Her Secret Legacy

CHAPTER.TWO

NOA

I jolt awake. Water drips down my face as I gasp for air. My clothes are soaking wet, and water drips from them, pooling around me. I blink fast, confusion clouds my brain and I struggle to piece know what’s going on. The moment I look up, everything comes rushing back.

My parents—if I should still call them that, loom over me, their expressions a mix of disdain and indifference. My mother holds a bucket. Droplets of water still cling to it. Her lips are curled into a cruel smile. My father stands behind her, face set like stone and his eyes unreadable.

“Took you long enough,” she spits.

I gasp, breath ragged and shivering.

“You…you said that you….you’re not my parents,” I murmur, my voice trembling. “How’s that possible?”

Her face contorts in disgust. “Don’t ask me questions. Get up and get the hell out of my house!”

My knees feel bruised as I struggle to get up. Everything aches, and I’m shivering so hard my teeth knock together.

“Please…please don’t …” I say, trailing off, my voice small and broken.

I crawl, half rising, and I grab her ankle. Her face twists with revulsion.

“Don’t touch me you filthy thing!” She hisses, shaking off my grip.

“While you were doing your little act, I packed your things.”

She gestures towards the corner of the room, where my clothes lay on the floor.

“Take it and get out!” she commands.

I press my hands together,trembling.

“I have nowhere to go. Please let me stay. Just one night. Please…”

But my pleas fall in deaf ears.

Her hand lashes out, finger dabbing.

“Get OUT! Take your rags and beg elsewhere.”

Something in me crumbles. There’s no point in begging. I can see it in their eyes. Their minds are made up. Nothing I’ll say or do would change it.

With a heavy heart, I push myself up from the cold floor and stagger to the corner where my clothes are heaped. I fold them up and I glance back at them.

“Please….”

“GET OUT!” she screams.

My legs move on their own. I turn and head towards the front door. My hand is almost on the knob when my father calls out.

“Wait!”

I turn to face him, my heart racing with a flicker of hope. Maybe he has changed his mind.

He walks towards me, holding something in his hand. It’s a swaddle, the type used to wrap a baby.

“You were in this when you came here,” he says gruffly, his eyes averted.

“Don’t you dare!” mother snaps, voice verging in a shriek. “Don’t give it to her!”

But father presses it into my hands anyway.

His lips curl.

“It’s useless to her anyway. What could she possibly do with it? She doesn’t have the ability to use her scent. She might as well as take this with her other junk.” I blink, confused.

What is he talking about?

But before I can ask any questions, he wrenches the front door open and shoves me out into the pouring rain. The door closes shut behind me. I stare

I stand outside the house for a moment, shivering as I get soaked to the bone by the pouring rain. My body shakes so hard I have to grit my teeth to keep them from chattering. I can’t stay out here for long, not in this storm. I start to walk, my steps unsteady. I have nowhere to go, but I can’t keep standing here in the rain, like garbage on a curb.

As I walk in through the storm, my bundle of clothes, now wet, dig into my ribs as I hug them close and try not to cry.

I don’t know how long I’ve been walking but soon, at a corner, I duck under a tree to rest. It’s heavy with leaves, thick enough to shield me from the worst of the rain. I press my back to bark and slide down the trunk. I hug my knees to my chest, shivery, as I wait for the storm to end. Every sound is too loud. I rock myself as my mind blanks and skitters. I recall what they said. Could it be true? Or was that a lie to push me away? But I remember the way they’ve treated me all my life, with malice and sheer hatred, and even though it hurts, I admit the truth to myself. That wasn’t a lie.

Tears well up in my eyes, and some spill down my cheeks. I’m not sure why I’m crying. Maybe it’s the shock of what has happened, the realization that my whole life is a lie.

How could I have never known?

The signs were there. And yet I had ignored them. All of them.

So if they aren’t my parents, where are my biological parents? How do I find them?

