Part 3

Mate. Mine. Anne. 

Those words kept swirling around, accompanied by the sharp throbbing in the back of my neck. The Alpha had been so sure, so firm in his resolve as he kept boring his eyes into my skin. 

I slumped on the nearest chair, staring at his retreating down the stairs. 

Silence blanketed the room, neither of us attempting to break the quiet, unsettled air that moved around. 

Carter still stood firm by the door, his eyes guarded and shoulders squared in a line. There was a tick in his jaw muscle, as he kept flickering his attention towards the stairs and the room. 

Pressing the heel of my hand against my temple, feeling the familiar dull throb already building, I let out a huge sigh. I peeked at Oliver, his body still rooted to the spot, worry etched so deep onto his face that he suddenly appeared a lot older than he is.

“Oliver?”

“Lily…” He exhaled, turning over, shoulders sagging in defeat. “Forgive me. I should have called the guards…That was…a lot.”

“It’s not your fault…None of us was expecting that.” I meekly said, straightening my spine and peering at Carter, who hummed in acknowledgement. 

“Alpha Sebastian looked at me so sure. It’s like—” I cut myself off, fingers wringing in my lap, not wanting to finish the sentence. The end was predictable for everyone in the room. His sheer devastation, his raw intensity, made my chest ache in response, with no memory attached to it, just raw and unexplainable.

“We don’t know that!” Oliver said firmly. “When I found you on that shore all those years ago, you had no scent, no pack mark. It was as if your omega was trying to protect you from something. After you regained consciousness, you did not remember a single thing.”

I hugged myself, sinking further into the cushioned chair. That’s the story I had been told multiple times and heard from several others, too—the miracle of surviving with a pup in my belly.

“If he’s telling the truth…then I have an entire life I don't remember. A husband.” As I said those words out loud, I heard Carter take a sharp breath. 

Oliver's jaw tightened. “Lily…do not blame yourself. We don’t know what happened that ended up with you being washed ashore. Besides, we are not going to believe his story based on what his Alpha said. He doesn't get to walk in here and decide for you.”

“His Alpha said I was his mate…” I whispered, my arms tightening around myself. “That's not something you can fake, right?”

Oliver stayed quiet. It was an answer enough.

With a barely held sigh, I stood up, moving towards the huge French windows. My eyes immediately fell on the pups running around, spotting a mop of curls easily. His small, excited voice rose above the others as he giggled, hands thrown in the air in a carefree manner, having no idea my world had just shattered. 

Arlo.

The thought of my son sent something down my chest. If Alpha Sebastian truly was my mate like he claimed, does that mean he had a stake in Arlo too? Especially since their resemblance was nearly impossible to deny. What if he took one look at Arlo and figured it out? What if he wants to take him away? Raise him on his own? As his pack member? 

Several questions ran through my mind, each scenario worse than the other. Dread settled in the pit of my stomach at the thought of being separated from Arlo. He was my only tether to the past, the only hope I had to push through my recovery and get better. All these years flew by because I had him along with me.

“Oliver.” I sharply turned on my heel, tears stinging in my eyes. “I don’t want him to know about Arlo. Not until we figure out whatever this is.”

“He won’t.” Oliver took my hand in his, patting it. “I’ll call for a pack meeting this afternoon and make sure everyone is aware of this. Don’t worry, Lily,”

“Thank you…I don’t know what to do. I don’t want him to take Arlo away.”

“No one is going to take anything from you. Not your identity. Not your pup.” I heard him reassure me, his voice determined, his grip on my hand firm. “Lily, he can be the Pack Alpha in his territory not here. You are my daughter, a member of this pack and you will not be forced into anything without your full consent. I promise you that.”

Something in my chest loosened slightly at that, the way it always did when Oliver spoke, sounding so firm, unwavering, the kind of certainty I had come to know and rely on all these years. It was the same intensity that had guided me when I came to consciousness here. 

“But he’s still here for the deal.” Carter cleared his throat, face scrunched like he bit into a slice of lemon. “It gives him an excuse not to leave our territory.”

I sighed. Amid the chaos, it completely slipped my mind why Alpha Sebastian came over. 

“We can cancel the deal, citing his behaviour with our pack member.”

Warmth flooded my belly. The fact that Oliver was ready to go that far felt reassuring and sweet.   

“No.” The word flew out of my mouth faster than expected, surprising myself. “I-I won’t have my past jeopardise our pack benefit. This is the biggest deal so far, and we cannot back out now. It’s not about me but the future of this pack. I have seen you work day and night for this, Oliver. We are not backing down. I can face him. It’s fine.”

The Pack Alpha studied me for a long moment, something akin to pride flickering behind the worry in his eyes. “Lily…”

“No. Do not even argue over this. My decision is final.”

“You have always been stubborn like that.”

“Hmm, is that a compliment, Pack Alpha?” I grinned. 

“Absolutely not! The last thing you need is your ego stroked.” Oliver rolled his eyes, but the corner of his mouth twitched despite himself.

Turning to Carter, he composed himself, slipping back into his role. “I need to know all there is about Alpha Sebastian. His personal life, his schedule outside work. Contact our allies…” He motioned towards the drawer where he kept a diary with all contacts. The Pack Alpha was old school like that. “Anything helps. We cannot be prepared enough.”

“Oliver…is all of this really necessary?”

The thought of finding information on the Alpha who belonged in my past made something weird unfurl in my stomach. What if I dig something I don’t want to?

“Lily, we don't know this man enough. I mean, of course, his offer is good, and he’s a reputed CEO, but that is not enough. Don't you think? Besides, I am pretty sure he must be doing the same right now"

The beta made a sound and was already on the move. 

Despite the erratic thumping of my heart, I watched them with a new sense of confidence. Whatever Sebastian was going to throw my way, I knew I had the support to fight him for it. 

***