Chapter 77 The Unveiled Past
The quiet in Alexander's room wrapped around us like a blanket, heavy but not uncomfortable. My head on his shoulder, his arm around me, it was peaceful, a rare moment in the chaos. But I could feel the tension in him, the way his fingers tightened slightly on my arm. He wasn't done talking.
"I know everything I'm about to say might be too much to take in," he said, breaking the silence, his voice low and measured. "I have known you since you were a baby."
I lifted my head, turning to stare at him. His face was dead serious, no hint of a smile or tease in his eyes. My stomach twisted. "Are you kidding me?"
"Just listen," he said gently, but firmly.
"Okay," I whispered, settling back, though my heart raced. Listen. He knew more, I could see it in his expression. More than the file from the orphanage. More than the names that had haunted me all day.
"Your parents used to be old friends of my father," he continued. "Uncle William, as I fondly called him."
I stiffened, the name hitting like a punch. William. The exact name on the file, William Silver. Deceased. Does it mean they're real? My real parents? The thought flashed hot, but I shoved it down. Listen first. Stop thinking. He seems to know more. Let him talk."Your father was the alpha and head of the Silver Pack," Alexander went on. "The Silver family can turn to different colors they want, and also show their emotions in their fur, that's the rare power the Silver family has. Every other pack was happy for them until Moonthorn and Ironthorn wanted that same power. By wanting a member of the pack family to bear a male child for them. It's a long story, but due to that, war broke out. Let me not bore you or waste time giving details."
War. Packs. Silver family. The pieces from the file clicked into place, but it felt surreal, like a story about someone else.
"During the war, you were still maybe a year or two," he said. "Your parents had to find a way to protect you and your brother from the war or the rival packs getting hold of you or your brother. You guys were taken to different cities to orphanages as orphans in different places. I have been watching you secretly and making sure nobody discovers who you are. Your mom predicted you'd be my mate, but we can't know your mate till the age of sixteen. That's when the bond can tell. I wasn't in the country for some years, but my father still had someone following you secretly."
No wonder. All those times I'd felt eyes on me, walking home from school, at the park with Lily, even in crowds, I'd dismissed it as paranoia. Overthinking. But now it made sense. Someone had been there, shadows in the background, keeping watch. Protecting? The thought sent a chill down my spine.
"When I discovered you're my mate like your mum predicted, it was a few years ago," Alexander continued, "but I don't want to drag you back to this life to avoid danger."
"What about my parents or brother?" The question burst out before I could stop it, my voice shaky.
He sighed, heavy and regretful. "I can't tell. Some said they were killed, but some think they escaped. But I can't say. Your brother, I don't know, but I'm sure he's safe. I only focused on you. He also got adopted, by the way, he's your older brother. I don't want to interact with him to avoid anybody tracing him to the Silver Pack."
"I want to see him," I said, the words automatic, desperate.
"You can't for now," he replied firmly. "You've been discovered, and these people won't stop at anything from getting you."
Discovered. The orphanage trap flashed in my mind, the shutters, the darts, the file. They'd been waiting for me.
"I knew Ben was getting a fake wife, but I never knew it was you," Alexander said. "The first night we met was fate. You becoming Ben's fake wife was still destiny bringing you to me. Of all people Ben will choose, and it was you."
I exhaled, the breath leaving me in a rush. So much. Too much. Questions piled up, about the war, the power, the prediction, but I didn't know which to grab first. One floated to the surface.
"How long has the bond been there?"
"Since I saw you the first time after you turned sixteen," he said. "That's how I knew you were in danger that night and luckily I was around the area. Everything that has happened is fate and destiny."
My head was full, overflowing, thoughts crashing like waves. Parents, brother, war, mate, destiny. I didn't know what to say or think anymore. The room spun slightly, the fire's glow blurring at the edges.
Alexander fell silent, giving me space to digest everything he just told me, I sat there, lost in the storm.
We hadn’t spoken since he finished telling me about my parents, my brother, the war, everything. My head was still spinning, thoughts crashing into each other like waves against rocks. I kept my cheek against his shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of antiseptic and him, trying to anchor myself.
Alexander broke the silence first, voice quiet but deliberate.
“How did you meet Ben?”
The question landed softly, but it still made me tense. I lifted my head, looking at him. His expression was calm, curious, not angry, not jealous. Just… waiting.
I swallowed, my throat dry. “He used to date a girl in our class. Or maybe they were just friends with benefits, I never really knew. Everyone saw them arguing one day, right in front of the lecture hall. She was yelling, he was trying to calm her down, but it was loud. Messy. They fell out after that. She transferred classes the next week.”
Alexander stayed quiet, thumb brushing slow circles over my knuckles.
“A few months later,” I continued, “out of nowhere, Ben walked up to me after a seminar. Just… appeared. Said he had a proposition. A fake marriage. He laid it all out, said he needed a wife on paper for some family business thing, something about inheritance or reputation. Promised me money, enough to cover the rest of my tuition, help my mom’s medical bills, even set me up after. He said he’d pay it all at the end if I stuck to the arrangement.”
I paused, remembering how his eyes had looked that day, intense, almost desperate, but also calculating. Like he’d already decided I would say yes.
“I looked poor,” I said, the words tasting bitter. “Everyone could see it. My shoes were worn, my bag was second-hand, I ate the cheapest meals on campus. Maybe someone told him I needed help. Maybe he just assumed. Either way… he fulfilled every promise along the way. Rent, bills, even sent money to the hospital without me asking. I could see he was serious. So I accepted.”
Alexander didn’t interrupt. He just listened, eyes steady on mine.
When I finished, the room felt smaller. I waited for anger, judgment, anything. But he only exhaled once, soft and thoughtful.
“Hmmm,” he said. “I see.”
That was it. No explosion. No questions. Just those two words, quiet and measured, like he was filing the information away somewhere safe.
I searched his face, trying to read what he wasn’t saying. The bond pulsed gently between us, warm, steady, not turbulent. If he was hurt, he wasn’t letting it show. Not yet.
I leaned my head back against his shoulder, exhausted. The day had been too long, too much. Alexander’s arm tightened around me, just enough to remind me he was still here.
Neither of us spoke again.