My hands trembled slightly as I stared at the white, nearly fading parchment in front of me.
I never imagined that the truth of my existence—my entire life—would be reduced to mere ink on paper.
Now it all made sense.
Why every pack I had ever belonged to was hunted down.
Why strangers had always seemed to be searching for me.
Why I had to find Cassian.
Why he had suddenly claimed me as his mate.
Now, everything made perfect, painful sense.
How could they keep something like this from me?
"Now you understand why we had to hide it from you, Elara," Leticia said softly, her sigh heavy with guilt.
I frowned, my gaze rising to meet hers before shifting to Cassian.
He stared back at me with a hard, unreadable look in his onyx eyes.
I could never tell what he was thinking behind those dark orbs.
"Explain it to me, because I don't understand at all," I said, my tone sharp, trembling with restraint. "This piece of parchment holds the truth of my entire life, and you both decided I wasn't worthy of knowing? Why?"
Leticia looked away, unable to respond.
Cassian merely gave me a look I could only describe as… condescending—like I was a child throwing a tantrum.
What gave him the right?
"This is exactly why I didn't tell you sooner," he said, folding his arms across his chest.
"Excuse me?" I raised a brow, offended.
"Why are you angry?" he asked suddenly, the question catching me off guard.
"What are you—?"
"Are you angry because we kept this from you… or because you now realize just how much danger you're truly in?" he said, his voice low, eyes fixed on me.
My heart raced under the weight of his gaze.
My wolf whimpered quietly inside me.
Because he was right.
I was angry… because I now understood the full extent of the danger I was in.
Because I had unknowingly put this entire pack—my pack—in danger.
Because a small part of me feared Cassian only claimed me out of obligation… because of the prophecy.
Frustrated, overwhelmed, and on the verge of breaking, I turned away. My eyes stung, and before I knew it, the parchment slipped from my hands and fluttered to the floor.
"Elara!" Cassian called after me, but I didn't look back.
I stormed out of the room, nearly bumping into Luke on the way. I didn't stop. I couldn't.
I reached the cave and let out a heavy breath.
"I hate this," I muttered, running a hand through my hair. "I never asked for any of this."
The cave walls were scarred with deep claw marks—Cassian's, no doubt.
He'd told me his curse took hold during the full moon. He used to lose control entirely.
But now… now he simply shifted into his dark wolf and curled beside me in the cave, resting his head on my lap while I stroked his fur.
I smiled faintly at the thought.
Maybe the prophecy was right—maybe I really was his cure.
I scoffed softly and sat on the cave floor, leaning back and gazing at the jagged ceiling.
"Selene… I know you can hear me," I whispered, closing my eyes. "What do you want from me? I'm supposed to awaken balance… or bring extinction. How am I supposed to—?"
Sleep took me before I could finish.
---
I opened my eyes. I wasn't in the cave anymore.
Everything around me glowed white. Elegant pillars lined an endless marble hall.
"Another… dream?" I murmured, slowly taking a step forward.
I walked until I reached a breathtaking garden filled with white and blue flowers. Then I saw her.
A woman, ethereal and serene, gathering flowers in her arms.
She wore a flowing white gown that concealed her feet. Her long hair, as white as snow, mirrored my own. A chill danced along my spine.
"Hello, I am—"
"I see you've finally found your way here, my child," she said, her voice like a lullaby.
Her eyes were veiled in white silk—I couldn't see them, only feel the immense power radiating from her.
"Who are you? Where am I?" I asked cautiously.
She smiled gently but didn't answer.
Instead, she turned and walked deeper into the garden. I quickly followed.
"Yes. I need answers," I said.
"True," she replied. "But above all else…" She stopped by an ancient tree and turned to me before sitting with graceful ease. I hesitated, then sat beside her.
Strangely, I felt safe—like I could be myself with her.
Just like I felt with… Cassian.
My face warmed, and she laughed softly.
"Ah, I see. You're most troubled by the matters of the heart," she said, running her fingers gently over the flower petals in her hands.
"What? I—" I began, startled.
"I see everything, my child. I feel your confusion. Your fear. Your longing."
I swallowed thickly and looked away.
"What should I do?" I whispered.
She tilted her head and gave me a serene smile. "There is nothing to do—because there is nothing wrong, Elara."
I blinked. "What does that mean?"
"The answers you seek lie in his eyes," she said. "Be sincere. You are strong, and you are a woman. You do not need to hide what you feel. Let it show. He will see it… just as you will see the truth in him."
She gently placed a white rose with blue spots into my hand.
"I—" A bell chimed, echoing from nowhere, sharp and sudden.
"Oh dear, it seems our time is up for today," she said with a smile, gently holding my hand.
"Wait—!"
"You know where to find me. Call my name, and I will come," she said, and then everything went dark.
---
I gasped and snapped my eyes open. The cave.
I was back.
"You know, I gave you a room for a reason," a familiar voice said.
I turned quickly and saw Cassian at the entrance.
My heart jumped.
I looked down—and froze.
The flower was in my hand. The same one from the dream.
"What a strange flower," Cassian said softly, stepping inside with a smile. "Where did you find that?"
"How…?" I whispered, staring at it.
Cassian crouched in front of me, concern flickering in his eyes. "Are you alright?"
I looked up at him, heart pounding.
"I'm okay," I said, eyes dropping again.
He sighed.
"I didn't mean to upset you earlier. I know this is a lot, and I should've handled it differently, but…"
He trailed off, smiling gently.
The answers lie in his eyes.
I stared into his dark gaze, searching. My cheeks warmed as he stared back.
"I understand now," I murmured. "It just… caught me off guard. But I'm okay."
I reached out and placed a hand on his cheek.
He was warm.
My wolf purred in response.
Cassian blinked in surprise, then smiled.
"We're in this together. Like I said before," he said, voice steady with promise.
I slowly withdrew my hand as he stood and extended his to me.
I looked down at the strange flower once more before slipping my hand into his.
Maybe… this wasn't so bad after all.