Chapter 7

That evening when I got home, I couldn’t bring myself to tell Sienna everything that had happened. All I could say was that I needed to know my roots, that maybe it would answer the questions that had been weighing on me, she didn’t press further, she knew I would talk to her when I was ready, instead, she stayed by my side, quietly taking care of me the way she always did when words weren’t enough.

The next morning, I went to the Den and told Viktor I would be taking some days off to visit my sick grandmother. He barely looked at me, his only response was that the days would be deducted from my pay. I didn’t care, money was the least of my worries.

I traveled out to the countryside, to the little village where my grandmother lived. She wasn’t really my grandmother by blood. She had raised my mother, and in many ways she had raised me too, especially on the nights my mother worked late.

When I arrived, I was struck by how much older she looked. Her shoulders seemed smaller, her movements were slower, and her eyes were weary. I felt so guilty for not visiting her more often, she might not have much time left.

Still, the moment she saw me, her face lit up. She welcomed me with open arms, holding me as though I were more than just her grandchild, like I was her very own child. She could see the sadness in me instantly, she didn’t ask, she just hugged me, long enough for the tears I had been holding back to finally break free. I wept on her shoulders, and she held me tighter, like she always did when I was little.

That evening we spent hours catching up. She wanted to know everything, the life I lived in the city, the news in town, the talk of the rival packs uniting through marriage. I answered vaguely. The subject was too raw, I didn’t want to speak of Elliot, I still remember the way he looked at me as though I could never measure up. Maybe he was right, maybe I didn’t belong anywhere near him, but I hadn’t asked to be bonded to him either.

After a long silence, I finally asked the question that had haunted me for years.

“Grandma Elise… is my father really dead?”

She froze, her eyes searching mine as though I had asked her the one question she had always dreaded.

“What did your mother tell you before she died?” she asked carefully.

“She said he died before I was born. But… what really happened?”

Grandma Elise let out a long sigh.

“Child, I don’t have all the answers you’re looking for. What I know is this, Sapphire kept many secrets. After she finished school, she told me she had found her mate, and that one day she would bring him to meet me. But instead, she returned brokenhearted… and pregnant. She wouldn’t speak of him again, she was so sore... so guarded about the subject, I just stopped asking since it made her sad, and I didn't want her to be sad. Not long after, she left for the city, and only returned when she was caught consulting witches and was stripped of her rank, and forced to live as an omega.”

My heart sank. “Is it true? She really consulted witches?”

Grandma Elise’s gaze softened. “Child, all I can tell you is that your mother was not evil. Whatever she did, she did for you, you were all she cared about, you were literally the centre of her universe, she was just a mother who would protect her daughter at any cost. I don’t know the full truth, but I know she loved you fiercely, right until the end.”

Tears filled my eyes, I had always known my mother’s love was the only constant I had ever felt. I don't care what the world thinks about her, she loved me with everything, she was a good mother till she died, and losing her had left my world cold and empty,

“But... you’re asking these questions now,” Grandma Elise said gently. “Is something wrong, my darling?”

“Nothing,” I whispered, though my heart was heavy. “Maybe I just… wish I had a father.”

Her lips curved in a sad smile, her eyes glimmering with pity.

“We should get some rest,” she said at last. “As much as I love catching up, this old body is tired. We’ll talk again in the morning.”

I could tell she had said all she knew, and I didn’t want to trouble her further. I smiled and nodded, though I felt quite disappointed. Grandma Elise didn’t have the answers, but now more than ever, I believed my father might still be alive. The question was, who could I ask?

My mother and I had no other family, and she never kept friends. Every path I thought of led to a dead end.

---

After two quiet days with Grandma Elise, it was time to leave. Viktor’s calls had become unbearable. His voice was sharp and loud, he was always full of threats, reminding me that his VIP clients were waiting, warning me that if he lost any business because of me, he’d make my life miserable.

I longed to stay longer with my grandmother, to hold on to the peace I felt in her presence, but I had no choice, I had to go.

As I was gathering my things to leave, she handed me a small, worn journal.

“That belonged to Sapphire,” she said softly. “She told me that if she wasn’t here when you turned twenty, I should give it to you. Maybe in those pages, you’ll find what you’re searching for.”

I froze, staring at the book in my hands. My mother’s journal. My heart beat faster as though I was holding a key I hadn’t known existed.

I looked up at Grandma Elise and gave her a genuine smile. “Thank you,” I whispered.

I hugged her tightly before leaving, the journal clutched to my chest.

Maybe, just maybe, this was where the answers would begin.