THE HIDDEN TRUTH

CHAPTER 20.

The hidden truth.

As I stood in the middle of the pack's ancestral home, I felt the entire weight of my entire existence being placed on my shoulders.

At that moment, the entire atmosphere was covered with the scent of old wood and dust. From what I could see, it was a reflection of the past wisdom of our ancestors, and now the present doom of my generation. 

As each second passed, and I continued to flip through the pages of the book, I realized that my life had become a mystery that I didn't know anything about.

To make matters worse, Kaiden's worried voice kept echoing in my mind.

"Rory, there's more to this. " The mysteries that surround this incident are bigger than you." His words kept piercing my soul, as I tried to figure out where my problems were coming from.

At that moment, I angrily stamped my right foot on the ground in frustration, as I ran my hand through my head.

Everyone who was supposed to be on my side on this journey has now become like a ghost sent to hunt me.

"Rory!" I jolted back to reality, after I heard the gentle voice call out my name.

I turned to see Kaiden. As usual, he was filled with brilliant smiles and an energetic tone.

“I think you need a break from your thoughts. " You've been here all alone for over five hours, and it isn't good for you."

“I can't help myself,” I said in a shaky voice. At that instant, I was trying very hard to suppress the pain that I felt at that instant.

“I've been trying very hard to understand the reason why Thane rejected me. I've been trying to understand why all my life in this pack, I've never been treated like I belong here, but like an outsider. I think there's a conspiracy theory lurking in the background." 

Immediately, Kaiden moved closer to me, with a look of concern on his face.

“Rory, you don't have to search this deep. Truth be told, the answers that we desire are better off unanswered."

"Can you hear what you just said? " Obviously, this isn’t just about me, but about protecting the legacy of our Pack,” I insisted with a firm voice, as I flipped through the back of an old book.

At that moment, he sighed in frustration, as he ran his hand through his tangled hair.

“I understand you, Rory. However, what if you discover something you wish you never did? What if it causes you more pain?"

“Kaiden, pain has been part of my survival journey. ” I screamed at him in a serious voice. "I really need everything I'm talking about. Can you just stand by me?"

At that moment, his gaze dropped to the bare ground as he was scanning through his options.

"Rory, you have to promise me that you'd be careful. The past isn't just dangerous, it could also destroy anyone..."

“Of course, my gazes are constantly firm in noticing the otherworldly creatures that might try to destroy me,” I said with a firm tone, hoping to light up the atmosphere. But alas, there was no sparkle in Kaiden's eyes.

With a dejected spirit, I returned my gaze to the pages of the book that I was reading.

As I read deeply through the pages, my spirit began to resonate with the stories and tales of the people of the past, the struggles they faced, and how they were able to navigate it all.

However, there was something missing from everything I had read. The subject of rejection was carefully omitted from the texts.

At that moment, I felt like the writer of this book had carefully and intentionally omitted those words.

Just as my heart began to sink in dejection, a sudden knock landed on the door, and before I could even say anything, a familiar face stepped into the doorway.

It was Akira, the pack's elder.

She walked into the room, her silver hair illuminating the dark night, like it was made of silver and precious stones. At that instant, I could notice that sparkle that was in her eyes.

“Rory!" she called out to me in a gentle voice. “Truth be told, I've been observing you, and your commitment to this pack hasn't gone unnoticed."

“Great one, what do you mean by that?” I asked with a sudden wave of shock hitting my chest. “Have you noticed all my fruitless searches? All I could ever find was frustration upon frustration. Phew!" I sighed with visible frustration in my voice.

“Fortunately, they're not fruitless,” she responded with a soft, yet firm voice. “In your quest for redemption, you've unveiled the pains of a broken past, and you've awakened a truth that has been long awaited to manifest."

“Please, help me,” I pleaded in agony, as I walked closer to her. "Please, help me understand why my mate, Thane, doesn't want me. But, why am I always the one abandoned?"

Immediately, she raised her hands, as she beckoned me to follow her, as she led me to the deeper part of the library, which was absolutely dark, but just ignited by the light ray of the moonlight. 

Even though I was engulfed in fear, I was still determined to find answers.

