Chapter 21 The Almost-Confession (Declan POV)
The old chapel is freezing when I arrive at midnight, my breath fogging in the candlelit space.
Vivienne's already there, pacing between the pews with restless energy that makes my wolf whine in recognition. She's changing…I can smell it on her, see it in the way she moves. Less human grace, more predatory prowl.
"You came," she says, relief evident in her voice.
"Of course I came. You said you needed to talk." I close the distance between us, resisting the urge to pull her into my arms. "Vivienne, what's wrong? Your text said everything."
"Because everything is wrong. Or maybe everything is right and I just don't understand it yet." She stops pacing, turning to face me. "I need answers, Declan. Real answers. Not cryptic warnings or vague reassurances. I need you to tell me exactly what's happening to my body."
"You're awakening. Becoming what you were always meant to…"
"I know that part. What I don't know is why. Why now? Why me? Why does it feel like my bones are trying to break through my skin?" Her voice cracks slightly. "I researched it tonight. Werewolf transformation symptoms. Found an article that listed everything…the enhanced senses, the physical changes, the bone pain. Every single symptom matched."
"You researched werewolves?" Despite everything, I almost smile. "How very scientific of you."
"Don't laugh. I'm serious. That article mentioned first transformations being potentially fatal. That some people's hearts stop from the trauma." She crosses her arms, hugging herself. "Is that true?"
The fear in her question makes my chest ache. "It's rare. Especially for someone with your bloodline. The Silvermanes have one of the highest survival rates for first transformations."
"But it's possible. I could die."
"You won't." I take a step closer. "I won't let that happen."
"You can't promise that. You can't control whether my body survives the shift."
"No. But I can be there. Can guide you through it. Can use the mate bond to anchor you when the pain gets too intense." Another step. "Vivienne, you're not doing this alone. That's what I can promise."
She studies my face for a long moment. "The mate bond. That's what this is between us, right? Not just attraction or infatuation. Something supernatural that neither of us chose."
"Yes."
"And you've known since the first day. Since you caught my scent in the Great Hall."
"Yes."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
The question I've been dreading. "Because you weren't ready to hear it. Because revealing the supernatural world to someone who doesn't know they're part of it is... complicated. Dangerous, even."
"Or maybe," she says quietly, "you didn't tell me because there's something else. Something you're still hiding."
"It's complicated," I say, the inadequate phrase falling flat.
"Everything about us is complicated. That's not an answer."
"I know. But…"
"But what? You don't trust me?"
"I trust you completely. I don't trust the situation we're in."
"Then explain the situation. Help me understand." Her voice is pleading now. "Declan, I'm transforming. My entire life is changing in ways I can't control. The least you can do is be honest about what I'm walking into."
She's right. She deserves the truth.
"I was trying to protect you…"
"From what? The truth? My own father?" Her voice is rising. "Or were you protecting yourself? Keeping me in the dark so I wouldn't have to choose between you and him?"
"Both," I admit. "Because once you knew, once you had all the information, you'd have to make that choice. And I was terrified you'd choose him."
"Of course I would have chosen him! He's my father! He's the only family I have!" She's pacing again, agitation rolling off her. "But that was three weeks ago, before I knew what he'd done. Before I understood what I am. Now…"
She stops abruptly, her head snapping toward the door.
"What?" I ask, but then I hear it too.
Footsteps. Heavy, deliberate, approaching the chapel.
"Hide," I whisper urgently, pulling her toward the altar where shadows are deepest.
We crouch behind the stone structure, and I put a finger to my lips. Vivienne nods, her eyes wide but focused. She's scared, but she's not panicking. That's my girl.
The chapel door opens with a creak that echoes off stone walls.
And Edmund Ashford walks in.
He's dressed in dark clothing, tactical gear beneath a coat. In his right hand: a silver knife, gleaming even in the dim candlelight. He moves like a hunter, checking corners, scanning for threats.
Looking for something.
Or someone.
Vivienne's hand finds mine, squeezing so tight it almost hurts. I squeeze back, trying to convey calm I don't feel. Because if Edmund finds us here, at midnight, hidden together…he'll know. Everything we've been trying to keep secret will be exposed.
Edmund pauses in the center of the chapel, his head tilted like he's listening. Can he hear our heartbeats? Smell our scent?
"I know you're here," he says quietly, his voice carrying in the empty space. "Whoever you are. Whatever you are. I can sense you."