I unwrap my bundle of clothes and I see the swaddle. My fingers clutch the wet fabric. This is the only thing that feels like hope. I recall what the man I had thought was my father said back at that house. They both think that I don’t have the ability to scent. But in fact, I do. I had developed that ability on my 16th birthday. But it was something that I had kept to myself. And now, I’m glad that I did. Or else, I wouldn’t have been given this swaddle.

I press the fabric to my face and inhale deeply. At first, all I smell is detergent and that musty scent of old fabric. But then, I smell something sweet..honey, maybe maple syrup. It is so faint and thin, but it’s primal. It’s not a scent I remember, but my body responds to it. I hastily rise, without realizing it myself. I close my eyes and inhale again, deeper, and the world sidesteps, momentarily spinning. A vision of dense dark woods, then there’s a mansion with a fence snarled by wild roses. There’s a family name sign on the house. THE EVERSTONES.

I blink and the vision clears.

What was that?

I can’t explain what just happened but my heart pounds in sync with the beat of some ancient drum and I find myself moving.

Follow it.

And I do. I almost do. Then halt, almost stumbling.

I know the scent would lead me to my family. My real family. But what happens next? Would they be happy and welcome me with open arms? Or would they cast me out, just like everyone else has? The fear of the latter makes me want to back out from this. Maybe if I can go back to my adoptive parents and beg them more, they would finally give in. They may treat me like trash but at least I’ll have a roof over my head.

But for how long would that last? One day, they’ll be fed up and still kick me out on the street, just like they did today. And just like that, I make up my mind. I follow the scent. I stumble through puddles as the scent grows stronger drawing me father from the place I once called home. I don’t know how long I walk. Thirty minutes? An hour maybe? The houses I pass by begin to fade, becoming smaller after so much longer distances.

Soon, the scent leads me to the outskirts of our territory, then beyond into lands I’ve only heard whispers about. The moonlight pack. Their territory is legendary. They are vast, prosperous and the most powerful pack of all. I walk faster, forcing my aching legs to move quicker as the scent grows stronger. The trees thin, and suddenly I step into an open clearing. A building stands at the far ending and from where I stand, I notice the rose thorned fence from my vision earlier. The scent is so strong now. It’s not just from the swaddle, but pouring from the very ground. This is it. This is the place.

As I approached the surprisingly open gates, I notice that a crowd has gathered at the veranda.

Were…they expecting me?

As I approach, I pick up fragments of their conversations.

“…can’t believe she’s finally home…”

…she looks exactly like her mother, those eyes…”

I push through the crowd, my soaked appearance earning disgusted looks and wrinkled noses. There’s a young girl, about my age, at the center of the crowd. She has red hair, styled perfectly despite the weather. I can swear she almost looks like me, but she’s definitely cleaner. More poised. For one thing, her clothes aren’t stained with mud or soaked.

There’s an Elder at her side, speaking softly to her.

“…and this locket has been in my possession since childhood,” she says, her voice loud across the open veranda. “As you can see, it bears the Everstone’s family crest.”

My stomach drops as I catch fragments of her story. She’s claiming to be the lost daughter of this family, the same family my scent led me to. How’s that possible?

The elder examines the girl’s locket carefully, then nods with conviction.

“The craftsmanship is undeniable,” he murmurs. “And the crest ... .yes, this is definitely the Everstone’s family crest.”

What’s happening? This can’t be…

“Hello…” I whisper, but my voice is lost in the murmur of the crowd. I push forward, desperate to be heard. “Excuse me, I…”

“You,” the elder’s voice cuts through the noise as his sharp eyes fixes on me. “What is it you want to say, child?”

Every face in the crowd turns to face me, and I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment.

“ I…I think I might be the lost daughter,” I stammer. I hold up the dripping wet swaddle with trembling hands.” This… it was left with me when I was… when I was a baby. The scent trail led me here.”

“The lost daughter?” The redhead says with a cold laugh. “I’m sorry but that’s not possible sweetie. I’ve already proven that I am the lost daughter.”

The elder’s expression grows stern as he looks between us.

“This is a serious matter, young woman. Do you have any proof, besides a fabric?”

My throat thumps. Of course I don’t. I have nothing else but the swaddle.

