Beyond death

The Seer

Enzo's POV

We followed Marina as she led Alba and me to the alpha’s dining room. When the heavy wooden doors swung open, the grandeur of the space enveloped us. The room exuded the timeless charm of an Italian villa, its terracotta-tiled floors warmed by flickering candlelight from an ornate iron chandelier overhead. Frescoes of pastoral scenes adorned the plastered walls, their muted colours softening the atmosphere.

A long walnut dining table dominated the centre of the room, its surface polished to a soft sheen by decades of use. It could easily accommodate twenty guests, and tonight it was arranged with a refined simplicity that spoke of both elegance and tradition. At the table’s midpoint sat Luna Isabella and Alpha Davide. Luna Isabella, a vision of grace in a sapphire-blue gown, radiated authority tempered with warmth. Alpha Davide, with his broad shoulders and commanding presence, wore a tailored black coat, his warm brown eyes welcoming us.

On either side of them sat the Beta and Gamma couples, as Luca had described during our journey. The Beta, Marco, had sharp green eyes and wavy salt-and-pepper hair that lent him an air of seasoned wisdom. Beside him, Elena’s serene smile softened her commanding presence. The Gamma, Angelo, whose sandy-blond hair matched his mischievous blue eyes, seemed to radiate energy, while Isadora’s fiery red hair and confident posture spoke of passion and strength.

Alessandro was already seated on the other side of Alba’s designated place. I chose the seat beside her, leaving two vacant chairs on my other side. Luna Isabella acknowledged our arrival with a nod, her cerulean eyes resting on me for a moment before she spoke.

“Alba, Alessandro, Enzo,” she greeted us, her tone warm yet formal. “It’s an honour to have you here. The two seats beside you, Enzo, are reserved for our seer and her daughter. They’re running a bit late, but they’ll join us shortly. As for Giulia and Luca, they have chosen to spend the evening together, exploring their newfound bond. They send their regards.”

The mention of the seer and her daughter intrigued me. The thought of meeting someone who could glimpse the threads of fate sent a ripple of anticipation through me. I glanced at Alba, who seemed equally curious, and then focused on the exquisite spread before us as the evening began.

---

Platters of antipasti adorned the table, a vibrant display of Italian delicacies. Cured meats, including thin slices of prosciutto and salami, lay alongside wedges of pecorino and tangy gorgonzola. Bowls of marinated olives glistened in the candlelight, their briny aroma mingling with the sweet scent of figs and honey. Bruschetta topped with ripe tomatoes and fresh basil added a pop of colour, while baskets of rustic bread completed the offering.

The scents wafting through the room were irresistible, and the communal atmosphere eased the initial formality. I reached for a slice of prosciutto-wrapped melon, savouring the perfect balance of sweetness and salt. Alba’s eyes lit up as she tasted a piece of bruschetta, her delight evident in her smile. The simple pleasure of sharing a meal brought a sense of warmth to the gathering.

---

As the plates were cleared and the main doors creaked opened the seer entered with her daughter, their presence commanding my attention, the weight of the moment settled over me. My mother, who had vanished fifteen years ago, stood before me, her golden hair streaked with silver, her eyes filled with an emotional depth I had forgotten.

“Enzo,” she began, her voice trembling slightly, “I know I have no right to ask for forgiveness, but please, understand—I didn’t leave because I wanted to. I fled because I had to.”

The room seemed to hold its breath as she continued, her gaze flickering between me and Claudia. “I didn’t intend to come to Silva Luporum. My only thought was to escape the darkness your father and grandfather had embraced. I fled into the unknown, desperate to protect myself—and the life I carried within me.”

She glanced at Claudia, a mix of pride and sorrow in her expression. “By the time I realised I was with child, I was too far from Bracciano to turn back. It was sheer chance—or perhaps fate—that brought me here. Silva Luporum became my sanctuary, a place where I could raise your sister in safety.”

I swallowed hard, my emotions threatening to overwhelm me. “And me? You left me behind,” I said, my voice tight.

Tears welled in her eyes. “Enzo, you have no idea how much it broke me to leave you. But I couldn’t take you with me. You were part of the prophecy—a prophecy I barely understood at the time. You had to stay where you were, or everything could have fallen apart. I thought… I thought your father would protect you.”

Her voice cracked on the last word, and I realised the depth of her pain. Alba’s hand slipped into mine, grounding me. “She thought she was saving you, Enzo,” Alba whispered, her voice soft yet steady.

Giorgia stepped closer, her gaze pleading, hand out. “I know I failed you, but I never stopped loving you. And now that you’re here, we can start to heal, together.”

I squeezed her hand in response, then turned to the young woman beside my mother. “Claudia?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, a shy smile gracing her lips. “Hello, fratello,” she said, the Italian word for brother carrying a warmth that eased some of the tension in my chest. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

---

Luna Isabella’s voice broke the moment, her tone both gentle and commanding. “Now that Giorgia, our seer, and her daughter, Claudia, have arrived, let us begin our meal.”

Omegas entered with trays bearing the first course—plates of al dente spaghetti draped in a rich marinara sauce, garnished with fresh basil and a dusting of Parmesan. The aroma was heavenly, and the sight of the simple yet exquisite dish momentarily lifted the heaviness in my chest.

As I twirled the pasta onto my fork, the flavours burst to life on my tongue. The tangy sweetness of ripe tomatoes mingled with the earthiness of garlic and the freshness of basil, creating a symphony of tastes that grounded me in the present. My glances toward my mother were brief, yet loaded with unspoken questions.

