The Shadow Twin

Chapter 21 - Goodbye for now

----Leigh POV----

Crying in Vetranio’s arms had been comforting, even if he hadn’t known what to do in the beginning and it hadn’t taken long before I came down and moved away from his awkward embrace. If what my brothers had told me was right, that it really had been the reason why our parents had given me up, I understood. Didn’t mean I liked it though. I hated that in all these years, I had four brothers out there, that I didn’t knew existed and if it hadn’t been for my marriage to Kayden, I would never have gotten a chance to meet them. I also felt somewhat sad, that their lives had been hell for years, much like my own. Something they were mad at. Had they known I had been treated that way, they would have showed up sooner, but they didn’t because they didn’t even know I as alive. Despite the fact that I really didn’t know them, I felt kind of empty as we made our way back to the Royal family. I still had so many questions and I was sure they had some for me to, but I had been gone long enough and had to go back. I had to somehow explain this to my In-laws. The only upside was the fact that they were werewolves to, so they might actually understand it, even if my family and theirs were enemies. I didn’t look forward to that conversation, but it had to happened. And as fast as possible.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Videric asked as we stood in the shadows outside the castle’s gates, and I nodded.

“I have to. They have to know this, not just because I’m married to the Crown Prince. I care about the Carr’s, apart from maybe the Crown Prince and I care about his righthand. He tried his best to keep me safe when we were attacked, and I walked away from it with my live intact because of it. I know you loath them, but I still have to do this and when everything is said and done, I will find a way to reach out. I do not want to lose all of you again.” I tried holding the tears back, but failed, as a single tear rolled down my cheek. My brothers, who weren’t all that good with emotions, something that the training camp they had been in had made sure of, hugged me. My brothers were physically and emotionally scarred by what they had been through, even if they didn’t want to tell me what it was. I did know that they were the Councils enforcers, which was just another word for glorified fighters or even assassins. The Council had made my brothers killers for hire, and it made me sad to think about.

“Being separated is going to painful, now that we know you are out there... We are going to miss you lil’sis.” Alaviv said as he hugged me even tighter and I gasped, as he put pressure on my left arm. He let go right away and grimaced. I had come to know and understand that family were the number one must important thing for wolves and even though we had been separated my entire life, I knew they would lay down their life for me. And I would do it for them. The connection that had formed in the few hours we had spent together was powerful and it felt amazing to not just have brothers but having brothers who cared so much about me. They had even defied our father by seeking me out and their move might even put me in more danger, but I didn’t hate them for it. I wanted them in my life. No, I need them in my life, and I really hoped that the Carr’s wasn’t going to keep us apart. My brothers hadn’t been part of the war between our families, they couldn’t have, because they were kids when it raged, from what they had told me. I smiled at them.

“I’m going to miss you guys to. Thanks for seeking me out.” I pulled them back in for another group hug, this one brief.

“From now on you have family watching your back. We will always be here for you, even if you don’t really need anything. And we will try to stay somewhat close by. Can’t upset the Carr’s with our present just yet.” Aspar said and started laughing, which made all of us smile. The first part had been sentimental and the last part, about the Carr’s was meant to make us smile and we did just that.

“I still feel like we should be there with you. I don’t like sending you in to the lion’s den or wolves’ den more like it.” Videric said as he looked at the castle with a gloomy expression.

“It’s not a good idea, given your history and I don’t want to have to break up a fight between you all. I can handle this.” I gave him a reassuring smile before turning on my heel and waking towards the castle. After a couple of steps, I turned and waved at them only to see Alaviv run towards me. He stopped in front of me, pulled the knife from his boot and handed it to me, while he was gripping the blade with his fingers.

“For protection.” His face had no emotion, but I knew the knife meant a lot to him. It was his safety line, and he were handing it over to me. I shook my head.

“The fact that you want to keep me safe means the world to me, but I can’t accept your knife. You are going to need it more than me in the time to come, and I can’t walk into the castle armed.” I gave him a smile and gave him a quick hug, before turning and walking towards the castle again. It was time to face the Carr’s and tell them everything I’d just found out. And I hoped that the connection that I had formed with them, would make them see pas the whole daughter of the enemy thing.