Chapter 5

From Arina's POV

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. Every word coming out of my mother's mouth was shocking.

"Zeno's death is something we won't be able to contain if the word gets out. The King will come seeking answers. How can we explain the last three years?" she asked in panic.

"Perhaps you should have thought about that before beating her half to death," Rick replied as he left the room.

Suddenly, a knock came at the door, and I heard a familiar voice.

"Please accept my apologies. I didn't know you were here." Nurse Calloway said, "I'll be back later."

I was glad it was her. I wanted to ask her questions. I needed answers, and she had been assigned to care for my father in his final days, so I figured she might know something.

"Nurse Calloway, I was sure you were off today, but no matter, I was leaving anyway. Carry on," Mother said as she left.

"You can open your eyes, Princess; she is gone," Nurse Calloway said as she approached the side of the bed.

I looked at her in confusion. How could she have known I was awake if she had just walked in? I thought to myself.

She smiled and replied, "I know many things, Princess, not to mention I can sense energies, and your wolf calls out to me."

"My wolf?" I asked. "I-I don't have a wolf, not yet anyway," I replied.

"Princess, you are special. You have had your wolf since you were fifteen. She came to you early. She knew you would need her before your time. But she has yet to speak to you. She has been working to help you this entire time, reaching out to those who can help you, including myself," she replied.

I was surprised to learn I had a wolf this whole time, but I was also upset. I always felt alone, like I had no one, and here I had a wolf, but I couldn't talk to her. What was the point of having a wolf that I could not communicate with or see in reflection or shift into? Had I been able to shift, I would have left long ago and wouldn't have had to deal with all this.

Nurse Calloway stared at me as if reading my thoughts. Just as she was about to speak, someone entered the room with a knock.

"May I come in?" asked a man standing at the door with his head low.

"Princess Arina, this is my mate, Bryan. He's here to help," Nurse Calloway explained.

When Bryan approached the bedside, he lifted his face, and I could see his facial features. His dark brown hair enhanced his light blue eyes, which looked striking against his tan skin color. He wore a long black sleeve shirt under his black leather Calvin Klein jacket and dark blue jeans. He finished his look with a silver Cartier watch and Stacy Adams boots. I found the shoes dated; he could have picked a newer designer. However, he pulled them off well.

He smiled and nodded at me, then looked at Nurse Calloway and spoke.

"Word of Alpha Zeno's death and attack reached the King. He plans to visit," he explained.

"How soon before he arrives?" she asked.

"Unfortunately, I do not know, but he wants to arrive within the week to settle things," Bryan replied.

Nurse Calloway nods as she glances at me. "I am not sure how long we have. Luna Eleni wants her release already. If she returns, we lose our chance to do anything." She turned to Bryan. "You know as well as I do; it is only a matter of time before they discover the truth. If they do, she is dead!" she replied.

There is no response from him other than a nod. As if seeking answers, he walked to the window and stared out.

"I heard them talking about my father, and they said something about someone giving them a child. What does that mean?" I asked.

Nurse Calloway glanced at Bryan as he walked towards the bed and stood beside her. Both had a look in their eyes that I could not describe.

"What else did they say?" he asked.

"My mother said something about a note stating that the child should be raised here and something about she wasn't the child's mom," I told them.

"But that means..." Nurse Calloway turned her gaze to Bryan, and they both said simultaneously. "They weren't MATES."

The three of us remained silent until Bryan broke the silence when he cleared his throat and asked. "Did they say anything else?"

I nodded. "Mom and Rick decided to keep quiet about everything. If anyone found out, their story would be that I ran away from home the night of my father's funeral. I had been attacked by rogues while returning," I replied.

Nurse Calloway and Bryan listened intently.

"Everyone knows a rogue would kill you if one attacked you. How can they possibly think that anyone would be that stupid to believe that nonsense?" Bryan scoffed.

I shrugged and took a deep breath before telling the last detail.

"Mom told Rick that the note left stated that the child was twice blessed. She said they never understood what that meant. She also had a blood test to see if the child carried my father's blood. The results were positive, but she never told him. Before they left, Rick said they needed to research the bloodline and be prepared if word gets out." I concluded.

They stood quiet momentarily when I asked, "Who is the child they are talking about, and why is it such a big deal?"

Nurse Calloway signaled to Bryan to check the door before speaking. When he signaled, the area was clear, she said.

"Arina, the child they speak of is you. You are Alpha Zeno's true daughter and the rightful Alpha of this pack." I gasped in realization at what she was saying, but as it sank in, my heart broke, knowing that my father would never see me inherit my birthright. A single tear escaped my eyes as I wiped them away. I asked.

"What did they mean by twice blessed?"

Bryan approached the bedside and, with absolute certainty, spoke.

"It has been said that Alpha Zeno's child has the blood of the Great Delvhen Wolves. 'The child possesses FIVE elements: fire, water, wind, wood, and earth." He paused for a moment. "It is also alleged that they have dominion over the Phoenix, although that has never been proven since there are no Phoenix left. They were killed off years ago, but if there were any, they could combine their powers and become one," he said.

"Now, that would have been a sight to see," Nurse Calloway said with profound astonishment.

Bryan stepped back towards the window and cleared his throat before turning to us and stating the obvious.

"We must hurry and either get the king here or get you out before you are released," he said. He then asked Nurse Calloway, "How long until she is cleared to leave?"

Nurse Calloway grabbed the clipboard. "According to the results, we have 72 hours. Her tests have been completed. We need to move quickly. Bryan, how long will it take to return to Okami Pack and deliver the orders?" she asked.

Before Bryan could answer, I asked, "Okami Pack?"

Nurse Calloway looked at her mate and said with pride,

"Bryan is the Okami Pack's Alpha."