CHAPTER 31

Maya's POV

Evelyn's words are like a jigsaw puzzle, with each piece becoming increasingly challenging to fit. I felt a burning sensation of fear and anguish in my chest after she told me about my parent's deaths. But her words weren't the only thing that haunted me. Clawing at the corners of my mind were the ephemeral pictures, the glimpses of a long-forgotten recollection.

I wasn’t ready. Not for this. But the weight in Evelyn’s gaze told me I couldn’t escape it any longer.

Who was responsible for their deaths? I asked, my voice faltering despite my determination.

Evelyn's reluctance, laden with unsaid truths, caused her lips to squeeze into a thin line. “Do you truly wish to know?”

I gasped as Darius approached and put his hand on my shoulder. Although I wasn't convinced I deserved it, his touch grounded me and burned with protectiveness.

With more force, I muttered, "I need to know. No more secret."

With a solemn gaze, Evelyn nodded. “The one who ended their lives is someone you know all too well. Alpha Ryker.”

Deep in my heart, the name was like a dagger. The world spun as Evelyn's revelation rocked my world, and I stumbled back.

"No," I shook my head in response. It can't be. Ryker... He wouldn't—

"He would," interrupted Evelyn in a steely voice. "And he did." Your father was the rightful Alpha, the one destined to lead your pack. Ryker forcibly took that away from him and your mother—she paid the ultimate price to keep you safe.

The room swayed, and I felt my knees buckling under me. I gasped for oxygen, but Darius caught me and steadied me with his arms.

"Maya.” He whispered, his voice a lifeline amidst the confusion. “Breathe."

I gripped him tightly, my fingernails sinking into his arms. She's telling lies. She has to be lying.”

Evelyn's eyes were sad as she shook her head. “You were there, Maya. You saw it happen.”

Something dark and twisted flickered in the corners of my consciousness as her words shocked me. "No." I can't recall—"

“Because your mother made a request to the Moon Goddess,”Evelyn said. She pleaded for your memories to be removed and the suffering to be forgotten. But, there was a cost.”

“The wolf,” I whispered, the realization hitting me like a storm. “That’s why I’m wolfless.”

Evelyn nodded. “Although your mother's request saved your life, it also caused you to lose your bond with your wolf. And Ryker was aware of this. He sent you away because he feared the truth would resurface, but now that you’re with Darius, you’re a threat he cannot ignore.”

Her words crushed me with their weight.My entire life, I had believed I was broken, unworthy, cast aside because I was less. But now, I understand. I was sent away because I was a reminder of Ryker’s sins.

Darius tightened his grip on me. His voice was a low as he growl. "If he think he can touch her right now, he is mistaken."

"Darius..." A mixture of anxiety and thankfulness sounded in my voice. "What if I'm not strong enough to deal with this?"

"You are," he answered firmly, staring directly into my eyes. “You’ve always been stronger than you know. And you don’t have to face this alone.”

His words elicited warmth, calming the tempest brewing within me. But even his strength couldn’t erase the fear gnawing at my soul.

"Evelyn." I said with a shaky voice “If I saw it… if I was there, how do I remember?”

She took a step closer with her hand lightly resting on my arm. "The memories are still there, hidden deep within you. But if you're willing to confront them, you can unlock them.”

The idea of revisiting that nightmare was nearly unbearable, and my heart was racing. "What if it's too much for me? What happens if I get broken?

Evelyn's voice became quieter and more assured as her eyes softened. "You've already made it through it once, kid. You'll be able to get through it again.”

Darius's hold on me grew more assertive. "She doesn’t need to go through this. We can find another way.”

There is no other way." Evelyn stated in an uncompromising tone. "She needs to confront the truth to regain her power."

My head swam under the oppressive weight of their words. In my heart, I knew Evelyn was right. Ryker's shadow would always be with me if I didn't face this and if I didn't remember.

“I’ll do it,” I said, my voice firmer than I felt. “I need to know.”

With a solemn yet proud smile, Evelyn nodded. "So we start now."

Her cold, soothing touch made the air heavy as she rubbed my temples. She spoke in a low, repetitive, archaic chant as if calling to the very fabric of my being.

The boundaries of reality vanished into the darkness as the environment became hazy and then I was there, standing in the heart of a memory I didn’t know I had.

The scene played out like a relentless and intense nightmare. My father faced Ryker, his voice calm as he stood erect. Behind him, my mother's defiant eyes were blazing.

"You're not going to take this pack," my father said a warning tone.

The sound of Ryker's icy laugh chilled me to my core. "You're too frail and fragile. The pack needs leader who is fearless in taking essential action.”

Ryker outpaced my father's lunge. There was a vicious clash of claws and fangs, and the air was heavy with the smell of blood. As my mother shouted, she shifted to protect me.

She held me tight and said, "Maya," her voice shaking. “Shut your eyes. Don't look.”

I couldn't take my eyes off it. I saw Ryker tear through my father's chest with his claws as he gave the lethal blow.

My mother yelled, "No!" as she turned to face him, her voice breaking.

Ryker's eyes were emotionless and icy. "You should have stayed out of this.”

The memory blurred, my mother’s voice a desperate plea to the heavens. And then everything went dark.

The reality smashed over me, and I trembled as I gasped as the memories let go.

Darius drew me into his arms and murmured, "Maya," in a worried voice. "What did you see?"

I stared at him, my voice a whisper, tears running down my cheeks. "Ryker killed them. My parents were murdered by him.”

With a deep growl in his voice, his arms grew tighter around me. “He’ll pay for this, Maya. I swear it.”

I was reassured by his words, but a new anxiety began to grow. If Ryker had killed my parents to protect his secret, what would he do now that the truth has come to light?