I frowned. “Alpha David Mercer? The Alpha from the California coastal pack?”


    “Yes, he’s marrying some healer he met while studying abroad. European, I believe.” Her perfectly manicured nails tapped against my desk. “It’s an excellentworking opportunity. Several Council members will be attending.”


    “I don’t recall receiving an invitation,” I said carefully.


    Isabelle waved her hand dismissively. “It’s a plus–one situation. Besides, with your position, they’d hardly turn you away.”


    “I have pack matters to attend to this weekend. The northern perimeter needs reinforcing after that stormst month.”


    Her blue eyes narrowed slightly. “Alexander, we’ve discussed this. Part of maintaining your position as Alpha is making strategic appearances. The Mercers are gaining influence, and it would be wise to establish a friendly connection.”


    She wasn’t wrong. The politics of pack hierarchy required constant attention.


    “Send my regrets and a suitable gift,” I said firmly. “Ethan can apany you if you’re concerned about appearances.”


    Isabelle stood, her smile tight. “You know very well I can’t show up with your Beta instead of you. It sends the wrong message.”


    “What message is that?”


    “That the Alpha of the ckwood Pack can’t be bothered with social obligations. That perhaps he doesn’t value his fiancée enough to escort her to important functions.” Her voice remained pleasant, but I caught the underlying frustration.


    Four years of engagement with no mating ceremony in sight. No wonder she was losing patience.


    I sighed. “Isabelle, we’ve discussed this. The timing isn’t right yet.”


    “The timing has been ‘not right‘ for four years, Alexander.” She moved closer, her expensive perfume filling my nostrils. “The Council expects an announcement soon. My father is beginning to question yourmitment to our arrangement.”


    “Your father understands theplexities of merging two powerful bloodlines. These things can’t be


    rushed.”


    I stepped closer. “You know I can’t sleep with you–I get those splitting headaches every time. We have to fix this before we canplete the bond, don’t you think?”


    “Perhaps what we need is to spend more time alone. Properly alone.“She ced her hand on my chest, her voice dropping to a seductive whisper.


    Before I could respond, she leaned in and pressed her lips to mine, her hand sliding up to cup the back of my neck.


    The reaction was immediate and painful. A sharp, stabbing sensation exploded behind my eyes, sending me staggering backward. My wolf howled in protest, wing at my insides as if trying to physically escape our skin.


    “Alexander!” Isabelle’s voice sounded distant through the ringing in my ears. “Is it happening again?<b>” </b>


    I gripped the edge of my desk, waiting for the pain to subside. With it came the now–familiar phantom sensations–a scent like wildflowers and honey, the echo ofughter I couldn’t ce, the ghostly touch of fingers that weren’t there.


    “I’m fine,” I managed, though we both knew it was a lie.


    Isabelle’s expression was a mixture of concern and annoyance. “You should see the healer again. This isn’t normal, Alexander.”


    I’d seen every healer, doctor, and specialist the wolf and human worlds had to offer. None had answers


    beyond vague theories about traumatic brain injury from the ident.


    “I’ll handle it,” I said, straightening my posture and forcing my breathing to normalize. “As for the wedding, my decision stands. Send my regrets.”


    Her lips pressed into a thin line. “As you wish, Alpha.” The formal title was deliberate, a reminder of the political nature of our rtionship. “But we can’t keep postponing our future indefinitely. The alliance between our packs depends on a proper mating.”


    After she left, I sank into my chair, massaging my temples as thest of the pain receded.


    “What is wrong with us?” I murmured.


    The doctors had exined that memory loss wasn’t umon with severe trauma. The ident that had nearly killed me five years ago—a rogue attack during a perimeter run, ording to Ethan–had left me with fractured memories and these strange episodes.


    But it wasn’t just memories of the attack that were missing. There were other gaps, entire chunks of time that felt significant but remained frustratingly out of reach. And always, always, there was the sense that I had forgotten something–someone–vitally important.


    My phone buzzed with a text from Ethan: *Council session rescheduled for 2pm. Need you there. Everything ok with the Ice Queen?<b>* </b>


    I smiled despite myself at his nickname for Isabelle. *Fine. Just the usual. See you at 2.*


    2/3 <fn3629> Content originallyes from Find?Novel</fn3629>


    Then I hesitated. My thumb hovered above the screen, wavering.


    And before I could stop myself, I opened a new message.


    To Isabelle.


    *I’ll go with you to the wedding. Let’s get it over with.*


    Maybe it’s time I stopped clinging to the memories I’ve lost.