Chapter 14: The Forgotten

Harper’s POV



I’m still shaken up by the incident with the mysterious car. It’s been days and I still haven’t found the courage to confide in Asher about it. I don’t want him to worry about me. It could’ve been an accident, or someone falling asleep at the wheel. I’m trying not to overthink what happened.

I keep coming back to the idea that Julius and Dean might have had something to do with it. The theory isn’t farfetched, but I’d like to believe they wouldn’t try and run me over out the front of the compound in front of potential witnesses.

I’ve been so on edge since it happened, I haven’t wanted to go for a run. I think Asher has started to notice something is wrong. He keeps asking me if I want to join him on his morning run, like I had promised the day of the barbecue, but I keep brushing him off with random excuses.

I feel bad when I see how sad he gets, but I don’t want to continue to risk my life if I go out for a run. Who knows who could be lurking around, ready to take me down.

I’m up early this morning because Asher had asked if I wanted to go running with him. Of course, I said no. But, instead of going back to sleep I got dressed and decided to go for a walk around the grounds. It’s a good way to get some exercise and stay close to the compound, away from danger.

The morning air is crisp against my exposed arms. I’m not sure why I left the bedroom without a jacket. That was a stupid idea. I rub my arms to create warmth, hoping the sun will warm up sooner rather than later.

Amaris asked if I wanted to join her on a walk through the forest today to go exploring. She explained how she’s done it before and will be a way for us to bond together. I’m not sure we need that, though, considering how close we are already. I’m excited to get out and enjoy exploring unseen territory.

A small child comes running up to me out of nowhere. He is huffing and puffing, trying to catch his breath. Streaks of clear liquid stain his cheeks.

I bend down to his height to comfort him, “What’s wrong?”

“My… Mother, I can’t… find her,” he’s struggling to form a simple sentence, “Help me.”

I look around the backyard, hoping his Mother will magically appear. But there’s not a single person in sight.
He points to a small opening in the hedges; he must’ve come from there.

“Don’t worry, I’ll help you find her,” I take his small hand in mine, “Just lead me in the direction you last saw her.”
The boy sniffs and begins walking towards the edge of the backyard.

It’s not long until I can’t see the roof of the compound anymore. The terrain is steep and dense. The brush gets thicker the further we walk, and the dirt pathway soon begins to fade into nothing. The little boy continues without a word, holding my hand tight. I can see how he would’ve lost her; this forest is completely untamed.

I’m not sure how long we’ve been walking for, but I’m starting to think I won’t find this child’s Mother. The best-case scenario is she managed to find her way back to the compound and sent someone to help locate us. Worst case, she’s injured out here and needs medical attention. I’m hoping for best case.

I tug on the little boy’s hand, “Maybe we should take a break.”

He nods, “I’m going to call out her name.”

“Don’t go too far!” I call after him as he continues walking.

I sit on the ground, cross-legged, and attempt to regain my breath. The walk has been long, especially now that the sun has fully risen, and the heat is beginning to take its toll on me.

I lean my head back against the tree behind me, closing my eyes for a moment. Hopefully, I can find the boy’s Mother. This is what I like to do; helping people who need me. When I become Alpha, helping people in need will be my top priority, no matter how long it takes or how painful it is. I want to help in any way I can.

A shriek in the distance jolts me from my thoughts. I stand to my feet and rush towards the sound. The thick brush scrapes against my shins, and I wince in pain. I hope the little boy hasn’t hurt himself.

The brush opens to reveal the entrance to a cave hidden behind tall plants. It sounds like the noise came from inside. Maybe the boy fell and hurt himself. I inch towards the entrance, peaking in to see there is a large drop into a dirt pit. What kind of cave is this?

A sharp pain burns between my shoulders. I release a loud scream when I lose my balance and begin falling headfirst into the pit. I try to protect my head as I’m falling, but when my body makes contact with the ground below, everything around me begins to fade to black.


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My head is pounding when I regain consciousness. My eyes are blurry, and I can’t see too far ahead of me. I rub the spot on the right side of my head where it connected with the ground. I must’ve taken one hell of a fall.

I stand to my feet and attempt to see how high the wall of the pit is. Judging from height, I won’t be able to get out on my own. I sigh, slumping myself against the wall. My throat is dry, and my stomach is rumbling. I’m not sure how long I was out for, but it was long enough that the sun has gone to sleep, and the moon is now awake.

How did this happen? I wasn’t standing too close to the edge to accidentally fall in. For a split second when I was falling, it felt like two hands had pushed me in. It seems impossible, though, because no one was around me.

I’m starting to think the emergency with the little boy was a set up by someone to get me away from the compound. If this was Julius and Dean I’m going to be pissed when I get out of here. I will find them myself and I won’t hold back.

If they were behind the car incident, and now this, there will be hell to pay.