Chapter 7

- Emory -

I sat quietly in my father's room, watching as he layed there, looking weaker than I’d ever seen him. His face was pale, his breathing shallow—pain etched into every line. I knew it wouldn’t be long now. The ache in my chest was familiar; I’d known for a while that I’d be stepping into the alpha role soon. Still, it didn’t make it any easier to see him like this. I loved my father dearly, and the thought of losing him was almost unbearable. But I also knew he was tired. It was time.

The others followed behind me—Liam, Angora, and Alice—each of us feeling the weight of the moment. I’d been curious about Alice’s discovery earlier—her confusion about her wolf, her reactions. It wasn’t every day you met someone who’d spent her entire life unaware of her true nature. I wanted to know why her wolf had been suppressed, why she’d never met Lyra until now.

When we entered, my father’s gaze shifted to us, his eyes tired but warm. I asked Angora and Liam for privacy while we spoke to my father. Aggreeing, they left without question. I started explaining how Alice had never met her wolf until coming here. Matthias listened quietly, then began to speak, his voice steady and calm despite his weakened state.

“I gathered as so" He murmered. Both of us wide eyed and confused, Did he know something?

Long ago,” he began, “when wolves were first created by the Moon Goddess, there were two types. The Lycanthropes—what you know as werewolves today—and the Spirit Wolves. The Lycanthropes were gifted to certain bloodlines, and over time, they found each other, forming packs and growing stronger together. But the Spirit Wolves—those are a different story.”

He paused, his gaze drifting to the window. “Spirit Wolves are also gifts from the Moon Goddess. But in addition to their wolf shape, they possess magical abilities—powers that go beyond mere strength or speed. These genes are rare—only a handful of families carry them today. Most wolves you see have the typical green or brown eyes, but Spirit Wolves show different eyes—crystal blue or purple—signs of their divine connection.”

I watched him carefully, absorbing every word. It explained so much—why Angora’s eyes were purple, why she had always been different. I had wondered. I had suspected.

Suddenly, I felt a strange urge to leave. I got up abruptly, the need to clear my head overwhelming me. Without realizing it, I slipped out of the room, leaving Alice and my father behind. I felt a strange pang—like I was abandoning her, but I knew she was in good hands. I didn’t want her to feel alone, not now, not ever.

- Alice -

As I was about to leave, Matthias caught my eye and offered me a gentle, knowing smile. “Don’t worry,” he said softly. “I’ll link with him later, or you can explain everything to him yourself. But it’s important you know this—because it directly affects you, and everyone here.”

His words stirred a strange sense of pride and responsibility inside me. Listening to him talk about the history of the wolves, the magic, the divine gifts… I realized just how much bigger this world was than I’d ever imagined. It was overwhelming, yet somehow, it also felt like I was finally starting to understand where I belonged.

He continued, explaining that Spirit Wolves often possessed abilities we’d only begun to scratch the surface of. Their magical powers typically manifested between 18 and 20—sometimes skipping generations, only appearing if the Moon Goddess deemed them worthy. It was rare, and only a handful of families carried this gift.

“Angora’s history is a bit different,” he said. “Her spirit abilities are tied to her purple eyes. When she turned 18, she was told about her heritage—though she didn’t take it well at first.” He paused, searching for the right words. “Maybe that’s why her wolf, Accalia, is so important to her. She’s been a guiding presence, helping her come to terms with who she truly is. Accalia reminds her of her strength, her purpose. And I believe her spirit abilities are awakening now because she’s ready.”

Lyra, I wonder—did you know if you’re a Spirit Wolf too?” - I had no response...

My mind spun as I listened. I’d never thought of myself as special in that way—never considered I might carry a divine gift. I was just me—Alice.

Matthias nodded gently. “It’s something many don’t realize until later. The magic often skips generations, but if the Moon Goddess has plans for you, she’ll reveal it in time.” He looked at me thoughtfully. “You’ve met your wolf—Lyra—but your magic, your true power… that might still be hidden.”

We sat there for hours, talking about everything—Emorys childhood, pack business, how he ran things day to day, the finances, protocols, sibling disputes, and where I fit in once he was gone. It was a lot to take in, but somehow, I felt like I’d known him forever. His words, his presence—they made me feel safe, like I’d finally found the father I’d been longing for.

He reached out, placing a hand on mine, his gaze soft and kind. “You’re going to do great things, Alice,” he said. “I see it in you. I’m proud of how far you’ve come since you arrived here. You’re more than ready to carry this pack forward. And I trust you’ll do what’s right.”

A strange warmth blossomed inside me, and I felt a deep connection—like I’d known him my whole life. Why did I feel so close to him? Why did I trust him so instantly?

He seemed to sense my confusion and offered a gentle smile. “I know you’re wondering about our closeness,” he said quietly. “Maybe this will make more sense.” He softly touched his eye and slid his finger across, revealing a faint tinge of purple beneath.

“I wear contacts,” he explained softly. “I didn’t want the pack to know I’m a Spirit Wolf. I wanted them to trust and believe I was just like everyone else. That’s why I keep this hidden. And I trust you—because I know you’ll keep my secret, until the right time. My children don’t know, They know about Angora but not myself. It’s your choice whether to tell them or not. But for now, I leave that in your hands, Luna.”

A jolt of emotion hit me hard—something I couldn’t quite put into words. A feeling of responsibility, of connection. I looked at him differently now. He was more than just the alpha’s father; he was a guardian, a guide, a kindred spirit.

Just then, Emory re-entered the room, his face lighting up when he saw us. Matthias' hand in mine, and I felt the deep bond that had grown between us—both emotional and unspoken. I felt lighter, freer, like I finally belonged somewhere. Emory sat beside me, his hand resting on my waist, a genuine smile on his face that radiated happiness for him.

I turned to him, my voice soft. “Are you okay?”

He returned my smile, leaning in just a little. “Everything’s fine. I can explain it later,” he said lightly, though I saw the calm confidence in his eyes.

But beneath that, a strange, deep feeling settled in my chest. An intuition. I couldn’t quite explain it—something was off, something beneath the surface I hadn’t yet seen. It was familiar, yet distant. I looked at Matthias, whom seemed to sense it too. An unspoken tension hung between us, neither of us able to quite put into words. For now, all I could do was hold onto the moment and brace myself for whatever was coming next.