The Re- Claim

Chapter 9

''Athena? I asked you something, what was that back there?''

''It was nothing Leo, I'm fine now.''

''What level of stupid do you think I am?'' he looks at me offended.

''Leo...I... it's complicated okay,'' I tell him.

''I can handle it Athena....and yes, I know you are an alpha female so no point in hiding that.''

My eyes widen in shock at this, ''how? Oh...of course you saw my eyes. You won't tell anyone right? The council can't know, please.''

''Athena.... the council knows and so does everyone else in the wolf community,'' Leo tells me. ''How do you not know this....it happened last year. In fact, Alexander is even on your side. He spoke to everyone at the alpha meeting and re-assured us that you're not a threat. You did too. That's where we first met.''

''Oh goddess......of course it happened last year, Damn it! Could this get any more complicated?!'' I groan in frustration.

''Do you mind sharing...maybe I can help,'' Leo says softly.

''That's the problem Leo. I have no idea what's wrong!!'' I yell at him and he backs away.

''If you don't want to tell me then it's fine Athena,'' and he starts to leave.

''No...no..no...you don't get it Leo, I actually don't know. I just found out 2 days ago that...I...oh goddess how do I say this.... umm...I have no memory of the past year. Nothing.''

''What....really? I mean, are you sure? ohhh that explains it. That's why you didn't recognize me when we met at the dinner,'' he says placing his hand on his forehead. ''Okay...it's all falling into place now. Tell me, how can I help you? I'll do whatever I can. Is there a way to get it all back?''

''You can't help me Leo, I'm broken,'' I say in a whisper.

''Heyy...heyy...look at me, you're not broken okay, you're strong,'' he walks back and crouches low ''Heck, you're an alpha female.''

I laugh a little at this and he smiles at me. ''You're beautiful Athena, strong, independent, so full of life, memory or no memory you're still you. We will work together to get your memory back, okay?''

''But that's the thing Leo,'' I get up from the couch and walk to the window, ''I don't think I want it back.''

''You can't be serious Athena...why would you not want it back?''

''because my father is dead and me getting my memories back means I will know how he died, I will re-live it and I don't think I can do that to myself, it will destroy me. I'm still not over his death and it's almost a month now.''

''Oh wow.... I'm sorry, I didn't know. My condolences to you.''

''Yeah...thanks. So now you know why I don't want my memories back.''

''But Athena what about your life there, your family, friends, your...umm people that you deeply care about?'' he asks me and I notice his heart-rate pick up.

''What's the point of going there when I can't remember them, right? Anyway I'm happy here and I love how things are going. It's like I'm starting afresh; a clean slate. Only that I'm not but yeah...''

''Well, I will respect your decision on that. if it's a new start you want then it's a new start you'll get. Hi I'm Leo, your new friend,'' he jokes and extends his hand for me to shake.

I giggle at his antics but play along, ''nice to meet you Leo, I'm Athena.''

The pain is now gone. But I've realized that every time I try to think of anything related to my past that's when the migraine happens. So I've now decided to not think about the past year at all, no matter what.