Chapter 12
The trees are tightly knit, and I weave through them while reaching out and feeling the coarse bark underneath my palms. The moss is soft and damp yet leaves my hands dry when I pull them away and rub my fingers together. Rays of light cascade down through the trees, creating intricate designs on the forest floor, and when I step onto the patterns, the light shines on my feet. During it all, the dense scent of rainfall tickles my nose.
Two guards follow behind me, and I continuously glance behind to check if they are still there. The two wait obediently outside while I climb the steps and knock on my grandmother’s door.
She answers in a matter of seconds, and I hurry inside.
“You’re okay. Has anything happened? Have you seen anyone in the forest or—”
“Evangeline, what are you talking about?” She quiets me down.
“Why are you asking me if something has happened?”
“Sebastian, his brother was attacked the last time I was here. People asked him about me, strangers,” I explain. “I was worried that they hurt you too, but Sebastian said he sent guards out to check on you after they found
Henry. The guards said you were alright.”
“Yes, they knocked on the door, dear. Said it was only a check-up.”
I grab her hand and squeeze it as if I need to make sure she is completely focused on me.
“Grandma, you have to tell me. These strangers that were looking for me. What if they are connected to why I’m out here in the first place. I need to know the truth, all of it.”
“Alright, alright. Sit down. It is a long story,” she says and takes a breath before starting. “When I was a young girl—a bit older than you are now, darling—I was infatuated with the alpha of the old pack. He had lost his mate. He is the father of the current one, I think. Anyways, I did not care that we were not mates. I thought I truly loved him, so I decided that I would tell him the truth about myself. Once I told him about the Moon Goddess, he believed me, but his perception changed. He thought I was a witch or evil and whatnot, and he was convinced that I would take his pack away from him. So, as paranoid as he was, he came after me one night, committed to killing me.”
“That’s terrible,” I mumble.
“Yes, it was. He had a silver knife, and he barged into my house. Oh, I was so frightened, dear. I ran for my life and into the woods. The alpha chased me until he caught up and pushed me against a tree. He held the knife to my neck, calling me a demon, but I managed to slip out and shove him to the ground. The knife had fallen, so I grabbed it and held it to him. Oh, he came at me, tackling me to the ground, and when we landed, the knife pierced his chest. I screamed and panicked. I heard people coming so I ran back home. It was the most scared I had ever been, dear.”
“Did they find out that you were there?” I ask, on the edge of my seat, realizing how vivid and dramatic her story is.
“It is more complicated than that. I’m afraid. After the alpha had died, and the news spread around the pack, and at the same time, I found my mate. He was moonstruck over me, so I told him what I had done, and what had happened, and he didn’t leave. Years passed, but somehow the alpha’s son, who had taken over as alpha, didn’t let go of what happened and was convinced that I had done it. I thought all that happened was behind me, but his son came out of nowhere with the accusations. By then, I had your mother, and she was about your age. The son knew what I was, and he followed his father’s footsteps. Your mother was old enough to take care of herself, and she was upset by my gift, never believing that I was telling the truth—”
“So my mother didn’t believe you while the alpha did and thought you were evil like his father did?”
“Yes,” she confirms. “So, when I told your mother that I had to leave, she thought it was for the best.”
“So you left the pack because of that and not only because you’re independent. Why don’t you want to come back with me and join Sebastian’s pack then?”
“I know your grandfather, and I initially left because of the alpha, but I had grown used to this kind of life, darling.”
I lean back in my seat. “Alright. What happened after you left?”
“The alpha kept a close eye on your mother, knowing she was my daughter. After a while, it died down, and your mother found her mate. Then they had you. Her life was normal. Well, when you told her that you see the Moon Goddess, she came and visited me. She told me about it and began to worry that it was real all along. A while after her visit, she began to notice the alpha retaking interest in her, and right when it started, she decided to hide you so he wouldn’t know you existed. Well, after the attack on the pack, the alpha was convinced that it was your mother’s fault.”
I interrupt. “How could it I have been her fault?”
“The alpha believed that your mother led the other pack there. He thought that she did it because taking over the pack would be easier if the pack was in ruins. Oh, he was convinced it was her fault, so your mother panicked and took you here.”
“She went back?”
My grandmother shakes her head.
“Your mother and father ran, dear.”
“What? Why didn’t they take me with them?”
“Your mother was paranoid. She was always convinced that the alpha was following her, watching her. She didn’t want you to get hurt. I know you’re going to ask why she does not come and see you, so I’ll just
go ahead and tell you that she does not want to lead him to you.” “Wow,” I murmur.
“I know, dear. It is a lot to take in.”
“If the people who attack Henry…If they’re linked to this…I have to tell Sebastian.”
My grandmother reminds me. “You’ll have to tell him about the Moon Goddess then, Evangeline. Perhaps you should think before—”
“I wish I could, Grandma, but this is not just about me. It affects Sebastian, his family, and his pack. I mean, his own brother was attacked by those people out there. I’ll just have to tell him and hope for the best.” I stand up and hug her, and we bid each other goodbye.