As we walked through the hallway, the darkness that enveloped the entire atmosphere sent shivers down my spine.

“Umm... " I could tell more mysteries,” she began, as she glanced around with carefulness. “However, the truth must remain in the shadows, as the pack isn't ready for the mysteries I can unveil, and the truth I carry!"

“Alright,” I heaved a long sigh of relief, as the veins in my body were now firm to the core. “I've sealed my lips."

“Your rejection is linked to the ancestral history of our world." she began with a calm voice, which was barely above a whisper.

“There are mysteries about our existence that have been kept secret for so long. If unveiled wrongly, it would not just cause us tribulations, but it is capable of erasing our existence."

“Please, what do you mean?” I asked in a calm voice. “What kind of truth was she talking about?”

At that moment, Akira paused for a second before responding to me.

“Rory, you're not just a wolf. Your bloodline has an ancestral dynasty which was meant to be forgotten and erased. It is a dynasty that embodies both a curse and a prophecy."

Then again, I felt my heart drop for an uncountable time.

“A curse? How is that even possible? What do you mean? How can I be cursed? Who cursed me? It's so sad that I know nothing about my own lineage.”

At that instant, a cloud of sadness engulfed her, causing her to look away from me for a moment.

"Rory, those who came before you made decisions. They were forced to make decisions that broke them in the long run. With every generation that comes forth, this truth gets dimmer, and the path to this mystery gets harder. Thane grew up, knowing this, and till this day, is afraid of the mystery of your kind. A fear that is different and bigger than the rest."

“So, what's so different about my existence? How am I different from normal wolves?” I asked in a terrified voice. “Truly, am I an outcast because of my different blood? Is that the reason why the pack is indifferent to me?"

“Maybe,” she responded, "however, it isn't that easy. This prophesy speaks of mysteries, rejection and betrayal. In all frankness, you're the living definition of this tradition that everyone dreads and, as such, you'll be covered with many whispers and shadows that might try to take you out. However, you're at the center of it all..."

“Me? " The center of it all?” I repeated her words, as my heart broke into shambles. “So, what does it require of me? Is there any evil power behind it? I really need to know because I've been left in the shadows for so long."

“By midnight, make sure to meet me at the old Vine tree. " When the moon is bright, I believe that mysteries will also be unveiled,” she commanded me with a firm tone. “However, once we step into that mysterious light, there will be no going back."

“What if I'm not interested in knowing?” I asked with panic laced up in my voice.

“You must be ready to pay the price for the mystery that is accompanied by knowledge," Akira responded slightly, as she stared deeply into my eyes. “Well, you have to know one thing; earlier on, the rejection you faced was the beginning of a beautiful phase in your life." Are you ready for it?”

At that moment, the smell of the serene atmosphere engulfed my soul.

I felt overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment that surrounded me. “I’ll definitely come. " I'll be there." I affirmed with a sure tone.

As the shadows began to engulf the entire atmosphere, her gaze softened.

 “Rory, always remember this. " Sometimes, the truth might be more dangerous than the truth. " If you keep seeking for answers, in no time, you might find yourself deeply consumed in the ocean of self-doubt and uncertainty."

“Well, I'm ready for whatever it might be,” I responded with a firm tone, even though I was overwhelmed by the cloud of uncertainty at that moment.

As she stepped back, I noticed a strange presence engulf the entire atmosphere. A ghostly presence.

Soon, the library became extremely calm, as a result of her departure.

I stood there for a few more minutes, as I began to ponder on the weight of what she had just said.

Soon, the sun soon dipped, whilst designing the pattern that enveloped the entire atmosphere.

As the evening air came in contact with my body, I shivered not because of the cold, but as a result of the mysteries that waited for me to be unveiled.

Aside from the shadows of the night breeze, I couldn't see or hear anything else.

Where had Akira gone to?

As I scanned through the area in the darkness, I had so many scary thoughts that overwhelmed my guts. Phew!

Did I do the right thing? 

Did I make a mistake?

Just then, I heard the sound of a low growl from a distance, and my heart skipped in agitation.

My heart seized in my chest, panic flooding my senses.

“Akira?” I called out in fear, as I tried to find out who it was.

Who could that be?