But when I opened my mouth to reply, I found that I couldn’t think of a good answer. There wasn’t one. I slowly shut my mouth and confusion washed over me.
“Do you remember how we first met?” Noro asked.
“Yes. How could I forget? You landed on the island in our territory and announced your whole prophecy.”
“Right.” He nodded, his eyes warm as honey. “But I knew because I felt some kind of magic awakening in you, the shift of you becoming an omega. I sensed the wavelength.”
I didn’t know exactly what he was talking about but I nodded. “Okay?”
He looked serious now. “I felt that magic wavelength spike when you were speaking to Blaze alone. I came because I was worried you were trying to attack him.”
“I wouldn’t do that,” I argued.
“Think about it, Matheson. If you weren’t using magic, then who else was in that room with you?”
I frowned. Fuzzy pieces in my mind tried to stick together, but something was stopping them from doing so. My head felt hazy and I couldn’t think straight.
“I don’t understand,” I muttered. “This is crazy.”
“Please,” Noro said, taking my hand in his. I didn’t shy away from his touch. His hand was warm and despite my groggy irritation, I sought more of his touch. “It was Blaze’s magic that I felt.”
“He’s not a mage,” I argued, but it sounded weak to my own ears. “He and I were just talking. He didn’t cast any spells, or…”
“Before Colton showed me the book, I didn’t know anything about clear magic,” Noro pressed as I trailed off. “The only elements I knew were the basic four. It didn’t even occur to me that anything beyond that was possible. But Blaze’s magic, his mind-tricks, I understand now that it’s clear magic. Do you see? He’s brainwashing you.”
That word jolted me. “No, he’s not.”
“Matheson.”
I got up out of bed and paced around the room. My hands balled into furious fists and I felt hot with directionless anger, not knowing who I should be angry with. “No, I’m not being brainwashed! I’m…”
“What are the names of your mates?” Noro demanded.
I stopped. “Huh?”
A shadow of concern crossed his face. “Your mates, Matheson. What are their names?”
The wolves I’d seen in my mind. The wolves whose faces leapt at me...
A slow, dull panic struck me.
I couldn’t remember.
The tips of my fingers felt cold. My body felt numb. The haze of my mind thickened, like I was in a foggy maze with no help of escape.
I stumbled back with a deep frown, a chill gripping my bones.
“Matheson?” Noro prompted.
“I…” My voice faltered, the words dying in my throat. “I don’t know.”
His eyes widened and a deep sadness came over his expression. “Oh, no.”
My body trembled. Noro came towards me and carefully took me by the waist, making sure I wouldn’t buckle and fall. He led me back to the bed and I sat as the numbness spread.
“They’re my mates, right?” I asked in a soft, shaky voice. “Those wolves?”
“Yes.” Noro placed his hand gently on my belly. “They’re the fathers of your child. Remember?”
