Stopping by a gazebo, the older silver wolf stepped inside it before signaling me to join him. Each rose around us had different colors, almost resembling a rainbow. Although the scenery was appealing, I couldn't help but feel uncomfortable around him.
It wasn't only because he was Rem's father but also a pure Silver Fang, unlike my little Luma. This made him a direct descendant of Hiro Silver Fang, one of the two Silver wolves left in my time. The other was his wife.
Most called their silver hair a genetic flaw, but when I was younger, I loved how it flowed under the sun, much like a cloud on the ground. It all changed when I realized he had betrayed me.
Lately, however, I've been misguided in many aspects, including his involvement.
"I heard from Lily what my bloodline did to you all those years ago." Fenris began, shifting his gaze toward me.
I felt tiny in his eyes for a moment, as this wasn't something I was ready to hear. Rem wasn't with me, and I honestly couldn't stomach much with her gone. Unlike my brother, I didn't know if I could handle knowing Hiro was innocent.
So… many times they told me you sold me out, but… what if… You didn't, and I… hated you for no reason. The last time we saw each other, you had just had a pup, and I berated you for it. You were trying to help me out of the Elder's clutches, and I pushed you away, calling you every name in the book for selling me out.
I still remember you were so confused when I told you, but I was so full of hate that I couldn't see it. You never came back after that, which… makes me wonder if you… also died trying to save me, Hiro. I… don't know if I can…
"Ah... doesn't matter anymore." I tried to downplay it, turning my glance toward the side.
This wise old wolf didn't let me run away. Instead, he clasped his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to gaze at him before darting away, tucking my tail under my legs. Unlike my cocky self from before I met Rem, I was never one for the alpha role, unlike this wolf who radiated it.
I wasn't born a leader, but this man was. He had carved a way for all the races to find common ground and work together, which was unheard of back in my time. He even married a witch and managed to keep her safe even when everyone wanted to be rid of her.
After having my life sealed away and used as nothing more than fertilizer, I wanted nothing to do with the clans, as that world wasn't for me. All I needed was Rem, who also shared qualities from her father.
A soft sigh left his lips before he patted my head. "You're alive, aren't you, Alijah?"
Huh?Are you okay, sir?
Hesitantly, I gazed at the silver wolf standing before me. His eyes seemed warmer than before.
"I guess I am?" I mumbled.
Obviously, I'm alive. I mean, I'm breathing.
"Then it matters since it hurt you. It also fueled your fury and anguish. For that, I'm deeply sorry. I wish you had never gone through that." Fenris smiled as I felt the echo of words Rem had said to me within his.
They were so similar to him.
Ah… I was wrong. Rem… you really are your father's daughter. Minus the looks.
Although he appeared like a gentle wolf, there was no doubt in my mind he would rip anyone's head off if they messed with his family. He was testing me, and I could respect that.
"It's fine. A lot of what happened back then was probably manifested to keep me in a vicious cycle of despair. They failed though, since I'm still here and they are very much dead." I breathed, shifting my gaze down again.
"After some persuasion, the elders informed us that a raven came to them with a note containing your location. I'm not sure if it's true, though. It could be another lie," Fenris announced, handing me a small piece of paper.
Eh?A raven? So it really wasn't… you… Hiro…
"A witch's familiar, huh?" I mumbled, my voice shaking.
My hands struggled to open the paper, but the moment it was open, I saw handwriting I had never seen before as it gave away where I was, and it wasn't Hiro's handiwork, that was for sure. I could tell the paper was old as fuck, but well preserved.
"Yep, they kept that paper about you in the massive archives, but at the same time, it barely said anything about your life. They were trying hard to conceal why they called you the Mad Lycan. I couldn't say I would have been any better." The silver wolf smiled as my heart grew lighter because of his words.
I thought I had destroyed everything back then, but this piece of paper survived, too—the same with my brother's letter to his wife.
"Please, tell me everything you know." I faced him head-on as he tilted his head.
"From my understanding, what they told you about my bloodline was a lie to isolate you from your friend." He began tapping his fingers on the wood.
"Hiro…" I trailed off, shaking my head.
Why go to such lengths? Was it really just for a power play?
"Yes, he was determined to clear his name with you and set you free; that is why he wanted to head toward the capital to find a way to be heard. He became the first silver Lycan in the clans to earn enough merits to join the circle of elders, thereby gaining leverage. However, you were long gone by the time he achieved this." He informed, as I shook my head.
Fool… You should have forgotten about me, just as I had forsaken you.
"The Lycan were burying your rampage so much that barely anyone knew about you or that you had been sealed away. Most of the public didn't even know you were gone until he returned to the village three years after it was destroyed. A hard thing to achieve in this era. Any little thing and it get's plastered everywhere." Fenris sighed, shrugging.
Ah, is that personal experience speaking?
"Hiro lived, at least. He deserved a good life away from all the bullshit that surrounded me." I breathed, clasping my chest.
Yet… why does it ache to know everything you did for me? I… I'm sorry for being an ignorant fool. I should've known… You were my brother even if we weren't blood-related. I… Should've believed you.
It was easier to fill myself with hate than to have faith that things would get better.
"Well, I'm not sure about that, Alijah. I have a good friend whom I'd go to great lengths to ensure is happy. He's my right-hand man, and I don't think I would have made it this far without his support. I believe you met him with Melody." Fenris smiled as his eyes appeared lighter when speaking about those he loved.
Oh… Yes, the brown wolf who seemed about ready to murder me if I made a move on his wife. Liam, wasn't it?
"Ah… I see." I voiced, feeling aches in my chest.
I always thought it didn't matter, but it seemed that, deep down, those wounds were still in my heart.
"Hiro Silver Fang was the one who laid many of the foundations of what we have here. Even if some of our forefathers forgot it in their way, his spirit managed to live on until we have what we have today. He couldn't save you but ensured that what happened to you would never occur again." He informed, prompting me to chuckle.
"Yes, he was always a resilient individual. The same goes for my brother; their legacy has endured to this day." I smiled, feeling the weight of the world lift from my shoulders.
"Yep, from my years in this world, I've learned that hope is hard to eliminate. Especially when you fight for it with all you have, even when others don't hear you." He shifted his gaze upward.
Rem… This is all because of you. I could hear this because you opened my eyes to the good in the world. Ah… Why aren't you… here with me?
Wincing, I clasped my shirt tighter onto my chest as the pain worsened, and I couldn't help but miss her even more.
You're the first person I want to tell everything to. Why… didn't I… tell you everything sooner?
"Although I wanted to tell you that, that wasn't the only thing I called you here to do." Fenris suddenly started.
Oh? Huh?!