Chapter 4- My Real Family

Sage’s Pov

When I woke up, the first thing I noticed was that I was in a large room. I lay still for a moment, blinking as my eyes adjusted to the soft light.

The ceiling above me was high, painted with intricate depictions of werewolves and humans. A crystal chandelier hung in the center. Thick curtains framed tall windows, and the scent in the air was clean, faintly herbal, nothing like antiseptic. The bed beneath me was wide and impossibly soft, layered with fine sheets that felt cool against my skin.

This was definitely not a pack infirmary. I turned my head slowly, my body aching but stable, and saw two men sitting on the other side of the bed chamber.

One was older, tall even while seated, his posture straight and commanding. His hair was dark with strands of silver at the temples, his face sharp and dignified.

Beside him sat a younger man. He had similar features, same jawline, same deep-set eyes, but his expression was more openly concerned. His arms were crossed, and he leaned forward slightly, as if ready to move the moment I stirred.

The older man noticed my eyes open and stood up at once.

“Oh thank the Gods! You’re finally awake,” he said as he approached my bed “we were starting to get worried.”

My throat felt dry and I looked between both men “Where am I?” I asked. “And who are you?”

The man straightened fully, as if preparing himself.

“You are in our family pack manor,” he said. Then, after a brief pause, he added, “And I am your father. Leonardo Albert.”

I stared at him. The words didn’t make sense at first. I waited for my mind to catch up, for logic to intervene and correct the mistake.

“My… father?” I repeated.

The younger man stood up too now. “It’s true…” he said gently. “Just here what dad has to say first.”

I shook my head. “No. That’s not possible. My parents are dead. I buried them myself.”

Leonardo’s expression softened, but there was pain behind his eyes. “The people you buried loved you deeply. That much is true. But they were not your biological parents.”

My heart began to pound. “What are you saying?”

He took a step closer to the bed but stopped when he noticed my tension. “You were adopted, Sage. Your mother and I had to hide you.”

“Hide me from what?” I demanded.

“From enemies who wanted you dead,” he replied calmly. “The same enemies that took your mother, my mate, And they would have gotten you too if we hadn't sent you away.”

The room felt smaller. “I don’t understand,” I whispered.

Leonardo took a breath. “You are my daughter. The biological daughter of the Werewolf King.”

“And this is your older brother,” he gestured to the young man standing next to him. “His name is Leam.”

The younger man nodded slightly. “That’s me. It’s nice to see you sister.”

I looked at him, really looked at him, and for the first time noticed how familiar his presence felt. And how sort of familiar he looked. 

“So you expect me to believe,” I said slowly, “that I’m the king’s daughter, and no one ever told me?”

Leonardo’s jaw tightened. “We didn’t have a choice. After your mother died, it required the combined effort of all four great werewolf kings to quell the rebellion. In that time we secretly arranged for a trusted family to adopt you. If they had told you of your roots sooner, it could have put you in grave danger.”

I thought of the people who raised me. The ones who loved me without conditions. Even though I was not their real daughter, they loved me nonetheless. It hurt more knowing they were gone.

Leonardo signed and placed his hand on mine “I know this is too much. Take your time. You don’t have to accept anything today.”

Then he clapped his hands once. The doors opened immediately, and several servants walked in. Each wore a pristine uniform, their movements precise and respectful.

“They’re here to attend to you,” Leonardo said. “Anything you need just ask and it will be made available. Remember this is your house, your family and we’re all so happy you’re back.”

I didn’t respond, my gaze shifted from the assembled servants to my fully bandaged right hand.

Leam moved closer to the bed, his gaze dropping to my hand. His expression darkened. “Your injury was severe, we had our best healers try to heal the wound, but none of them could do it.”

I tried to move my fingers and winced.

“The bones were nearly severed,” he continued. “And we think your healing ability is… unstable.”

Leonardo frowned. “After what they did to you, it’s no surprise. Your power was suppressed for too long.”

“So,” I said quietly, “what does that mean?”

Leam hesitated. “For now, you can’t continue being a surgeon, at least until your arm is fully healed.”

The words hurt more than the injury.

“We will make them pay,” he said calmly. “Whoever hurt you. Whoever allowed this.”

“No,” I said immediately.

Both of them looked at me.

“The both of you have already done more than enough, and if what you’ve told me is true then I owe you, this family a great debt.” Both men looked at me with soft eyes, but I continued, "Which is why I ask that you allow me to handle those who have wronged me on my terms.”

Leonardo studied me for a long moment, then nodded once. “Very well.”

After my father and brother left I stayed in my room, thinking about the new life I had been thrust into. And how crazy it all sounded. I couldn’t help but wonder what Aleric’s reaction would be when he found out.

Dinner was quiet but formal.

I sat at a long table, my hand still aching, while servants placed dishes in front of us. The caviar tasted rich and salty, but I barely registered it.

My father and brother kept sneaking glances at me as if I were made of glass. They were certainly very protective.

Suddenly my phone vibrated. I glanced down and saw I had received a message from Aleric. I opened the message and it read; “I’m so sorry Sage, what happened was all just a misunderstanding, please come back, I’m sure we can sort it out.”

My jaw tightened.Another message came seconds later. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

I locked the screen.

Leonardo noticed the change immediately. He gestured subtly toward my phone. “Was that Him?”

“Yes,” I said.

He leaned back slightly. “I should teach that young king a lesson.”

“No,” I replied. “I’ll deal with him myself.”

Leo exhaled in frustration, but respected my wishes nonetheless. He changed the subject smoothly. “I’m throwing a formal banquet on Friday, since he’s a Wolf King, he would normally receive an invite, but I want to know if you’re okay with it. Should he be invited?”

“Yes,” I said after a brief pause. “Let him come.”

Leam raised an eyebrow. “Wonderfdul, but we’ll need to get you dressed for the occasion. You’ll need a gown, and jewelry. Choose whatever you like.”

The next day, I walked alone in the forest. Thinking of my plan and the banquet that coming Friday. My wolf, Anna, was also starting to reawaken, I could hear her poaching in the back of my mind, enjoying the scenery as well. Something I was more than grateful for.

Then I smelled blood. Followed by the sound of someone in serious pain.

I followed the scent deeper into the trees until I found the source.

A wolf lay on the ground, his leg caught in a steel bear trap. Blood soaked the earth beneath him. Around him were the bodies of rogue wolves, lifeless and torn apart.

He was in agony as the steel teeth of the bear trap ripped through his hind leg.

Without thinking, I rushed forward. “Hold still,” I said.

Using strength I didn’t know I still had, and even with the pain I felt in my hand, I pried the trap open and tore it apart. The metal snapped with a sharp sound.

The wolf groaned in pain and with a final exhausted heave, he shifted back into human form.

I noticed how striking he was. Broad shoulders. Scarred skin. A rugged, masculine presence that made my wolf stir for the first time in days.

Anna whispered softly inside me. “Sage, I think this might be our second chance, our Fated mate.”