Vivienne's breathing quickens. I put a hand over her mouth gently, shaking my head. Don't respond. Don't give away our position.
Edmund takes a few steps toward the altar, and my wolf screams at me to shift, to attack, to eliminate the threat before he gets any closer to my mate.
But I can't. Not here. Not with Vivienne unawakened and vulnerable.
"There's a supernatural presence on this campus," Edmund continues, seemingly talking to himself. "I've felt it for weeks. Getting stronger every day. Leading me here, to this chapel." He runs the silver blade along one of the pews, the metal scraping against wood. "Show yourself. Whoever you are. Let's end this now."
Vivienne's trembling against me. Not from fear…from rage. I can feel it radiating through the mate bond, see it in the way her hands clench into fists. She's looking at her father with an expression I've never seen before.
Betrayal. Fury. Grief.
Edmund walks closer to the altar, close enough that I can see his face clearly. He looks exhausted, older than his forty-six years. Driven by obsession that's eaten away at him for seventeen years.
He's a man who murdered his wife and has never forgiven himself.
But instead of dealing with that guilt, he's channeled it into hunting every werewolf he can find. Making them pay for what he did to Lyanna.
"I'll find you," Edmund says softly, almost to himself. "Whatever you are. Whoever you are. I'll find you and I'll end this. That's a promise."
He lingers for another moment, then turns and walks back toward the door. His footsteps echo, fading as he exits into the night.
We wait in silence, not moving, barely breathing, until I'm certain he's gone.
"Is he…" Vivienne starts.
"Wait." I listen carefully, extending my senses. After a full minute, I nod. "He's gone. Heading back toward the parking area."
Vivienne pulls away from me, standing on shaky legs. "He was looking for me. For whatever I'm becoming."
"Probably. He can sense the supernatural energy you're broadcasting. Knows something is awakening on campus."
"But he doesn't know it's me." She turns to look at me, and her eyes flash silver in the candlelight. "He's hunting his own daughter and doesn't even realize it."
"Vivienne…"
"Don't." She holds up a hand. "Don't apologize. Don't try to explain. Don't tell me it'll be okay." Her voice is shaking. "My father killed my mother. Has been lying to me my entire life. And now he's prowling around with a silver knife looking for supernatural creatures to murder. One of which is his own daughter."
"I'm sorry."
"So am I." She moves toward the door. "I need to go. Need to think."
"Wait." I catch her arm. "Where are you going?"
"I don't know. Away from here. Away from you. Away from all of this." She pulls free of my grip. "I can't do this right now, Declan. Can't process everything you just told me while also dealing with my body trying to transform. I need space."
"Space isn't safe. Edmund is out there. Hunting. If he finds you alone…"
"Then he finds me. Maybe it's time I confronted my father about what he really is."
"No." The word comes out more forcefully than intended. "You can't. Not until after you've transformed. Right now, you're vulnerable. He could inject you with something, increase the suppression, hurt you in ways you can't defend against."
"And whose fault is that? Who kept me weak by not telling me the truth?"
The words hit like a physical blow. She's right. If I'd told her weeks ago, she'd have had time to prepare, to understand, to build defenses.
Instead, I left her vulnerable while trying to protect our bond.
"You're right," I admit. "This is my fault. But please, don't go after Edmund tonight. Wait until you've transformed. Wait until you're strong enough to protect yourself."
"Like you protected me? By lying?"
"Vivienne…"
"I'm done talking about this. I'm going back to my room." She's at the door now, one hand on the handle. "Don't follow me. Don't text me. Don't... just don't."
"Five days," I say desperately. "Five days until the full moon. After that, after you transform, we can figure everything out. But until then, please, be careful. Edmund is actively hunting. If he realizes you're what he's been sensing…"
"I said don't follow me." She opens the door and disappears into the night.
I stand alone in the chapel, the echo of her footsteps fading. My wolf is howling, demanding I go after her. But she asked for space. Asked me not to follow.
And after everything I've done the least I can do is respect that request.
I sink onto one of the pews, head in my hands.
I thought keeping the truth from her would protect our bond. Instead, I've damaged it. Maybe irreparably.
And Edmund is still out there. Still hunting. Still dangerous.
Five days until the full moon.
Five days until Vivienne transforms.
Five days to figure out how to fix what I've broken.
If it can be fixed at all.