Losing The Light Of The Moon

Discovering A Hidden Truth...

Chapter 51: Discovering A Hidden Truth...

LORENZO

Following her momentary fear-stricken silence, Tati glanced back down at the envelope in my hand, pointing towards it as she accusingly ordered me in a hushed whisper, “My letters—those are private between Soloman and I. Give them back please, Lorenzo.”

Before I could stop myself, my curiosity about the mysterious contents of Tati’s letter got the better of me. My eyes on Father’s first written words to her on top, I slowly read out, “For my Tati, this is my last act as Alpha. The one that will always mean the most to me.”  

Peering over at her, I intriguingly asked, “What is this, Tati? And when did Father give it to you? His last day as Alpha was well before you reappeared at The Council.”

Her jaw ticked several times before Tati quietly answered, “We are already in one disagreement, Lorenzo. Do you really want to start another? Please just give it back to me.” 

I leaned towards her, keeping the promise I made to myself prior to our arrival, softly admitting, “Yes, about that—I’m afraid my threat to you this morning was also an emotionally driven reaction, proving you are right in your decision to not disclose everything just yet. I realized that directly after. You have proven your point. I trust you and your judgement and have no intention of suggesting The Council force your hand. I apologize for upsetting you, but please know that it was done because I care about you, Tati. We all do—we’re just trying to protect you, so we don’t lose you again.”

“An emotional driven reaction that you realized directly after...yet even still, you didn’t trust the promise I made that I would return,” Tati defiantly replied, obviously still upset with me, “Why should I believe you?”

“Tati,” I earnestly pleaded, “Please—again, I’m sorry. If you insist, I will concede again—we all overreacted—but everything that has occurred today is because we all love you—I love you—more than you will ever know. You didn’t just hold a special place in Father’s heart, you know. You have always had a special place in mine as well.”

Her eyes glazing over, Tati silently stared at me for a long moment before tearfully stating, “Maybe that’s why my letter came out of hiding this morning after all these years.”  Looking back at Father’s headstone, a tear slowly rolled down her cheek as she inaudibly murmured, “I’m right, aren’t I?” Nodding, she turned back, softly urging me, “You may read everything inside, if you would like.”

I wasn’t sure what to think about her offer, feeling like I was violating Tati and Father’s privacy, satisfying my own selfish reasons for wanting to know what the hidden secret was inside the envelope. I looked deep into Tati’s beautiful brown eyes, the flakes of hazel shimmering in her glazed gaze. Ever so slightly nodding at me, Tati lovingly whispered, “It’s alright, Lorenzo. I can’t help but feel that you are here now because Soloman wants you to finally know the truth.”

Jace was obviously intrigued, kindly inquiring, “Truth? What truth, Mother?”

Horacio was intensely curious as well, pressing further, “Tati? What exactly did Soloman do as his last act as Alpha?

“I have no doubt that Lorenzo will tell you shortly,” Tati slowly drawled out, “Though it may take a moment to settle in.”

All eyes were on me as I stood up, gently pulling out the aged parchments contained inside the worn envelope, flipping through and scanning them, my brows instinctively rising as my eyes widened from the shocking discovery of my father’s last act as Alpha of Spirit Walker—a decision and secret that also included my mother—my emotions rampant as I choked out, “All this time—all these years, Tati! This secret—how could none of you tell me? How could you not tell me about this?”

Holding the papers up, I looked at Tati in wonder, “You have all the paperwork—even our official copies! It has never been put in our ledgers. Tell me why!”

“They gave me a choice, Lorenzo,” Tati affectionately told me, “Soloman always respected, understood, and trusted my visions, my wishes, and my decisions. I saw what would happen—the trouble it would bring—and I didn’t want that for any of you. I loved you all—especially Soloman—I couldn’t allow any of you to make that sacrifice, especially for me. Your mother understood that as well, knowing how deep the love was between Soloman and I, allowing us to make the final decision. But I didn’t need written proof of the unconditional love Soloman and I shared—though he continued to urge me to reconsider my decision many times.”

Jace and I both quizzically questioned in unison, “Reconsider what decision?”

I was still stunned and unusually shaken, my astounded gaze locked with Tati’s, “Father moved forward with the petition for full guardianship of you the day you disappeared, which was granted not long after. His last act as Alpha was to complete the process—he met with The Council and my parents legally adopted you as their daughter—they officially made you a part of our family—Father made you a Spirit Walker! You have been a Spirit Walker since you were nine, Tati! You should have come home! You should have let us protect you!”

His mouth gaped open, Jace looked at Tati incredulously, slowly asking, “Soloman adopted you and made you a Spirit Walker?”

“He did,” Tati thickly replied, “and he gave me the paperwork the next day, even the official copies.”

