Chapter 40 The bullied omega was now a hybrid
Sera’s POV
The healer smiled before she spoke, and I knew before the words even reached me.
“You’re cleared to leave.” For a second, I just stared at her. I couldn't believe I was finally free, the days I had spent in the cell, being fed poison clouded my thoughts. Imagine my father hadn't arrived in time.
“Leave?” I repeated, like the word needed testing. “As in… discharged?”
She laughed and nodded. “You no longer belong in a sick bed. I will get your discharge papers ready.”
Something bright burst in my chest, light and sudden. I laughed out of relief, before I could stop myself, a short breathless sound that startled even me.
“I’m free,” I said, more to myself than anyone else.
My father, standing near the window with his arms folded, turned at the sound. The tension he’d been carrying for days eased just slightly, enough for a real smile to reach his eyes.
“You hear that?” he said. “She’s tired of being confined.”
“I hate being in one place for so long, plus I haven't seen the outside world in days,” I agreed immediately. “At least I'm not that fragile person anymore.”
The healer chuckled. “You are anything but fragile, Sera. Just… don’t test that today.”
“I won’t,” I promised. Then, after a beat, “Probably.”
She gave my father a look that said good luck and left us alone.
The room felt different once the door closed. It felt a lot lighter. I was no longer holding my breath.
My father walked over and offered me his arm. “Ready?”
I slid my feet onto the floor, steady this time. There was no dizziness or severe pain. Just a light flow in my skin, like my body was awake in a way it hadn’t been before. It was like the recovery from the wolfsbane made me stronger.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything,” I said happily.
The walk out of the healer’s wing felt surreal. Wolves bowed their heads as we passed, some out of respect, some out of fear, some out of pure curiosity. I felt their eyes on me, watching me, I felt like I was different now. I wondered if everyone already knew I was ‘special’.
Who would have thought? The bullied omega was now a hybrid. And the daughter of an Alpha.
The air outside hit my face, “Oh goodness, I had overestimated the sweet scent of fresh air,” I took in one deep breath.
I didn’t even realize I had stopped walking until my father did too.
I was taking in everything one at a time, but my father seemed distracted. I wondered what he could possibly be seeing, I followed his gaze and I saw her.
She stood just ahead, sunlight catching in her hair.
My mother.
The world narrowed to a single point as she turned.
Her eyes found mine and filled instantly, hands flying to her mouth like she was afraid to breathe too hard and scare me away.
“Mom,” I whispered.
She crossed the distance in seconds and pulled me into her arms so tightly I lost my breath. Her scent flooded me, warmth and safety and something that felt like childhood and forgiveness all at once.
“My sweet girl,” We both sobbed. I missed my mom's steady hug. I didn't want to let go, not yet.
“Mom, I'm so—”
“Don't you dare apologize for anything, you suffered so much. You must have been so alone and scared, and your face—oh my child.” She couldn't control her tears, she held me close and kept balling her eyes out. I couldn't control it either.
“I am fine, Mom.” I finally said.
“You scared me,” she said, voice breaking. “Do you have any idea how much you scared me?”
“I’m sorry,” I murmured into her shoulder, tears spilling before I could stop them. “I thought leaving would protect you.”
She pulled back just enough to cup my face, thumbs brushing away tears. “There is no world where losing you protects me.”
I laughed through the sob. “You sound like Dad.”
“He taught me well,” she said softly.
My father cleared his throat behind us, suspiciously quiet.
She looked past me and held out her hand. “Come here, you,” she said.
He stepped into the embrace, arms wrapping around both of us. For a moment, the world disappeared. It was just us,like it has always been.
When we finally pulled apart, my mother studied me carefully, her gaze sharp.
“You look different, I am not talking about your face now. But it seems like my little girl has grown.” she said.
“I feel different,” I admitted.
Then she smiled. “You look stronger.”
Before I could respond, I felt a presence.
I turned slowly.
She leaned against a stone pillar nearby, arms crossed, expression amused. Dark hair pulled back with gray hair in each corner of her hair. Her eyes sharp and bright.
It was Maera. The healer that helped me the last time.
My mouth fell open. “You’re—”
“Here?” she supplied with a grin. “Last I checked, I have known about your existence even before you knew your name.”
“What are you doing here?” I demanded, I had seen her in the council seat. I didn't think she was trustworthy.
She pushed off the pillar and walked toward me, her steps confident, unhurried. “Waiting.”
“For?” I asked warily.
She stopped in front of me and tilted her head. “You.”
My parents exchanged looks I didn’t like. They knew something I didn't know.
Maera’s smile widened. “You didn’t think I’d miss this part, did you?”
“This part?” I echoed.
She leaned in slightly, voice low and teasing. “You finally being told the truth.”
My heart started to race. “You knew about me.”
“Like I said earlier, I knew about you, before you could utter a single word.” she said.
She straightened and took a step back, eyes gleaming. I looked from her to my parents, waiting for someone to explain.
“Listen to me,” My dad held my shoulder.
“Maera will be your trainer,” My father revealed, my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
“So,” she said lightly, like she was asking me to go for a walk. “Ready for training?”