Chosen for the Realm

Luck of the Lie

EMILE

"You're a Torsney. Follow the name. Your history awaits." the last words I hear echo within the depths of my mind as I opened my eyes before closing them just as quickly again, the light above me blinding with it's brightness. On the second try, I could blink a couple of times before fully opening my eyes with no issues, allowing me a view of the room. I was poisoned I remember back to the day I was brought here, now knowing everything really does happen for a reason. I look over at the sound of footsteps near my room door, before my dad, Karielle and the guy from the castle, Daxton I believe his name was, walk in one after the other. They walk straight over to my bed, the nurses already having a chair waiting for them to sit. I mentally prepare myself for what I'm about to tell my dad, knowing it'll crush his heart. The moon goddess didn't spare me a second thought when ruining my childhood as I knew it, putting a dampener in everything I thought I had been accustomed to. Growing up in the packhouse, that wasn't my true home. My true home lie in the city of Crownsmere, of course. The blood pumping through my veins, however, were one completely different in its makeup. This is who I am. I finally am starting to understand why my mother made me do the things she did, she didn't have a care in the world for me. No, my father, Alpha Christian, had been the only one by my side through everything. And I let him down by following the orders of a wretched woman. Now, I'm about to tear that image of our relationship apart right before his eyes.

"How are you feeling son?" My father asks, taking me away from all the different things running through my head. "I'm glad you're all here." I reply, not answering his first question as that should be obvious, I feel fine now. I decide to get straight into it, I don't want to wait any longer. I want to find my true family. "Dad, I can't hold it in any longer, you need to know." I say to him, before looking him in his eyes. "This is gonna hurt.. But you're not my real father." His face dropped at my words, hearing Karielle's gasps beside us as this was unexpected for her too, just as much as it was for me when I was fast asleep. My dad stands up, rushing over to the bed beside me, his once excited smile turned upside down. "Emile, Are you sure you're alright? Of course, I'm your father. What are you talking about?" He talks to me as if I'm being delusional, considering I'm in the hospital with what has happened, I understand his worries. "Dad, I saw it. I saw the day I was taken, before "Mother" brought me home to you." I reply, tears lining his eyes. Each word like a glass shard, piercing his heart. He looks back to Karielle, before turning back to me. "Before we get into this further, I have a little confession of my own." My heart drops, and I hope it's not what I'm thinking. Had he been a part in any of this, I would be torn apart. He takes a long pause, exhaling a deep breath.

"17 years ago.. your mom surprised me with a pregnancy test. It was a positive in a world of negative turmoil, with me having just defeating my father in a challenge and taking over the pack. We had just had her luna ceremony after getting married, all within a week. Most pack members expect word of an heir after marriage and coronations, that's one thing that us wolves look forward to for the future of our pack. She brought in one box wrapped with a ribbon tied around it, a perfectly placed bow on top. Upon opening it, there were about 5 other boxes inside, like a myriad of surprises within eachother. Each box that I opened, my smile grew wider. A note from your mother about our love at the time, a little bitty onesie, little socks, and finally, within the last box was this little pink and white stick. I'm sorry, give me a second." He says, before turning his head to wipe his tears. I've never seen him this in tune with his emotions, always keeping them coiled up inside, not wanting to show any weakness. "That little test changed my life forever. My heir, he was coming, and I couldn't have been more ecstatic to touch those little hands for the first time or to tickle those little feet. From that day foreward, I spoiled your mother. Late night craving runs, back massages, feet rubs. I did Everything. for. her." He says through clenched teeth, his disgust boiling right on the surface. "And that week she was supposed to go in labor, she left. She left me, without a word. I didn't know if she was okay, if you were okay, I had no idea what had caused this or why she left me behind. No idea where she had went. I thought maybe something had happened, something bad, and maybe she didn't feel like she could face me. Until the day she showed back up on my doorstep, 3 months after starting the search to locate her. She had you all bundled up in a blue blanket laying perfectly in your car seat. Embroidered on the bottom of that blanket, was your name. Emile. Seems like it was just yesterday. Your little eyes were just looking around, trying to take in the new world that surrounded you." He starts to quietly sob, covering his face in his hands. I move my arm to the top of his back to give him a few gentle pats, letting him know that I'm here for him, regardless of where all of this ends. "You were here. I finally had my baby boy, and my wife back. It was a miracle! I lifted her up in my arms, spinning her around and thanking her for not leaving me behind, for coming back and blessing me with the most precious little boy I had ever laid my eyes on. I think we locked ourselves away for a couple of days at least, soaking in all the cuddles and sleepless nights that came with a new baby. Your mother told me she was scared, scared to have you in the pack. That's her reasoning for taking off suddenly, without an explanation. She told me about the rumor of a legend going around, at that time, no one knew the gender of the one supposed to be born on the blood moon. Your mother said she knew she would give birth on the blood moon, and she was terrified to risk anyone coming to hurt us or the baby had the rumors came true. I took her confession in stride, knowing bits and pieces of what people were saying about a chosen being born. Your mother, she was scared you would be the miracle baby. She felt it wasnt safe to stay here, and when nothing became of it, she decided it was safe enough to come back." He chuckled, shaking his head at the memories of what used to be. All eyes in the room are on him, waiting to see where his story would take us.

