Page 58 of His Sunshine Baby

“You know, I always felt there was something odd about my memories. I can’t remember anything before my fifth birthday.”

“Most people don’t remember their early years.”

“But you remember your mom being pregnant with the twins, or when Levi broke his arm. You were only two or three years old, Danny. I don’t remember anything at all, not the slightest memory.”

He nods with a sigh.

“I know. I don’t see how Reagan could be responsible for you losing your memories. Maybe you have some sort of trauma or something.”

I wish I knew. But it’s a black hole whenever I try to remember anything before my fifth birthday with my adoptive parents. I finally grab that cup of coffee and let out a deep sigh.

“I’m just so tired of all the mysteries, Danny, even if Reagan is trying to protect me from who knows what. This is just a whole mess in my head.”

“I understand babe. But I don’t think there’s anything more we can do for now. Do you wanna search the forest again?”

I shake my head. I already know it’s no use, though I appreciate Danny’s efforts to comfort me. We searched that forest a thousand times already, and I feel like the answer isn’t there anyway. Daniel gets up again to put some music on and prepare brunch, but I stay seated, thinking.

What about that other child she mentioned? Is she from my pack too? Why didn’t Reagan know about her situation? And what would have caused my family to die? Something attacked them and might come after me at any moment... What sort of threat could that be? Werewolves have so many enemies: vampires, witches, and even humans… Another pack of werewolves could have been involved. If only Reagan wouldfinally talk. How is not saying anything protecting me? From her conversation with Clark, it even seems as though she is against me taking the position of Alpha. Why is she so insistent on concealing my existence? Is the threat really that serious that I could be hunted all the way here? Is that why she trained me since I was young?

While I’m lost in my thoughts, my phone suddenly vibrates. A text from Nate.

Elena, sorry about this morning. I didn’t mean to upset you. You can stay over if you want, but I won’t force you.

I can’t help but smile. He’s as understanding as ever. He never forces me into anything anyway. I think long and hard before answering.

It’s okay. Sorry, I lost my cool.

Any plans tonight?

I could use a change of scenery.

I’ll be at this address from 6 p.m. onwards. Meet me whenever you want.

It’s a location I don’t know, on the outskirts of their territory. He sometimes surprises me like this, and it’s nice. I already feel a lot better knowing that I’ll see Nate later.

Danny brings two vegetarian omelets with potatoes and a new serving of coffee.

“Where is Bobo, by the way?” I ask when he sits down.

“He left. I told him I needed a private talk with my favorite girl, and anyway, he’s busy with his pack these days, he can’t stay too long.”

“Something going on?”

Daniel grabs the TV remote and nods.

“More or less. They are still looking for that girl, remember? The one your man asked Clark about?”

“He is not my man,” I automatically reply with an annoyed growl.

“Anyway, it seems like they are still actively looking for her, whoever she is. The King is crazy obsessed about that these days. They have been visiting more packs.”

Nathaniel didn’t mention anything. He never talks to me about his brothers, either. But I know when he sometimes has to leave abruptly, it’s because of one of them. The younger one seems to be a bit of a runaway kid, going off the grid from time to time. The King, however, seems to have another kind of problem. I never see Nate as worried as when he has to go back to see his older brother. He never tells me why, though.

Daniel puts on some TV show he’s been watching, but I’m not very into it. Instead, I grab some of my study books to get back on track before I resume classes in a couple of weeks. It’s not thrilling, but I just want to stop thinking about those other annoying matters: the mystery around my birth, my asshole ex-boyfriend, and my relationship with Nate. Each and every one of these matters is giving me a headache.

Cold stone, and people screaming. A warm embrace is protecting me, and someone is whispering a prayer. I’m so cold… I want to cry, but somebody’s rocking my tiny body, trying to keep me quiet. A warm man’s voice says everything will be alright, he will protect us. He loves us. A woman weeps quietly next to my ear. She doesn’t want him to go, but there is no choice.

We are left alone. It’s suddenly quiet, and very scary. I’m so scared, I’m shaking. A cold voice is talking, but they can’t find us. The gentle voice is whispering again. They don’t know our secret, it will keep us safe. A violent light appears!

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