The Mate He Forgot Chapter 09
Isla never thought she’d wake up again.Â
The sharp scent of antiseptic filled her lungs as she blinked into the sterile white glow above. It took her a long time toÂ
realize–she was alive.Â
The pack medic was checking her vitals, his voice laced withÂ
genuine relief.Â
“You flatlined twice. We fought for over ten hours to pull youÂ
back. You’re lucky. Damn lucky.”Â
Isla’s lashes fluttered. Her throat felt like sandpaper.Â
“…Thank you. For saving me.”Â
The medic gave a short nod, hesitated a beat.Â
“Was that your family who dropped you off? The ones whoÂ
left right after you were wheeled in?”Â
Isla’s lips parted slightly, but no words came. SilenceÂ
stretched between them like a chasm.Â
The medic didn’t push. He sighed and left her alone.Â
For the next two days, not a single soul came to see her.Â
No flowers. No messages. No familiar scent waiting outsideÂ
her door.Â
On the third morning, Regis and Viviana finally showed up-Â
not to check on her, but to lay out their final instructions.Â
“Tomorrow’s the mating ceremony,” Viviana said, like it wasÂ
just another social event. “You promised to leave. Make sureÂ
you’re gone before it starts.”Â
Isla gave a small nod. Quiet. Obedient. Just the way theyÂ
liked her.Â
Regis’s tone softened slightly, almost like praise.Â
“We wired money to your account. Once things calm down and they have a pup, maybe we’ll reach out. Veloria’s quiet.Â
Should be good for you.”Â
They didn’t linger. Arabella was waiting. And Isla? She didn’tÂ
exist beyond that checklist.Â
As the door closed behind them, Isla pulled out the plane ticket to Veloria from her coat pocket–and tore it into pieces.Â
Then she booked a one–way flight to Koorana.Â
If they wanted her gone, fine. She’d disappear so completelyÂ
they’d never find her again.Â
But not before she finished what she came here to do.Â
She left the pack hospital and headed straight to the Hall ofÂ
Records–the place where ancient oaths were bound andÂ
broken.Â
By nightfall, her blood had sealed the parchment, markingÂ
her complete severance from the Grayscale bloodline. HerÂ
name stood alone beneath the old sigil, sharp andÂ
unwavering.Â
She tucked the scroll into a small box, along with one finalÂ
item–the old voice crystal that held Rhett’s stories under theÂ
stars. The one she used to play when she still believed theÂ
world had room for her.Â
She had brought it to him so many times, begging him toÂ
remember. He never even gave her a full minute.Â
Well. She wouldn’t be needing it anymore.Â
The house buzzed that night, prepping for tomorrow’s grandÂ
ceremony. Upstairs, Isla lay wide awake, staring at theÂ
ceiling.Â
By dawn, she’d packed her last suitcase.Â
She rolled it out to the car just as the wedding convoyÂ
pulled into the driveway.Â
Rhett stepped out first, looking sharp in a tailored suit,Â
shoulders square like nothing could ever touch him.Â
Isla offered a polite nod.Â
He blinked. “You don’t need to come to the ceremony. Just…Â
stay home.”Â
He didn’t say it, but she knew what he meant–don’t ruin this.Â
Don’t make a scene.Â
“I’m not here for your ceremony,” she said, handing over aÂ
small gift box. Her voice was steady. “I just came to sayÂ
goodbye. Congratulations, Alpha. Wishing you both a longÂ
and happy life.”Â
She turned and got in her car.Â
Behind her, Rhett stared at the closing door, a strange twistÂ
in his gut.Â
He almost called out.Â
Almost.Â
But Arabella stepped outside in her pristine white gown,Â
arms outstretched.Â
“Rhett, come hold me.”Â
Through the rearview mirror, Isla watched him toss the boxÂ
carelessly to his Beta, then walk back to Arabella with thatÂ
same soft smile he used to wear just for her.Â
She rolled the window down.Â
And tossed her phone into the wind.Â
That chapter was done.Â
Isla, the girl they tried to bury, was gone.Â
And the woman driving away?Â
She wasn’t looking back.

