chapter Eight: my mother's story

Aria sat on the edge of her bed, her fingers twisting the ends of her long, dark hair. Her father, AlphaThane, sat across from her in a heavy wooden chair. The room was quiet except for the soft crackling of the fireplace. She had waited a long time to ask this question, but tonight, she couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Father,” Aria said, her voice firm but careful, “tell me about my mother. My human mother.”

He looked at her for a long moment, his eyes dark with memories. He sighed deeply, then leaned forward, resting his hands on his knees. “I knew this day would come,” he said. “You deserve to know.”

Aria straightened. “Then tell me everything.”

Her father’s gaze drifted to the fire. “Her name was Evelyn. She was kind, stubborn, and full of life. She wasn’t afraid of anything.” He smiled a little. “I met her many years ago, long before you were born. I was traveling through the human lands, hiding my true identity. I wanted to see the world beyond our kingdom.”

Aria listened closely, her heart beating fast. “How did you meet her?

He chuckled. “I was lost.”

“Lost?” Aria repeated, raising an eyebrow. “You, a king?”

“I wasn’t a king yet,” he reminded her. “I was young and foolish, and I had wandered too far into the human city. I was trying to find my way when I heard a voice behind me. ‘You look confused,’ she said. I turned and saw her standing there, holding a basket of flowers.”

Aria leaned forward. “And then?”

“She laughed at me,” he admitted. “She said I had the look of someone who didn’t belong. But instead of turning me in, she helped me. She walked with me through the streets, pointing out places and telling me stories. By the time we reached the city’s edge, I didn’t want to leave.”

Aria smiled slightly. “So you kept coming back?”

He nodded. “I did. I found excuses to return to the city, just to see her. I watched as she cared for the children in her town, always offering kindness to those in need. She had a fire inside her, a determination that fascinated me. The more time we spent together, the more I knew I had fallen for her.”

Aria’s heart swelled. “And did she feel the same way?”

He chuckled. “Not at first. She was stubborn. She told me I was mysterious and too charming for my own good. But over time, I won her heart. I would leave her flowers outside her home and write her letters when I was away. I even carved her name into a tree by the river where we would sit and talk for hours.”

Aria sighed dreamily. “That sounds beautiful.”

“It was,” he said softly. “But I still hadn’t told her who I really was. I feared losing her.”

Aria hesitated. “How did she find out?”

“One night, I took her to a hidden glade in the forest, away from prying eyes. I wanted to tell her the truth, but before I could, something happened. A group of bandits attacked us on the road. I had no choice—I used my magic to protect her.”

Aria’s eyes widened. “She saw?”

“She saw everything,” he confirmed. “The power, the unnatural strength. I thought she would run, but instead, she stood still, staring at me. I expected fear, but instead, she whispered, ‘I knew you were different.’”

Aria held her breath. “She wasn’t afraid?”

“No,” he said, smiling. “She asked me who I really was, and so I told her. I revealed everything—my kingdom, my duty, and the truth of my heritage. And do you know what she did?”

Aria shook her head.

“She laughed,” he said with a chuckle. “She called me a terrible liar at first, but when she saw the sincerity in my eyes, she believed me. And she chose to love me anyway.”

Aria wiped a tear from her cheek. “She must have loved you very much.”

“She did,” he said softly. “And I loved her more than anything.”

Aria hesitated before asking, “What happened when she became pregnant with me?”

King Thane's face darkened slightly. “She was overjoyed, but also scared. She knew our child would be different, caught between two worlds. We talked about leaving together, starting a new life, but deep down, she wasn’t ready to leave the human world behind.”

Aria frowned. “Then what happened?”

“She planned to come with me before you were born. But fate had other plans. One night, she went into labor earlier than expected. I barely made it in time.” His voice softened. “I held her hand as she brought you into the world. She was weak, but she smiled when she saw you.”

Aria’s breath caught in her throat. “She saw me?”

“Yes,” he whispered. “She held you for a few moments, whispered your name, and told me to protect you.” His hands clenched. “She wanted so badly to come with us, but she needed time to say goodbye to her family. She made me promise to take you somewhere safe.”

Aria’s voice was barely above a whisper. “And then?”

King Thane closed his eyes for a moment. “Before she could follow us, tragedy struck. A fire broke out in her home. By the time I arrived, it was too late.”

Tears streamed down Aria’s face. “She sacrificed everything.”

He reached out, taking her hands in his. “She loved you, Aria. From the moment she knew about you, she loved you.”

Aria wiped her tears, trying to be strong. “I wish I could have known her.”

“I wish that too,” he said. “But she lives on in you. You have her kindness, her fire, her courage.”

Aria took a deep breath, letting the words sink in. “Thank you for telling me.”

He squeezed her hand. “You deserved to know. And no matter what, remember—she would be proud of you.”

Aria nodded, holding onto that thought. As painful as it was, she finally knew the truth. And somehow, that made her feel closer to the mother she never met.