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7. You know who I am. Don't you?

ALICE

Something exploded, like the roar of thunder, echoing through the forest, throwing my body forward like a crazed marionette. The cold, damp earth abruptly greeted me, leaving me dizzy and disoriented.

My mind spun distorted images of Ali and the mysterious voice, entangled in chaotic confusion. I tried to catch my breath, but the air was heavy, pressing against my lungs.

Rain began to fall, turning the ground into a mixture of soil and mud under my trembling fingers. High River and its unpredictable weather! I should have stayed in my house rather than where the police were working. With a throbbing head, I stood up, staggering backward and colliding with a tree. Glancing down, I saw that my ankle was swollen.

I felt an unusual burning sensation in my leg. "Damn!" I muttered, leaning forward and noticing the large cut on my thigh. How in the hell had I gotten it?

"Alice," the mysterious voice whispered again in my mind, only this time more intensely.

"I’m not even going to look," I mumbled, forcing myself to walk. "It's getting old."

As I walked—or stumbled—back home, the trees began to bend, their branches forming arches as if creating a corridor. The sound of a breaking branch to my left made my heart race. When my eyes adjusted to the gray forest, I faced a huge black wolf with golden eyes almost as big as Ali's.

"Can you hear me?" the voice said again, making me look away into the darkness. The wolf growled, and I swallowed dry. He could be the wolf that had killed earlier today. The thought made me fear for my life, but these absurd sequences of events only happened to me.

The wolf took a step forward, eyeing me curiously. I stumbled, almost falling forward, but I straightened up my shaky body and forced it to keep moving.

The wolf continued to stare at me, but he wasn't in a threatening position. My wound stung, blood dripping from the cut and mingling with the raindrops.

I swallowed hard under the creature's gaze, feeling an electric current run down my spine. I tried to ignore the intimidating presence of the wolf and the intriguing way it stared at me as I continued to walk, hoping it would simply allow me to pass.

The black wolf didn't move to block me as I advanced, which was good. Instead, he started walking beside me, maintaining a respectful distance without making a sound.

"If he attacks me, I'm screwed," I thought. "Terrible time to be a coward, Alice."

My heart still raced, but the creature's presence wasn't hostile. The rain intensified, turning into a downpour that echoed through the forest. The wolf continued to follow me for a few minutes, and due to all the tension in my body, I couldn't discern the path I was taking.

"Great time to get lost," I grumbled, walking under a more enormous tree that was big enough to shelter me from the rain. I was already tired, and my body felt too heavy to let me keep walking. The wolf now stared at me, even more curiously. I swallowed hard as I picked up a tree branch from the ground, preparing for whatever might come.

When he took two steps toward me, my heart started beating irregularly against my rib cage. "If you're going to kill me," I said, shivering as the wolf sniffed me, "be quick." A growl escaped his lips before he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there. I closed my eyes, waiting for the rain to pass.

My body failed to continue the journey back, and the wound on my leg was hurting too much. Even if I were in a condition to get home, I couldn't because I had no idea how far into the forest I had ventured.


I didn't know how much time had passed since the rain started and I got lost, but I knew I was in someone's arms. The gentle sway of walking woke me from my feverish nap.

"I want to know how you constantly find yourself in trouble, little monster?" The rough voice said in my ear. A shrill buzzing in my ear prevented me from keeping my eyes open to see who was holding me. He was warm and had a scent of candy apples.

The sensation of being cradled was strangely comforting, even though the situation itself was anything but ordinary. I forced my eyes to open, fighting against the persistent buzz in my ears.

As my vision adjusted, the shadowed figure took shape, the outlines revealing little about the identity of the person holding me. The harsh words echoed in my head again, and I realized the voice was somehow familiar.

"Who are you?" I murmured, my voice weak and hoarse. My hands explored the darkness, seeking clues about my situation. The fabric under my fingers was soft, but I still couldn't identify its origin.

The shadowed figure laughed, a low, melodic sound reverberating through the forest. "Ah, little Alice, always getting into trouble, always attracting my attention. What will I do with you?"

The mention of my name sent shivers down my spine. "How do you know my name?" I stuttered, trembling in their arms.

"I know many things, my mate." He laughed again, and that sound calmed my racing heart. A strong gust of wind collided with my body, making me tremble violently. My arms gripped the fabric of his shirt and pulled him closer, burying my nose against the warm skin of his neck.

The delightful scent of candy apples filled my nostrils again, causing me to melt against him. His skin under my rapid breathing was like a flame; in fact, he was incredibly warm overall, warming me in the icy corners of that forest.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice sounding less shaky now despite my lingering weakness. He didn't answer immediately, but his hold around my body intensified as if he wanted to protect me.

"Rest, my mate," he replied. I frowned at him before asking, "Why do you call me 'mate'? What is that supposed to mean?" He remained silent.

My mind was spinning with questions, but before I could formulate any more, he tilted his head, bringing our faces closer. His lips brushed gently against mine, and an electric current surged through my body.

I should scream. I should struggle and keep away from him. He was a stranger.

So, why am I parting my lips, making room for his tongue to explore mine? The tingling sensation of his lips against mine made me pull him even closer, craving more of him. A euphoric feeling, like fireworks and explosions, settled in my stomach. My hands moved on his massive shoulders, pulling him even closer.

A moan of approval escaped his lips. Or were they mine?

His lips parted from mine, leaving a trail of warmth on my lips. He held me firmly, and I saw his golden eyes. "My Alice," he said. His eyes were so beautiful, I couldn't help but stare into them.

"Who are you?" I asked again, seeking answers in his eyes. He smiled, allowing me to see his white teeth. "Rest, my love," he murmured, and as if it were a command, I laid my head on his chest.

I let myself be carried away by the feeling of being safe in the arms of this stranger as we continued to move through the forest. "Sleep, my love."

The persistent rain, now just a drizzle, temporarily relieved the heat emanating from him, and at some point, between a raindrop and his words, I fell asleep.

I shifted a bit, and the sensation of a soft bed against my back made me wake up. I sat up, dragging my body along the mattress as my breath quickened. I looked down at my clothes, which should have been wet, but I was wearing red pajamas. Not only that, but I was home.

I tried to remember how I had gotten home, but a strange blur consumed my mind—the black wolf. Everything else seemed like a fleeting mist, refusing to be grasped or fully comprehended. Twisted and confusing images flooded my mind, along with the image of the stranger’s smile, which remained intact.

"My mate." The words circled my mind, making me believe that this must be real. I touched my lips, remembering the taste of his kiss. The heat rising through my neck just with the memory was too intense for just a dream.

I looked at my bandaged and sore foot. I tried to get out of bed, but the remaining pain was strong and elicited a pain-filled moan from me.

"Finally, you wake up, darling," the familiar voice said, drawing my attention directly to the practically naked man standing in front of me. "Did you sleep well?"

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