Chapter 284 The Secret Between You and Me

Chapter 284 The Secret Between You and Me

Ella's POV

I instinctively tightened my grip on Mason's hand. If what Owen said was true, then what in this world could we still believe in?

"What does this 'Master' have to do with the witches, and why did they attack the SilenceSpace Pack?"

Mason's questions always hit the mark, as if he was peeling away all of Owen's layers of deception. "It's just a small, peaceful pack."

Owen's face darkened as he walked over to the map of the Silverblade Pack, pointing to where the SilenceSpace Pack used to be. "This location is unique, near the borders of several major packs. Information flow is relatively isolated and easily overlooked. More importantly..."

He picked up a document marked with special symbols. "Based on some fragmented intelligence I've intercepted, it seems that a former Alpha of the SilenceSpace Pack accidentally came into possession of something related to a 'key' that the 'Master' organization is searching for. They might not have known its importance, or it could have been lost long ago. But the 'Master' organization would rather kill the wrong people than let it slip away. They needed to create chaos to search for what they wanted and also test the reactions of the surrounding major packs. The witches are crucial members of this organization."

He looked at me with a hint of apology in his eyes. "Forging that letter was the only way I could think of at the time. I know it was risky, but Ella, you must understand, you were already on their radar, even if you didn't know it. They would have come for you eventually because you..."

Owen stopped mid-sentence, his gaze becoming unusually complex, filled with pain, struggle, and a deep emotion I couldn't quite describe.

"Because of what?" I pressed, my heart pounding uncontrollably. I had a feeling that what Owen was about to say would be more shocking than all the secrets combined.

Mason sensed Owen's odd behavior too, narrowing his eyes and becoming more alert.

Owen took a deep breath, as if making a significant decision.

He didn't answer my question directly but began to speak slowly, his voice hoarse and carrying a sense of timeless sorrow. "Ella, there's something I must tell you. I thought I could bury this secret forever, but now it seems there's no point."

He turned his head, his gaze locking onto my face with an intensity that was both tender and sorrowful.

"I admit, I did indirectly cause Mason's memory loss and did conspire with the witches to harm Mason."

What? He admitted it? Then everything he said before about the mysterious organization and the resistance—was it all lies? A grander, more intricate lie?

My mind went blank, overwhelmed by anger, betrayal, disappointment, and confusion. I felt like I could hardly breathe, my chest weighed down by an invisible boulder.

"You..." I trembled with rage, pointing at him but unable to form words.

Mason pulled me behind him abruptly, exuding a cold, powerful aura, glaring at Owen like a beast on the verge of fury.

However, Owen didn't back down under Mason's pressure. He just looked at me quietly, the sadness in his eyes deepening.

"But I'm not the witches' accomplice you think I am, nor am I a member of the 'Master' organization controlling everything from the shadows."

"Then what about your so-called 'evidence' and 'allies'? Was it all just another elaborate scheme?" My voice shook with anger and disappointment.

"No, Ella, it's not a scheme."

Owen's tone was unusually firm, his eyes sincere. "Everything I've done was to protect you and the Wildheart Pack. And now, I need to tell you an even more important secret. A secret about you and about me."

He paused, as if the next words would drain all his strength.

The air in the stone chamber seemed to freeze, and I could hear my own frantic heartbeat clearly.

"Ella," Owen's voice was low and slow, "we're not related by blood."

What?

Not related by blood?

How could that be?

I stared at Owen, feeling like the world was spinning.

What did he say? That he, the person I always thought was my biological brother, the Alpha of the Wildheart Pack, and I were not related by blood?

This realization was more shocking and unbelievable than anything before.

If this was true, then my identity, my past, everything I knew about him—was it all a complete lie?

"What... what are you talking about?" My voice was dry and hoarse, each word forced out of my throat.

Owen's face showed a bitter smile, his eyes filled with pain and tenderness. "I'm not lying, Ella. This is the truth. Your mother adopted me when I was young. She was incredibly kind to me, giving me a new life. Without her, I wouldn't have inherited the Wildheart Pack. From the moment I could remember, I vowed to protect everything she left behind, including you, her most cherished daughter."

My mother adopted him?

Then where was my real brother? My real family?

A wave of overwhelming confusion and helplessness washed over me. My knees went weak, and I almost collapsed if Mason hadn't caught me in time.

"Mason." I instinctively clung to his arm, like holding onto my last hope. My voice was filled with despair and confusion.

Mason held me tightly, his arms strong like iron, his chest solid like a mountain. He said nothing, just used his warmth and strength to silently support and comfort me.

I could feel his body tense with anger, his gaze at Owen full of scrutiny and distrust.

"What is going on here?"