Forgotten Memory

Erin’s POV:

“Lily!” we hasted into her room and saw her crawling into her bed. 

“What happened?” Axel and I exclaimed anxiously in unison. 

“I saw a rat. It ran into my closet.”

“You scared me, kiddo!” I held her in my arms. Axel laughed at her, but I saw him turn pale in fear. 

Lily Starvo. Father’s only daughter. Our little angel. Innocent and fragile. She was only a baby when her mother died. Though Axel and Lily came from different mothers, Axel loved her so much and always found time to be with her despite his busy work schedule and private life. 

She is the source of joy in the family. I love her like my real sister, and I would kill for her if someone dared to hurt her. For in this cruel world we live in. She’s the only person who brings out the goodness in our hearts.

*******

I was so intrigued by the new client. He chose to meet in the woods in the middle of nowhere. This is so unlikely, and I have a bad feeling about this. Father insisted on going, which really concerned me. They are new clients. He didn’t deal with new clients personally and instructed me to stay in the car. Usually, they would drop me off somewhere to check the area.

“Father, why don’t you stay here? Axel and I will take care of this client.”

“I want to go, Erin, and don’t worry about me. Nothing will happen to me as long as you are here.”

“I-I don’t feel good about this transaction.”

“Why so?” Axel asked. He was observing me the whole time, “You looked so tense, Erin.”

“I just had a bad feeling. That’s all. I mean, why would they want to meet here?” I point my fingers at the bushes and tall trees we pass by.

“Well, maybe to earn their trust, we must also trust their judgment,” Romano answered with a smile.

“Dad, I do agree with Erin. It’s odd. Why don’t we move the meeting place to the city? After all, they are the one who needs your alliance. What do you think?” Axel turns to me, waiting for my reply.

“I agree.”

“Let’s get on with it, okay? Nothing will happen,” father said firmly.

That leaves me with no choice but to agree with him and be vigilant. Axel and I knew once father decided on something. No one could change it. 

While approaching the meeting place, I suddenly felt my heart racing. Memories flash back in my mind. The mountain was so familiar. I looked back at the road and remembered the pulsating fear. The blood in my feet and my sorrow. It was all coming back to my senses. 

“Erin, stay in the car with Axel,” father reminded me, but his voice seemed vague. I nodded, skeptical at the same time. I saw him walk deeper into the woods with some of his men. I listened intently, but no one was around. We arrived first. 

“Why would father leave us here? Why would he go there alone?” I said under my breath. 

“What’s that, Erin?” 

I shook my head, trying to decipher everything that was going on. Father is the only person who knows my wolf form, and I can’t transform with Axel and his men around. 

“This place….”

“What? Erin, are you okay?” Axel held my arm, seeing me breathing heavily.

A flashback stunned me.

“Erin, this is as far as I can go. Down there is the human world. Go there. Keep your wolf self hidden and stay alive,” Uncle Akela led me to the foot of the mountain. 

“Wait, you’re not coming with me?”

“No, Erin. Our people need me.”

“I can’t do this without you, uncle.”

“Yes, you can. This is the only way for you to live. Go now, before they catch us,” Uncle Akela handed me my mother’s necklace, “Erin, keep running. Don’t ever come back.”

Since then, I have become an orphan. My eyes watered from that forgotten memory. The pain still haunts me. That was the reason why I became a cold-blooded killer. I built a wall around me. High and unbreakable. I filled my heart with rage and taught myself to be as hard as a stone. 

“Erin, what’s wrong?” Axel saw my teary eyes. 

“Nothing. I just remembered something,” I quickly wiped my tears. 

“Are you sure? You know you can always talk to me. We’re family. Remember that.”

“I know. Thank you,” hearing Axel’s concern is new to me, but I am thankful that he still thinks of me as a family after all.

“Finally! The client is here.”

Two cars pulled over next to our car. I took my phone out and called father to check on him. I also informed him that the client had arrived.

“Father, are you sure you want me to stay in the car? I can go there and….”

“No, Erin. Stay there,” father cut me off, “I’ll be fine, and Erin….”

“Yes, father?”

“After this, everything will be fine. I will fix it for you. You can go home in peace and be with your family and be happy.”

“Huh? What are you talking about, father?”

“You are my daughter, Erin. Remember that, and I will always be grateful to be your father,” father ended the call, leaving me hanging. I redialed his number, but he was not picking up.

“Dammit!”

“Start talking, Erin. There’s something you’re not telling me. Is this about dad? What’s wrong with him?” Axel grumbled, losing his patience seeing me restless. 

“Stop it, Axel! I am trying to focus he…,” I saw a man come out of the car. He looks so familiar. He was heading in father’s direction with his men. Suddenly, a flashback occupied my mind.

“From now on, you are going to serve me, only me. You are alive because of me,” Alpha Ezekiel uttered. His deep resonating voice echoed in my ears.

“Put her in the servant’s quarter! Let’s see if she can earn her stay.”

I served Alpha Ezekiel without convictions. I followed all the rules he imposed and did my best to please him, to spare my life. But after a few months, my faith changed. 

“Take her,” Alpha Ezekiel ordered his men.

“Where are you taking me?” 

“Cage. Tomorrow you will face the council, and let’s see if your legacy can save you,” he uttered as his men dragged me away.

“No! Please, don’t do this!” I was thrown into the silver cage with no food or drinks. My only hope was for a miracle to touch Alpha Ezekiel’s heart and spare my life.

“Erin! What the hell is wrong with you? You are so off! This isn’t time for daydreaming. Stay focused!” Axel huffed.

“That man, I know him. He’s Alpha Ezekiel. Oh God, Father!” I quickly dialed his number, but he was not picking up.

“Who?” Axel scanned his eyes around, “Whom are you talking about? What’s going on, Erin?”

Suddenly, we heard gunshots everywhere. I dashed outside and ran into the woods, searching for father. I sniffed the air and smelled blood. When I found their location, everyone was dead, and father was lying on the ground, covered in blood.