Chapter 29: Hidden Truths
1676 Words
Sofia pov:
I stood outside my father’s office, heart pounding. I took a deep breath, knocked once, and pushed the door open before I change my mind. The familiar smell of old books and polished wood hit me immediately.
Dad looked up from the papers on his desk. His expression softened a little as he gestured for me to sit.
I dropped into the chair across from him. For a moment, neither of us spoke.
“How are you holding up with everything?” he finally asked. “The pack… Bethany… Damian?”
“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “But I’m not giving up on Damian. I can’t.”
A small smile tugged at his lips. “That’s a good choice Sofia.”
My stomach twisted. “Is it? Or are you just happy your daughter might end up married to an Alpha?”
His smile didn’t fade. “I have enough power, Sofia. That’s not why I’m glad.
I leaned forward, my voice low and urgent. "Then why? You know what father. Explain to me why Linda said "She's not my mother.
His expression shifted, a flicker of discomfort crossing his face. "Anything she told you is a lie."
I laughed, the sound bitter. "So she's my mother, but she's denying it?"
His eyes locked onto mine, No, Sofia. Your mother –"
"Who is she?" I cut him off, my voice rising. "Why did she give me up? Why did you take me, knowing you'd married Linda?"
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sofia, it's complicated."
"Uncomplicate it, Dad," I snapped, my patience wearing thin. "Tell me who my mother is. I'm not leaving until you do."
I stared at my father, "Yes, of course I'll explain, but first, I need to clear something up," he said, his voice low.
"What exactly do you need to clear up?" I spat, my anger rising. "All my life, I wanted the love and attention Vanessa got. You both shut me out, and I thought it was because I was an omega. But it turned out it was because I was a disgrace, something you weren't proud of."
My father's expression twisted, a pained look crossing his face. "No, Sofia, that's not it at all," he said, his voice cracking. "You were never a disgrace. You are the daughter of the woman I loved, the woman I was meant to be with."
I laughed, "Loved? You loved her? Then why am I here, and she's not?"
He took a deep breath, his eyes welling up with tears. "Your mother... She was my fated mate. I found her two years after I married Linda. I did everything to be with her, but Linda made it impossible. Your mother... she died giving birth to you."
The words hit me like a punch to the gut. Dead? My mother was dead? I felt a wave of emotions: anger, sadness, confusion. "How could you keep this from me?" I demanded, my voice shaking.
My father's eyes locked onto mine, filled with regret. "I was scared of losing you, Sofia. I made a promise to your mother to protect you, and I did it the only way I knew how. But I was wrong. I'm sorry."
"Sorry?" I repeated, the word hollow. "Sorry doesn't cut it, Father. You kept my entire identity from me. You let me believe Linda was my mother. How could you?"
I felt like I'd been living a lie, and the truth was more painful than I'd ever imagined.
I stared at my father, my voice cracking as I asked, "What else?" The tears I'd been holding back finally broke free, streaming down my face. My heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces. My wolf spoke up, "Hear him out, Sofia. Our father isn't a bad person."
I tried to ignore her, but my wolf persisted, "He's not, Sofia. He and Rys have always loved us." I scoffed, the mistreatment, the neglect. "You saw what he did to me," I snapped at my wolf.
But she wouldn't let up. "Did he actually let them mistreat you, Sofia? Listen to him."
I turned back to my father, my anger and pain simmering. "What else?" I demanded. "What else are you hiding?"
He looked at me with sorrow-filled eyes. "Your mother... She was a witch, Sofia A powerful one. She loved you so much, even before she met you."
My mind reeled. "A witch? What... what does that make me?"
He hesitated before saying, "It makes you a hybrid, Half winch, half wolf."
I laughed, the sound was manic. "That's not possible. I don't have any magic."
“There are things I can’t explain right now,” he said gravely. “But you have to promise me you won’t tell anyone. Your witch side won’t show. No one will sense it. For now, you’re just a wolf.”
I stood up, my patience worn thin. "What else, Father? What else do you want to tell me?"
