Chapter 21-- Chasing Pictures

“That’s all I need to hear. I can help you.” Killian said.
My heart raced with anticipation and hope. What if what they found was a disaster? What if I was a spy sent to destroy this pack?
“Help her with what?” Dean’s voice shattered my hope.
“Alpha. I was talking to Layla about her memories.” Killian straightened his spine.
That was the moment I realized Ash and Sam abandoned me. They were busy playing with pretend swords. Ash shrugged and Sam hit him on the head. Serves him right.
Dean had his hands on his waist as he spoke to Killian.
“I didn’t know you were a doctor now,” Dean said.
“No.” Killian laughed, rather confidently for a man under the scrutiny of a ruthless king. “I know someone who is. Chester—”
“The rogue?” Dean raised his brow.
“He knows his stuff. If your Little Wolf wants her memories back it’s worth a shot.”
Dean shifted uncomfortably.
“I want to Dean.”
“I don’t trust the rogue.” He snapped.
“I can handle myself. I need to try something. I need to know who I am, what I’ve left behind.”
Dean grabbed my arm and pulled me close. “Why does it matter what you left behind?”
“What if people are looking for me?” my voice cracked.
“You want to leave?” He sneered.
“I didn’t say that.”
He let go and marched off. I sighed and turned to Killian.
“I’m going whether he likes it or not.”
“Good luck Little Wolf,” Killian said before I dashed after him.
“Dean, we’re going to talk about this.”
He groaned when I reached him before he entered the front door. He picked me up and hoisted me over his shoulder.
“This isn’t funny!”
“I’m not laughing.” He ventured to the right through a narrow corridor partly blocked with flowers.
I slid off him. I felt every part of him as I rolled off him and hit the ground. I cleared my throat while Dean took a seat on a concrete fountain.
“I never said I wanted to leave you,” I said after a moment of silence.
Dean looked aside and scrawled, “Why is it so important you remember?” He nodded at me.
“Because… I don’t want to believe I’m alone.”
“You have me.” He barked.
“I know. What if someone is looking for me? Besides, I need to know what happened to me. Who hurt me so badly.”
“No one’s ever going to touch you, Layla.” He gripped my shoulders and shook me.
He was so stubborn. Did my words even penetrate?
“Dean, you need to let me do this. If you don’t I’ll do it anyway.” I crossed my arms over my chest.
“I’m going with you. No one else.”
I didn’t see the harm in that considering there the circumstances.
***
“Listen, I don’t trust this guy. The only reason I let him stay is that he’s a good healer. Stay alert.”
Dean and I left the castle after six to meet with this rogue healer. His house was pretty normal. Small mustard-painted house standing behind a white fence.
“Anything else I need to know?” I asked, he was making me nervous.
“Don’t say too much.” He said then the door opened.
A man about five foot six opened the door. He wore square glasses and a black and yellow checked shirt with loose black pants. A white fur ball appeared seconds after he appeared and danced around my legs.
“Alpha,” the man pushed his glasses up his nose.
“Matt,” Dean grumbled.
I kicked the back of Dean’s boot and my mate groaned.
Matt picked up the door before I could run my fingers through her cotton-like hair. “I’m sorry, Sally loves guests.”
“That’s all right. She’s the cutest dog I’ve ever seen.” Maybe the only dog I’ve ever seen.
“Thank you.” He smiled. “How can I help you? I haven’t seen you around the pack before.” He narrowed his eyes at me.
“Yes, I… uh—”
“It’s a private matter. I need your services.”
Matt looked over Dean’s shoulder into the quiet street before stepping aside. We walked into a normal home, warm and cosy. The fireplace made me want to curl into the sofa and take a nap.
“Follow me.” Matt set the dog down on the sofa and led us to a door near the staircase.
Dean grabbed my hand and squeezed it. I believed it was out of support than fear. Matt walked to a chair and settled in it. He linked his fingers in front of himself and glanced at the two of us.
“How can I help you?”
“My girlfriend needs to recover her memories.”
“Oh, did you have an accident?”
“Yes,” Dean responded before I could.
“Have you been to the doctor?” Matt asked.
“Fuck the doctor, we need something fast. Remember this is private.”
Matt nodded. “Lay down on that chair over there.”
I did as told and instinctively shut my eyes. The wheels on the chair squeaked and I felt a presence near me.
“What the fuck are you doing?” Dean growled.
My eyes popped open. “Dean!”
Dean had his hand on Matt’s shirt.
“Leave him alone! He’s trying to help me.”
“He doesn’t have to touch you, Layla.” Dean shoved him back.
“I have to touch her forehead to determine the injury.” Matt panted.
“Dean!” I yelled.
“Just her forehead,” Matt assured.
Dean nodded then sat back down. I shut my eyes again and seconds later Matt’s surprisingly soft hands rubbed my temples.
“Now, I need you to relax. Don’t think of anything. Don’t even try to remember. Don’t even listen to my voice. Lose yourself to find yourself…”
Matt’s voice drifted into nothingness. I relaxed which could have been due to Matt’s massage. I almost felt detached from my body. I couldn’t feel Dean and I couldn’t hear Matt’s voice. Moisture filled my nostrils along with a strong smell of pine. It was overwhelming like I was surrounded by it, but everything was dark and I was supposed to be in a study.
I didn’t like being in limbo I wanted to get out but I couldn’t. Panic came over me. No matter how hard I tried to wake up I couldn’t. I couldn’t pull open my eyelids. What did Matt do to me? I couldn’t unstick my arms from my body. I was stuck. That’s when imagining open fields with long brown weeds blowing in the wind. A girl in white lace appeared dancing in the weeds, swaying in the wind.
I couldn’t see her face, but I could hear her laugh. More girls appeared wearing the same lace dresses. I couldn’t tell any of their faces. I shot up and panted before I could get anything else.
“Are you okay?” Dean pushed Matt aside and brushed my hair out of my face.
“I think so. I couldn’t move.”
“Hmm, maybe I came on a little strong. Did you remember anything?” Matt asked.
“I think so. It doesn’t make any sense.”
“It’s a good sign. You’ll need more sessions.”
“Are you insane?” Dean blasted.
“Yes, I’ll be back.” I gripped Dean’s arm.
Matt nodded, “Tomorrow. Same time if you wish.”
“Thank you.”
Once we were in the safety of Dean’s truck I cornered him.
“What’s wrong with you? He’s such a sweet guy.”
Dean glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “There’s a reason he’s a rogue.”
“Why is he rogue?”
He started the engine. “A story for another day. What did you remember?”
I relayed everything I went to and hoped it made sense to him because it didn’t make much sense to me.
“You’re not going to tell anyone about this.” He tightened his grip on the stirring wheel.
I nodded. It wasn’t like it was anything significant to go around talking about.
“Come on, let’s go grab a beer.”