“No I don’t. I…the scent led me here. This swaddle, it belongs to this family, I can smell it….”

The redhead’s eyes sharpens as she looks at my swaddle. For a moment, I catch a flicker of fear in her eyes before she fakes a confident smile.

“Anyone can claim to smell something,” she says. “But I have a more tangible proof.” She holds up the locket again. “This has been with me since the day I was born.”

The crowd murmurs approvingly and I feel dejected. The elder steps closer to me, his weathered face creased with skepticism.

“Tell me, child, what do you remember of your early years? Any distinguishing mark or ability?”

I stare at him blankly, my mind racing. What should I say? That my parents told me that I was just given to them? That they had not bothered to share details because they considered me worthless?

“I…I don’t remember anything. I was a toddler when…”

“Of course you don’t,” the redhead snaps. “Because you aren’t the real daughter. Perhaps you’re confused? It is a stormy night after all. Scents can be ... .misleading in a weather like this.”

The elder frowns.

“May I have the swaddle?”

I hesitate, then hand it over. I watch as his fingers examine the fabric. Something shifts in his expression, surprise, before he can say anything, the girl steps towards him.

“Elder, surely we don’t need to continue this? I’ve provided substantial evidence of my identity. This poor child is clearly confused. Perhaps someone should escort her back to wherever she came from?”

What she says hurts because some part of me wonders if she’s right.

“Tell me, child,” the elder says, his voice gentler now, “what’s your name?”

“Noa,” I whisper.

“And your pack?”

I swallow hard. “I…I don’t have one anymore.”

The crowd murmurs at my admission. And I don’t blame them. After all, who would claim a wolf that has been rejected by her own pack?

The other girl steps closer to the elder, her hand landing on his arm.

“You see, she’s clearly desperate for a new pack. It’s understandable that she might …. come up with anything to make sure she has a place to stay.”

The elder studies both of us for a long time. When he finally speaks, his words feel like a verdict.

“Selena here has provided compelling evidence of her identity. It is very clear that she is the lost daughter.”

Selena.

The crowd nods, murmuring their agreement. It’s clear they’ve made their choice. And as always, I’m the one who’s been rejected.

Just like always.

The familiar ache of rejection claws at my throat but I force myself to breathe. I can’t afford to break down now, not in front of these people.

I turn to walk through the crowd, preparing to disappear into the night and await whatever fate has in store for me, then the sound of approaching vehicles cuts through the murmuring of the crowd. Four black SUVs wind up the driveway, their headlights cutting through the darkness.

Selena’s face lights up.

“Oh, they must have heard the news already!” She says, smoothing her hair and adjusting her dress. “I can’t wait to meet my brothers.”

Brothers?

The vehicles stop and four men step out simultaneously. Even in the rain and darkened night, their presence is full of raw power and authority emanates from them like heat from a fire.

The eldest looks to be in his thirties, with dark hair and eyes that seem to miss nothing. The others range from what appears to be mid twenties to early twenties, all sharing almost similar sharp features and that same aura of danger. As they come closer, I realize that two of the four men are identical twins and the only redheads of the four.

Selena steps forward with a smile, clearly happy to meet her brothers.

But they don’t glance her way. The crowd parts as the men approach and stop directly in front of me.

“Theo,” the elder says, his tone suddenly different. “We weren’t expecting…”

“No, I imagine you weren’t,” Theo replies, his gaze never leaving my face. “But we felt it was time to come home.” He moves closer and I catch his scent … it’s the same one on the swaddle. “Especially since our sister has finally come home.”

Selena walks towards us, giddy with excitement.

“Brothers, I’m so glad to be home. I…”

“Noa,” Theo says, cutting Selena off. “Welcome home little sister.”

My mouth falls open. The swaddle nearly slips from my numb fingers. “I…what?”

Selena’s smile falls and her composure cracks slightly. “Wait, there must be some mistake…”

“There’s no mistake,” Theo says, finally sparing her a glance. “We can scent our own blood.”

