The Alpha’s Dark Heritage

Chapter 9

***Nina***

The heavily draped windows of the old study cast soft shadows across the room, a tapestry of light and dark dancing along the walls lined with aged books and relics of our family’s storied past. The air was thick with unspoken thoughts, as I sat in silence, flanked by my brothers. It felt like forever since the four of us shared a space like this, united by blood and the weight of our destiny as heirs to the royal coven. But, the absence of my twin sister, Nora, hung in the air, a specter of grief that lingered with us like an unwanted guest.

Grandma Frances was quiet—the matriarch of our family—it’s been over a year since we reunited with her and her presence was a comforting force despite the silence. Her shoulder-length black hair with sever grey hairs framed her face, framing her sharp dark eyes that had seen countless generations of witches and warlocks struggle and thrive. I couldn't help but admire her—her wisdom and strength had been my guiding lights, forging the path from which my younger self had learned.

Asher, my oldest brother, sat across from me, his honey brown hair tousled just so, revealing the sense of perpetual responsibility that etched itself into his very being. He was the King of the covens, destined to rule with the burden he carried weighed heavily on his shoulders. Next to him was Isaac, the middle sibling with dark brown hair and hazel eyes that bore a hint of mischief as well as wisdom, the kind that comes with being witness to the secrets of our lineage. Nevins, my other brother, just a year older then me, he mirrored Isaac’s hazel eyes, which were filled with concern. We each wore the same tan skin that spoke of our heritage, branded through generations.

I had almost forgotten how it felt to be with them, like a wolf pack bound by blood, except there was always a piece missing. Nora’s presence was a flicker of warmth we all longed forgot, even as years of her absence blurred the edges of our memories.

“Have we made any progress on finding Nora?” I finally broke the silence, my voice barely above a whisper, as the table hummed with tension. Every eye turned to me, and I swallowed hard, heart racing.

Asher sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair. “We’re still searching, Nina. Crowley is elusive, and with no trace of Nora.. it’s like trying to catch smoke.”

The mention of Crowley—the dark sorcerer who had orchestrated Nora’s disappearance—sent a chill down my spine. His name was venom on our lips, and the darkness he represented filled every crack of our fear. I could feel the urgency vibrating through the air, and my heart raced with determination.

“I had a vision,” I announced, the words tumbling out before I could second-guess myself. The vision had come to me like a haunting melody, a fleeting glimpse inside Nora’s life. “I saw through Nora’s eyes. She’s alive, but she’s trapped—locked in some dungeon. She’s weak, and Crowley..he’s still out there.” The room fell silent as my words sank in.

Asher’s expression darkened, the weight of my revelation settling over him. “We will bring her back, Nina. He can’t keep her hidden from us too long, I have many people looking for her.”

“You’ll find her,” Isaac said, lending his voice to the determination that surged through the group. “We will find her.”

“Tonight, we can perform the spell on Mateo's grandfather,” Nevins offered, his voice steady. “If anyone has the ability to awaken him from that magical coma, it’s us. He may know something more about Crowley.”

“Maybe,” I echoed, though doubt slithered into my heart like a snake. How many times had we grasped at the fragile edges of hope, only to find ourselves empty-handed?

“I just wish we knew more about what Crowley wants with her,” I admitted, frustration snaking through my voice. “Why hasn’t he just—”

“Because he’s a demon!” Asher interjected, the frustration boiling over in his tone. “He wants to break us, and keep her away from our power. He knows how strong we are together.”

As if sensing the tension simmering between us, Grandma Frances finally lifted her gaze from her carefully arranged cards, her voice slicing through the tension. “Tonight’s spell is critical, but what stands out to me is what you mentioned about the mark, Nina.”

The conversation shifted, and I glanced down at my wrist, where an intricate symbol—a mark of Hades—decorated my skin. It was a mark that had appeared a few nights ago, during a vision. It represented a connection to the underworld, powerful and loud, transcendent in its meaning. “What about it?” I asked, curiosity mixed with unease.

Asher leaned in, his brow furrowing. “The mark on your wrist means something significant. It is the symbol of Hades. Grandma Alice always had me read and study about our history, and that mark? It signifies a return.”

I blinked, confused. “Return? What do you mean?”

“When our father left, he whispered something to me—a warning. That when that mark shows, his return will be soon.” Asher said, looking solemn as he stared at my wrist.

Grandma Frances, who had been silent until this moment, jumped in her seat, her dark eyes alight with sudden inspiration. “It’s a scroll!” she exclaimed.

Everyone turned to her in confusion. “A scroll? What are you talking about, Grandma?” Isaac asked, his brows knitting together.

Without skipping a beat, her long skirt swirling around her as she hurried to the nearby door. “The markings—there’s a legend,” she murmured, as she left.

Still in our seats we all looked at each other confused. Asher pulled out a book I didn’t realise he had. His fingers dancing along the spines of books until he seized one in particular. “Many centuries ago, during a time of great upheaval and conflict, a war broke out..”

“We know the story.” Nevins interrupted.

“But what does it say?” I pressed, my heart racing as the weight of her statement sank in. The room suddenly buzzed with anticipation and hope as she opened the book, revealing faded pages full of ancient script and illustrations. The question was long forgotten when the door opened.

“I need you all to listen closely,” grandma Frances said as she came back into the room, her voice steadying us. “There is a scroll will return with the king.”

Each of us looked from her to each other her words a confusing as ever.

“The “return of the king?” Is that about our father?” I asked, incredulous.

She paused, deep in thought. “Perhaps,” she replied, tracing her fingers over seat handle as she sat back down. “Or it may refer to the next ruler. The one who will have the ability to bend the chains of fate. Whatever the case, your mark possesses significance far beyond what we initially understood.”

Asher’s expression turned concerned. “Grandma are you okay?” We all wanted to ask her but didn’t know how to approach it.

“I am worried Grandma,” Nevins said, his words validating my all our thoughts. “Should we ask for a Sharman witch?”

Grandma Frances frowned, “I am a Sharman witch.”

My heart raced with anxiety, torn between the urgency of our immediate task and the weight of out grandma possibly losing her mind. I could not dismiss the potential power I had yet to harness.

“I’ll prepare for tonight’s spell,” Issac said, determination to have grandma rest— instead of have her help with the spell. We all thought it but didn’t say a word of it.

“We need to be cautious. Crowley won’t hesitate to use anything against us. We aren’t sure if he has any demons or Hecate forbid—more hellhounds.” The memory of a year ago crept into my mind— when I had met the Whitlock sisters who had aced me that night.

With the plan agreed upon, the atmosphere shifted as we aligned our focus, drawing on the collective energy of our family ties. The anticipation hung like smoke in the room, and I could feel sparks of magic thrumming in my blood. Whatever awaited us tonight could potentially unlock the mysteries surrounding Nora’s fate, our family’s legacy, and what the mark on my wrist truly foretold. Surely my Mateos grandfather was around and knew our family.

As I prepared to leave, Grandma Frances called my name, her voice laced with warmth. “Stay strong, Nina. The bonds of family run deeper than blood; they are woven through time and magic. You are the key to uncovering what must remain hidden.”

I didn’t know what yo say, so I just nodded at her words. although she may be losing it from old age, my heart swelled with gratitude for the woman who had always been my anchor—since being reunited with her. With determination lighting my path, I knew this would be the night that would change everything—perhaps leading us closer to Nora and uncovering the truth of our shared bloodline. The weight of duty hung heavy upon my shoulders, but I would not falter. I was Nina Caster, the youngest of the royal coven heirs, and it was time for me to return the favour and protect my brother just as they have broke red me my whole life.