Chapter 4: Unveiled Secret

Adira’s POV

I had trouble falling asleep. My mother's face would flash into my mind whenever I closed my eyes, her gentle smile turning into a scream. It was the same tonight. This time, though, it was a vision rather than merely a nightmare.

I dreamed that my mother was standing in a clearing with gnarled, gloomy trees all around her. She was holding something that was glowing, its light throbbing with strength. The High Elder of the pack, Seraphina, was standing across from her, her expression so icy it made my skin crawl.

"Leila," Seraphina remarked in a steely voice, "you know too much." "You must die with the truth."

I was horrified to see Seraphina lunge with her claws extended. As the picture faded, my mother's scream reverberated through the atmosphere.

My chest heaved as I startled up.

"What was that?" I gripped my blanket and whispered. There was no denying Seraphina's bond with my mother, but why? What was it that was glowing?

I headed to the remains of my boyhood house, unable to resist the tug in my chest. Even though the area was covered with vines, the warmth and laughter were still remembered. I was looking through the rubble when my foot struck something firm.

The journal was worn and leather-bound. My hands were shaking when I opened it. One line made my blood ice, even though my mother's handwriting was used to write the entries:

You are meant to be a leader, Adira. Your blood comes from the Alpha's line, not merely the pack.

I stumbled back, my head spinning. The consequences were too big to handle.

The slight rustle of leaves caused me to turn around as I absorbed the realization. I was being watched.

Scanning the parchment on his desk, Caspian's keen eyes narrowed. His scout had given him confusing information.

"Serena," he whispered to himself. "Who are you?"

Strange conduct had been detected by the scout: Serena was moving covertly into the woodland. The most disturbing part was that she was accused of using magic that was illegal and may result in exile or worse.

Marcus, his Beta, came into the room. "You seem troubled, Alpha."

Caspian reclined in his seat. It's Serena. She seems to be hiding something, and I can't get rid of that impression. Her story contains contradictions and gaps that don't add together.

Marcus folded his arms. "Do you want me to look into this more?"

Caspian paused. There was something about Serena that captivated him despite his misgivings. He couldn't understand why she made him think of Adira. However, he couldn't afford to let feelings influence his decisions.

At last, he responded, "Yes." Give someone the task of following her. Discreetly.

His jaw tightened when Caspian's warrior returned later that evening with news.

"I saw Serena in the forest, Alpha. The warrior hesitantly reported, "She was... different."

"In a different way?" Caspian made a demand.

She was working magic. Strong magic. It wasn't organic.

Caspian balled his hands into fists. His power was directly threatened by forbidden magic in his domain.

Caspian's thoughts were racing as the warrior departed. Why did he think that knowing Serena's secret would make all the difference in the world, and who was she?

I remained calm as I entered the meeting room, which was alive with whispers. Lyric stood near Caspian, smiling like the smug viper she was. My heart raced, but I couldn’t falter now. The proof I’d placed wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to disturb her foundation.

“I have something urgent to share,” I announced my voice firm. All eyes went to me, including Caspian’s. His deep gaze made my heart race, but I refused to look away.

“Serena, what is it?” Caspian asked in a powerful but circumspect tone.

I walked over to him and held up the documents. "I found this while looking for hints regarding the rogue attacks." I gave him the documents. "These are correspondences between a member of the pack and a renegade leader."

There was silence in the room. Then, like wildfire, whispers began to spread. Caspian scanned the documents with a wrinkled brow. Lyric tensed up next to him, her fists clenched.

Lyric forced a laugh and remarked, "This is ridiculous." "These could have been forged by anyone."

I maintained a neutral expression. "Interesting charge, given that I haven't yet named anyone."

The room became quieter as her laugh died in her throat. With a sharper tone, Caspian turned to face her. "Do you recognize anything here, Lyric?"

Her mask broke. "Not! This is a setup. She probably did it. Her voice rose as she gestured toward me.

One of the warriors moved forward. "That note, Alpha... Lyric's handwriting appears to be the same.

There were gasps. Lyric's face lost its colour. "This is ridiculous! I'm devoted to the group! Her eyes were flaming as she spun toward me. "Rogue, you're framing me."

I pretended to be calm as I cocked my head. "Then it won't bother you if we look through your stuff."

Her smile became fragile. "Take the necessary action."

Later, Lyric cornered me as I was leaving the hall. Her voice sounded like a toxic hiss. "Serena, you've made a dangerous enemy."

I gave her a direct gaze. "You were mine already."

When I went back to my room that evening, I saw a message that said, "This is your final warning, rogue," attached to my door. My chest tightened at the sight of the blood-red ink. She was already retaliating.

There was a hush in the trees that made my skin prickle. I tried to quiet the storm inside of me by leaning against a tree. All night long, the mark on my chest had been glowing dimly. Even though I kept it a secret, eventually someone would notice.

"Really, who are you?"

I turned around, gasping for air. Caspian's eyes peered through the darkness from a few steps distant. How could I have missed him getting so close?

I answered in an even voice, "I don't know what you mean." But my heart, rumbling in my chest, had betrayed me.

He took a step forward, his eyes keen. "Don't tell me lies. I noticed the mark.

My blood became icy. Trying to shield my chest, I grabbed my cloak out of instinct. "You're wrong," I blurted out.

His tone became stern. "Avoid playing games. That mark is the saviour's mark of the Crimson Pack. I've read in the ancient books about it.

I went cold. Why had it to be him, out of all those who could see it? My throat constricted. "You must be having hallucinations."

"I don't believe so," he responded quietly. "The mark is truthful. Tell me, now, who you truly are.

The truth sat heavily in the air, despite my instincts telling me to ignore it. He was not going to overlook this. I looked into his eyes and inhaled deeply and slowly.

"My name is Adira," I muttered. Even if my voice wavered, I kept my eyes fixed on you. "The Omega you turned down."

His expression changed to one of amazement, incredulity, and something else I couldn't quite identify. “Adira…?”

A wolf's loud, desperate howl cut through the air before I could respond. Caspian instantly straightened. With a clipped tone, he stated, "This isn't over."

I felt a surge of heat as my mark burned brilliantly as he sprinted toward the howl. A horrible thing was about to