CHAPTER 5 - The Alpha’s Greatest Sin

 I sat on the edge of the bed, turning the letter in my hands.

 The man stood quietly near the door, his eyes looking around like he expected an attack.

 I asked softly, “Why now?  Why after all these years?”

 “Because you’re not safe anymore,” he said.  “Kieran’s return changed everything.  His presence will stir old wars.”

 I frowned.  “Old wars?”

 He nodded.  “Your father led one.  The one they never told you about.”

 My heart beat.  “You’re saying my father was alive during that war?”

 “He was more than alive,” the man whispered.  “He was the leader who almost destroyed the Moonlight Crown.”

 I felt like the ground disappeared beneath me.

 “No,” I said softly.  “He was just a soldier.  My mother said”

 “Your mother lied to protect you,” he said softly.  “She had no choice.”

 I swallowed hard.  “You said she was killed for what she knew.  What was it?”

 He looked at me, sadness in his eyes.  “The truth about the night your father died.  And who gave the order.”

 I stared at him, unable to speak.

 He dropped his eyes.  “Adrian’s father.”

 The words cut like a blade.

 My hands shook.  “You’re saying the Alpha of this pack”

 “Kill your father,” he said softly.  “And when your mother tried to expose it, he silenced her.”

 Tears burned behind my eyes, but anger rose faster.  “You expect me to believe this?”

 He looked at me, steady.  “You already do.”

 I wanted to scream.  To run.  To deny it.  But deep down, it fit.  Every cruel look.  Every unknown fear.  Every reason I was never allowed near the Alpha House.

 I clenched the letter so tightly the seal cracked slightly.

“Why would Kieran know this?”  I whispered.

 “Because he found the records your father hid before he died,” the man said.  “Records that name the people responsible.”

 “And you expect me to open this?”

 He gave a faint smile.  “You don’t have a choice anymore.”

 Before I could reply, a low growl echoed outside.  The man tensed.

 “Someone followed me,” he whispered.

 “What?”

 He ran to the window.  “Stay away from the light.  Don’t let them see you.”

 “Who’s out there?”  I asked.

 He turned, his face pale.  “The Alpha’s guards.”

 Panic rushed through me.  “How did they”

 “They track anyone who leaves the border without permission.  I shouldn’t have come.”

 He opened the window.  “Keep the letter safe.  Don’t show it to anyonenot even Kieranuntil you’re sure you can trust him.”

 “But you said”

 “Trust no one,” he hissed.  “Not yet.”

 He climbed out the window and disappeared into the dark before I could stop him.

 I ran to the window, looking out into the dark.  But he was gone.

 I sat back down, looking at the letter again.  My pulse was racing.  My thoughts were confused.

 Could it be true?  Could everything I knew about my family be a lie?

 My wolf stirred inside me.  Open it.

 I paused.  “And if it destroys me?”

 Her voice was calm.  Then at least you’ll know what broke you.

 I tore the seal.

 A small folded paper slipped out.  The handwriting was old but recognizable.  My breath hitched as I read the first line.

 My sweet Nova, if you’re reading this, then I am gone.  But know that  nothing about your life was a mistake.

 My view blurred with tears.

 Your father didn’t die in battle.  He was duped.  And the man who holds power now wears his blood like a crown.  Beware the one who smiles and calls you family, for his hands are soaked in silver and sin.

 My hands shook violently.

 Then, at the bottom of the letter, I saw a sign with a half-moon scar drawn in ink.  I had seen it before.  On Adrian’s father’s ring.

 I dropped the letter.  “No…”

 The door burst open.

 “Nova?”

 Adrian stood there, panting, his eyes searching the room.

 I scrambled to my feet, pushing the letter behind me.  “What are you doing here?”

 He frowned.  “I felt something.  I heard noises.”

 “I’m fine.”

 “You’re pale.”  He stepped closer.  “What happened?”

 “Nothing.”

 “Don’t lie to me.”

 I met his eyes, rage boiling beneath my skin.  “You want the truth?  You wouldn’t know what to do with it.”

 He froze.  “What does that mean?”

 I paused, trembling.  “Tell me something, Adrian.  How well do you know your father?”

 He frowned.  “What kind of question is that?”

 “Just answer it.”

 “He’s my father,” he said slowly.  “He raised me.  He made me what I am.”

 “Then I pity you,” I whispered.

 His brows wrinkled.  “What are you saying?”

 I laughed bitterly.  “You think your father’s the great Alpha everyone worships.  But what if he isn’t the hero you believe?”

 He looked confused and then angry.  “Who’s been talking to you?”

 “No one,” I said quickly.  “Just thinking.”

 “Thinking dangerous things, apparently.”

 I smiled weakly.  “Maybe danger is all I have left.”

 He stared at me for a long moment, as if looking for the girl he once knew.  “I don’t know what’s happening to you,” he said softly.  “But I want to help.”

 “You can’t,” I said.  “You’re part of the problem.”

 He flinched.  “Nova”

 “Go, Adrian.  Please.”

 He paused, then left, the door clicking shut behind him.

 The moment he was gone, I exhaled shakily.  My hands went to the letter again, tracing the wax seal.

 My mother’s words repeated in my mind: Beware the one who calls you family.

 Hours passed, but I couldn’t rest.  I couldn’t think.

 Every memory of Adrian’s father replayed like broken film the way he watched me, the way his voice hardened when I entered a room.

 And suddenly, something new clicked into place.

 My mother’s last night.  The fire.  The Alpha’s guards were already there before it started.

 My chest tightened.  “He knew.”

 The door creaked again.

 I turned sharply but it wasn’t Adrian.

 Kieran stood there, shadows wrapping around him like they belonged to him.

 “You shouldn’t leave your window open,” he said softly.  “It invites danger.”

 I stared at him, the letter hidden behind me.  “What are you doing here?”

 “Checking if you’re alive.”

 “Why wouldn’t I be?”

 He smiled weakly.  “Because I sent someone to find you.  And he hasn’t returned.”

 My heart skipped.  “You mean the stranger?”

 His eyes darkened.  “So he did find you.”

 “He said you sent him.”

 “I did.”  He paused.  “Did he give you something?”

 I paused.  “A letter.”

 Kieran’s gaze sharpened.  “Show me.”

 I shook my head.  “No.”

 “Nova”

 “You said not to trust anyone.  Not even you.”

 His jaw tightened.  “He said that?”

 “Yes.”

 A muscle worked in his cheek.  “Then he told you more than he should have.”

 My pulse quickened.  “What does that mean?”

 He stepped closer, his voice low.  “It means your mother’s death wasn’t the only secret buried.”

 I stared at him, fear and confusion mingling inside me.  “What else?”

 He looked straight into my eyes.  “Your father isn’t dead.”

 The letter slipped from my hands.

 “What?”  I whispered.

 Kieran’s face was grave.  “He’s alive and he’s been waiting for you.”

 My breath hitched as his words sank in.  “Alive?”

 Kieran nodded once, eyes burning with quiet fury.  “And he wants you to choose which Alpha’s blood will burn when the truth finally comes out.”