2

It has been a week since Helena woke up and she was already able to walk within the house. Everyone was treating her like she was a fragile doll. Her mother had been on her case since the moment she woke up.

“Helena, just tell our servants what you want and I will make sure you have it. You have missed five years of your life. Don’t hesitate to ask because I am sure your father can give it to you. We are one of the most powerful families in Emerald Ville. Money and power will never be a problem,” her mother told her.

‘Will you give me your oldest daughter’s life?’ Helena wanted to ask but she stopped herself. She simply nodded to her mother and just let everyone pamper her with love and attention. She wants to use her condition to her advantage.

The servants would follow her around wherever she goes even when she stays in the garden as she thinks.

Sometimes, she would ask the servants some questions, asking things about herself and her family.

The doctor already told them about Helena’s condition so they know that she lost a bit of her memories. At the same time, five years had already passed so there are so many things she doesn’t know about the town of Emerald Ville now.

The day Helena woke up had been filled with overwhelming emotions and revelations. Her new life as Helena Asher was still a puzzle, and the web of deceit that surrounded her family had only grown more intricate.

She was conflicted about who she was. There are bits of memories in her that slowly remembers the life that she lived as Helena but Alana’s memories are very much intact with her. Was she Helena or was she Alana? She doesn’t even know.

All she knows is that there are things she wants to do now. And one of those was to make sure that those people who harmed Alana were punished.

As the days passed, Helena observed the dynamics of her new existence with a discerning eye, careful not to reveal the complexity of her thoughts.

Ingrid, her so-called sister, came to the mansion that afternoon. Helena was told that her older sister was living at the Adams’ household in preparation for their wedding that’s why she was not able to visit her immediately after she woke up.

The moment her eyes met Ingrid’s; Helena could feel the strong emotion that was starting to eat her. She was standing on the pathway towards the garden when Ingrid walked towards her.

Helena’s hand balled into fists as she tried her best to control her emotions. Suddenly, Ingrid’s voice repeatedly echoed inside her head and she felt like her ears would bleed.

“He’s mine now, Alana. Don’t you see? Nobody really wants you. Your parents turned their backs on you. Darren loves me now…You have no one…”

“No one will look for you once you die. Blame yourself for your pathetic life,”

“Did you really think I stayed with you because I truly see you as my best friend? Deep inside I wanted to vomit every time you hugged me. You disgust me, Alana,”

Her body was shaking and she was afraid the memories of Alana’s death would start to consume her.

This is the woman who killed her, the woman she thought was her best friend, the woman who broke her heart, betrayed her, and took away her lover as well as the love of her life.

This is the woman she vowed to take revenge with.

Ingrid’s face was a facade of joy, and she rushed to Helena’s side, feigning happiness. “Helena, you have no idea how relieved we all are to see you awake,” Ingrid said, her voice dripping with pretentiousness.

Helena, with the memories of Alana within her, could see right through Ingrid’s fake concern.

Ingrid had always been a master at deception, and she hadn’t changed a bit. Still, Helena chose to play along, giving a weak smile in response. “I’m happy to be back, Ingrid. It feels like I’ve missed so much.”

Ingrid’s eyes glittered with something Helena couldn’t quite decipher, and it set off a warning bell in her mind. “Yes, well,” Ingrid said, her tone slightly strained, “I heard you’ve lost a few of your memories.”

The way Ingrid’s eyes glimmer made Helena think that there was something about the way Ingrid said those words like it meant something else. But she didn’t know what it was.

Helena’s heart sank, and she couldn’t help but feel a flicker of unease.

Ingrid’s apparent relief at the mention of her memory loss did not go unnoticed. Helena nodded, feigning ignorance. “I expected as much. I’m sure they’ll come back in time. Or if they don’t, I can simply create new memories with everyone, though not remembering would be a pity,”

Ingrid, for all her pretense, seemed to buy Helena’s response. “Of course,” she replied, masking her true emotions. “We’ll help you remember everything, Helena.”

Ingrid tried to reach for Helena’s hand but before Ingrid could touch her, Helena was quick to make a step back. Ingrid raised an eyebrow at the action.

Helena bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry. I just feel different after waking up and I guess I am not yet used to everything,”

Ingrid smiled. “It’s okay, my younger sister. That’s what I am here for. I will guide you and be with you until you remember everything. I miss you so much,”

The tension was palpable, but neither of them acknowledged it as they continued to chat, Ingrid skillfully avoiding any topics related to the past or their family’s business.

Later that evening, the entire Asher family gathered for a formal dinner. Alpha Harold, the patriarch of the Asher clan and the leader of the pack, rose from his seat, capturing everyone’s attention. His announcement hung heavy in the air.

“Everyone,” Alpha Harold began, his voice carrying authority, “as a result of Helena’s miraculous recovery, we have decided to postpone Ingrid’s wedding to Darren until Helena is fully recovered. It’s only fair that we give Helena the attention and time she needs to regain her strength.”