He sighed, his eyes pleading. "I've always loved you, Sofia. But I can't tell you everything right now. But I'll do everything to protect you and Vanessa from Linda.
I looked at him confused.What else? What else are you hiding from me?” and why can’t you tell me everything now?
“ he said, " I'm sorry but I don’t explain anything anymore.
I couldn’t stand being in here anymore. The room felt too small, the air too thick. I turned and walked out without another word, tears streaming down my face.
I didn’t know where I was going until my feet carried me to the elevator that led to the Alpha’s quarters. I jabbed the button for the top floor.
When the doors opened, I rushed straight to Damian’s rooms, but he wasn’t there. Panic rose in my chest. I tried mind-linking him—nothing. Just a wall.
I took my phone out and dialed his number. He picked up on the first ring.
Damian, where are you?” My voice sounded shaky even to me.
“I’m with Bethany, we came to the hospital for check up ” he said calmly. “You okay?”
“Yeah… I’m fine,” I lied. “Is everything fine with the baby? He replied saying everything was fine. I said okay telling him I’m heading to the lake to clear my head.”
“Be careful,” he warned. “There are rogues in the woods.”
“I can handle myself,” I muttered.
I hung up, slipped out of the building, and headed into the woods. The lake looked peaceful when I reached it, but I felt anything but calm. I sat on the ground, knees pulled to my chest, trying to process everything.
Why had Dad hidden all of this? So this why hate me so much? Did Vanessa know? Is that why she treated me so bad and almost killed me?
A shiver ran down my spine. Something felt wrong.
My wolf stirred. We’re not alone.
I stood quickly, scanning the trees. A low growl came from behind me. I spun around.
Six rogues stood there sickly-looking wolves.
How did they get past the border patrols?
I tired mind linking but it was completely blocked.
Albaz spoke up: Sofia, we have to share control and fight.
I nodded, ready to take them down.
One of them lunged at me.
Bethany’s POV
I waited in the car while Damian went inside for my vitamins. My phone buzzed. It was a message from my father: “I know you’re with Damian. I need you to stall him. Buy me some time.”
My stomach dropped. I typed back quickly, “What are you planning?”
He called right away. “Just keep him busy, Bethany. Don’t let him go back to Sofia yet.”
“What? Dad, don’t do anything crazy. You’re going to get us all killed.”
“No one will die,” he said coldly. “Just do what I asked.”
Damian returned a minute later. I forced a smile. “Ready?”
I nodded.
We started driving, but my mind was racing. I needed to buy time.
“I’m really craving something sweet,” I said, trying to sound normal.
He glanced at me and smiled. “I know a good spot.”
We stopped at a café, ordered cake, after eating he asked if I wanted anything but before I could answer and Sofia called, I pretended not to listen, but my heart was hammering. After he hung up, Damian looked serious.
“We should head back. Sofia needs me.
As we drove back, I was still trying to figure out how to buy time. Luckily, I spotted a baby store and tapped Damian's arm. "Park here," I said, a plan forming in my mind.
“Wait—” I spotted a baby store across the street. “Can we quickly look for nursery stuff? Just a few things?”
We went inside and started looking around. I took my time on purpose — pretending I couldn’t decide on colors, changing my mind about blankets, asking for his opinion on everything. I dragged it out as long as I could. Before I knew it, two whole hours had passed.
We finally loaded everything into the car and started driving back toward the pack grounds.
Damian’s phone rang again. He picked it up. It was Josh.
“Where are you?” Josh asked, sounding panicked. “Why is your mind-link blocked?”
“I’m with Bethany,” Damian said. “I took her for a checkup to make sure the baby’s okay—”
Josh cut him off. “Sofia’s been attacked by rogues. You need to come back right now.”
Damian’s face went pale. He slammed on the gas.
When we reached the woods, the scene made my blood run cold. Sofia was lying on the ground, covered in blood, barely moving.
I stood there frozen.
What had my father done?
- Writer
