2

LISA’S POV

One minute, I was riding fast; the next, I was falling hard. But just like always, I bolted upright in my bed, gulping down lungful of air. The same nightmare has haunted me for as long as I can remember—falling off my horse with the wind screaming in my ears and the ground rushing up to meet me. But I never hit the ground. I always woke up before that, my heart racing like a wild horse.

“Lisa, Lisa, it’s okay. It’s just a dream,” a familiar voice soothed me as warm arms wrapped around me. I blinked, trying to clear the fog from my mind. 

The voice belonged to Max, my older brother. At least, that’s what I was told because I don’t remember him or anyone else. Yet, his love and care for me couldn’t be mistaken, as I could see it in his eyes.

Max looked worried; his hazel eyes were clouded with concern. He always looked out for me, ever since I was said to have lost my memory in a horseback riding accident. 

He was the one who told me who I was, who he was, and who our family was. He was the one who filled the gaps in my past with stories and pictures. He was the one who made me feel like I belonged in the Bonnet family, and he was here right now.

"Max..." I whispered, clinging to him just as desperately. He stroked my hair, humming softly. He had a beautiful voice, one that could calm any storm threatening to break me apart. He used to sing to me when I was little, he said. He still did, sometimes, when I couldn't sleep.

"Shh, it's alright, little one. You're safe. No one can hurt you, not even the demons in your dreams." He said this, kissing my forehead. I felt a rush of gratitude swell in my heart for his love and care. He was more than a brother to me. He was my hero.

The door to my room swung open abruptly, revealing another familiar face. It was Jax, my eldest brother. He towered over Max, sharing the same jet-black hair and brown eyes. Despite their striking resemblance, Max and Jax could never be mistaken for twins due to their contrasting personalities.

“Hey, sis. What’s going on?” He asked, walking over to the bed. He glanced at Max, then at me, his expression curious. He could tell something was wrong, but he didn’t pry. He respected my privacy, but he was always there if I needed him.

“Nothing, Jax. Just a bad dream,” Max said, giving him a reassuring smile. He let go of me but stayed by my side. He knew I hated to be alone, especially after a nightmare.

"Another one?" Jax asked, frowning. He sat down on the edge of the bed, taking my hand. He squeezed it gently, his touch warm and comforting. He was always so kind and gentle, even though he could be tough and brave when he had to. He was my best friend, as well as my big brother.

“Yes, another one,” I admitted, managing to force a smile. I didn’t want to cause them any worry, yet I couldn’t conceal the truth. The same nightmare haunted me every night, each time growing more intense. It was so vivid and so real that it felt like a memory. But its meaning remained elusive to me.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Jax inquired, his voice gentle and genuine. He regarded me with understanding, his eyes gleaming with empathy. He knew me better than anyone else, even myself.

“No, it’s okay. I don’t remember much anyway,” I lied, hoping he would drop the subject. I didn’t want to discuss it because I was afraid of what it might reveal. The fear of losing the only life I knew and the only family I had was overwhelming.

"Okay, but you know we're here for you, right?" Jax said, giving me a gentle smile. He leaned in, kissing my cheek. He always knew how to make me feel better with his jokes and his hugs.

“I know, Jax. Thank you,” I said, feeling a surge of love for him and Max. They were my brothers, my guardians, and my everything. They were the reason I survived, the reason I lived. Without them, I would be damned.

They stayed with me for a while, chatting and laughing, until I felt calm and relaxed again. Then they left, promising to come back if I needed them. 

As the door closed behind them, I smiled, saying a silent thank you for their unwavering support. Despite the gaping hole in my memory, I couldn't imagine my life without Max and Jax. They were my anchors, my guides, and my protectors. They were my only family, and I loved them more than anything.

According to what I was told, our parents died when I was young. Without my memory, I can’t even remember how it happened. It seems that our parents’ deaths are a painful topic for my brothers to discuss, so I knew better than to push them for details.

As I drifted back to sleep, a thought nagged at the back of my mind: could these nightmares be fragments of my lost memories trying to resurface? But if not, what could they mean?

The next morning, I pushed these thoughts aside as I hurried to the bathroom and got ready before I joined my brothers in the kitchen for breakfast.

“Good morning, Jax,” I greeted as I settled down beside him at the breakfast table.

“Good morning, Lisa. I hope you slept well,” Jax said before passing me a plate filled with cooked potatoes and beef soup.

I nodded. “Yes, I did. Thank you for last night,” I said, offering him a smile. Just then, Max walked in, yawning. He looked tired, as if he hadn’t slept all night. My heart squeezed at the thought that it was my fault.

“Hey, Max. What’s wrong?” He gave a careless shrug before dropping into the empty seat beside me.

“Nothing is wrong, Lisa. How are you doing?”

My face brightened up. "I’m fine. Just hungry."

He reached out and ruffled my hair completely. “Go on and eat then.”

We were eating and chatting when we heard a knock on the door.

“I’ll get it,” Jax said, rising. He opened the door and saw Caleb standing there. Caleb was a friend of both Max and Jax, and he often visited them on the farm. He had a serious look on his face as he greeted them.

“Hey, guys, I have some news for you,” he said, walking into the kitchen.

"What is it?" Max asked, sensing something was wrong.

“It’s about Alpha Asher. His brother is coming to town today to collect the levy in person,” Caleb said, lowering his voice.

"What? Why?" Max asked, his eyes narrowing.

“I don’t know, but it’s not good. He’s never behaved like this before. He usually sends his enforcers to collect money from the villagers” Caleb said, shaking his head.

“Perhaps he wants to understand the people he’s taxing better—not just to take from us, but to see how we’re doing,” Jax said, trying to sound optimistic.

"Or maybe he wants to make an example of us, to show us who's boss," Max said, his voice grim and filled with worry.

“Who is Alpha Asher?” I asked, feeling confused. I had heard his name before, but I didn’t know much about him.

They all turned to look at me, their expressions uneasy, as though I had just asked the wrong question.