“Wait, what? But we have already made preparations for it, Father. The wedding was supposed to happen in two weeks!”

Luna Patricia hushes at her oldest daughter, “You must understand, Ingrid. Your younger sister just woke up. Do not be selfish and let her recuperate first so we can properly celebrate your wedding. Besides, I am pretty sure it would be fine for Darren. He hasn’t taken over their pack yet. Your marriage with him will not bring us good unless he is already the alpha of his pack,”

“But, Mother! I have waited for this! It’s been set for months now!”

Helena wanted to laugh but she decided to play the innocent girl that the servant told her about.

With a sad look etched on her face, she put down the utensils in her hand and spoke, “Father, Mother, it’s fine. You don’t have to postpone the wedding of my older sister just for my sake. Of course, though it might take a while before I could fully recover, I don’t want to be a hindrance to my older sister’s happiness,” she said, her lips quivering and that didn’t get passed her father’s eyes.

“She’s right! I don’t have to adjust to the most special day of my life because of her!” Ingrid exclaimed. Her voice rose and Helena automatically flinched at the sound of it. The fire in their father’s eyes lightens.

“Enough, Ingrid!” Alpha Harold growled. “Stop being so selfish and shut up! You already had everyone’s attention for years and you couldn’t even adjust your wedding until your sister finally recovered?! You and Darren had only been in a relationship for less than a year. And your mother is right. Darren isn’t even the head alpha of his pack yet. Your status is even higher than his!”

Helena was enjoying everything that was happening to Ingrid. She bears the joy of the sight of her being frustrated and annoyed. But of course, she made sure to mask the expression showing on her face.

Ingrid’s anger flared beneath her carefully crafted facade, but she said nothing anymore. Her fear of her father’s authority kept her in check.

She bowed her head and apologized, “I apologize for my behavior. I was looking forward to this wedding so much that I wasn’t able to control my emotions. I will make sure to let Darren know and adjust all of the arrangements that we have for the ceremony,”

She put on a show of understanding, a forced smile on her lips.

Helena, watching it all unfold, knew that this decision was going to cause a rift within the family, but she also saw it as an opportunity to bring Ingrid’s secrets to light.

Ingrid was burning inside. She was so angry. She did everything to make this wedding possible and sacrificed a lot only for it to be sabotaged by her stupid sister.

From the corner of her eyes, she could see the sad look on her younger sister’s face. She didn’t want to snap on her but a part of her wishes that Helena could have woken up after the wedding instead.

The tension at the dinner table was palpable, and it was only intensified when, after the meal, a maid rushed into the room with an urgent announcement. “Alpha Harold, Alpha Leon, and the Montville family have arrived.”

Alpha Harold immediately stood up from his seat the moment his father, Alpha Leon Asher entered the house with the Montvilles.

After Alpha Leon gave the authority as the head of the pack to his son, Harold, Alpha Leon lived peacefully as he enjoyed his remaining life.

For some reason, Helena was able to recognize her grandfather. Beside him was an old man who was probably the same age as her grandfather.

Helena turned to her older sister when she heard her gasp. Ingrid’s hands covered her lips as if she had seen something incredible.

Helena turned to see the grand entrance doors swing open, and there, in a haze of regal authority and charisma, stood a very beautiful man. He was a figure both ethereal and intimidating, exuding an air of power and allure that captivated everyone in the room.

He had strikingly sharp features, with a chiseled jawline and piercing steel-blue eyes that seemed to bore into Helena’s very soul. His dark hair was perfectly coiffed, and he was dressed in a tailored suit that emphasized his imposing presence. There was a sense of familiarity about him that tugged at Helena’s memory, but she couldn’t quite place where she had seen him before.

Helena stared at him in awe, her heart pounding in her chest. He was familiar, but the memory was just out of reach, a nagging puzzle piece missing from her mind.

“Father, what is this all about?” Alpha Harold asked.

There was a nagging feeling within him that told him he knew what was about to happen but because even though was already the head alpha of the pack, he was still afraid of his father that is why he still needed to politely ask.

Alpha Leon turned his attention to Helena and at that very moment, Helena felt a familiar sensation when her eyes locked with her grandfathers’. She felt the familiar feeling of fear seeping through her body.

She gulps.

“Harold, I am not sure you still remember but before I let you takeover over the pack, I have told you about the promise of marriage I have with Alpha Clarence. And since Ingrid here was already engaged to be married and Helena finally woke up, it is time we push forward to the agreement that binds our families and our packs,”

“What?” Ingrid hushes, a hint of disappointment laced in her voice. Helena though, still doesn’t understand what was happening.

For some reason, her stomach couldn’t stop churning as she could feel the intense look she was receiving from the familiar man.

As if on cue, her grandfather stepped forward and announced, “Alpha Louis Clarren Montville will be Helena’s mate.”