42

Nova's POV

Next to it was a black-and-white portrait of a woman whose face, for some reason, seemed familiar. Her eyebrows were gently arched, and her eyes radiated profound sadness.

I reached for the portrait, examining every detail. Perhaps I had seen her before, or maybe her face merely reflected a deep sense of nostalgia. Curiosity flooded my mind, and I wondered what connection this woman had to everything here.

Returning to the journal, I carefully opened its pages. The beautiful handwriting described various experiments and discoveries, covering topics related to alchemy and ancient sciences. Some sections appeared darker, hinting at the dangers that this knowledge might pose.

With each sentence I read, I felt increasingly connected to the woman in the portrait.

Was she a scientist, a sorceress, or perhaps someone involved in my family’s history?

This room, with all its mysteries, began to feel like a part of my lost identity.

“Who is she?” I asked, pointing to the photo.

Diego, standing behind me, finally answered quietly, “My mother.”

I froze. My heart raced as I turned to look at him. “Is all of this... about your family?”

Diego nodded and walked to the other side of the room. He opened a large chest and pulled out a map and several old documents, which he immediately spread out on the large table in the center of the room.

The map showed ancient and mysterious locations, most marked with the same symbols found in the journal. The documents looked aged, with neat but difficult-to-read handwriting.

Diego began to explain, “My mother was part of a lineage that has possessed power and knowledge passed down for centuries. She tried to protect this secret from those who shouldn’t know.”

I stepped closer, trying to understand all this information. The map and documents seemed to connect the past to the present, and I felt a tension vibrating in the air.

“Why did you bring me here?” I asked, sensing that there was more I needed to know.

“Because now, you are involved in all of this,” Diego replied, his gaze steady on me. “You need to know the truth about yourself and your connection to all of this.”

My anxiety and curiosity burned brighter. Now, in this room full of mysteries, I felt closer to uncovering the answers that would change everything.

“This place holds all the secrets of the Alpha family. The history of the pack, betrayal, blood, even prophecies,” he said softly, his eyes deep in thought as they rested on the documents before him.

I stepped closer, an odd feeling creeping over me. There was something in this room, something that made my skin crawl. It was as if the air here contained whispers of unfinished pasts.

Diego continued, “Every symbol, every note, has a profound meaning. They recount conflicts that have spanned generations, and how our family has been involved in them.”

I stared at the documents, struggling to process the information I had just received. My curiosity intensified, but there was also fear about what I might discover.

“The prophecy...” I began, “what does it say?”

Diego sighed, as if it was heavy for him to share the truth.

“The prophecy hints at a great change coming, something that will affect the entire family. And you have a role in it.”

I fell silent, realizing the seriousness of the situation. Everything I had been through, everything I had considered ordinary, now felt like part of something much bigger. Deep down, I knew this was a turning point that would change my life forever.

“And now,” Diego’s voice was low but firm, “you also need to know everything, Nova. Because your existence… is not just fate. It’s part of something much larger than you could ever imagine.”

I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat, feeling... afraid of the truth that was about to be revealed. Every word Diego spoke felt heavy, adding to the tension inside me. I knew that whatever he was about to say next could change everything.

Diego stepped closer, looking into my eyes with intense focus.

“There is power in your blood, a legacy that has been passed down through generations. The Alpha family is not just a name, we have responsibilities that must be fulfilled.”

Fear and uncertainty began to creep through my body.

“What do you mean? What am I supposed to do?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“The prophecy suggests that the time has come. You have the potential to change the course of our history,” Diego explained, each word carefully chosen. “But it also means there are threats lurking. Those who want to take this power for themselves.”

I felt trapped between curiosity and fear. Everything I had ever known about myself suddenly felt insufficient. Here, in this room, I was faced with the reality that my life was more complex than I had ever imagined.

“Nova, would you like something to drink? It seems there are some drinks,” Diego offered suddenly, surprising me. I thought for a moment, as my throat felt slightly dry.

“Just water,” I finally chose, wanting something safe for my condition. I didn’t want to drink anything strange that might jeopardize it.

“Alright, wait here for a moment,” he said and left the cold room.

After Diego left, I still didn’t understand everything that was here. The photo of his late mother left me puzzled, and honestly, I didn’t understand why he had brought me here.

After a long time, his cold yet sometimes caring demeanor confused me. While waiting for Diego to return, I tried to look around, reading some of the writings and observing the ancient objects.

Until a book that caught my attention made me step closer. The thick, dusty book was open on a table, as if it had been deliberately placed there for me to approach.

I picked up the old book, and the air in the secret room felt heavier, as if every sheet of paper and scattered old notes held past sins that could not be redeemed. I stood frozen in front of the table, staring at the book open to a page with brownish ink, like dried blood. And perhaps, it really was.