Elena’s POV
Silas’s voice cut through the tension in the room like a blade. "You can’t forsake this prophecy."
The words hit like a physical blow. I felt my jaw clench as fury rose in my chest. "And why the hell not? Has anyone bothered to ask what I want to do? Everyone just assus they can tell what my future holds. Well, I’ve got news for you - nobody tells what to do. Not anymore. I escaped from that toxic nightmare of a pack and I’m not going back."
The conviction in my voice surprised even myself. For too long, others had controlled my fate, dictated my choices. Those days were over.
Julian shifted uncomfortably in his chair before dropping another bombshell. "Marcus has moved your mother into the packhouse."
The blood drained from my face. "What?" The word ca out as barely more than a whisper.
"Yeah. I figured you didn’t know," Julian continued, his expression grim.
My heart hamred against my ribcage. "When did this happen?"
"Recently. He needed insurance - a way to reach you if you ever contacted her."
The room seed to spin around . My mother had been my one remaining connection to my old life, the one person who had shown unconditional love. "My mother told to stop calling her. She wanted to live my life, to stop worrying about her. That’s all she ever wanted for , especially after she discovered Marcus was my mate."
Julian’s face remained serious. "From what I can gather, he’s not actively mistreating her. She’s not locked in the dungeon or anything like that. But he’s definitely using her as leverage to draw you back."
Damien’s voice was sharp with suspicion. "He could be lying just to manipulate you into returning."
I placed a protective hand over my growing belly. The life growing inside had beco my anchor, my reason for fighting. "I’m not making any decisions until after this baby is born. That’s the only thing that truly matters to right now."
Tessa’s curiosity got the better of her. "Is it Marcus’s?"
The question hung in the air like poison. Before I could respond, Damien’s voice cracked like a whip. "That’s none of your damn business."
Tessa’s face flushed, but she pressed on. "It was just a simple question. You know I never intended to hurt you. I t Julian first."
Damien’s eyes blazed with old pain and fresh anger. "And that’s supposed to make feel better sohow?"
Dante intervened before the argunt could escalate further. "We’re losing focus here. We need Elena to understand that she’s the only hope."
My patience was wearing thin. "The only hope for what, exactly?"
"For the coming war. You need to claim your position as the leader of that pack before the conflict begins. If you don’t, werewolves will face extinction."
The weight of their expectations pressed down on like a mountain. "How am I supposed to prevent that? What special powers do I possess? If I take over the pack, I’ll just be another Alpha. There’s nothing extraordinary about ."
"You’re wrong. You are exactly what the werewolves need."
My frustration boiled over. "And does this mystical book of yours specify when this war is supposed to start?"
Julian’s hesitation was telling. "It won’t happen imdiately."
"When?" I demanded, my voice steel.
"We’re talking about years from now. But preparation has to start now. You need to take your rightful place and ensure the pack’s loyalty belongs to you, not Marcus."
I laughed bitterly. "That will never happen. Every single mber of that pack despises ."
"Then you’ll have to change their minds. You’ll need to earn their respect and loyalty. That’s exactly why we’re here having this conversation. It won’t be simple, but the prophecy clearly states that you’re destined to lead this uprising."
Gage, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up with the question that had been nagging at everyone. "Who exactly are we supposed to be fighting in this war?"
I looked at him gratefully. It was a brilliant question that none of us had thought to ask.
"The military," Julian answered simply.
My blood ran cold. "Humans?"
"Yes."
The revelation hit like a physical blow. "Are you out of your mind? We’re supposed to protect humans from vampires. Now you’re telling we’ll be killing them instead?"
Damien had heard enough. He stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "This is complete garbage. They’re using you to further their own agenda. Let’s get out of here."
Dante’s voice took on a desperate edge. "I swear to you, we’re not lying. Once humans discover your existence, they’ll attempt to wipe out your entire species."
Julian’s eyes pleaded with as I rose from my seat. "Elena, please. You have to trust ."
The weight of everything I’d heard pressed down on my shoulders. "I need to go ho. I can’t process all of this right now."
Julian nodded with understanding. "I’ll call you in a few days. Give yourself ti to absorb this information."
I managed a weak nod as we headed for the door.
Outside, the cool air hit my face like a blessing. Ryder took the driver’s seat while Gage claid the passenger side. Damien settled beside in the back, his presence a comfort I desperately needed.
I could see how he recognized my shaken state from the revelations. The idea that I was supposedly destined to lead a rebellion seed impossible to grasp. How could soone who had been beaten down and dismissed her entire life suddenly beco a leader? Soone who had been treated like garbage because an Alpha had commanded his pack to hate her?
None of it felt real to , and from the way Damien looked at , I could tell he understood my disbelief.
He did everything he could to offer comfort, but words seed inadequate for the magnitude of what I was facing.
As we drove through the darkening woods toward ho, I stared out the window, lost in thought. I felt Damien’s warm hand slip into mine, his fingers intertwining with my own. The simple gesture anchored to the present mont, reminding that whatever the future held, I wouldn’t face it alone.
Reviews
All reviews (0)