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Chapter 216
Very well, she said, her voice cooling several degrees. 1 tensed, preparing myself for whatever revelation was coming. My grandmother stood abruptly and walked to an ornate cabinet in the corner of the room. From a hidden drawer, she withdrew a small silver key and used it to unlock a compartment I’d never noticed belone. She returned with a worn leather bumil book–what appeared to be a journal.
“Yes,” she finally said, her voice holding a note of defeat I’d rarely heard from her. “Your father had a brother. Has a brother, I suppose, though we’ve not spoken bis nanse in this house for decades?
The confirmation hit harder than I’d expected, despite having already suspected the truth, I waited as she opened the journal to reveal a faded photograph of Iwo young men my father’s face unmistakable, and beside him, a slightly younger man with the same jawline and eyes that mirrored my own.
y were as different as the sun and moon,” she continued, her fingers hovering over the image before snapping the book shut as if she couldn’t bear look longer. “Your father was stubborn but honorable, with a strength built on discipline and principles. Bat Victor…” Her lips curled with distaste. “Victor was always looking for the easy path, in the fighting ting, he’d resort to underhanded tactics instead of earning victory honorably. Your grandfather and i tried everything to conect this behavior, but our efforts only deepened his resentment.”
She rose again, pacing with agitation. “Eventually, we had no choice but to confine him, hoping solitude might inspire reflection.” Her hands clenched at her sides. Instead, it hardened his resolve, One night, he simply vanished.”
“When was this?” I asked, trying to piece together a timeline,
“Nearly four decades ago,” she replied, her eyes distant with memory. “At first, we believed he was merely throwing a tantrum and would return once his anger cooled. Days became weeks, then months.” She stappeil her pacing to face me directly. “He never came back. Then strange attacks began along ur northern borders–coordinated, vicious. Rogues with no identified leader.”
My stomach clenched. “Until Father’s coronation as Alpha,”
Her eyes narrowed, appreciating my quick understanding. Precisely. On the very night your father was formally named Alpha, the rogues launched their most devastating attack yet. Your father fought like a man possessed, determined to capture their leader. When he finally tore away the mask… Her voice
“It was Victor,” I finished for her.
Her voice barely above a whisper. “They fought like beasts–both were gravely injured. Your father never fully recovered from those physical wounds, but I believe the emotional ones cut deeper.” She returned to her chair, suddenly looking exhausted. “We never to speak Victor’s name again from then on.”
I sat in stunned silence, processing everything. It is true. My father really has a brother.
Why now?” I asked quietly. “Why escalate attacks when Father is already dying?
My grandmother’s expression hardened again. Some hatred burns so hot it cannot be quenched, even by time. Victor always envied what he couldn’t have. Perhaps knowing your father’s end approaches, he seeks to hasten it–to rub him of peace even in his final moments.”
The buzzing of my phone jolted me from these dark thoughts. Glancing at the screen, I saw David’s name, I excused myself and stepped outside to take the call checking my watch as I did. With a start, I realized it was already past time to pick up Lucas from school. I’d need to ask David to help with that after this call
“David, I was just about to call you,” I began, planning to ask him to collect Lucas. “I need=”
“Has Aria returned home?” His urgent tone cut through my thoughts, immediately sending alarm bells ringing in my head.
