Chapter 38 The reveal
Selene’s POV
I woke slowly, not dragged out of darkness by pain this time, but I felt slightly better. My head was still throbbing in pain but it wasn't as bad as before. I opened my eyes to see a different environment.
Soft sheets. The faint scent of herbs and antiseptic instead of stone and wolfsbane.
I didn’t move. I was afraid to. Afraid the relief would shatter if I even tried to move an inch. My body still felt weak, heavy like I had run for days without rest, but the sharp agony was gone. Replaced by a dull ache and calmness that told me someone had taken great care of me.
I opened my eyes fully, the bright light made me squint my eyes.
The ceiling above me was unfamiliar, Sunlight filtered in through sheer curtains, painting the room gold. This was the pack hospital, but it didn't look like the one in our pack. I realized that instantly. There was a low hum in the air, this wasn't the abandoned healing house I was dumped in. This looked like a professional one, a place where royalty visited.
I was still basking in the changed environment, when I saw him.
My father sat beside the bed, elbows resting on his knees, hands clasped together so tightly his knuckles were white. His head was bowed, dark hair threaded with silver strands showing even more than I last saw him. He looked… tired.
The sight stole the breath from my lungs.
I hadn’t meant to keep him out of my life forever. I just wanted space. A chance to exist without expectations, without being picked on, without everyone looking at me like I was something fragile or useless. I thought disappearing would protect him. I was very wrong.
Instead, I had dragged him straight into hell. I could see how sad he looked, this made me wonder how long he had been looking for his little girl. Me.
My chest tightened and before I could stop it, tears spilled over.
I tried to hide it at first, tears spilled from each corner of my eyes. It was silent at first, then I started shaking.
I missed them so much.
My mother’s voice. My father’s presence. The safety I had taken for granted until it was gone.
A hand brushed my cheek.
“Sera?”
His voice cracked on my name.
I sobbed then, the sound ugly and broken, ripped straight from somewhere deep inside me. He was on his feet instantly, chair scraping back as he leaned over me.
“Hey, hey,” he murmured, hands gentle but sure as he wiped my tears with his thumbs. “I’m here. You’re safe.”
I shook my head, crying harder. “I didn’t mean to. I just… I wanted a new life. I didn’t want you worrying about me all the time.”
He sat on the edge of the bed and took my hands in his, pressing them between his palms like he was afraid of letting me go again.
“I was already worried,” he said softly. “You leaving didn’t change that.”
I sniffed, eyes burning. “How did you know it was me? They didn’t even call me Sera anymore.”
His mouth curved into a sad smile.
“I will always know my daughter,” he said without hesitation. “No matter what name you wear. No matter what shape the world forces you into.”
My sadness knew no bounds. I wanted to hug him, to tell him I was sorry for disappearing.
“I smelled you, when you whispered ‘father’… there was no doubt left to have.” he continued quietly.
I squeezed his hands. “I’m sorry.”
He shook his head immediately. “No. Don’t you dare apologize for surviving.”
“I have missed you, I have missed mom. I am sorry, Dad.” I sobbed even harder.
“My poor child, you have been all alone all these while, they broke you so much. Forgive me for not protecting you.” I couldn't stop myself from crying. Seeing his face, it broke me all over again.
He waited while I cried, rubbing slow circles into the back of my hand. When my breathing finally evened out, he straightened slightly, his expression changing.
“You should be resting. But we don't have time anymore. There’s something you need to know,” he said.
I wiped my face with the sleeve of my gown. “That sounds…. scary.”
A faint huff of a laugh escaped him, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “It is. You should know the truth, because I can't shield you any longer. They will come, you need to be prepared."
My stomach twisted. “Dad…”
“I tried to shield you from it,” he admitted. “Your mother and I both did. We thought if we kept you human enough, normal enough, the truth wouldn’t find you.”
“But it did?” I said quietly.
“Yes.”
He reached up and brushed his fingers through my hair, just like he used to when I was younger and had nightmares. The familiarity made my chest ache.
“It’s too late now. What’s happening around you… the bonds, the council, the violence. It’s all connected to what you are.”
I swallowed. “I don't understand you, Dad.”
He nodded.
“I need to tell you,” he said. “So you can prepare. So you won’t be blindsided when things get worse.”
My fingers curled into the sheets. “I’m listening.”
He took a deep breath, like a man bracing himself before stepping into battle. His hand rested on my head.
“You’re special,” he said.
I let out a weak, tearful laugh despite the pains. “You and Mom always said that. It’s not exactly new information.”
He shook his head gently. “No. Not that kind of special.”
I looked up at him.
“You’re really special,” he said, voice low. “In ways no one should be.”
My heart started to race. “Dad…”
“You wield power that doesn’t belong to any single bloodline,” he continued. “Power that shouldn’t exist.”
I felt a cold creep into my veins. “You’re scaring me.”
“I know,” he said softly.
“And I’m sorry.”
He met my gaze fully now. He looked serious, his smile had faded away and his grip on my hand had tightened.
“You are a hybrid.”