Chapter 74 Legacy and Silence
Zayne's POV
As I made my way to the training ground where Xavier and Tristan were waiting for me, I couldn't stop thinking about how I was going to tell Red that her entire life before now, was a lie, that everything she thought she knew was a lie, that she suffered for nothing.
The past week, the guys and I threw ourselves into getting something we work with and although it was hard, especially when everything felt like someone had purposely erased a part of history.
"Alpha,” they greeted once I was close enough. I nodded, my eyes focused on the warrior who were kneeling in front of them with his face bloodied.
"What's going on?” I asked, my brows arching as I waited for one of them to say something.
Xavier, who was closer to the warrior moved swiftly, pulling his shirt up and on his back, was a tattoo of a moon, just like the one in the reports, and the one in the shadowmoon Pack. The only difference was that it had some writing on it.
Kael growled loudly, my hand grabbed his neck as my fist connected to his face multiple times, unable to stop myself. “Kill him!" Kael growled. The warrior was bleeding and begging for mercy but it fell on deaf ears. Only when I was sure one more punch would kill him, did I stop. My knuckles were covered in blood but I didn't care.
“Get him up." I ordered.
Xavier and Tristan both held him up to face me and it took the last bit of self control to not end his life. “Who do you work for?” I asked, the words coming out calmly but the opposite of how I was feeling.
He coughed, "I don't know.” He said, spitting out blood. "I swear I don't know, Alpha.”
My fingers formed a fist. "Who sent you?”
He shook his head, "I don't know Alpha, we call him Shadow, that's all I know.” he replied. "I've never met him, I only receive instructions on what to do.”
I paused, putting things together. "Did these instructions order you to kill your Luna?" My gaze remained on him, Xavier looked like he was ready to break his arm.
The warrior looked away, giving me my answer and this time, I didn't hold back, my fist hit him, sending him flying in the opposite direction. I ran a hand through my hair, several questions going through my mind, none of which I could find answers.
"I'm sure there are others, I'll fish them out.” Xavier said.
"I'll take him to the dungeon, and then I'll join him.” Tristan added.
I nodded, "inform me once he's up. And make sure someone watches him…someone you trust." I told them, knowing fully well that if there were others like we suspected, they'd want to silence him before he gives their secret away.
“Cowards!" Kael spat, "especially for people that wanted to be found.”
Both of them nodded, but just as I turned to leave, I paused, turning to face Tristan. “Let Lori go." I told him and without waiting for his response, I left.
"Shadow?” I thought, as I returned to the Pack house. It wasn't everything, but having some kind of identity was progress.
As I neared the office, I heard Red's laughter, making me pause. I know for a fact that I left her alone and the boys were definitely busy. The only other person I could think of was Aileen, but for some reason, she'd been avoiding my office, like it suddenly became a minefield.
Increasing my pace, I was soon standing in front of the door, pushing it open and the scene in front of me caused me to freeze.
“We're definitely seeing things." Kael murmured and I agreed because it was the only explanation that made sense.
My dad, the same man who swore not to return until I apologize, was laughing…not the small dismissive one, a full blown laugh, like he just heard the funniest joke. Both of them turned to look at me, their eyes remained on me like I was interrupting whatever was going on right now.
I didn't hide my confusion as I made my way into the office and towards my desk. Swooping Red up easily, I sat down and made her sit in my lap. She turned a bright shade of red but turned to face my dad, who barely acknowledged me. I was confused as confused can be.
“What's going on?" I finally asked, looking between both of them.
“Your dad was just telling me about your childhood…he's going to show me some photos later." Red replied, smiled widely. “Did you really challenge an elder when you were seven years old? That must have been so hot…I mean cute, definitely cute.”
"I can assure you that nothing about me is cute.” I told her through our mindlink.
I didn't miss how my dad didn't take his eyes off us. Although he didn't say anything, it was obvious he had a lot of things to say.
"Dad,” I finally acknowledged. “Did you want something?"
Red nudged my side softly, “be nice. He had something to tell you.” She murmured. "And he's not completely terrible as I thought.” She added, but this time, through our mindlink.
"I'm going to give you space to talk." Red said, loud enough for my dad and I to hear. My grip tightened on her waist, the same time my dad spoke, “you should stay."
My frown deepened, even Kael couldn't figure out what was going on.
“Your mate was poisoned, you got shot, what the hell is going on?”
Of course he knew about it. I felt something warm up inside of me. There was no denying that he was mad at me for several reasons but he still shows up, asking about our well doing.
“Are you asking as my dad or the former Alpha of the Pack?" The words slipped out before I could stop myself.
“Zayne!" Red warned, my dad also glared at me. "My first duty is to you before the pack.” He replied, maintaining his calm expression.
I took a deep breath, "I'm sorry.” I heard myself say and a hint of surprise flashed through his eyes but they were gone as quickly as it came. But something shifted in the air.
After a brief moment of silence, I told him what was going on, from the tattoo and the attacks. And how they might all be connected, including the recent attack on Red, whose eyes snapped to mine.
“Does this have anything to do with your research on the Variant wolf?" He asked, and my grip on Red's arm tightened.
“What?"