"Then, it started. There were rumors of a couple murdered by rogues, and the disappearance of a newborn baby.." My eyes widen, while Daxton walks closer to my father, a dominating aura taking place within his presence. My father got chills, but took that as his notion to continue. "I started looking at your mother differently, but I could only tell myself it was a coincidence. Your mother was pregnant before all of the events took place, the only common thing being she left the same week they were murdered. Since their funeral, there hasn't been much more information other than a rogue attack. That started the infamous guard stations, and people being more watchful of their packs, knowing there were murderers in our midst. As we returned back to normal pack life once the commotion had died down, I started watching your mother closely. She didn't act weird or off, and that's what helped calm my nerves and the feelings I had pushed aside. As you were growing, you started to look different, growing into your features. But, they didn't resemble much of me or your mother. I brushed it off, knowing I should have put more thought into it back then. I'm sorry for not telling you this. I was too nervous to bring up anything concerning your genetics, as I didn't want to sever our bond. You're the one thing I didn't know I needed, Emile, and you being here by my side for 17 years has been the greatest gift I could ask for." He finishes, crying quietly to himself before leaning in to hug me, I hugged him back, offering my support. We all sit there in shock, karielle coming up behind him to give him a hug as well. She could feel his pain, I knew she could. Such a sweet girl, always trying to comfort or help those when she can't even help herself. Daxton snarls at my father before interrupting his sobs. "Can someone call the Dr in here?" he says to no one in particular. I don't question him, I just reach over to my remote attached to the bed by a cord, pressing the button that read 'nurse'. The light below the button lights up red "Can I help you?" A voice comes through the mini speaker on the bottom of the remote. "Uhm yeah, could you send the Dr in right away please!" I ask, the nurse verifying he would be in within a few minutes. Shortly after, his voice appears. "Hello Emile, How are you doing so far?" The Dr asks, walking into my room to see what he had been called for. "Oh no, I don't need anything Dr. Morris, he's the one who asked to call you in here." I point to Daxton with my response, the Dr looking at him, confused. "Have you taken this young man's blood, Doc?" Daxton asks, his dominating presence leaving no room for questioning. I look over to Karielle, seeing her lift her eyebrows up in confusion just as I was doing the same to her. "Well yes we have, why do you ask, Alpha?" He questions Daxton, before a blank serious look crosses his face, no one knowing what he was about to request. "I want you to take a blood sample from me, and run them together. I need this done as soon as possible!" He demands the Dr, and my dad's face goes pale at his request. "That's a weird request, Alpha Daxton, but I shall accomplish it no less. I'll have a nurse come for a blood sample. In the meantime, can I get you anything, Emile?" He asks me. Nodding my head at him I ask for a botte of water. I'm parched, all this new information on top of everything that has been going on in the Realm making my mouth dry. Karielle looks to Daxton, "What's going on?" She questions him, and he looks back at her for but a moment. "You'll be informed soon enough." He replied to her, an unhappy look on her face at his decline of answering her question, that was rude. My dad just continued to look pale, thinking he may be sick, I decide to ask him if he's feeling okay. He doesn't answer me back, and I'm starting to put two and two together. The nurse brings in a tube with vials, ready to adhere to Daxton's request, then a question comes to mind. "Hey Daxton, what is your last name?" I ask him, and he just looks me in my eyes without muttering a word. When I start to think he isn't going to answer, he says the very word I had hoped he wouldn't, bringing my dads fear all those years to life. "Torsney." He says blankly, and I know right then the moon goddess was right, and my father's assumption 17 years ago was brought to life. Gut instincts don't lie.