Read with BonusRead with Bonus

Your lineage

Charlotte

I pulled my arm away from Gabriel, who continued to look at me seriously. His accusation irritated me at the same time as it piqued my curiosity. I had never heard of a lineage like that until that moment, and his accusatory look irritated me greatly.

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said angrily.

"I recommend that you find out more about your real origins. Some responsibilities need to be taken on by you." Gabriel said and then left, leaving me alone, angry and confused.

The stranger's abrupt approach both irritated and intrigued me. Gabriel possessed knowledge that would alter my life but was unknown to me. As I walked through the corridors, I remembered the meeting I had with my mother. She had recounted the history of our former pack, yet she had omitted any mention of the She-Wolves of Aurora. I stopped walking right away. Sadness and comprehension engulfed me. My mother had told another untruth - a ridiculous tale meant to sway me to her side. I covered my eyes and wondered how I could be so gullible to believe her love for me was stronger than her desire for revenge.

While on my way to the new office, I discovered Lia instructing some maids. I assumed she had information about the subject since she was a long-time resident of the capital, where these stories typically circulate more. Being exiled in the West stripped me of several aspects of my life, including my basic understanding of my species' history.

"Lia," I called out and she immediately dismissed the maids, coming up to me with a big smile and arms outstretched. "I'd like to talk to you for a moment if it's all right with you," she said, a little uncomfortable and embarrassed.

"You're not disturbing me, child, I was just guiding the maids through your new office." Lia picked up some of the papers I was carrying and we started walking together.

"I'd like to know more about the myths and legends of our people," I said quietly.

"And which one are you interested in? There are hundreds of them." Lia asked, her gaze fixed straight ahead.

"Have you ever heard of the She-Wolves of Aurora?" Lia paused for a moment and looked at me in astonishment. Her reaction scared me a little, as her face turned very pale.

"Where did you hear that name?" she asked, her dark voice scaring me even more. "It doesn't matter, just forget about those things and focus on your studies for Queen. The king has already begun preparations for the naming ceremony." Lia started walking again, taking a few steps in front of me.

I didn't broach the subject any further with Lia, it seemed that I had to find the answers for myself, but it was a long time before I finally had the free time to go to the castle library. As it was the home of several kings, I thought there might be some record or at least a mention of the She-Wolves of Aurora.

I looked at different titles about past rulers, but none mentioned the Wolves of Dawn. The oldest book I found talked about the time the capital was constructed and King Alpha's nuptials with a she-wolf who had black hair and blue eyes. I looked at different titles about past rulers, but none mentioned the Wolves of Dawn. But, nobody knew where she came from.

I felt frustrated, lying on the floor amid books that couldn't help me dispel my doubts. Suddenly, I heard doors opening and closing. I didn't recognize the person, as only staff had access to the library. Logan, Michael, and Lia were all busy. I roamed cautiously through the shelves and spotted Gabriel perusing a book. I didn't want to see him or speak to him, so I turned around intending to leave before he spotted me.

"You don't have to leave," he said in a calm voice, "this library belongs to you, I'm just a guest here." Gabriel turned in the direction I was facing, so I had no choice but to emerge from my failed hiding place. "You have quite a unique scent, it's easy to tell you apart, especially in a closed environment like this."

"I was just leaving anyway," I said, ignoring his comment about my smell. "You can make yourself at home." I nodded slightly and turned around, but Gabriel grabbed my wrist, stopping me. I glared at him and he immediately let go.

"I'm sorry, I just wanted to apologize for what happened in the office the other day." I turned and gave him my attention. "I was just surprised, as my mother was also a she-wolf."

"I told you, I don't know what you mean when you say I belong to that caste of she-wolves," I said once again in a serious tone.

Gabriel's gaze became serene and his eyes took on an astonishing golden hue as a beam of sunlight came through the windows and hit his face.

"If you'll allow me, I'll tell you everything I know, everything my late mother told me about the She-Wolves of Aurora," he said, placing his right hand on his chest.

