You Rejected Me. Remember?

Leo

I sat on the bed, freshened up, staring at the blank screen of my phone. Jace had graciously loaned me one of his old phones so that we could communicate. But now that my memories had returned, all I wanted to do was get in touch with my relatives. My mate, especially Astrea.

I dialled her phone after debating whether or not I should call. Before she answered the phone, it rang a few times.

She responded professionally, “Hello, General Astrea speaking.”

My heart skipped a beat as a smile tugged at my lips. I hadn’t heard her wonderful voice for much too long.

“Hello?” she inquired once again.

I swallowed my saliva and cleared my throat.

I said, “Hey.”

Then there was silence, followed by a gasp.

“Leo?”

As she yelled out my name, I could feel her smile.

“How? I didn’t give you my phone number… hold on “exclaimed she.

“Did you… did you recall?” She sounded optimistic. “Do you recall my phone number? Do you remember everything that happened?”

I laughed out loud. She sounded like such a sweetheart.

“Is that really Leo?”

On the other end, I heard another woman talk. My smile vanished as a result of that voice. Danisha. She was accompanied by that scumbag. Was she still trying to pass herself off as a helper?

“Yes.” I took a big gulp of air when I heard Astrea reply to her.

It’s too late. I didn’t want Danisha to know I was still alive. That, though, was no longer an option. My teeth were clenched. The next best thing I could do was keep Zoro hidden from her. I would allow them to believe that Zoro is no longer alive at the moment. I would tell the people I trust when it’s more convenient for them.

“Astrea, I got the number from my Nanna,” I winced as I lied. I despised lying, especially to her. But it had to be done this time.

“Oh,” she exclaimed, her voice quivering. I was remorseful for lying. When she asked about my memories, she seemed ecstatic, but it vanished as soon as she heard my response.

“Anyway,” she sighed, “it’s wonderful to hear from you.”

I was careful not to divulge too much information as we spoke on the phone. The risk was too great because Danisha was still working closely with them. I wanted to tell them everything at times. I wanted to tell the truth, but I decided to keep quiet. If I was going to accuse her of something, I wanted to be able to back it up with evidence. Grandma might be able to assist. She might be able to access my memories now that they’re back.

I chatted with my parents as well as the others. I was in tears by the time the call finished. I yearned them, and it was difficult to act as if I didn’t remember them when all I wanted to do was tell them how much I missed them.

I walked downstairs in search of something to eat. I’d missed breakfast, but I knew there would be something in the kitchen to reheat and eat.

In the microwave, a plate of spaghetti and meatballs awaited me. After reheating it, I took it with a satisfied smile. My mind was wandering all over the place while I satisfied my hunger. The traitorous Danisha was still among them.

“I need to tell Nanna,” I said quietly to myself.

I picked up the phone and dialled Nanna’s number, but it went to voicemail right away. Her voice note told me that she was at a conference and wouldn’t be able to answer calls or texts until it was over.

My lips were pursed. She had never been a fan of cell phones. She used to refer to it as a nuisance because everyone seemed to be busy on it most of the time. Despite owning one, she wasn’t really fond of it. She probably turned it off because she found it distracting.

I muttered to myself, “I guess I’ll have to wait.”

The conference lasted three days, which seemed interminable to me. I attempted to contact her several times but was unsuccessful. I even attempted to get Jace to make an appointment for me, but she was completely booked. Her day began early, and by the time she arrived home, it had already passed her by. I had no choice but to wait until the conference was completed before speaking with her again.

I was overjoyed on the third day when Jace informed me of Nanna’s plans to leave that night. Jace and Jett accompanied me to her place that night. The entire ride was deafeningly quiet. Jace sighed heavily as he parked his flying automobile in front of Nanna’s house.

“Keep yourself safe, guy. I believe you are putting yourself in grave danger. Those who have previously attacked you will undoubtedly try to do it again,” he warned.

“I understand,” I said.

“This time, however, I’m conscious. I know who is trying to stab us in the back, and I’m not going to let them succeed this time,” I told them firmly, determined to put an end to it for good.

We all walked into Nanna’s home together. She appeared to be completely ready to depart.

“Ready?”

As soon as she saw me, she inquired.

I told her, “Yes, Nanna.”

“Stay in touch,” Jett said, and Jace followed with a brotherly hug.

I told them, “I’ll miss you guys.”

As he touched my shoulder, Jace flashed a lopsided grin.

“Perhaps you’d be too preoccupied to miss us. Don’t forget about us, but,” he made a comment.

“Come,” Nanna said, interrupting our bittersweet moment. “We have to get there as fast as we can!”

My heart skipped a beat when I heard her desperate statement.

“Can you tell me what happened?” I inquired, concerned about what Danisha may do.

“I’m hoping there’s nothing wrong,” I added.

“Things aren’t quite right. The next b***d moon is approaching, and I’ve been warned that the dark energy I’ve been sensing is becoming stronger by the day,” she informed us.

“Dark energy…” I mumbled.

“Yes, yes, yes. I dialled your mother’s number as soon as I could. She and Amelia are putting in their best effort. We need to deal with the dark wizards…”

“In fact, Nanna. There is something I believe you should be aware of,” I cut her in and told her all I knew.

