Reading Between the Lies

Chapter 6

“Mom…. you’re scarring me. Just say it!” I yell getting anxious. My mom takes another breath in to compose herself.

“ One night, your Aunt Natalie came to us. She was about 8 months pregnant at the time. She had said there were troubles in their homeland and needed a place to lay low for a while. After a couple weeks she had gone into labor. She gave birth to a beautiful little baby. We were all so encapsulated by her. Once Natalie was able to rest and regain her strength, she explained to us how serious there situation actually was, and how much danger she and the baby were in danger.”

“How was the baby in danger?” I asked a little confused. My mother looked troubled. Like she was thinking about her next words and how to say it.

“You see, her mate was was no ordinary mate, nor was he…a wolf. He was King Theron Maddox, from Aellyria, the supernatural realm.”

Gasps and murmurs were heard around the room.

“Wait so that would mean..”

“Yes” my mother cut me off “the baby was a hybrid.” The room grew quiet. Alaric broke the silence.

“Wait… I’ve heard of his family. There was a war almost 20 years ago. Alaric stated.

My father spoke seeming irritated. “Theron had told me that Aellyria was on the brink of war. Alec Niakova was next in line to become king if Theron could not produce an heir. For over 300 years he had yet to find his beloved. The council was pushing him to take a chosen but he had refused. One day he had to visit our realm for business and found Natalie, his beloved.”

“How come no one knew any of this. We all know she died but no one knew anything about a vampire mate or hybrid baby. And what is the big deal anyway. I mean I know interspecies mates are rare, therefore hybrids are rare, but it’s nothing to cause a war over.” Isaac said confused, just like everyone else. My father holds his hand up to stop my brother and continues to explain.

“That is where Alarics father comes in.”

“Wait my father? You knew my father?”

“After Theron found his beloved, Alec had become furious and power hungry since he was so close to becoming king. When Natalie became pregnant, it was projected that the baby would be gifted, considering she came from two parents of Royal blood. Alec demanded the child become his chosen mate or he would challenge Theron and go to war. Obviously Theron refused. Alec, true to his word, waged war on the kingdom. He had already been rallying troops. In an effort to keep his mate and unborn child safe they came to our pack. A couple weeks after the child was born, Alaric’s father, Samuel came to visit. He suggested we mute the child’s wolf and vampirism in case anyone from Aellyria came looking. Shortly after, Theron went back to fight along side his people but unfortunately was killed. Natalie, losing her mate, was weak. The only will she had to live was her daughter.”

My father started to tear up. All the memories of his sister was getting to him. He hasn’t talked about her in ages. The only mention of her is when we see a family portrait from when my father and Aunt Natalie were kids.

“So how did she die. No one has ever mentioned that before.” I asked trying my best to be sincere but with the amount of stress I am still feeling, I’m probably not doing my best.

“The official story is that she killed herself. Due to the loss of her mate. But the truth. She died to protect her daughter. She had met with Samuel and they came up with a plan to ultimately shield her daughter. It was a sacrifice. The two had sacrificed themselves to protect the child. I had no knowledge of it and I was furious. Samuel had left a note. He said it had to be done. Otherwise Alec would find her. This way he couldn’t trace her. He said Natalie understood every aspect of the spell, but she would do anything to protect her daughter.” My father had finished talking. The room grew so quiet. The silence was so loud it was maddening. I was suffocating.

“So where is she now. If both of her parents are dead…where is the child.” Crap that didn’t sound sincere. My mother looks to my father then back at me. She didn’t need to say anything. I knew the answer.

“It’s me…” I choke out, tears starting to run down my face. My heart clenched in my chest I could topple over from the pain I was feeling. Betrayal, anger, and sorrow all mix into one feeling and I feel like I could explode.

“Sweetheart we..”

“NO!” I cut my mother off. Not giving her a chance to explain herself. “No don’t try and justify this. You let me believe I had no wolf. Seeing how heartbroken I was when I didn’t get my wolf and feeling unworthy to be your daughter, just to find out I actually am not your daughter! And not only have a wolf but I am a vampire as well! You say you love me but you don’t lie to the people you love. You had many chances to tell me but didn’t.”

