Chapter 254
Alpha's Rejected Mate Returns as Queen
254 The Conversation
Selma Payneâs POV:
The weather today was perfect, or rather the weather here had not changed.
There were just the right amount of white clouds, pale halos, gentle winds, and clear air. I liked everything, and I felt free. I would sleep on the grass, on the shore, or in a stream, enjoying the wind and the stream brushing my hair. I would sleep deeply for a few days and nights and then run wildly in the vast wilderness.
The stream reflected my reflection, and the light refracted my hair and wings into a soft halo.
Occasionally, moths would come out to play with me, but they were cold and untraceable. They often flew into the sky and disappeared into the high clouds without waiting for me to pounce.
Why were they so anxious?
I didnât know, but it didnât matter. Iâd wait for the arrival of my next companion.
The moths would sometimes appear in groups; sometimes, not a single one would appear for a long time. I occasionally felt lonely during the long wait, so I fell into a deep sleep of dull boredom.
When I opened my eyes again, the field was still the field, and the sky was still the sky. Everything had remained the same.
I wouldnât change either.
It was a little boring.
Lying on my folded front paws, I stared at the flowing stream.
What should I do?
The reflection in the water suddenly moved, and someone said, âYou donât want to stay here anymore?â
I was shocked and jumped up in a panic. I stumbled back with my four limbs. Hiding on the shore, I asked, âWho are you?â
âIâm you. Do you want to leave this place?â the reflection asked.
âYouâre not me. Who are you?!â
âI am you, you fool. Donât make me say it a second time. â
âHow can there be two of me in this world?â
âThere are no two âyouâ. We are the same person.â
The same person?
âThen, what should I be called?â I decided to trick her. No matter what she answered, it would be wrong because I didnât remember my name at all!
âYour name is Selma or Madeline, but everyone is used to calling you Selma,â the shadow said.
âYouâre wrong!â I jumped up in excitement. âI donât have a name at all. Youâve been tricked by me, haha!â
The shadow looked at me speechlessly. âMy god! Have I become a retard?â
âHey! Show some respect!â I angrily mumbled, âYouâre the idiot!
âI already said Iâm you, and youâre me!â
The shadowâs patience seemed to have reached its limit.
âThink about your past, you fool! Remember your name and who you are, and quickly get out of this boring place!â
âItâs not boring here,â I said. âI like it here. I can run freely here.â
I didnât know which of my words had touched her, but she was silent for a long time before saying, âI know, but for your goal, you have to give up some things, such as the wilderness that can let you run freely.â
Why didnât she have to give something up? âI donât want to lose this place,â I retorted. âYou said that weâre one. Go and accomplish your goal then.â
âIâm also working hard on this,â the shadow said. âIâve also given up a lot.â
âFor example?â
âMy past, my physical body, my blood.â
âYou lost your memory? Or have all the people you know forgotten about you?â
âNo...â
âYouâre dead? Or have you become a spirit?â
â... not that eitherâ
âYou lost your family? Or did your parents kick you out of the house?â
â...â
I looked at the stunned shadow and proudly said, âSee, I knew you were lying. The people of the past are still there. Your body is still there, and your family is still there. What kind of loss is this? Donât try to trick me into making a sacrifice. I wonât let you benefit, hmph!â
A gentle breeze blew, ruffling the calm water surface and scattering the misty reflections.
I was in a daze when she suddenly appeared in front of me.
âWhat do you think youâre doing?â I vigilantly assumed an offensive stance, but she wasnât afraid at all. She even reached out and touched my chin.
âIâm touching myself? Itâs a wonderful feeling,â she mumbled.
I ran a few steps away and vigilantly watched this strange woman. âDonât be so friendly. We donât even know each other!â
She didnât care about my wariness. She stood there and looked at me gently. âWe know each other. You are me, and I am you. You are Selma, and I am Selma. Youâre Madeline, and Iâm Madeline.â
âIâm not.â I stubbornly shook my head. âI donât have a name.â
âThen, who are you?â
âI donât know. Maybe Iâm not anyone.â
âThereâs no such thing as not being anyone. You must have an identity, but youâve forgotten.â
Was that so?
I was convinced by her.
...
Had I forgotten my name?
She walked toward me step by step, and I didnât know why I didnât want to run away.
âI like this place too, but itâs time to leave. There are still many people waiting for us.â
She hugged me slowly.
Her embrace was so warm that I felt I was about to melt.
âWhoâs waiting for me?â
She didnât answer, and the wind carried our voices away.
The stream water gradually spread to the shore, and thin moths flew out from it, carrying our figures and flying high into the sky.
âItâs been a long time,â I said.
âItâs time to wake up.â
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
...
It was the sound of medical equipment.