“I never thought you were dead,” I finally said, my voice low but steady. “I always believed you were alive somewhere.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Grazie, Enzo,” she said softly. “That faith means more than you know.”

---

The omegas cleared the pasta plates and brought in the main course—a succulent roast lamb surrounded by rosemary potatoes and sautéed wild greens. The lamb, seasoned with garlic and herbs, was tender and juicy, while the potatoes were crisp and fragrant. Each bite was a testament to the care and skill of the pack’s cooks.

Alba’s eyes lit up as she tasted the lamb. “This is incredible,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight.

I nodded in agreement, savouring the robust flavours. “It’s a meal worthy of this company,” I said, glancing at Luna Isabella, who smiled in acknowledgment.

The final course, a silky zabaione, arrived alongside steaming cups of herbal tisana. The dessert’s delicate balance of egg yolks, sugar, and marsala wine created a luscious, airy texture that melted on the tongue. The warm, sweet aroma of the zabaione complemented the subtle herbal notes of the tisana, providing a satisfying conclusion to the meal.

---

When the plates were cleared, Luna Isabella rose, her presence commanding yet serene. “Enzo, Alba, Alessandro,” she said, her voice steady. “Giorgia and I, along with Alpha Davide, would like to speak with you in my office. Please, follow me.”

We rose from the table, the weight of the evening’s revelations pressing on my shoulders. As we followed Luna Isabella through the villa’s candlelit corridors, I felt Alba’s hand slip into mine once more. Her touch was a lifeline, grounding me as we stepped into the unknown.

Fifteen years had passed since I had last seen her, yet her features were unmistakable. Her golden hair, though streaked with silver, cascaded in waves that framed her delicate face. Her eyes, so like my own, held a mix of regret and determination. Beside her stood a young woman whose hair was spun gold, her eyes a mirror of mine. She couldn’t have been more than sixteen. My heart clenched as realisation struck—this was my sister.

“Enzo,” my mother began, her voice trembling slightly, “I am so sorry for leaving without a word. It wasn’t an easy choice, but it was the only way to protect you.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words settling over us like a heavy fog. My mother continued, her gaze never leaving mine. “When I learned of Claudia,” she gestured to the girl beside her, “I saw the dark path your father and grandfather were taking. I fled to Silva Luporum, knowing it was the only safe haven I could find. It wasn’t where I intended to go, but the pack welcomed me and provided the sanctuary I needed to keep her safe.”

I clenched my fists, struggling to process the emotions swirling within me. The betrayal, the relief, the longing—they collided in a storm that left me speechless. My mother stepped closer, her expression softening.

“Enzo,” she said, her voice thick with emotion, “I’m sorry I couldn’t take you with me. It was crucial for the prophecy that you stayed where you were.”

Her sincerity was evident, and though the ache of abandonment lingered, I found myself nodding. Alba’s hand slipped into mine, grounding me. “Enzo,” she whispered, her concern evident. “Are you all right?”

I squeezed her hand in response, then turned to the young woman beside my mother. “Claudia?” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She nodded, a shy smile gracing her lips. “Hello, fratello,” she said, the Italian word for brother carrying a warmth that eased some of the tension in my chest. “I’m so happy to finally meet you.”

---

Luna Isabella’s voice broke the moment, her tone both gentle and commanding. “Now that Giorgia, our seer, and her daughter, Claudia, have arrived, let us begin our meal.”

Omegas entered with trays bearing the first course—plates of al dente spaghetti draped in a rich marinara sauce, garnished with fresh basil and a dusting of Parmesan. The aroma was heavenly, and the sight of the simple yet exquisite dish momentarily lifted the heaviness in my chest.

As I twirled the pasta onto my fork, the flavours burst to life on my tongue. The tangy sweetness of ripe tomatoes mingled with the earthiness of garlic and the freshness of basil, creating a symphony of tastes that grounded me in the present. My glances toward my mother were brief, yet loaded with unspoken questions.

“I never thought you were dead,” I finally said, my voice low but steady. “I always believed you were alive somewhere.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. “Grazie, Enzo,” she said softly. “That faith means more than you know.”

---

The omegas cleared the pasta plates and brought in the main course—a succulent roast lamb surrounded by rosemary potatoes and sautéed wild greens. The lamb, seasoned with garlic and herbs, was tender and juicy, while the potatoes were crisp and fragrant. Each bite was a testament to the care and skill of the pack’s cooks.

Alba’s eyes lit up as she tasted the lamb. “This is incredible,” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine delight.

I nodded in agreement, savouring the robust flavours. “It’s a meal worthy of this company,” I said, glancing at Luna Isabella, who smiled in acknowledgment.

The final course, a silky zabaione, arrived alongside steaming cups of herbal tisana. The dessert’s delicate balance of egg yolks, sugar, and marsala wine created a luscious, airy texture that melted on the tongue. The warm, sweet aroma of the zabaione complemented the subtle herbal notes of the tisana, providing a satisfying conclusion to the meal.

---

When the plates were cleared, Luna Isabella rose, her presence commanding yet serene. “Enzo, Alba, Alessandro,” she said, her voice steady. “Giorgia and I, along with Alpha Davide, would like to speak with you in my office. Please, follow me.”

We rose from the table, the weight of the evening’s revelations pressing on my shoulders. As we followed Luna Isabella through the villa’s candlelit corridors, I felt Alba’s hand slip into mine once more. Her touch was a lifeline, grounding me as we stepped into the unknown.