My tears are running like open floodgates. I feel my mate come up behind me. He turns me around and pulls me into a hug. I don’t know who I am anymore. Who these people are anymore. My father walks over to his library and opens an old book. He pulls out an envelope.

“Your mother left these for you. I found them on her bed that night.”

My father handed me the envelope and I looked inside. There was a picture, a letter and a necklace. I decided I would look at them better in the privacy of my room. I need a break and to be alone anyways. This night was too much.

“I need to go to bed. I’ve had a very…very long night. So if you’ll excuse me.” I go to walk out but I’m the corner of my eye, I see Alaric. He looks pained. I walk over to him and pull him in a hug.

“I’ll see you in the morning, I just need to be alone right now.” He pulls me away to face him and cups my face with his hands. He rubs my tears away with his thumbs.

“Take all the time you need my love” his says in a soft voice “just know I’m always here for you.” His kisses my forehead and it gives me butterflies. I walk up to my room and lock the door behind me.

I sit on my bed and stare ate the envelope for ages. I finally muster up the confidence to pour the contents out onto the bed. I pick up the picture and look at it. It’s a picture of my aunt Natalie and her mate in a hospital bed holding their new baby. I guess that would be me, and those are my parents. Now that I know the truth I can see the resemblance. I always figured I resembled her because of my father. Now I know.

We have the same smile. Only one dimple on the right side. A smile so big it reaches the eyes. She had soft, kind eyes. Ones that made you feel safe. My father has the same black hair with piercing icy blue eyes. He had the kind of eyes that when you look into them you could feel like her was staring into your soul. The way her held tight to Natalie and to me, you would think he would do anything and everything to protect them…which he did.

I move onto the letter and open it up. It was from Natalie…my mother.

My dearest daughter,

You coming into my life was everything I could ever imagine. Hearing your cries for the first time melted my heart. When your the nurse placed you into my arms you calmed immediately. Your tiny hands clasped my fingers. I only wish I could watch you grow into the beautiful and courageous woman I know you will be.

I want you to know your father and I loved you very much. You were born during the darkest time and lit up our lives. I don’t want you to blame yourself. It was our job to protect you as your parents and that is what we did.

I want you to remember you have strength within you. Do not let anyone stifle the light in you. Dance to your own drum and show who you truly are. Never be ashamed of yourself. You were born from a great love and will do great things. I know it my love.

(Knock, Knock,Knock)

I wipe my tears I didn’t know we’re falling and went to answer the door.

……………….……………………………………

Isaac’s POV

I can’t believe my parents have lied to everyone all these years. I mean yeah I get that it was for the greater good and her safety and all that but come on. They could have just told us, alone, no one else. I can’t even to begin to imagine how Mia must be feeling. I should probably go check in her. I go up to her room and knock on the door. When she answers I can see she had been crying.

“I’ve been going through the envelope. There’s a letter from Natalie, a picture and a necklace.” She says seeing the concerned look I had on my face from her crying.

“I just wanted to come check on you. It’s okay if you want to be alone.”

“No no you’re fine. I just needed a break from everything. You know, finding out your dead aunt it really your mom, and that you real dad is not only a vampire but a vampire king at that, and to top it all of I’m some sort of powerful hybrid that an evil vampire king who killed my real dad had been hunting for and wants to chain me up and have me be his mate slave.”

We just sit in silence after that. I look on her bed and see the necklace hidden under the envelope.

“May I?” I ask before picking it up. She gives me a quick nod. It looks to be an antique. It’s a amethyst stone in and iron setting. “You know, even though Aunt Natalie is your true mother, you will always be my sister, that hasn’t changed. Nothing will change that.”

I pull her into a hug. I push her away and bring the necklace up to her and place it over her head and around her neck. I look at her face and see her smile. Almost immediately her smile changes to a vacant stare. Her eyes roll to the back of her head and she falls back and starts convulsing. Holy sh*t is she having a seizure?!