you, thank you, thank you.

Agnes held me in her arms, and I felt someone else embrace us. I breathed in the air and smelled sweet waffles. I closed my eyes, letting the aroma wash over me. I knew Alexander was becoming aware of my memories at the same time as me, and I felt safe here, even though I didn't know anyone. I relaxed and had a fleeting image of Burt in a pink tutu with a fake magic wand. I couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. I looked into the man's eyes; I knew before I saw them that they were the color of melted chocolate.

Evangeline: Uncle Burt...

Burt: Yes, Evy, I'm your uncle. Your father will be overjoyed. We have to call him!

Angel: No!

I don't know why I refused. But part of me wanted to wait, not rush things. What if we were wrong? What if it was just a coincidence that I had the same mark? What if, as Xander thinks, my wolf is starting to awaken and this is part of my strange power to see people's memories?

Xander approached us and placed a hand on my shoulder.

Alexander: Burt, when you hugged my Angel, did you have a specific memory in mind?

Burt looked at me and then at Alex, uncomprehending.

Burt: Yes, Alpha...

I felt all my hopes vanish. If this was my gift, how would I ever know who I truly am?

Burt: ...I was thinking about the day she was born, how proud everyone was to have such a beautiful little girl in the family.

Evangeline: Nothing else?

My voice trembled, but I kept looking at him.

Burt: No, why?

Evangeline: Not even the time you wore a pink tutu to a party?

Burt: I never…

He looked at me, his eyes wide.

Burt: …but of course it all comes back to me, your second birthday, a little before they took you away from us… you… you remember?

I pulled away from their embraces and nestled into Xander’s arms. I needed him, his strength, and as soon as I was there, I found the strength to keep talking.

Evangeline: Like Xander told you, it was terrible for me there. I had no life, no name, no family or friends, but above all, I had no memory of before. I don’t even know how old I am. Xander and I assumed I was about twenty because…

My voice trailed off, and I clung to Xander, who continued for me:

Alexander: He’d been giving her Sleepwolf for two years without telling her what it really was.

Sensing I was trembling, he lifted me into his arms and carried me to a chair, where he sat down, holding me close.

Agnes: It’s awful, but if she doesn’t remember, how did she know about the tutu or the cheese?

I slowly raised my head, looked at them with tear-filled eyes, and said:

Evangeline: Your scent… it brought back memories buried deep inside me, but I had to be sure it was real and not just something you were projecting.

Bryan approached me and asked with a smile:

Bryan: Do you want to sniff me?

I couldn't help but laugh at his teasing tone and nodded. Then he hugged me. I breathed in his breath; he smelled of sweet sap, of maple. I closed my eyes and let the memory wash over me. I bit my lip before whispering,

Evangeline: I never told anyone you were the one who took the last cake...

He smiled at me.

Bryan: That's because you ate half of it.

I sat back down on Xander, exhausted. He brought a mouthful of egg to my mouth, telling me to eat, which I did with pleasure. Melody approached next; I could see the tear trails on her cheeks. She held out her hand and gently touched my face, and I saw her—she loved to style my hair, putting it in different ways and starting over when she wasn't satisfied. I raised a questioning eyebrow at her.

Evangeline: Do you want to do my hair?

She brought a trembling hand to her lips and burst out laughing.

Melody: Why am I not surprised that it's me you remember first?

I shrugged.

Evangeline: Uncle Burt...

I took my time choosing my words.

Evangeline: Don't tell Dad right away. I want to be the one to tell him. If he finds out before, I'm afraid he'll never make it here...

Burt: You're right, Evy, he'll be overjoyed.

Alexander: When is he supposed to be here?

Xander continued to feed me as if nothing else mattered to him.

Alexander: It does, my angel. You're the most important thing to me!

Agnes: In a week, he should be here the day before your birthday. He wants to see if it’s you, and if so, witness your first transformation. I told him that my Alpha found a young woman, I’m sorry Alpha.

Evangeline: My… my… my…

Agnes: You’ll be eighteen in exactly eight days.

Evangeline: Xander, could it be that I’m not old enough yet, and that’s why I don’t have my wolf? Could it be that what you sensed in me is that the moment of my awakening is approaching?

Receiving no answer, I turned my gaze toward him. His beautiful blue eyes were fixed on me.

Alexander: My Angel, we’ll have to celebrate!

Then, turning to Agnes, he continued,

Alexander: Ask your brother to come today. I’ll need his help to awaken her.

Agnes: Can I tell him that you’ve found him?