After the meeting with the council, I had decided to relax for the rest of the day while I awaited Aunt Maddie's arrival. A huge weight had been lifted off of my shoulders knowing that, no matter what, I was going to be apart of this pack. But, doubt still lingered in my mind.
I couldn't fathom the idea that Aunt Maddie had ever hidden anything from me, or that she would outright lie to me. Was it possible she didn't know about my parents?
No, that couldn't be it. My mother was her twin sister, of course she'd know. She was closer to her than anyone. But if that was the case, why did she tell me different all of my life?
Was she trying to protect me? And if so, from what? Or was she just so blinded by her hatred for my father that she couldn't tell me the truth?
I took a deep breath of the cool evening air. I had decided to skip dinner tonight and instead, I was lounging on the small seat in the gazebo.
I gazed at the flowers all around me. Autumn had set in, and the once beautiful blooms were now wilting away. I still loved them, though.
Even with their brown tinged leaves, they were beautiful. I reached out and delicately ran my finger over the soft petals of the last surviving flower; a bright red poppy. I sighed as I withdrew my hand and stood up.
Aunt Maddie would be arriving soon, and I needed to mentally prepare myself for the conversation we were about to have.
As I made my way into the castle, I caught sight of Valen and Von having another discussion. It looked like it was getting heated.
Valen's fists were clenched at his sides, while Von had his arms folded over his puffed out chest. I debated on seeing what was going on for a moment, before deciding it probably wasn't my business and continued on. Once inside, Aislinn rushed to greet me.
"Your aunt is almost here. She's about 5 minutes out, according to our scouts."
I just nodded my head at her and made my way to the front entrance. As I waited at the doors, I looked down at my mother's ring and a twinge of guilt pinched my stomach.
Is this really the right thing to do? Maybe I should just let Aunt Maddie continue to think I have no idea about them.
Before I could ponder any further, the doors opened up and Aunt Maddie's arrival was announced. I was shocked at her state.
She was even thinner than when I left her just a few weeks ago. You could see every sharp point of her joints, and her collar bones were poking through her old t-shirt. Her cheeks looked hollow and there were dark circles beneath her eyes.
I gasped and tears welled up in my eyes. Aunt Maddie's eyes immediately found mine and she rushed over to envelop me in a hug. I clung to her tightly and let a few tears fall, before hastily wiping them away. She pulled back to look at me.
"Being in DarkBlood suits you," she said with a small smile, which I returned.
"I'm glad you think so, I really love it here."
She glanced over my shoulder and I turned to face the royal family and Aislinn.
"Aunt Maddie, I'd like to introduce you to some people." I stepped up and gestured toward everyone. "
This is King Ruben, Queen Stella, Prince Valen and Prince Von, and my friend, Aislinn."
Aunt Maddie appraised them for a moment, before stepping forward and bowing as deeply as her weak body would allow. As she rose back up, she clasped King Ruben's hands.
"Thank you so much for giving my baby girl a second chance at life. She would have never thrived in Moonlight pack. Here, she can be what she is destined to be." King Ruben flashed her a brilliant smile.
"And what is she destined to be?" he asked her. She smirked right back at him.
"You'll know when the time is right, your majesty." She then turned to Queen Stella.
"You are as radiant as they say. It's a pleasure to be here in your home." Queen Stella smiled warmly at her and gave her a gentle hug.
"And you two," Aunt Maddie continued while gesturing at Valen and Von.
"You better be treating my girl right. Mate or not, I'll still hunt you down if you hurt her."
She shot them a wink and they both chuckled but leaned in to plant kisses on her cheeks. Finally, she approached Aislinn.
"And you, my dear. I think I have to thank you most of all. You took Indigo out of her shell, and really helped her see her worth. Something Artemis and I have failed at for many years."
Aislinn's face turned scarlet, but she muttered a thank you in response. I cleared my throat.
"Aunt Maddie, there are some things we need to speak to you about." She turned to look at me and I saw sadness in her eyes.
"You've opened your mother's pouch, haven't you?" I swallowed the lump in my throat and nodded.
"Okay, we can have a conversation about it all. If it's okay, I'd like to talk to you about your parents privately, and we can discuss the rest with the royal family tomorrow?" she questioned while looking between me and King Ruben. He simply nodded at her request.
"Thank you, your majesty. I promise tomorrow I will shed light on all the questions you may have."
"That would be very much appreciated, Maddie." he responded to her.
"Please, make yourself at home for tonight. There is a bedroom across the hall from Indigo's where you will be staying."
