The Missing Heir

Rocca Calascio

Chapter 9

Italy

The drive through the Italian countryside was easy and relaxed. Elizabeth and Micheal sat together at the back of the SUV, deep in conversation, their voices low and warm. Chloe, seated beside them, couldn’t stop smiling. The mate bond had settled fully now, weaving itself between her brother and Elizabeth with a quiet, undeniable pull. Every time they looked at each other, Chloe felt her heart lift.

Outside the window, rolling hills and ancient stone villages passed by in soft golden light. Chloe pressed her forehead to the glass, taking in every detail of Italy as if it were a painting come to life.

As the convoy climbed higher into the mountains, the fortress appeared, Rocca Calascio, a 13th‑century stronghold perched on a sheer cliff. Its white stone towers rose like guardians of the sky, untouched by time, commanding the landscape with ancient authority.

The vehicles slowed, tires crunching over gravel as they pulled into the narrow driveway. One by one, doors opened.

Everyone stepped out in awe.

Everyone except one.

Marie Elizabeth Reid exited the SUV with effortless grace, her posture straight, her expression composed. She didn’t stare at the fortress like the others; she had walked these grounds before. She knew this place. She belonged to it.

Without hesitation, she strode toward the welcoming party waiting at the entrance.

At the front stood Vittore Abrassi, the oldest living member of the Abrassi bloodline. His presence was commanding, his silver‑streaked hair tied back, his eyes sharp as mountain stone. When he saw Marie, his stern expression softened instantly.

Marie’s face lit up. “Uncle,” she breathed, warmth flooding her voice. “It is so good to see you.”

Vittore opened his arms, embracing her with a tenderness few have ever witnessed from him. “My dear Marie,” he said, his voice deep and resonant, “you have always been the coolness of my eyes. Welcome home.”

Behind them, Chloe’s mouth fell open slightly. Elizabeth blinked. Micheal raised a brow.

None of them had known.

Vittore Abrassi’s sister is the mother of Alexander and Marie Elizabeth Reid.

Which meant,

Marie was not just visiting a fortress.

She was returning to her mother’s ancestral home.

She was Abrassi by blood.

And the Abruzzo recognized her.

Victor Reid greeted his great‑uncle. “Uncle, it is good to see you.”

Vittore’s smile warmed instantly, pride softening his stern features. “Victor, welcome, my boy. My heart smiles to have you all here.”

Victor nodded, feeling the same powerful aura settling around him, ancient, familiar, unmistakably Abbrassi.

Vittore’s gaze shifted. “Where is my niece?”

Marie summoned Elizabeth forward.

The moment she stepped into view, the entire Abbrassi welcoming party gasped, stunned by her radiance, her beauty, and the quiet power that clung to her like moonlight.

“The Moon Goddess has honored our families,” Vittore murmured as he took both her hands gently, studying her with reverence.

He turned to introduce the rest of his pack. “This is Luca. He is the Alpha.”

Luca stood tall, a true Italian specimen, dark hair, sharp features, broad shoulders, and a commanding presence carved from the mountains themselves.

“Welcome to Rocca Calascio,” Luca said, pride and honor woven through every word.

Elizabeth smiled. “This is Michael Barrington… my mate.”

Vittore’s face gleamed with joy.

Around them, the Reid, Silverton, and Barrington families stared in shock, every one of them except Chloe, who looked entirely unbothered, already knowing the truth long before this moment.

While the families were still reeling from Elizabeth’s revelation, the whispers behind Vittore and Luca were the only sounds in the air.

“She is absolutely beautiful.” “She is the prophecy.” “She has a Pure White Wolf.” “She is the chosen.” “She’s so young…”

The murmurs continued, growing louder, feeding Vittore’s rising agitation. Luca felt it too — the tension, the awe, the lack of discipline — and he could not hold back any longer.

His Alpha voice tore through the souls and bodies around him.

“That’s enough.”

The command was so cold, so sharp, that even the breeze seemed to laugh at the reprimand as it cut through the courtyard.

As the families were still frozen in shock from Elizabeth’s revelation, Luca stepped forward with polite authority. “Let us prepare for supper.”

Everyone began filing into the massive, majestic building. Gloria rushed toward her daughter, but when she reached her, Aunt Marie and Victoria were already there — both waiting, both demanding answers.

Victoria spoke first. “When did this happen?”

All three women stared at Elizabeth, anticipation written across their faces.

Elizabeth smiled softly. “It happened in America. We met the night of the banquet. We both felt the pull, but I ignored it… actually, I didn’t even realise what it was. The next day I left for Scotland. When we landed in Rome, I felt him clearly. The pull was so strong, and only then did I realise — and accept it.”

Aunt Marie sighed dramatically. “When I told you two to drive together, I didn’t mean you should get mated.”

The women burst into laughter, their voices echoing through the stone corridor.

Michael only smiled as he listened, his fingers intertwined with Elizabeth’s, pride and quiet joy written across his face.

Dinner was a buzz of activity and laughter, everyone chatting away. Elizabeth sat between her mother and her mate, fielding all of Gloria’s questions with patient amusement.

As the doors opened, Marcella Abbrassi entered, beautiful, elegant, regal. She moved with effortless grace toward Vittore, leaned in, and whispered something in his ear before taking her seat beside Gloria.

Vittore cleared his throat, his tone warm but formal. “Elizabeth, unfortunately we were not aware of your mate, so we had to change your room to the formal mates’ quarters. We do hope you will forgive us.”

Elizabeth rose, gently taking Marcella’s hands, her smile soft. “There is nothing to apologise for, Uncle. Michael and I can only thank you.”

Michael watched her with quiet pride, her gratitude reflecting everything he felt. The Abbrassi hospitality, the respect, the acknowledgment of their bond it meant more than words could express.

Luca rose from the table, the Alpha mantle settling over him. From this point forward, the next steps were his alone.

“Elizabeth,” he said, voice steady, “as Abbrassi blood flows through your veins, it is custom that you — and the rest of the Reid family, shift at midnight to welcome your wolves to Abruzzo.”

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Vittore added, “I do believe it will not be necessary for Marie to perform the ceremony.”

Luca looked to Victor. “And you?”

Victor inclined his head. “My time spent here was without my wolf.”

“Then it is settled,” Vittore said.

The sky was clear, the moon full and luminous. The cliffs were lined with figures in black robes, and others in re, the mark of the Abbrassi Elders. The air hummed with anticipation.

Victor shifted first, his form exploding into a massive, beautiful grey wolf. Then Victoria, a magnificent brown wolf, powerful and elegant. Sean and Grace followed, oldest to youngest, each wolf welcomed by the moonlit cliffs.

But what happened next struck everyone silent.

The White Wolf appeared.

Moonlight danced across her fur, turning her into something celestial, majestic, regal, breathtaking. Her presence washed over the cliffs like a blessing, and even the Elders bowed their heads, awed beyond words.

Even the wind was howling, the stream below chanting, and the trees cheering at the sight — the most beautiful sight of all.