“Yes,” he said quietly. “There were complications. You almost died. They had to put you in a medically induced coma to help you heal. You were supposed to wake up after a few days, but...” His voice cracked. “It’s been a month, Lina. A month without you.”
I stared at him, my mind reeling. “This is insane,” I muttered.
“I know it’s a lot to take in.”
“You think?” I threw my hands up. “I don’t even know my own name! You’re telling me werewolves exist, I’m married to one, we have three kids together, and I’ve been in a coma after nearly dying in childbirth. That’s not a lot. That’s my entire existence being flipped upside down in the span of five minutes.”
He reached for my hand, and despite my panic, I let him take it. His fingers intertwined with mine and that warmth in my chest spread again, calming me despite my best efforts to stay alert.
“I know,” he said softly. “And I’m so sorry. But I’m here. I’m not going anywhere. And I’m going to help you remember. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, I’ll be right here.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to do. This was fuckingnuts.And just when I thought it couldn’t get worse, the door burst open.
People flooded into the room. A man who looked remarkably similar to Knox, same dark hair and build but with green eyes. Another man with red hair and tattoos covering his arms. Andan elderly woman who moved faster than someone her age should be able to.
“Lina! Oh, my sweet girl!” The elderly woman grabbed my face in her hands, tears streaming down her wrinkled cheeks. “You’re awake! Thank the heavens, you’re finally awake!”
I flinched at the contact but forced a smile onto my face. Forced my body to relax. Because these people expected me to know them, expected me to be happy to see them, and showing fear would only make everything worse.
“Sarah, give her some space,” Knox said gently.
“Space? SPACE? I’ve been waiting a month for this child to open her eyes and you want me to give herspace?” The woman named Sarah swatted at him without looking. “You hush.”
The tattooed man snorted. “Told you she wouldn’t listen.”
“Hunt, not helping,” Knox growled.
“Never claimed I was helpful, Alpha.”
The man who looked similar to Knox stepped forward, his green eyes warm. “Hey, Lina. I spoke with Dr. Hartley. I’m Noah, Knox’s better looking brother.”
“You wish,” Knox muttered.
“I don’t need to wish. I have mirrors.”
“And delusions, apparently.”
I watched their exchange with wide eyes, my head swiveling back and forth. These people clearly knew me, but I couldn’t place any of them. Too many names and faces and expectations made me feel suffocated, cornered, overwhelmed in every possible way.
“She doesn’t remember us,” Knox said quietly, and the room went still. “The doctor says it’s temporary, but right now... she doesn’t know who any of us are.”
Sarah’s face crumpled. “Oh, sweetheart. Oh, my poor girl.”
“It’s okay,” I said quickly, hating the devastation in her eyes. “I mean, it’s not okay, but the doctor said my memories will come back. Eventually. Probably. Hopefully.”
“Wow, that’s reassuring,” Hunt, the red-head, said dryly.
Knox’s brother elbowed him. “Read the room, idiot.”
“I’m trying to lighten the mood!”
“Try harder.”
“Boys,” Sarah snapped, and both grown men immediately shut up. She turned back to me, her weathered hands patting my cheek. “You just focus on getting better, you hear me? Everything else will sort itself out.”
I nodded, not knowing what else to do. But then a thought hit me-
“Where’s the baby?”
