The Elemental Huntress

Chapter Fifteen - Lies my Mother told me

ELIRA POV

I took a seat on the couch inside Killian’s office. Rhydian to my left and Willa on my right, all of us huddled closely. My head was spinning from all that had been revealed already and I had a feeling it was just the beginning. Willa squeezed my hand as she held it. I could tell that she was feeling just as apprehensive as I was. Rhydian was likely holding his breath without realising it.

Killian spoke first. “Thanks for joining us, Sloane will start by going through Willa’s file, but before he dives into the details there is something you both should know.” Killian looked at me and Willa with sympathy. I wasn’t sure how to take it, the caring look in his hazel eyes. The way they said so much but barely anything at all. It is clear to me that whatever the truth is, that it’s not good. Killian spoke slowly, likely wanting the words to sink in one at a time. “Elira, your so-called parents, Angie and Richard, are not your real birth parents…” Killian was looking me in the eye as he spoke, a careful frown showing that he was worried about how I might take the news. Willa gasped while Rhydian and I were silent. I looked at him, wondering what I might see on his face. Sorrow. He looked like the world he once knew was no more. I took a deep breath and gave a slight nod to Killian for him to continue. “Your true parents were werewolves, and they were the Alpha and Luna of the Spirit Moon pack, the true descendants of the first She-Wolf. They were our allies for centuries.” Killian wouldn’t take his eyes off me; he knew all the information now. He knew what was coming and he was waiting for the moment when I would need him the most. Sloane continued the conversation, “Willa, your real parents were the betas of Elira’s parents. You both come from the Spirit Moon pack and most likely would have grown up together. The story you were told about your parents dying in battle for Moonlight Tech is a lie. They died in battle, but they died against Moonlight Tech, not for them.” A single tear fell from Willa’s face, a tear shed for the parents she never knew. For a life she never knew, a life that should have been.

I squeezed her hand to let her know she wasn’t alone, and she squeezed it back. Sloane continued with Willa’s file. “You are what we call a true beta, someone born of not only two beta blood parents, but the beta bloodline has never been broken. You are a very powerful beta, Willa.” Sloane seemed proud in a way, as he explained to Willa what this meant. “The Spirit Moon pack was destroyed in the great attack 18 years ago. The remaining pack members that managed to survive fled to other packs, any that would take them. Most of them came here as we are their allies.” Sloane spoke calmly. “I believe you’ve become quite acquainted with one of them, Elira.” Killian said, his voice thick with hatred for what had happened to us. I looked at him with a small frown across my forehead, confused as to who he meant. “Her name is Elaine and you two have quite the spark happening recently.” Killian was amused and I was surprised that he was enjoying calling me out. “Umm yes, we have hung out a little bit recently…” I was a bit stumped for words and didn’t quite know how I should respond, a blush appearing across my cheeks. I was his destined and true mate, but I’d been making out with some blonde hottie instead. Shouldn’t he be mad?

Shit!

He is definitely going to make me pay for this later. “I can understand why, she is a beautiful and smart young lady who also possesses power.” Killian was serious again now. I was confused about where this was going, so, I stayed silent and listened to what he had to say. All of us in the room hanging on his every word. “As you may have learned recently or maybe through the Hunters Corp, there are multiple beings that can be part of our wolf packs. Your pack, Spirit Moon, had an Oracle. An ancient kind of werewolf that holds the power to see things before they happen, kind of like a psychic I guess you could say. Elaine’s mother was a member of your pack. She was injured when she arrived here. My father made a promise that he would take care of her daughter. Oracles are not like other wolves; they are powerful and only produce a pup with their true mates when it is time for an oracle to enter the earth's realm.”

The three of us were silently shocked at this revelation. Sloane spoke up again, looking right at Willa. “The Spirit Moon pack was ambushed and killed by Moonlight Tech, it’s all here in the files stating every bit of their involvement in the battle. They paired up alongside the Red River pack to take them down. Spirit Moon were equal in size to this pack, so there was no way they would have been able to take them down without help. The Red River pack have been the enemies of everyone for centuries. Their hunger for power and vengeance runs deep. It is no surprise that they were willing participants. A question that Killian and I are wondering is, how did the oracle miss this? Why didn’t she see it coming? Our theory is that the same powers used to cover up all of this were used to mask whatever was going on so that the Oracle couldn’t foretell it.” Sloane’s eyes were beginning to flicker in gold. We could tell his wolf was getting angry the more they told us about what happened.

Out of nowhere Rhydian spoke up, his voice thick with sorrow as he asked the question. “What did they get?” The room was silent a moment. I notice Killian give a nod to Rhydian in response to his question. “What were Red River willing to get in return for helping them?” Rhydian asked, his eyes showing the colour of his wolf for the first time. I looked at him, sadness on his face as if he already knew the answer. Killian was the one to answer him. “They wanted the pack lands and the heir of the Spirit Moon. They were willing to give up their own heir in exchange. The heir to Red River was supposed to be killed by Moonlight Tech and replaced, but that’s not what really happened, is it Rhydian?” Confusion spread over my face as I look from Killian to Rhydian. Willa gasped as she too looked over at our best friend. “No, it’s not. My memories, they’re coming back in waves as I am hearing you tell the story. I can see in my mind the lines between the dark magic memories and my real ones. I, I think I’m the heir to Red River!” The room went silent, all of us looking at Rhydian, uncertain of what to say.

