All Chapters of The Alpha's Forgotten Mate: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

Aeliana's POV Colt pushed us faster, and we burst through a line of trees into a small clearing where our scout stood in human form, pointing ahead."There," he said. "About half a mile north. I can see them."I shifted immediately, disregarding modesty and protocol, and ran to where he was pointing. In the distance, I could make out shapes moving through the trees. Small figures, larger ones, all moving slowly.Too slow."Let's go," I said, already shifting back. "They need help.""Wait," Colt cautioned. "We don't know who else might be with them. They could be some of Annalise's people.""I don't care. That's our Alpha, and he needs us."

Aelian's POV I'd been with the children for most of the afternoon while Jolene worked on Caelan, and the others received treatment.Emma Whitmore had been reunited with her mother in a scene so emotional that I'd had to step outside for a moment. Mrs. Whitmore had collapsed when she saw her daughter, sobbing so hard she couldn't speak. Emma had cried too, holding onto her mother like she'd never let go.But when the joy of reunion faded, the reality of what these children had endured became clear.The other two children Caelan had saved were named Peter and Sophie. Peter was eight, small for his age, with dark hair and eyes that seemed too old for his face. Sophie was seven, the oldest of the three youngest children,

Aeliana's POV Three years ago. I'd been with Annalise for two years by then, had helped with seven kidnappings. Maya had been searching for me, asking questions in towns near the compound. She was sixteen, completely innocent, never involved in anything." Vera's voice went hollow. "I came back from a supply run and found her in a cell. Annalise said she was a liability, that her questions were drawing attention. But really, she was insurance to keep me compliant." "Did Annalise threaten her?" "Not directly. She didn't have to. The message was clear—betray Annalise and Maya would take my place in whatever experiments were being planned. So I stopped questioning orders, stopped looking for ways out. I became the perfect soldier because it was the only way to keep my sister alive." Sophia appeared with cups of tea, setting them down quietly before retreating. I wrapped my hands around the warm cup, using the moment to collect my thoughts. "The experiments," I said. "When did those s

Annalise's POV Theron studied me for a long moment. "You're planning to betray your allies." "I'm planning to use every resource available to achieve my goals. If that requires keeping certain allies in the dark, so be it." I met his gaze steadily. "Are you having second thoughts?" "No. I've invested too much in this to walk away now. I'm just making sure you understand the stakes. If your allied Alphas discover you're planning to drain entire packs, including potentially their own, they'll turn on you instantly." "Then I'll ensure they don't discover it until the ritual is already underway and they have no choice but to see it through." I returned to my bedside, my brief surge of energy fading. "But first, I need to heal. How long do you estimate before I'm at full strength?" "At least two months, possibly three. Your magical channels are severely damaged. Pushing too hard too fast could cripple you permanently." Two months. An eternity when I wanted to act now, to make Silverm

Aeliana's POV"I have to. Otherwise, someone's going to take justice into their own hands, and that won't help anyone." He looked at me seriously. "That's going to be unpopular. People are angry, rightfully so. They want someone to pay for what happened to those children.""Let them be angry at me, too, then. I'll stand with you on this." I took both his hands. "We're mates, partners, equals. Your decisions are my decisions.""Even when they're hard?""Especially then."He pulled me closer, careful of his injuries, and held me for a long moment. I could feel his heartbeat against my chest, steady and strong despite everything he'd been through. My wolf stirred, satisfied and comforted by his proximity, by the simple fact of him being alive and whole beside me."I don't deserve you," he murmured into my hair, his breath warm against my skin."Yes, you do. You deserve someone who'll stand beside you through the impossible decisions and the political fallout and everything else that come