Chapter 35: The Dying Alpha's Truth

Cole's father lived in a mansion in the mountains. Two hours from the gym. We took Cole's truck with Alex and Stacey following in the second car.

The drive was tense. Cole's hands gripped the wheel too tight. His jaw was clenched.

"When's the last time you saw him?" I asked.

"Three months ago. Right after he got the diagnosis. Terminal. Six months maybe."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. We're not close. Haven't been since my mother died." He glanced at me. "He wanted me to mate with Erica. Unite the packs. Build an empire. When I refused, he cut me off."

"But he's calling now."

"Because he's dying. And dying men want to fix their regrets." His voice was bitter. "Or control things one last time."

We pulled up to a huge stone house. Security everywhere. Guards at the gate. Cameras on every corner.

They let us through without checking IDs. Someone had told them we were coming.

Inside, a woman waited. Maybe fifty. Dark hair. Cold eyes. Expensive suit.

"Cole. It's been a long time." Her voice was formal. Professional.

"Aunt Claire." Cole didn't sound happy. "Where is he?"

“Upstairs. Resting. But first, the girl.” She studied me like a specimen. “So you’re the human who thinks she can be Luna.

"I don't think. I am." I kept my voice steady.

"We'll see. Come. Both of you. Your father is waiting."

We followed her upstairs. Down a long hallway. To double doors at the end.

She knocked. "Thomas? They're here."

"Send them in." A weak voice. Tired.

Claire opened the doors. We walked in.

The room was huge. Windows showing mountains. Medical equipment everywhere. Monitors beeping. IV stands.

And in the bed, a man who looked like Cole but older. Thinner. Dying.

Thomas Hartman. Former Alpha. Cole's father.

His eyes opened when he saw us. Golden eyes. Just like the text said.

My blood went cold.

"Cole. My son." Thomas tried to sit up. Failed. "Come closer."

Cole walked over. Stiff. Uncomfortable. "You wanted to see us."

"I wanted to see her." Thomas looked at me. Those golden eyes sharp despite his weakness. "The Luna who will save us all. Or destroy us."

"I'm not here to destroy anyone."

"No? Then why are you planning to use resurrection magic?" His smile was thin. "Did you think I wouldn't know?"

I froze. "How?"

“Because I sent you the warning. The text about the price.” He coughed, blood on his lips. “Resurrection magic never works as you expect. There’s always a cost beyond the sacrifice.

"What cost?"

"Depends on who dies for you. If your mother volunteers, her sins transfer to you. Her guilt. Her darkness. You'll carry it forever."

My stomach dropped. "That's not possible."

“It’s magic. Everything is possible.” He looked at Cole. “When you return, the mate bond will be different, twisted. Connected, but corrupted. Love with pain. Joy with suffering.”

"You're lying," Cole said. "Trying to scare us."

"I'm dying. I have no reason to lie." Thomas took a ragged breath. "I'm trying to save you from making my mistake."

"What mistake?"

"Your mother. Isabelle. She died giving birth to you." Thomas looked away. "I tried to bring her back. Used the same ritual. Your uncle volunteered as sacrifice."

The room went silent.

"You what?" Cole's voice was deadly quiet.

“I loved her. Couldn’t let her go. I found a witch and did the ritual.” Thomas met his son’s eyes. “She returned wrong. Your uncle’s darkness moved into her. Violent, unstable. She tried to kill you twice.”

"Stop her how?"

"I killed her myself. Put her down like a rabid wolf." Tears fell. "So resurrection worked. But it destroyed everything anyway."

I couldn't breathe. "Why are you telling us this?"

"Because you're considering the same choice. And I won't let my son suffer what I did." Thomas focused on me. "If you die in three days, stay dead. Let Cole die with you. It's kinder."

"No." Cole stepped forward. "There has to be another way."

“There isn’t. Thirty years of searching. The prophecy is absolute. Luna dies or the world ends.” He coughed. “But the Council hid this. The prophecy has a loophole.”

My heart raced. "What loophole?"

"It says the Luna must die. Doesn't say she has to stay in her body." His golden eyes gleamed. "If you transfer your soul to another vessel before the death moment, you technically die but survive."

"That's impossible."

"No. Difficult. Rare. But possible." He looked at Claire. "Show her."

Claire pulled out a small box. Opened it. Inside was a crystal. Clear. Beautiful. Pulsing with light.

“A soul stone,” Thomas said. “Made from Luna Alpha blood three centuries ago. It can hold a soul long enough to transfer it.”

"Transfer it where?" I asked.

"To another body. A willing host. Someone who agrees to share their body with you until you can reclaim your own."

Cole shook his head. "This is insane."

"This is survival." Thomas looked at me. "You have two choices. Die and try resurrection with all its corruption. Or die and transfer your soul, then find a way back to your body later."

"What about Cole? He still dies from the broken bond."

“Not if the bond believes you’re alive. If your soul exists, even in another body, the bond remains. Weak, but alive.” Thomas smiled. “Cole would survive. You’d survive. Just not the way anyone expects.”

"And the cost?" I asked. "There's always a cost."

"The host. Whoever shares their body with you loses pieces of themselves. Memories. Personality. Eventually, if you stay too long, they disappear completely. Consumed by your soul."

Another terrible choice.

Die and corrupt the resurrection. Or die and slowly kill whoever helps me.

"Why are you helping us?" Cole asked his father.

"Because I failed your mother. Failed you. This is my redemption." Thomas reached for Cole's hand. "Take the stone. Use it or don't. But at least you have a choice I never did."

Cole took the crystal. It glowed brighter in his hand.

"One more thing," Thomas said. "The killer with golden eyes you're looking for. It's not me. I'm too weak to leave this bed."

"Then who?"

"Your aunt Claire. She killed Brian to protect the prophecy. To make sure nothing interfered with Lita's destiny." He looked at Claire. "Didn't you?"

Claire's face stayed blank. "I did what was necessary."

“She’s the one who killed James a year ago. Made it look like an accident.” Thomas’s voice faded. “She’s been manipulating everything to ensure the prophecy happens as planned.”

I turned to Claire. Rage burning. "You killed my brother?"

“I eliminated a threat. James was trying to stop the prophecy, to save you from your destiny.” She showed no regret. “His death ensured you’d come to the gym. Meet Cole. Become Luna. I made it happen.”

Cole shifted. Partially. Claws out. "You murdered an innocent man."

"I secured our future." Claire pulled out a gun. Pointed it at me. "And I'll do it again if necessary. Lita dies in three days. As prophesied. No soul stones. No resurrections. No loopholes. She dies and saves us all. End of story."

The gun fired.