"Thank you."
They all turned to leave, and I took Aunt Maddie's hand in mine as I led her back out to the gazebo.
"It really is beautiful here," she mused while looking around the land.
"It is."
"I know that tone, there's something on your mind. Tell me. It's time we really talked." We stopped just before our destination and I sucked in a breath.
"Were my parents mates?"
She looked down for a moment, before meeting my eyes again. That gesture alone told me what I needed to know.
"They were. Come and sit, and I'll tell you all about it."
I followed her to the seat. She took a deep breath in and looked past my shoulder. She had a pained, far-away look in her eyes.
"Your mother and father met about a month after the former King and Queen had announced their engagement. It was a surprise to both of them, that they were mates, but there was no mistaking it. At first, your father was sweet on your mom. He would sneak out late at night to meet her at the lake and bring her gifts from the palace. He would fill her head with promises about breaking off his engagement, and running away with her so they could be together. One time he even promised to make her the queen, regardless of what his parents or the pack thought." She looked me in the eye.
"But what your father really wanted was power. He never had any intention of leaving his fiancée, Esther. She was a noble from another pack and their marriage would have solidified a decades long treaty with Moonlight. Not only that, he would gain more wealth and control over more land by marrying her. They knew they weren't mates, so their one stipulation was that they couldn't be intimate until their wedding night. That way there would be no chance of bearing an heir that could be sickly."
As much as the thought sickened me, I could understand their reasoning. Pups from unmated wolves rarely survived past infancy, unless the pair married and marked each other.
"Your father couldn't control himself around your mother," Aunt Maddie continued.
"She was always hesitant about doing anything with him knowing he was engaged, but he eventually forced himself on her. Your mother gave up trying to fight back to protect herself. It was during one of these times that you were conceived."
Blood pounded in my hears and my stomach was rolling. I couldn't believe what I was hearing.
"How could he do that to his mate?" I whispered. Aunt Maddie wrapped her frail arms around me and leaned my head against her shoulder.
"Your father is a monster who can't control the darkness within him. Once he knew your mother was pregnant, he and Esther moved the wedding date up to before you were born. Once you were here, your mother was executed. It was her dying wish that you were to be raised by me. I guess your ruthless father had a heart in that moment. She saved you from sharing her fate."
The tears were flowing freely now and sobs wracked my body.
My poor mother. All she had wanted was someone to love, and he couldn't give it to her. He didn't even give her the chance to raise their child.
Aunt Maddie just held me and rubbed soothing circles into my back while I cried.
I cried for my mother, for everything she'd been through. I cried for Aunt Maddie, who had to raise her sister's child in a pack she hated. I cried for myself, for knowing the truth that was even worse than the lie.
The sky began to darken and finally, the tears stopped. My throat felt raw and my eyes were puffy. I sniffled and looked up to Aunt Maddie.
"Thank you for telling me the truth. For doing the right thing, and raising me to be who I am." She smiled at me and pulled me even closer.
"I would do it all over again, my dear."
We sat like that for a few moments before we heard footsteps approaching. I sat up and wiped at my eyes.
Von was approaching us with two steaming cups of coco. There was even whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles on top. I burst into tears again as he reached us.
He handed one mug over to Aunt Maddie, who thanked him, before setting mine on the ground and scooping me up in his arms.
"I don't know what happened out here tonight," he whispered in my ear. "And I know you're not ready to talk about it, but you can always come to me. With anything. I'll always listen to you, no matter what happens."
He pulled my head back from his chest and wiped the tears from under my eyes, before placing a gentle kiss on my forehead. He lingered there for a moment, before pulling away and handing me my cup.
"Coco makes everything better," he said with a smile.
"Cheers to that," replied Aunt Maddie while lifting her mug to mine.
I smiled at them both before taking a big gulp. It warmed my body instantly and helped chase a little bit of the pain away.
"I just wanted to make sure everyone was okay. I'll be heading in for the night. See you ladies tomorrow," Von said while walking away. I smiled at his retreating form.
Aunt Maddie and I drank the rest of our coco in silence, before heading back inside and collapsing onto my bed. She was asleep before her head even hit the pillow.
I turned over and cuddled into her warmth, breathing in her familiar scent.
My mother may be gone, but Aunt Maddie did a damn good job in her place.
And with that thought, I drifted off into a deep sleep.
Author's Note:
Early update for everyone today! I hope you enjoy! Pretty heavy stuff here, and more to come!
Don't forget to vote and comment!
XoXo,
CrimsynIris