Beyond death

Familial discoveries

Alba’s POV

The warmth of the dining room lingered as we followed Luna Isabella, Alpha Davide, and Giorgia through the villa’s candlelit corridors. The echoes of laughter and conversation faded behind us, replaced by the soft creak of wooden floors and the faint rustle of fabric as we walked.

I felt Enzo’s hand in mine, his grip firm but comforting. The revelations of the evening still swirled in my mind—his reunion with his mother, the discovery of his sister, Claudia. It was almost too much to process, but there was no time to dwell. Isabella’s expression was unreadable as she led us to her office, but there was a sense of urgency in her stride.

When we entered the room, the atmosphere shifted. The walls were lined with shelves filled with ancient tomes and scrolls, their spines worn with age. A large oak desk stood at the centre, illuminated by the warm glow of an oil lamp. The scent of parchment and ink filled the air, grounding me amidst the swirling emotions.

“Please, sit,” Isabella said, gesturing to the chairs arranged around the desk. Alessandro hesitated for a moment before taking his seat, his eyes darting between Isabella and Davide. Giorgia and Claudia remained near the doorway, their presence a quiet but steady reassurance.

Isabella waited until we were settled before she spoke, her voice calm but resolute. “I know tonight has already brought many revelations, but there is more you need to understand. Alba, your arrival here has set events into motion—events tied to both the prophecy and the history of this pack.”

Davide leaned forward, his expression serious. “This isn’t just about Silva Luporum. The balance between wolves and witches has always been fragile, and you, Alba, are at the centre of what comes next.”

I straightened in my chair, my heart pounding in my chest. “Why me? What makes me so important to this?”

Isabella’s cerulean eyes softened as she looked at me. “Because you are a descendant of Lupo Aeternus, the founder of our pack. Your mother’s lineage ties you to Silva Luporum, even though your family left generations ago. Aeternus himself was the first to bridge the divide between wolves and witches. That same potential flows through your veins.”

Alessandro’s brow furrowed. “Wait,” he said, his voice tinged with disbelief. “If our family is connected to Silva Luporum, why didn’t my father know? Why wasn’t this passed down to us?”

Giorgia stepped forward, her expression pensive. “Your father may have known, but he chose not to share it. Or perhaps the knowledge was lost over time. Families leave, memories fade, and with each generation, the ties weaken. It’s possible he didn’t want to burden your mother or you with the weight of this legacy.”

Alessandro shook his head, frustration flickering in his eyes. “So we were left in the dark? Alba and I could have grown up knowing this connection, this history.”

“It’s not so simple,” Isabella interjected gently. “Sometimes, secrecy is a shield. The legacy of Aeternus is both a gift and a responsibility. Not everyone is ready to bear its weight.”

Giorgia added, “And let’s not forget—the prophecy itself may have influenced this. The timing of Alba’s arrival here, of her awakening, is no coincidence. This moment was always meant to happen when she was ready.”

I placed a hand on Alessandro’s arm, trying to calm him. “Zio, I know it’s hard to understand, but maybe it had to happen this way. Maybe I needed to find this place now, not before.”

Alessandro sighed, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. “I just wish we had known sooner. But if this is what we need to do, I’ll support you.”

Isabella nodded, her expression softening. “The lake—Lago Serenità—was where Aeternus made his stand. It’s where he faced Serafina, the witch queen who sought to control all magic. Their battle tore the land apart, and it was only through the intervention of the moon goddess that balance was restored.”

I leaned forward, captivated despite the heaviness of the moment. “What happened?”

Isabella’s voice softened as she recounted the story. “The moon goddess wept for the destruction their conflict caused. Her tears filled the crater, creating Lago Serenità. She bound Aeternus and Serafina’s spirits to the lake, merging their opposing forces into one harmonious entity. From that day, the lake became a place of truth and transformation—a reflection of those who stand before it.”

She met my gaze, her expression earnest. “Aeternus chose this land for our pack because of the lake’s power. He believed it could guide those who sought unity, those destined to bridge divides. And now, Alba, the lake is calling to you.”

The room fell silent, the weight of her words pressing down on all of us. Alessandro was the first to break the silence, his tone sceptical. “Even if that’s true, shifting for the first time next to a lake steeped in ancient magic seems dangerous. Especially without the full moon.”

“It is risky,” Davide acknowledged, his voice steady. “But Alba’s connection to both wolves and witches is unique. The lake’s magic can amplify her wolf’s emergence and tether her powers. Delaying this could be even more dangerous.”

I felt a strange pull deep in my chest, as though the lake itself was reaching for me. “I’ve felt it since we arrived,” I admitted, my voice trembling slightly. “The lake—it’s like it’s whispering to me. I don’t know how to explain it, but I feel like I need to go there.”

Giorgia stepped forward, placing a hand on my shoulder. “I’ll weave a veil over the moonlight to ensure the energy flows in harmony with yours. It won’t eliminate the risks, but it will give you the best chance.”

Alessandro sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “Fine. But if anything feels wrong—”

“It won’t,” Isabella said firmly, her confidence unwavering. “The lake has chosen Alba. We’ll guide her through this.”

Davide rose from his seat, his presence commanding. “We leave now. The first-quarter moon will hold steady long enough for us to reach the lake.”

As we prepared to depart, Isabella placed a hand on my arm, her touch both grounding and reassuring. “Remember, Lago Serenità isn’t just a place. It’s a reflection of your deepest truths. Trust yourself, Alba. The lake will guide you.”

Her words echoed in my mind as we stepped out into the cool night air, the moonlight casting silver paths through the trees. The journey to the lake had begun, and with it, a step into the unknown.