Selena’s mask slips and she loses it. “This is ridiculous,” she snaps. “I have proof. I have the locket! It is…”

“Forged,” Theo says dismissively. “Did you think that we wouldn’t know?” His eyes, when they turn back to me, soften. “We’ve come across so many fakes, but she is real. We’ve watched her for years. We know she’s our sister.”

Someone in the crowd gasps. The rest murmur.

They’ve always known?

I want to ask them why they never came for me but the relief that I’m too tired and relieved to ask them that now. Maybe some other day.

The Elder steps towards us, looking confused.

“I don’t understand,” he says slowly, “if you knew she was your sister, why didn’t you say anything to us. We would have helped…”

“Because it was a family affair and we wanted to handle this matter ourselves,” Theo says.

“We also wanted to be certain.” He smiles. “But there’s no doubt now.”

The second eldest nods towards the swaddle in my hands. “That belonged to our mother. We would know that scent anywhere and it’s all over that cloth.”

“As it’s all over her,” Theo adds.

One of the twins, they are impossible to tell apart, comes closer to me with barely contained excitement.

“Oh man, do you know how long we’ve been waiting for you to come to us? Theo here,” he jerks his thumb at the eldest, “ has had tracking parties out for months.”

“Years,” the other twin corrects, stepping closer. “I’m Leo by the way. It’s good to have you back home Noa.”

“I’m Levi,” the other twin says, grinning, “We are the fun brothers.”

“And I’m Kieran,” the second eldest says, with a smile.

I try to memorize their names, their scents and the way each looks at me like I’m something precious they had lost.

“You mean to tell me that all this time, you knew where your sister was and you didn’t give that information to the council of Elders,” the elder explodes, drawing our attention.

“Yes,” Theo says, his voice firm. “We knew she’d eventually find us. We just didn’t expect her to come in the storm, looking like a half-drowned kitten.”

Despite everything, I feel a small smile tug at my lips.

“I’m sorry I’m not more…more presentable. I didn’t have enough time to dress up.”

Something flashes in their eyes, and I realize that I’ve said the wrong thing.

“They mistreated you,” Kieran states, and I instantly realize that they know everything.

“I…” I look around at the crowd, suddenly aware of the tons of people staring at us and listening to every word we say. “Maybe we should talk somewhere more private?”

Theo nods immediately. “Of course. You must be freezing.”

He shrugs out of his jacket and drapes it around my shoulders. I feel warm and blissful as his scent envelops me.

“Wait just a minute,” Selena protests, desperation creeping into her voice. “You can’t just…”

“Look, miss, I suggest you leave while you can before we decide to pursue charges for fraud,” Levi or is it Leo says with a smile that doesn’t reach his eyes. Selena looks around the crowd, clearly hoping for support, but finds only disapproving looks. The elder himself looks deeply embarrassed by the whole situation.

The elder’s voice is loud in the noise.

“I think it’s time we all go home. Everything has been resolved now. Good night.”

As the crowd begins to disperse, I find myself alone with my brothers.

“Are you really…” I start to ask.

“Really your brothers?” Theo finishes gently. “Really sorry we didn’t come to get you sooner?” He nods solemnly. “All the above.”

I just stare at them, with nothing to say.

“Come on,” Theo says. “Let’s get you home. We have a lot of things to talk about and I have a feeling you have quite a lot to tell us.”

The twins are grinning mischievously as the say,

“Should we tell her about everything or should we wait till she’s settled in?” Lev asks.

“Definitely wait,” Theo replies, “Don’t want to overwhelm her.”

“Too late,” I say weakly, feeling overwhelmed already, but in the best way possible.

Theo chuckles, the sound warming me from inside out. “Let’s get you home.”

As they lead me towards the cars, Lev falls into step with me. “Just so you know,” he says quietly, “you’re never going to be alone again. Whatever those people put you through, that’s over now. You’re one of us now.”

“And we take care of our own,” Leo adds from my other side.

They help me into one of the SUVs and as the vehicle pulls away, heading to whatever home my new found brothers would show me, I clutch the swaddle that led me here and I finally let myself believe that this is real.

For the first time in my life, I don’t feel alone.

I’m home.

I am found. And I’ll never be lost again.