Killian was the one to break the silence. “You are in fact the Alpha’s son. Moonlight Tech brainwashed you into believing they saved you, but all they did was spare you for a darker purpose, I believe. We don’t know what their motive was, but I am sure we will find out.” Rhydian looked broken, his whole life summing up to nothing but lies and betrayal. I couldn’t imagine how he felt about being the son of everyone’s greatest enemy.

“Why replace his own heir?” I asked. Curious about why the Alpha of Red River would give up his own progeny for someone elses. “Moonlight Tech became privy to a prophecy, one that tells of powerful Elemental Twins. A girl with abilities beyond any other supernatural creature, a boy that could ride the sun. The full prophecy is not inside these files, unfortunately. That is something we must search for, but there is a part of the prophecy they have kept here. ‘She will open the gates of hell and welcome them home.’ We think this prophecy is about you, Elira.” Killian said softly as he looked at me. I didn’t know how to respond, everything I was hearing just didn’t sound real. Silence enveloped the room momentarily until I finally spoke. “I don’t understand, what does all of this mean, Killian? I’m not powerful, I’m barely even a werewolf. I have no idea who I am.” I waited for him to answer with bated breath.

“You are wrong, Elira, every single one of us in this room can feel your power. It’s much more powerful than mine. It’s why you have been drawn to Elaine and she to you. Power is drawn to power. You are a twin, Elira. You have or had a brother. You are the last remaining Elemental Werewolves. You weren’t born with powers for no reason, you have a purpose, and it has to do with this prophecy. Knowing the answers to that will have to wait until we find out more. I do not believe that this prophecy speaks of evil. Throughout the history books it is known that there were innocent werewolves taken to a hell dimension and tortured there. Rhydian can agree with that, as I am certain he has stumbled upon the history of it time and again in his books. I believe you are their saviour.” Killian spoke clearly but none of this made sense to me. It was a lot to take in and I wasn’t sure I could handle anymore of it.

Willa spoke in a whisper; lucky we were werewolves otherwise we may not have heard her. “Who sanctioned it?” The room stayed silent as she spoke again. “Who at Moonlight Tech gave the greenlight to murder an entire innocent pack of werewolves? That’s not the code, that’s not what we do. I want to know who was in charge of such a large-scale operation.” A light went off in my brain as Willa started to ask the right questions. Before either Killian or Sloane could answer, I spoke up. “Angie did! She organised all of it, I can guarantee you that she is also the one who paid the dark witch to brain wash us and keep our wolves dormant.” I looked Killian dead in the eye, almost daring him to tell me I was wrong. Willa looked at me and then to Killian, her reaction telling me she knew it too but hoped I was wrong.

“That’s right Elira, it was Angie. Richard and she were not married yet. He was in the dark about the attack.” I sighed in relief as I wasn’t sure I could handle my dad having been involved also. It was the one good thing of my so-called life I could hold onto. “When I get my hands on her, I will make sure she tells me why she did it, why she kept us around. I will get us the answers I know we deserve, even if it’s the last thing I do!” I said with vengeance in my voice.

We spent a little longer in Killian’s office organising our next move. Rhydian was going to deep dive into the research for the prophecy while all three of us kept up our Hunter status. Remaining undercover in a way so that we could get the jump on them when needed.

It was close to dinner time by the time we left Killian’s office. Heading down to the main pack hall for the first time was exactly what I didn’t need. I knew it had to be done eventually and we had all agreed the sooner we got onto a new normal, the better. As we entered, the room became silent, showing a sign of respect to the pack leaders, Alpha Killian, and Beta Sloane side by side. The three of us trailing behind with looks of curiosity coming from everyone. Killian introduced us as new werewolf pack members. Telling them we would be remaining in their pack indefinitely and to give us a warm welcome. It was surprising to see them be so open to having us around. Maybe this wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

After the feast, I decided to head up to my room. I said my goodbyes to both Willa and Rhydian and promised to meet them for a run in the morning. Our first time hanging out together in wolf form. I couldn’t say whether I was excited or not. I didn’t really know what to feel. I knew I needed a distraction, and I hoped Killian would come knocking on my door.

I took a hot shower and got into my silk nightgown, ready to kiss this day goodbye, when I hear a soft knock at my door.

I was expecting Killian on the other side, but I knew the scent wasn’t his. I smile from ear to ear as I recognise the scent, it’s Elaine. Butterflies flood my stomach as I approach the door, knowing this night is about to get very interesting.

“Hi Elira, I hope it’s ok I stopped by? I saw you at dinner and wanted to officially welcome you to Blue Midnight. I couldn’t help but notice you seemed a little distracted. Is everything ok?” Her lips were moist and looked like they needed me to nibble on them, her voice soft and fruity. I was turned on the moment I caught her scent and really wasn’t in the mood for any small talk. “Of course, please come in. I’ve just had a big day but I’m good. Thanks for checking in.” I cheerfully ask her to step inside. She steps into the room, and I immediately push her up against the bedroom door, gently caressing her lips with mine, waiting to see if she would receive my kiss or not. She kisses me back, both of us caressing the other, each kiss more passionate than the last. As we come up for air, we both begin to smile and laugh at each other. “Sorry, I just really needed that.” I say with a sparkle in my eye. “Let me welcome you to Blue Midnight the proper way.” Elaine says, her voice thick with lust and her eyes full of desire. I grin and nod in response, words no longer necessary between us.