***

We were at the Palace in the blink of an eye. Everything was ready for us as we walked into the foyer. I was relieved to see everyone who cared about me, despite the craziness that kept them on their toes. My family and friends. My parents, my mother, and my mate’s parents. In addition, some members of the Dark Howl pack, including Amelia and her mate, Elijah, and the whole royal family, particularly Xander. I smiled at my new friends. Sarah, Allan, Elena, and Rafael are the members of the group. It was great to see everyone.

Arnold was the only one of us who wasn’t present. My fists were clasped. I couldn’t help but think it was all tied to Danisha. She had to be the one who let Natasha get away. After all, they were great friends. The night Allan was poisoned, and the night Zelda was kidnapped… only someone with easy access to the security system could have done it. Danisha was a fantastic fit.

I gazed around the foyer, attempting to detect her presence. After sniffing the air, I smiled because I didn’t detect her scent. She was not present.

I informed them, “There’s something really vital you all need to know. It can’t be put off any longer. I had to tell you now rather than later. Somewhere a little more secluded, ” I stressed.

The royal pair exchanged a few glances before motioning us to the conference room.

“What exactly is it, Leo?” As soon as the door shut behind us, Sir Elliot asked.

I turned to face them after taking a long breath.

I informed them, “I recall everything.” Their expressions brightened, but I quickly resumed speaking.

“I recall the night we were assaulted, and I saw who attacked us,” I said, and the room fell silent.

Everyone sat quietly and listened to what I had to say.

“Can you tell me who it was?” The Queen inquired.

“Danisha,” I said, and I looked at Xander, who looked surprised.

The awkward silence that followed was deafening. I asked Nanna for assistance, and she nodded.

“I believe I can display his memories for us to see now that he has remembered everything. So, how about it?”

I smiled and took a step closer to her. She put her hands on my head, and the events of that night began to play back in my mind. When Danisha attacked Xander, I heard someone gasp out. I attempted to strike her, but she hurled something at me, and I fell under her spell as well.

My mother exclaimed, “That’s not normal.”

“No, it’s not. That’s magic. Who is this mysterious young lady? Do you know her origins?” Nanna was the one who responded.

The Queen was shocked for a few moments before frowning and shaking her head.

“Yes. Her parents are both outstanding Lycan citizens. They are ordinary people, but she is a dedicated worker,” she cast a glance at her son, who remained perplexed.

“Wait… wait… Perhaps that isn’t her. Perhaps she was impersonated. Someone impersonated Leo that night, you know,” he made the point.

My brows drew closer together. I couldn’t figure out what he was saying.

“What do you mean?” I inquired.

“Someone turned off the CCTV system that night, and all the evidence points to you,” he added.

“What? Me?”

I was taken aback.

“Yes. After casting a spell on the guards on duty, you enter the security room and switch it off, according to the film. We didn’t trust them when they said it was you. We have faith in you. However, I cannot make the same statement about the rest of the kingdom. Some of them assume it was you who did it,” Sir Elliot elaborated.

“Holy fish balls,” I said quietly as I stared at him.

“So that must be the source of the negative energy. I believe we should inspect all of the chambers as well as all of the warriors. Especially those who work in close proximity to us, ” Nanna made a suggestion.

Nanna, mom, and Amelia tried to keep an eye on the employees, especially the warriors and janitors, who worked with us. Meanwhile, Astrea and her team went about their business, while Xander and I chose to scout the palace garden since the guards on duty had been brought in for questioning.

“Did you get really beaten up to the point that you lost your memory?” As we walked through the shadows, Xander inquired.

“I suppose. They also injected something into the system. I’m not certain…”

I took a detour due to an unpleasant odour. Why would anyone be in the garden in the first place? Except for us, no one else was supposed to be there. It was a little strange that they were in an area where they weren’t supposed to be.

I looked over at Xander, who was also on high alert. He had sensed it as well. We surveyed the area silently for any signs of life. We observed that a shadowy figure was standing quite far away from us. Perhaps the scent of the invader was blown by the wind towards us.

Before the intruder was alerted, Xander took some of the wolfsbane lotion to erase our scent. We drew nearer to the enigmatic figure to spy on her and were surprised when a familiar female voice spoke.

“It’s a disaster. I’m not sure if he recalls anything, but this is critical. Notify the boss. Inform him that he has returned,” she added, pausing for a moment. “No! I’m sorry, but I’m unable to leave right now. Not even for a fraction of a second. If I teleport, the wizarding kingdom’s old hag will immediately recognise me. They are getting too close…”

“Yes. We have to put an end to him. We won’t be able to keep him alive. I can’t risk his memory returning. Not after what he had witnessed. If that happens, I’m afraid everything is over,” she stated

“This must be completed. Whether it’s a b***d moon or not, it’s time to attack! I can’t take the chance of them marking each other and ruining everything again,” she went on.

“Yes, yes, yes I’ve put the potion in her drink. The spell will now speed up, and she will change in no time. I’m holding my breath…”

Xander grabbed my arm and bolted into the Palace. I attempted to keep up with him, but he was lightning fast. He dashed into the room where the others were working and barged straight in.

In between deep gasps of breath, he tried to warn them by frantically waving his hands.

“Quick! She’s the one! She’s the one! She…”

“Who?” A familiar voice interrupted his speech.

Wide-eyed, I drew my gaze to the attractive blond who stood at the entrance.