CHAPTER 32

Darius's POV

Maya's shaky gasps threatened to break the delicate tension that hovered in the air after Evelyn's revelation. I knew this reality would permanently alter her, even if her strength had been extraordinary. Even though I wanted to be the one who shielded her from all of her scars and wounds, I couldn't.

Because I was the scar she never knew she had.

The room still resonated with her question. Why? Why would Ryker do this?

Evelyn looked at me, her eyes weighted with unsaid comprehension but unreadable. Maya searched my face for answers as she gazed at me hopefully. Answers I knew I owed her.

I took a breath, steadying myself. The words tasted like ash. “Because of me.”

Maya narrowed her gaze and flinched. "What are you saying?"

I couldn’t meet her gaze, but I couldn’t avoid it either. This was my burden to bear. I stepped closer, letting my hand brush hers, grounding us both.

"Maya, I never wanted you to know like this," I said in a steady yet hushed voice. But I have to tell you the truth. Your parents didn’t just die to protect you. They saved me as Evelyn said.”

She wrinkled her brows, her tear-streaked eyes flickering with perplexity. "How?"

I swallowed hard, the memories clawing their way to the surface. “Something far more sinister than any pack or Alpha was hunting me down. I'm still don't know why this force wanted me dead. By the time your parents found me, I was damaged and barely alive. Despite their ignorance of my identity and the reason for my pursuit, they took me in. My life was saved, I was healed, and I was hidden.”

With a gasp, Maya's voice was hardly audible. “So you really know my parents ?"

"I did," I said, feeling the burden of the confession bore down on my chest. “And that’s when I met you for the first time.”

She gazed at me, her bewilderment growing. "Met me? But, I can't recall—"

"You wouldn't." I cut in, my voice lower now, "Your mom make sure of that."

She widened her eyes, and I went on, my words suddenly irrepressible.

“You were only a girl, no more than ten years old. When you entered, I was lying on their floor, hardly conscious. I recall your unflinching, judgment-free gaze on me. I'll be alright, you whispered as you sat beside me. And in that moment, I felt something… a bond, a connection I couldn’t explain.”

Maya's eyes were full of tears as her hand shot to her mouth. "I... I don't..."

"It wasn't your fault," I hurriedly stated. "You had no idea what I meant to you or who I was. Additionally, your mother deprived you of that connection when she erased the memory to keep you safe.”

Her voice shattered her. "What would she do that?"

To keep you safe." In a somber tone, Evelyn interrupted. “Your bond to Darius made you a target. If the wrong people found out, they would have come for you. And she couldn’t allow that.”

With a trembling voice, Maya turned to face me. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"

“Because it wasn’t my place,” I said. "I didn't want to ruin everything your mother had given up to keep you safe. Years later, I couldn't help but be with you when I saw you again. Even if you didn't recall, I couldn't understand why I was pulled to you or why our bond is still strong. But, I knew I couldn't let you go.”

Her gaze softened, but the pain lingered. “So when you came for me… it wasn’t the first time.”

I answered in a quiet voice, "No. That was the second time."

With my confession weighing heavily on us, the room was silent. But before Maya could say more, Evelyn cleared her throat, drawing our attention.

"There's more.” She said urgently. “The force hunting Darius… it’s connected to the prophecy. The Phantom Pack knows of it, and they won’t stop until they have her.”

Maya stiffened beside me, her apprehension evident. “Why me? What do they want from me?”

They're after your power," Evelyn remarked. Maya, you are more than you know. According to the prophecy, there will be a wolf who can unite packs and use the Moon's power to restore harmony to our planet. You are the wolf.”

Maya trembled as she shook her head. “But I’m wolfless. How can I be—”

"You are not wolfless," Evelyn asserted. “The Moon Goddess' gift has only put a lid on your wolf, making it dormant. She's still there, waiting to wake up.”

With beseeching eyes, Maya turned to face me. What does this mean for us? For me?”

"It means we fight." I said in a determined tone. “We protect you, no matter what it takes. The Phantom Pack won’t stop, but neither will I.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but the room suddenly became cold. The air became heavy and heavy, and from deep in my chest came a low groan.

“Darius?” Maya’s voice was laced with fear as she stepped closer to me.

“Someone is here," I whispered in a low, growling voice.

The door sprang open, and a figure exuded a sense of danger. A strange light filled their eyes, and the slight odor of rotting hung over them like a shadow.

"Alpha, did you think you could hide from us?" The stranger's voice was sarcastic and icy.

I moved before her, my body coiled and poised to attack, while Maya's hold on my arm grew tighter.

"Coming here is a grave mistake," I snarled.

Smirking, the stranger said. "Oh, I don't think so. The Phantom Pack always gets what it wants. And we want her.”

"You must pass through me first." With my voice a deadly promise, I bared my teeth as my inner wolf growled.

Their eyes focused on Maya; the stranger stepped closer as their smile grew.

"We can arrange that."