33 – Identity

33 – Identity

33 – Identity

Meridian Water

I woke up with a heavy weight on my chest, as if my mind were shrouded in a dense fog. The sunlight filtered through the forest leaves, but its warm glow offered no comfort.

I shot up suddenly, throwing off the fur blanket that had been keeping me warm. My breathing was heavy, my heart racing. My body was screaming for something—something that wasn’t there. The palace. The prince. That was where I was supposed to be.

“What did you do with my clothes?” I demanded, glancing down at the loose, floral dress I was wearing. My voice cut through the silence, cold and decisive.

A young man sitting by the bedside stared at me. He was young, and there was something unfamiliar in his gaze.

“These are your clothes, Mel,” he said, his tone carrying something sentimental. I scoffed, irritated. He stepped closer cautiously, concern etched across his face—concern I couldn’t comprehend.

“No, these aren’t my clothes, and my name isn’t Mel,” I growled. “You’ve got me confused with someone else!”

The door opened, and three more people entered, murmuring among themselves. The boy stepped forward again, but I raised a hand to stop him.

“You’re just a kid,” I snapped. “And I don’t hurt kids. But I don’t know what game you’re trying to play here, and I don’t belong in this place.”

The boy sighed deeply, crossing his arms while staring at me. The others moved closer.

“This is your home. The place where you were born. We are your pack,” he said firmly, his voice brimming with conviction.

“Lies,” I hissed. “I know what you’re trying to do, and it won’t work. Sending a kid to play this part? That’s pure cowardice. You’re going to pay for this.”

My tone carried the sharp edge of defiance, and the deafening silence that followed made it clear my words had struck a nerve. The boy recoiled as if defeated, and another figure stepped forward. I wanted to fight, but I knew I would lose; there were likely more of them outside that room.

Why wasn’t I in a cell?

Why were they being so... friendly?

If this was a ploy to get me on their side, to make me spill everything about the palace, I needed to be smarter. I had to figure out the weapons they were using and counter them with my own.

“Hello, Meridian.” A man stepped in front of me, and I knew instantly that he was the alpha. His eyes gave it away, though they carried more love and compassion than anything else. His voice made my ears buzz, as if my mind were fighting against something unfamiliar. He was powerful, it seemed.

“Who are you? And what’s going on?” I asked, getting straight to the point.

“I’m the alpha of this pack, and you know who I am. We’ve brought you home,” he said calmly, though there was a weight of pain in his voice.

“If that were true, this isn’t how it works. You don’t abandon someone and then come back for them as if nothing happened,” I said with a bitter edge.

“We didn’t abandon you. We would never do that. But when you’re calmer, we’ll talk. We’ll tell you your story, and you’ll remember.”

I scoffed, crossing my arms.

“And what do you think you’re going to do with me?” I asked mockingly. “Raise me like a little wolf pup?”

“Time will tell... You know you could’ve died casting that spell, don’t you?” he asked, his piercing gaze sending a ripple of unease through me.

“I fulfilled my duty. What did you think? That I’d fail and hand the prince over?” I replied with a triumphant smile.

“No. That’s not what we taught you. We taught you loyalty, and you learned it well,” he said, his tone heavy with sadness.

“You didn’t teach me anything!” I shouted, my voice rising. “I belong to the Kingdom of Umbra. If I know anything, it’s because they gave me purpose, taught me everything I needed to know, and gave me an identity and a mission to fulfill. I am Umbran, and nothing you do will change that. You can’t erase who I am.”

His face twisted in anguish, as though I’d struck him with those words. For a moment, I thought I saw tears in his eyes. Something within me stirred, the fury I’d felt moments before doused like water on flames. What remained was something I couldn’t name, but I shoved it deep down. They were trying to get into my head, but I wouldn’t let them. I wasn’t an easy target.

“Very well... We’ll show you just how wrong you are. I have patience,” he said at last.

“You’re wasting your time. Let me give you some valuable advice as a warrior: never leave an enemy alive and try to mess with their head. I won’t break, and in the end, I’ll be gone, and this little game will cost your pack dearly.”

He stood in silence for a moment before smiling faintly.

“There isn’t a single person in this pack who wouldn’t die for you. You’ve hurt a lot of people who love you. We’ve lost members because of you. But we will never give up on you. You’re family, Mel. And nothing—not time, not any mystical force—will ever change that. We’ll do whatever it takes to bring you back.”

Before I could respond, he turned and left. His words resonated inside me, and I had to close my eyes and take a deep breath. Whatever they were trying to do, they were strong and determined to win.

But they wouldn’t win. I wouldn’t break. I know who I am. I know my identity and my purpose, and nothing will change that.