The Hidden Taboo.
1170 Words
Johannes Gutenberg.
"So... that's his real name," she whispered. "All this time, I believed he was my brother. But why were they saying those horrible things about me? Why was there so much hatred in Gerard's eyes? It felt like I was looking at a completely different person."
"Like I said, it's probably because of the lies they've fed him and the way they've taught him to see you."
"Emily is still his wife," she whispered. "And... They even have a son together."
A son.
An Alpha.
~Author's POV~
The rusty iron bolt clicked loudly as the dungeon door swung open.
The light from the hallway spilled into the dark cell as an Alpha stepped inside with a broad smile on his face.
His presence alone was powerful enough to kill dozens of wolves with the mere flick of a finger.
"Long time no see, Lisa," the Alpha said with a grin as he approached the white-haired woman whose legs were bound in heavy chains.
The snow-white Alpha's long, silky hair spread across the cold floor.
Her brilliant blue eyes were mesmerizing, as radiant as the ocean and as dazzling as the stars in the night sky.
She wore a dirty, torn white gown and smirked without even looking at the Alpha standing before her.
She already knew he was there.
Raising her hand, she conjured a transparent sphere of glowing water that illuminated the entire prison cell.
She seemed amused.
"I'm surprised you finally came to visit me after all these years. What do you want from me this time?"
"Aren't you going to ask about your son?"
"Why should I ask about my son? He's a powerful Alpha who controls the Wolf Stone and has the power to rule the world. As far as I know, he's still alive."
"You don't fool me for a second," he replied.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" she chuckled, her voice dripping with hatred rather than compassion.
"We're still searching for the Wolf Stone. It disappeared years ago after Gerard vanished, so you must know where it is. Stop pretending you don't."
"Why would I know where something is when I haven't laid eyes on it for years? I've been imprisoned here all this time, and as you can see, you've made sure I have no way of escaping."
"Don't play games with me, Lisa," he shouted in frustration before taking a deep breath. "Don't test my patience."
The long-haired woman slowly rose to her feet and laughed quietly at the Alpha's anger.
"So... he's lost it, hasn't he?" she mocked. "Since the Wolf Stone hasn't been found, perhaps it's already in another werewolf's possession. Maybe the Moon Goddess chose someone else to succeed Gerard and abandoned both of you after realizing you intended to use its power for evil. I'm honestly impressed by her. She finally punished you."
She laughed openly.
She didn't care whether he was angry or not. No matter how much he threatened her…She would rather die than help him.
"You insolent..."
She rolled her eyes.
"Oh, please, Aaron. It's not like I ever acknowledged him as my son anyway. He's nothing more than a bastard born of incest, cursed by the Moon Goddess to never truly see the light. As long as he lives, everyone around him will suffer. I can't wait for someone else to inherit the Wolf Stone so I can finally die in peace and leave this miserable dungeon."
"You're sick, Lisa. Just tell me who has the Wolf Stone so we can end this once and for all."
"I don't know. Why don't you ask Gerard? He's the next rightful owner of the Wolf Stone. Oh... I forgot. He lost his memories and doesn't even know who should inherit it anymore." She laughed. "His powers are fading day by day. I can feel it. You'd better reunite him with his mate if you want him to survive a few more years. Erasing his memories didn't save him or satisfy your selfish ambitions. Now that the Wolf Stone is gone, brother, it'll take you decades to recover it and restore Gerard as its bearer."
She burst into loud, hysterical laughter, shaking her hair wildly like a madwoman.
"Lisa," Aaron growled through clenched teeth. "You're Gerard's mother. You should want what's best for him."
"Aaron," she interrupted with a mocking laugh. "The moment that boy was born..." She stepped closer, her glowing blue eyes fixed on him. "I gave up my rights as his mother and handed him over to you. That means I have no authority to speak about him, nor is he my son anymore. The day he was born, I begged you to kill him. But your arrogance made you determined to raise him instead. Now he's slipping beyond your control despite losing both his memories and the Wolf Stone. And now you've come crawling back to me." She laughed cruelly. "You followers of the Moon Goddess truly amuse me."
"If you don't tell me where the Wolf Stone is, I'll expose you and..."
"Have you forgotten, brother?" she interrupted as she stepped closer. "You always wanted me. But I chose our elder brother instead, and that drove you mad. You tore my child from my arms the moment he was born. I never even had the chance to feed him."
"You wanted him dead," Aaron snapped. "Don't you dare blame me. You wanted him killed until I discovered he was destined to control the Wolf Stone."
"He was a taboo child, Aaron. Don't forget that. And if you expose me, I'll expose you too. I'll tell the world every lie you've told and every forbidden sin we've committed together. No matter how desperately you try to bury the truth, it'll never stay hidden. This curse runs through our bloodline. That's why our family is doomed."
She smiled bitterly.
"If Gerard ever has children, one of them will fall in love with another sibling. The cycle will continue. The Moon Goddess may even bind them together as fated mates to punish us. Gerard will have no choice but to kill his own children. They'll possess incredible power, but they'll also become his greatest curse. They'll love one another, commit the same taboo, and once they turn eighteen, they'll all die. His bloodline will come to an end... just as mine is slowly fading away. I don't care if Gerard dies anymore."
She looked away.
"We're already dead."
"So you're refusing to help me?"
Lisa laughed loudly. "You want help from someone who has no powers left? Aaron... you really are hilarious."
She giggled as she lowered herself back onto the cold floor.
"I'm leaving."
Aaron turned and slammed the heavy iron door behind him.
The moment he was gone, Lisa's composure shattered. She broke down into bitter tears.
"My son..." she whispered.
The moonlight filtered through the tiny dungeon window.
She wiped away her tears and slowly walked toward it. The moment she looked outside, horror filled her eyes.
- Writer