I was curious, I wanted to understand more about these she-wolves and whether I had fallen for another one of Diane's lies.

"Very well," I said and Gabriel guided me to one of the large tables in the library, where we sat down face to face.

Long ago, in a deep and lush forest, there was a group of female wolves known as the "She-Wolves of Aurora." These wolves had a special bond with the goddess and were loved for their beauty and unique talents. Each wolf in this lineage was born with a shiny golden coat that glistened in low light as if it were made of sunlight. Their eyes resembled golden stars and radiated the goddess's wisdom and power.

"It seems that they were truly majestic creatures," I commented, amazed at imagining such incredible Wolves.

"Legend has it that every time the moon was full, the She-Wolves of Aurora would gather in an ancient sacred grove, where they would say a prayer to the goddess. In response, Luna showered her love and power on the she-wolves, blessing them with special gifts. They could communicate with the spirits of the forest, heal wounds with a simple touch, and even predict the future through prophecy." Gabriel said proudly, but his gaze darkened for a moment.

"How come such creatures aren't portrayed in books? Where are they now?" I asked, unease growing in my chest. Gabriel gave a sad smile before continuing.

"A deadly plague, brought by strange travelers in search of natural resources, began to spread rapidly through the forest where the she-wolves lived, affecting all the creatures in that place. The she-wolves, with their special connection to the goddess, felt the suffering of the forest acutely. Desperate to stop the plague, they used their abilities to heal and protect the forest's inhabitants. But, the plague proved to be a relentless force, resistant even to the gifts of the she-wolf lineage. As the disease spread, the silent and majestic forest became a dark and agonizing place." I clenched my hands under the table, distress overwhelming me at Gabriel's words alone.

"So that's it, they succumbed to the plague." I deduced, but Gabriel shook his head in denial.

"As the situation worsened, the She-Wolves of Aurora faced an agonizing choice. The only way to save the forest was to make a great sacrifice. They decided they had to merge with the very essence of the goddess to channel one last act of power to stop the plague and drive out the invaders." The shock completely overwhelmed me. They had given their lives to protect the forest they loved so much. "Yet, one wolf survived, her name was Selene, and she was the youngest daughter of the wolf pack. During the fusion ritual with the goddess Luna, Selene was seriously ill, and her life was spared only because her mother, the wolf pack leader, protected her."

"She was left alone, without her sisters and her mother. I can't imagine a fate more cruel and sad than that," I reflected, seeing myself a little in Selene's story.

"Selene thought so too. She woke up and knew that all her companions were gone and she had been left behind. Her connection to the Goddess was also weakened, but she still possessed part of her gifts. So, determined to honor the memory of her wolf pack and protect the forest, Selene took on the role of lone ranger." Gabriel watched me for a moment, his intense gaze making me uncomfortable.

"And how exactly did I become Selene's descendant?" I asked, trying to bring the focus back to his story.

"After years of solitude, Selene crossed the path of an alpha wolf called Athos, whose wolf pack inhabited the outskirts of the forest she had sworn to protect. Athos was an imposing wolf, known for his wisdom and firm leadership, and he also carried a deep reverence for nature and the goddess Luna. The goddess had made them companions in destiny, together they ruled wisely and had two sons. The eldest became a genuine Alpha, with the strength and leadership of a true alpha wolf. He had a copper-colored and bright white coat, with eyes as deep as the night. The couple's youngest daughter, inherited all her mother's magical gifts and abilities, including the ability to heal wounds and communicate with the spirits of the forest. Her golden coat shone like Selene's, and her eyes were as deep as the full moon."

When I heard the description of the first son, the painting I found in the old castle where I was imprisoned immediately came to mind. The copper-colored wolf was powerful and imposing in his Lycan form. Gabriel looked at me intently, so I understood with just that look what he was trying to tell me. Not only was I a descendant of Selene, but of the ancient Alphas who ruled those lands many years ago.

Previous Chapter
Next Chapter