Again, I was stunned, inaudibly breathing out, “He gave them to you the next day? But—”

“Once a week, your parents would spend the afternoon at your pond,” Tati softly interrupted, “Never to be disturbed...always called it their—”

“Inspiration time,” I recollected in bated breath, staggered as more truth was revealed to me, “Time that was spent with...you. You were visiting them after you disappeared?”

“Every week,” Tati quietly confirmed, “I told them everything—keeping Soloman apprised of what I was up to, though still not telling him where to find me. Nor did I tell him about the battle with The Chosen. He wasn’t pleased about that but accepted it and trusted me—telling me that my parents were right...I was an old wise soul. The day they gave me those papers, Soloman said they did it because wanted to make sure I knew that I always had a home and a family—that I would never be alone in this world. That they both loved me and didn’t care what others would think or the trouble it may cause because of the deep seeded mistrust of our kind—Soloman always told me that he was proud to have a witch as his daughter—he was proud of me.”  

A broad grin crossed Horacio’s face—obviously loving every word being spoken—and I couldn’t deny, what my parents had done made me so very proud—I only wish that I had been told of the tremendous gift they had given me in making our Winged Angel part of our family. These papers—my father’s last act—proved what I had felt in my heart all along—Tati was a Spirit Walker as well as a Crescent Moon—she should have been here all along! Had I known—I would have joined Father in the fight to bring Tati home! I would have searched every inch of every territory to bring her back to Spirit Walker, kicking and screaming if I had to!

Horacio brought up his free hand to Tati’s face, gliding them up her cheek before brushing back her curls, laughing out softly, “So, let me get this straight—you really are a secret hidden treasure of the Spirit Walkers?”

“She was, but my sister will no longer be hidden, thank you very much,” I firmly declared as my eyes drifted from the papers to Tati, steadfastly stating, “Since I was robbed of my opportunity to fight for you then, I am choosing to fight for you now, Tati! I’m afraid I’m only giving you the copies back. The originals are mine—forever—in fact, after they are recorded, I will more than likely frame them.”     

Jace chuckled out, “I can appreciate your deep adoration of my mother, Lorenzo, but why is your tone suddenly making me nervous?”

“I know that look, Jace,” Horacio humorously muttered, “You aren’t going to like his answer. Tati may be the one making a grave error in judgement on this one.”

“Yes, perhaps so—I believe you and I both know what’s coming, love,” Tati exhaustively exhaled out, shooting me a warning look, “Behave, Lorenzo.”

My mouth extending into a wicked smile, I waved the papers in the air, gleefully telling him, “I will be showing these to Nicholas—proof that we claimed you first—you are a Spirit Walker! And as it was not declared as such, your paperwork isn’t legal at Crescent Moon!”

Horacio laughed under his breath, “A little farfetched, don’t you think? You’re reaching, Lorenzo. You’ve already provoked Tati once today. For your own well-being, I would advise not going that route.”  

Folding his arms across his chest, Jace knowingly informed me, “As an avid reader, I have read all the by-laws of The Council, Lorenzo. And if you doubt me, you can ask Zayden, who has every law memorized! You only had five years to dispute Mother’s choice to join Crescent Moon. I’m afraid your time to file a grievance expired long ago.”

“I was left erroneously and selfishly unaware of my sister’s adoption!” I confidently defended, “Plus, I’m on The Council and can have the laws changed—after I convince Soren and Mahan to join my cause, of course!”

Tati looked over at Father’s granite marker, admonishingly stating, “I’m starting to question your judgement, Soloman! You see what I’m dealing with—it’s payback, isn’t it? You’re enjoying every moment of this, aren’t you? You knew exactly how Lorenzo would react—you always said he took after our mother’s side!”

Jace and Horacio snickered as I proudly grinned, “I have always been our mother’s son, Tati—relentless when my pursuit of what’s mine and I will not give up until I win!”

Tati lightly warned, “If try to torture Nicholas or my sisters in any way—I will incinerate those official copies, big brother, destroying your proof. I am more than willing to fight like siblings, but I will win this argument—and Horacio is right—you would be wise not to provoke me twice in one day! I am a Crescent Moon as well as a Spirit Walker!”

Horacio and Jace assisted Tati as she pushed herself up to stand before me, sweetly continuing, “I believe I have shown my loyalty to both packs, thank you very much—not to mention there is an integration of our armies, but I’m willing to compromise, if Nicholas agrees of course—sharing is caring. I will allow you a small portion of claim for now and will even buy a beautiful frame for you, if you wish. Then, depending on your future actions towards your dear sister, I may allow you a little more over time, but Nicholas retains the majority. That will be our deal. I advise you to accept before I change my mind.”

Walking up to her, I boisterously laughed, wrapping his arms around Tati, holding her tightly before kissing the top of her head, chuckling out, “Fine. I accept our deal—for now. Besides, you are in love with Horacio—I still have a chance to steal you back!”

“Don’t make me regret my decision!” Tati sternly warned, “I could have kept this from you forever, you know!”

