“Who told you?” I asked, curious.
“I didn't need anyone to reach that conclusion. Cassian's expression gave away who the father was,” Zora revealed, confirming that the resemblance between Cassian and Hunter was so striking that paternity couldn't be denied.
“I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, neither you nor Hunter,” I confessed, seeking to mend the lack of transparency.
Zora, in turn, questioned if Hunter was already aware of the paternity. “When did you tell him, Fierce?”
“I told Hunter when we arrived in Seattle,” I explained. However, Zora's reaction alerted me to something I hadn't noticed.
“Weird,” commented Zora. “Hunter didn't mention anything about already knowing he was the father.”
“I suggest you talk when Hunter returns,” I suggested, realizing the need for Hunter to clarify things between the couple.
Zora agreed, but the weakness in her eyes showed concern about what might arise from that conversation. Even though wounded, Zora looked at me with a faint smile and said, “You raised the boys amazingly, Fierce. They are stronger than you imagine.”
I thanked her for the compliment, but my curiosity wouldn't allow me to be distracted. I needed to understand what led Ignis to carry out that attack.
“Can you tell me exactly what happened?” I asked, seeking to understand the motivations behind Ignis's actions.
Zora sighed before beginning to recount, “Ignis showed up with the boys, saying she came to restore the natural order of things.”
I frowned at Zora's enigmatic response. “Natural order of things? What did she mean by that?”
“Maybe Hunter didn't tell you, but Ignis raised me as her own daughter and taught me everything I could know about the laws and everything that involves our world. The pack law dictates that only the Luna can have the Alpha's children. She believed that because you're not the Luna, your children should die so that I could have mine,” explained Zora, revealing the cruelty behind Ignis's intentions.
“Hunter mentioned Ignis to me,” I said, recalling our conversation before.
“Despite the law, I would never agree to harm the boys. I know what it's like to lose someone we love because of these laws,” Zora added, revealing a deep pain from her past.
Curious, I asked about the reference to losing someone because of the laws. “Are you talking about the wolf destined for you?”
Zora nodded, her eyes reflecting the sadness of the past. “He was killed by wolves hired by my father. His name was Caleb.”
The revelation echoed in me. “Yes, I know Caleb. He was part of Alastair's pack but was banished.”
Then, I decided to share crucial information. “But there's one more thing you need to know, Zora. Hunter and I encountered Caleb on the road.”
Zora widened her eyes, perplexed. “Are you saying Caleb is alive?”
“I and Hunter encountered Caleb on the road,” I began, locking eyes with Zora, whose eyes sparkled with a mix of hope and anxiety.
“Are you saying Caleb, my destined wolf, is alive?” Zora asked, her voice filled with emotion.
“He was involved in the boys' kidnapping along with Ignis,” I explained, knowing that each word would deepen Zora's emotional wounds.
Zora stared at me, her eyes revealing a mixture of disbelief and despair. “This can't be true. Caleb was good, and kind. Where is he?”
“I'm sorry, Zora,” I murmured with regret. “Caleb is no longer the same. He died.”
The news hit Zora like a blow. She looked at me, tears already welling up. “How... How did this happen?”
I explained the events leading to the fight between Hunter and Caleb. “He and Hunter fought, and I had to intervene, ultimately killing him to protect Hunter.”
Zora was now in tears, her voice choked as she spoke. “It can't be. Two people I love, Caleb and Ignis, joining forces to cause all this chaos...”
“I'm sorry, Zora,” I repeated, knowing my words offered little comfort in the face of so much pain.
Zora sobbed, but her voice still found the strength to express the pain in her heart. “And now, Fierce? What do we do?”
I felt a lump forming in my throat, seeing the pain in Zora's eyes.
“I know it's hard to accept. But we need to focus on the boys and prevent Ignis from causing more havoc.” I approached, embracing Zora carefully. “We're in this together. Hunter is rallying the wolves to find the antidote for the boys, and we'll overcome these trials together. You're not alone, Zora.”
While hugging Zora, I felt the gravity of the situation weighing on us.
The path ahead was filled with challenges, but we were united by the determination to protect those we loved and face the shadows threatening to engulf our pack.
The omega den was a silent refuge, interrupted only by the echoes of Zora's sighs and the gentle whisper of the wind filtering through the cracks in the entrance. Embraced, we felt the weight of the tragedy that had unfolded before us, like a shadow threatening to engulf any remaining hope.
“I'm sorry for all this, Fierce, and for what happened to the boys,” Zora expressed, her words laden with sorrow. The pain was shared between us, connecting us in our mutual sadness.
“It's okay,” I murmured, trying to offer some consolation to Zora. “We'll find a way to get the boys out of this situation.”
Zora, with teary eyes, continued to share precious memories of the triplets.
“The boys didn't deserve any of this,” Zora mumbled, wiping away tears. “I remember Cassian asking me to put garlic in the pasta. He was so sweet...”
I was confused for a moment. “Garlic in the pasta?”
Zora let out a sad laugh. “Yes, Ignis asked if the boys would like garlic, and Cassian ended up asking for it. It's such a simple memory, but now it feels so precious.”
“Cassian asked for garlic?” I asked, trying to understand if that was really what she heard.
Zora, wiping away tears, questioned. “Did I say something wrong?”
“No... Cassian has always been like that,” I commented, trying to keep the atmosphere less tense.
We were interrupted by Hunter entering the den. “Is everything okay here?” he questioned, observing us.
“I think you better talk to Zora, Hunter. She needs you now,” I commented.
Hunter nodded, thanking with a glance, and approached Zora, who was still lying in bed. Hunter looked at her, realizing the sadness in his Luna's eyes. He placed a hand over Zora's, and the two began to talk in hushed voices. Meanwhile, I left the den, feeling a bit lost. It was challenging to process everything that had happened.
***
I was outside the omega den, lost in my own thoughts, when Cierce approached. Her serious gaze indicated that something was amiss, and I prepared myself to hear the revelations she was about to make.
“Fierce,” Cierce began, locking eyes with me, “I need to talk to you.”
I nodded, indicating that I was ready to hear what she had to say.
“What exactly did Zora say about the attack?” Cierce asked, her expression revealing genuine concern.
I sighed before responding, “Ignis attacked her, and she fought to protect the boys. Why?”
Cierce furrowed her brow, as if something in my response bothered her. “I examined Zora's injuries, and something doesn't add up. Ignis is a Peeira, right?”
I nodded. “Yes, she is.”
“Peeiras, when they use their energy, can cause burns. However, this only happens if the Goddess approves the use of that energy,” Cierce explained.
“Exactly,” I confirmed, still not understanding where she was going with this.
Cierce continued, “Zora's injuries are not burns caused by a Peeira's energy. They are wounds from claws, some small and some very large, but unmistakably werewolf in nature.”
“Werewolf claws?” I repeated, surprised. “How is that possible?”
Cierce shrugged. “That's what I'm trying to understand. The wounds are characteristic of werewolf attacks. Is Zora telling the whole story?”
I nodded. “Yes, she said Ignis attacked her.”
Cierce furrowed her brow. “It seems Zora's story isn't exactly as she's telling it. Either there's something she doesn't know, or there's something she doesn't want us to know.”
My heart quickened with the revelation. Zora was hiding something, and I needed to understand what it was before the consequences became even more severe.