The Truth
721 Words
Chapter Four —
Begins Paris reached home with her heart pounding. She pushed open the door.
“Grandma!” Elena appeared. Her expression changed immediately. “You saw him.” Paris stopped.
“You know Lucan.” Elena closed her eyes.
“Paris…”
“Tell me the truth.”
“There are things you aren't ready to know.”
“I am twenty-two.”
“That doesn't mean you're ready.”
“He said you know what I am.” Elena's hands trembled. Paris stepped closer. “What am I?”
Elena looked at her. “You are my granddaughter.”
“That's not an answer.”
“It is the only answer that matters.”
“No.” Paris's voice cracked.
“For sixteen years, I've wondered why my mother left. I wondered if I wasn't good enough. I wondered if she hated me.”
Elena's eyes filled with tears. “She never hated you.”
“Then why did she leave?”
“To save you.” Paris laughed bitterly.
“Everyone says that.”
“Because it is true.”
“From what?” Elena looked toward the window.
“The royal family.” Paris went still.
“Why?” “Because your mother was born into a bloodline they feared.”
“What bloodline?” Elena didn't answer.
“Grandma.”
“She made me promise.” “Promise what?”
“To keep you hidden.”
Paris stared. “Why would anyone care about me?” Elena whispered, “Because of what is inside you.”
A crash came from outside. Both women turned. The front door shook.
“Stay behind me,” Elena said. Paris almost laughed.
“You can barely stand.” Elena's eyes changed. For one terrifying moment, the frail grandmother Paris knew disappeared. Her posture straightened. Power filled the room. The door exploded inward. Three wolves entered. Paris screamed. One lunged. Elena lifted her hand. A blast of energy threw the creature across the room.
Paris stared. “Grandma?”
“Stay back.” Another creature attacked. Elena blocked it but stumbled.
Paris ran forward. “Stop!” The creature turned toward her. Something inside Paris woke. A pressure built beneath her skin. The creature lunged. Paris raised her hands. A wave of power exploded outward. The creature crashed through the wall. Silence followed. Paris stared at her hands. “What did I do?”
Elena cried. “It has begun.” “What has begun?”
“Your awakening.” Before Paris could ask more, the front door opened. Lucan stood there. His guards surrounded him. His eyes immediately found Paris. Then Elena. Then the broken wall. His expression hardened. “Get her out.” Paris stepped toward him. “No.” “Paris.”
“No more orders.” He stopped.
“I am tired of everyone deciding what I can handle.” Lucan looked at her.
She was shaking, but she remained standing. “You knew,”
she said. “Yes.”
“You knew something was wrong with me.”
“Yes.”
“You knew my grandmother knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you didn't tell me.”
“I didn't know everything.”
“But you knew enough.”
He lowered his gaze. “I did.” Paris's eyes filled with tears. “Why?” Lucan approached slowly. “Because you're my mate.” The room became silent.
Paris shook her head. “No.” “Yes.”
“I don't believe you.”
“You don't have to.”
“What does that even mean?”
“It means fate chose you for me.”
Paris laughed through her tears. “I'm not special.”
Lucan's voice softened. “You are.”
“No. I'm not.”
“You've spent your entire life believing that because people treated you as though you were worthless.”
He took another step. “That doesn't make them right.” Paris looked at him. “I don't want your kingdom.”
“I know.”
“I don't want your crown.”
“I know.”
“I don't want your family.”
“I know.” She swallowed.
“I just want my grandmother to live.” Lucan looked at Elena.
“Then she will.”
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