Allowing just enough room to lock my adoring gaze with hers, I warmly smiled, “But I am so very glad you didn’t, Tati. Tell me all is forgiven between us, and you will never disappear from my life again.”

“As long as you behave, all is well between us, Lorenzo,” Tati  warned through her beautiful bright smile, “Just as Soloman always hoped it would be—our hearts always and forever home to one another as well.”

***********

TATIANA

Walking through the front door of the cottage, I received ecstatic and relieved greetings, hugs, and kisses from everyone. There had never been so many people gathered in our small home—a warmth filled my heart at that thought—to have so many that I loved gathered there. It was a good thing I did love them...they had made quite the mess in our living room in my absence...

Looking around the room, my canvases were everywhere. Every single painting—except for the ones my sisters were unaware I kept privately hidden—were strewn all over the place. Apparently, my artistic talent was revealed while I was gone, and curiosity peaked. Although I had painted every one, it was quite overwhelming to see them all displayed. Nicholas and Aruna were quite adamant that I bring at least some of them to Crescent Moon to which I cordially informed them I would think about. 

Altalune kindly suggested that I also bring some of my furniture as well to my room and Aruna’s wing. While I replied in kind, it was something I wasn’t sure I could do—any of it—the nagging fear inside that I have carried with me since I was young instinctively running thoughts in my head against the idea.

Lorenzo and I had an agreement before we left Spirit Walker—he would wait to inform everyone of our news until we had talked privately with the key people involved in my secret—the first of which was a private conversation I needed to have with my sisters, leading me to request that we go outside for a moment while the others enjoyed some refreshments that I had prepared...

As gently as I could, I explained what happened both at Spirit Walker prior to our return and the actions taken by Lorenzo’s parents when I was a child, showing them the papers of my adoption, along with my letter from Soloman. I worriedly watched Reina and Persephone as they read for themselves the proof of my secret truth. They, of course, were shocked, silently perusing the documents, their expressions reflecting both stunned realization and deep sorrow that stemmed from their own actions from the past. 

Attempting to console them, I lovingly stated, “I chose you, sisters, and Soloman understood and accepted my decision. I knew it would upset you if you knew what had been done, which is why I kept it quiet. Things worked out as they should have.”

Reina solemnly replied, aimlessly staring at the papers in her hand, “Regardless, you should have told Persephone and I about this a long time ago, Tati.”

“It wasn’t necessary, Reina,” I earnestly defended, “And it changes nothing now, other than the bonds I share with Lorenzo, Priscilla, and Alastor.”

Persephone’s tone was filled with hurt and despair as she harshly breathed out, “I can’t help but wonder about the other things you have felt weren’t necessary to tell us, Tatiana. What other secrets are holding from us that will evoke the same feelings we have now?”   

I took the forward steps necessary to stand directly in front of my sister, peering deep into her eyes to make sure she saw the never-ending love and adoration I held for them both, quietly murmuring, “I’m fine with Tati or Sister, but the use of my full name by you distresses me, Persephone. Please do not be furious with me. I chose you—I have always chosen you and Reina—I will always choose you and Reina.”

Her hands were shaking as I took them in my own, her lips quivering from her own distressed state as I unequivocally declared, “Nothing will ever come between us—we are forever The Power of Three. I have fought and made the necessary sacrifices to make sure that remains true. I regret none of the decisions I made back then to ensure I always have my sisters by my side. Everything I have done is to keep us together. After all these years, all I want—more than anything—is to finally put it all to rest—to finally have it end and be over, Persephone! To just live and love one another for eternity...we three Sassy Sisters who are forevermore, the Power of Three.”

I wasn’t ready for Persephone’s emotional reaction—her desperate lunge towards me—her immediate hard embrace, knocking me backwards slightly before forcefully thrust into her quaking body as she sobbed out, “I know all that you have sacrificed, Tati! Everything you have done for Reina and I when we deserved none of it! You gave up everything—including the home and family that you deserved all along!”

Pulling back from me, Persephone’s thick tears fell heavily down her cheeks as she pleadingly continued, “I’ve tried—I’ve wanted to make up for all that you endured because of our bad decisions—my bad decisions—that tore apart and destroyed our family! I have tried so hard, Tati. I wish you would just tell us everything, Sister! I have no doubt it would be hard to hear, but I deserve that pain, to finally know everything you were put through. But I already know you answer to that—it isn’t necessary, because even today you continue to protect Reina and me.”

“It isn’t necessary, Persephone,” I warmly informed her, squeezing her hands before releasing one of them to reach out for Reina’s hand, pulling her close to bring together we three, “It was a long time ago, so let’s just agree to let it go—for good this time. No longer do we need to allow it to rear its ugly head in times of distress. All has been forgiven and I want no more torture inflicted on my sisters with regards to it. It’s time to bring all of the pain from our past to an end.”