Chapter 9: Reclaiming Memories

As the potion slid down his throat, Gray Wolf felt a surge of heat rushing through his body. His heartbeat pounded faster, every muscle tensing as if an immense power inside him was about to break free. Then, a wave of searing pain hit him. Unable to withstand it, he collapsed to the ground, his handsome face twisting in agony.

Cara was worried, but she held her ground, watching without stepping in. Any transformation came with pain. If her Mate could endure this, he would become the strongest wolf in the forest.

He had no idea how much time had passed. Just when he thought he would be crushed by the unbearable pain, something inside him shifted. His amber eyes gleamed sharply, his ears picking up even the faintest sounds in the forest. Even his sense of smell became incredibly sharp, catching the subtlest scents lingering in the air.

He pressed his hands against the ground, his back arching as his nails grew long and razor-sharp, as lethal as metal. A thick, glossy coat of fur spread over his body, and his amber eyes shone brightly in the darkness.

In an instant, a massive wolf with majestic silver-gray fur stood before Cara. Powerful muscles shifted beneath his thick coat, radiating strength and danger. She smiled, her heart swelling with joy and pride. This was her Mate, the King of Wolves in the forest.

Gray Wolf couldn’t hold back any longer. He dashed out of the cave and leaped onto a high rock. Throwing his head back, he took a deep breath of the cold night air before letting out a long, resounding howl.

The sound carried a crushing sense of authority, announcing the rise of a true ruler. The creatures in the area immediately fell into chaos. Birds flapped their wings in frantic flight, and even the fiercest beasts shrank back, instinctively fearing the sheer power in Gray Wolf’s cry.

As the last note of his howl faded, Gray Wolf turned and realized that Cara was already standing beside him. He hadn’t even noticed when she had moved.

He ran toward her in excitement, his massive body leaping up before knocking her to the ground. His tongue lolled out as he licked Cara all over, a deep, contented growl vibrating in his throat.

Cara burst into laughter. She wrapped her arms around his thick, furry body, stroking him as she praised him over and over.

“Mate, beautiful, comfortable.”

The words were scattered and simple, yet somehow, Gray Wolf understood them perfectly. He knew she was admiring his fur, how beautiful it looked and how soft it felt. As a male wolf, he had never cared much about his appearance, but hearing his mate’s praise still filled him with joy.

“Thank you, Cara,” he rumbled in a deep voice.

Even though he couldn’t remember who he was, he was grateful for this incredible journey. It had led him to his fated mate, allowed him to experience the sweetness of love, and awakened the deepest power slumbering within him.

Gray Wolf shifted back into his human form. His silver-gray fur slowly receded, revealing strong, bronzed skin beneath. The pain was gone, his body surged with strength, as if he had been reborn. He knew he had evolved. He was no longer just a powerful werewolf but a true apex predator, a warrior standing at the very top of the food chain.

Gazing down at the delicate beauty lying obediently beneath him, he lowered his head and pressed a tender kiss to her forehead, filled with love and devotion. His mate was a fragile omega, which only made him more determined to grow stronger, so he could protect her.

Another night of passion had passed. Gray Wolf was still adjusting to the newfound power coursing through his body, by mating with Cara. Fortunately, she had always taken herbal remedies to strengthen herself; otherwise, she would never have been able to keep up with his relentless needs.

The next morning, Gray Wolf woke up on time. Seeing his mate still sound asleep beside him, his heart swelled with warmth. He bent down to kiss her lips before sitting up, slipping on his leather wrap, and preparing to go out for a hunt. Every movement was careful and quiet, he didn’t want to wake her. She had been exhausted last night, and letting her sleep a little longer would be best.

Stepping out of the cave, Gray Wolf took a deep breath. The morning air in Gloomwood Forest was crisp and fresh, carrying the scent of early mist mixed with the lush greenery. The cool air filled his lungs as the sounds of the ancient forest echoed in his sharp ears: the rustling of leaves, the cheerful chirping of birds, the faint scurrying of small creatures in the underbrush.

His firm steps crushed dry twigs beneath his feet as he purposely ignored the smaller prey. Today, he was determined to bring back the biggest, fattest kill for Cara.

As Gray Wolf entered a clearing in the forest, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him like a crashing tide. His vision blurred, his body wavered, and he stumbled, barely managing to brace himself against a nearby tree to keep from collapsing. A sharp, searing pain erupted in his head, spreading like wildfire, like something was desperately trying to break free inside his mind.

When the pain finally eased, his eyes snapped open, his breath coming in ragged gasps. Fragmented memories flashed through his mind, piecing themselves together into something whole. He remembered his name was Raven. He remembered the mighty Blood Moon Pack, his brave Alpha father, and the warriors who had once stood by his side in battle.

He recalled the moment he had suddenly become trapped in his wolf form, unable to shift back. Panic had overtaken him, driving him to flee his pack before he plunged into a raging waterfall. And then, nothing. His memories stopped at the deafening roar of the water.

But… something didn’t add up. What happened next? How had he managed to shift back? Why was he here, dressed in nothing but animal hide, like a rogue wolf without a pack?

Frowning, he tried to dig deeper, but all he found was a void. He could feel it, there was something crucial he had forgotten. But now wasn’t the time to dwell on it.

Because when he disappeared, Blood Moon Pack and Dark Eclipse Pack had been locked in a brutal war. He had no idea how long he’d been gone, but one thing was certain - he needed to find his way back.

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Author: Cara’s brief days of happiness have come to an end. She wakes up after a peaceful sleep, only to find that her Mate is gone. What do you think she’ll do next?

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