004: Let's Go Home

Isabella's heart raced as she stared at the man before her. A man she was sure she had never for once, seen in her life, but it still felt like she was staring at herself.

Her breath caught in her throat, and her mind reeled with confusion.

What's he talking about?

Surely, it cannot be true.

The Luna, sensing Isabella's shock, rose gracefully from her seat and moved to Isabella's side, gently taking her trembling hand in a reassuring grip. Isabella's gaze flickered to the Luna, questioning her with her eyes.

With a shaky voice, She finally managed to speak, her words quivering with disbelief, “What… what is going on here?”

The man, who could as well be her identical twin, took a step closer, his voice soft.

“Isabella, I know this is hard to believe. I'm your brother. My name is Daug.”

She raised her brow, “Your name is Dog?”

He chuckled, “No. D-A-U-G. It's kind of a nickname that stuck. I'm Jayden.”

Jayden.

That name too sounds vaguely familiar. Just so vaguely.

But Jayden is such a common name, surely she has heard it in the pack before.

Heart still racing, her eyes darted between the Luna, the Alpha who was just looking at them without saying a word and the man standing before her.

She struggled to make sense of this.

Not that it was such a difficulty or anything. She knew she was not part of this pack.

She knew she was just found when she was a child.

So if a man, who bears a striking resemblance with her, comes claiming he's her brother, then surely he is. Right?

But why now, all of a sudden?

Do miracles really exist?

The Alpha sighed heavily, “I know how shocked you must be right now. Come here, dear child and sit down first.”

The Luna led me to a small regal chair beside the Alpha.

“Good. Now allow me to introduce you to the Prince of Nightingale.”

Isabella's mind raced, and she studied the man closely, searching for any hint of deception. The more she looked, the more she couldn't deny the uncanny resemblance between them. The shape of their eyes, the curve of their lips, and the intensity in their gazes—it was undeniable.

Her stomach turned violently as the realization began to sink in.

Isabella found herself trembling as she lowered herself into a chair, her emotions a chaotic jumble within her. She struggled to find words, unable to speak as the man kept looking at her.

“How are you, honey?” The Luna whispered and she shook her head.

How was she?

She had no idea.

Oh, how she wished she could give a name to her emotion. She was feeling all levels and sorts of things.

Shocked, confused, shocked again and of course there was just a tiny hint of happiness there. Then sadness as she thought about what this would mean for her and also her mate.

The Luna, her voice filled with concern, turned to the young man,

“Please,” she implored gently, “tell us what happened.”

The prince took a deep breath, his eyes still on Isabella.

“Ten years ago, our kingdom was attacked…by Rogues and other packs. It was such a shock, we had no idea how it happened. We lost our parents and…You got separated from us.”

As he spoke, the words felt like a distant dream to Isabella. Her mind raced as he recounted the past, fragments of memories, memories, and images flickering in her consciousness.

“Bee” he began, using the childhood nickname that sent shivers down her spine, “I tried so hard to look for you, but I was very young. Even when I became old enough…I tried so hard to find my sister again.”

Isabella's eyes widened as she listened to his words, and suddenly, it all began to make sense. The fleeting dreams, the vague images that had haunted her for years, they all seemed to align with the story the prince was telling.

She remembers running.

She remembered the scream, the fire, the killing.

She remembered but just very vaguely, oh, so vaguely, it was barely there.

Isabella's hands trembled as she covered her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes.

It was as though a fog were lifting, and she was starting to remember the life she had lost. The emotions that had been buried for so long began to rise to the surface, and she finally found her voice, whispering in awe, “I remember… I remember you.”

And she did.

She remembered playing in mud with a young boy and the voice of a woman calling them back.

She remembered fighting with a young boy but hugging him a few minutes later.

She remembered stealing cookies and running.

“Jay-Jay,” she gasped, overwhelmed with emotion.

The boy…her brother's face broke into a happy grin.

“Oh my goodness, this is all so emotional,” the Luna whispered, smiling, “Just yesterday, Isabella told me she wanted to find her family and look…the goddess answered your prayers.”

She really did.

My heart was still fluttering.

“I have to thank you so much for taking good care of my sister. I don't know what would have become of her if not…but I'm curious, how did you find her?”

The Luna shared a warm, nostalgic smile with the Alpha before turning her gaze back to Isabella. “Well,” she began, “it was quite the unexpected encounter. You see, Alpha and I were actually on a date that night, a rare moment when we could steal some time away from our responsibilities.”

Isabella couldn't help but smile.

The Alpha chimed in, “Yes, and it was our favourite-hidden spot, tucked away from prying eyes. We were enjoying the peace and quiet when we stumbled upon you.”

The Luna continued, her expression softening with concern as she recalled that fateful night. “You were unconscious, Isabella, and covered in bruises. We were terrified for your well-being, wondering if you could even make it.”

Isabella nodded as the story unfolded, though it was a tale she had heard countless times before.

“But,” the Luna continued, “we couldn't just leave you there. We brought you home, and fortunately, our healer was able to revive you. It was a long and uncertain journey, but here you are today.”

The Luna took her hand and squeezed it, “And we are so proud of the woman you have grown to become, my dear. And I'm so proud and happy for you that you got to find your true family.”

“Thank you so much for your care.” Jayden said, bowing slightly, “I do appreciate your concern, but I've come to take my sister home.”

Isabella's eyes widened in horror.