The Player Hides His Past Novels & Stories

“It’s not a joke, honey. Please, listen. The Hidden Witches are nearly extinct because they were hunted by the Shadow Hunters—powerful warlocks who practice dark magic. They wanted to eliminate the Hidden Witches because they saw them as a threat. To protect you, I had to hide you in Canada with your mother. I revealed everything to her, and though she was angry, she agreed it was best for your safety if I left. She didn’t abandon you, Prisca; she was trying to protect you. A few months ago, a Shadow Hunter had a vision about two hidden witches that still survive. That’s why I brought you here. You’re in danger, and I need to protect you.” I pulled my hand away, stunned. I didn’t know how to

“Evidence is the problem. We don’t have it. Because you moved the witness. Because you sealed the bunker. Because you’re acting like there’s something to hide.” The pouch under my jacket felt heavier. So did the burner message waiting in my pocket like a countdown. Silas lowered his voice just enough to sound reasonable. “If there’s nothing to hide, bring her out. Let council verify the claim. Let the pack see your control.” “No,” I said. His brows lifted. “Then you admit you can’t.” My wolf snapped up inside me, furious at the implication. I kept my face empty. “You want to see her,” I said. “You want to put your scent on her and call it concern and then use her like a pawn.”

“It gives me goosebumps. I’m not a kid anymore, so spare me the drama and tell me what you want.” George raises a brow but doesn’t flinch. “You can’t blame me, Zachary. I’ve been hiding from the world for almost two decades. I miss you. I miss our family.” Family. The word feels foreign in his mouth. “Then reveal yourself,” I demand, stepping closer. “Stop hiding and face what you’ve done. Let the world see who you really are.” His smirk vanishes, replaced by a hardened expression. “You know I can’t do that,” he says. “The law, international authorities—they’d arrest me on sight. I have a red notice, Zachary. It’s better for everyone if they think I’m dead.”

They find me the moment I walk in. "Zoe." His voice is weak, but there is warmth in it. "You came." "Of course I came." I sit beside him, taking his hand. His fingers are cold, but his grip is firm. "I am sorry," he says. "I am sorry for everything." "Sorry for what?" "For keeping secrets. For not telling you the truth sooner. For being a coward." "You are not a coward." He shakes his head. "I have been hiding for thirty years. I have been running from the truth, from my past, from my own family. I am tired of running."

The truth I was hiding from Ariana… Was the very truth that would change her life forever. And somewhere out there… Lucas was still walking freely. Unaware that the past he had buried years ago… Was about to come back and destroy him. To be continued…

he said in his dark hoarse voice as he took strides towards my direction. I held my breath, trying not to react when he called me on his endearment to me as my heart suddenly sank when he knew about our son's name. I scoffed, smiling bitterly. "What the hell are you talking about?" I asked, feigning ignorance. There was no way he could know that we had offspring. I knew I hid Sander away to avoid meeting his father. I did my best to not allow that. His smile turned into a smirk, ceasing a few meters away from me. "Ah, so, is this one of your teasing games like you used to do with me, Seraphina?" He tilted his head a little. Then he continued to step forward.

The way he called my name. I probably shouldn't have slapped him. If he only confessed because I mentioned looking for love, maybe it was just his protector mode kicking in again. Or maybe it was the secret he was guarding. What could be so dark, or so big that he’d trade our friendship for silence? I could already see him cornering me at the office tomorrow, eyes full of that wounded-puppy look. While I owe him an apology for the slap and security guard incident, I also owe myself the truth.

“Alright, I'll just change!” He hurried to his room and changed to plain sweaters and sweatpants. He also wore a baseball cap and a black mask. Seeing that he's all covered up, he went to their underground car park. “If you're going to make my cousin pregnant, at least buy her pregnancy test kits!” he mumbled furiously as he entered his car. He drove to a distant district packed with people. “Crowded places are the best spot to hide yourself. The crowd will look like a natural camouflage for me. I'm the smartest idol of all time~"

Sometimes he brought roasted sweet potatoes, sometimes a bouquet, sometimes a box of my favorite chocolates. I never accepted any of it. I did not even spare him a glance. I just closed the door in his face and went to bed as if he was not there. He always wore that same coat I had bought for him, and with his presence, it was not long before people recognized him. Soon, someone dug up my identity. Tabloids started running scandal after scandal about the two of us. No one knew the truth, that when I was four, I found baby Kyle abandoned in the rain, only a few months old, and took him in.

“We can’t keep playing this game, Rival. Every move we make, they’re already a step ahead.” I leaned against the window, watching the city lights blur. “Then we stop playing defense.” He stared at me like I’d lost my mind. “Meaning what?” “Meaning we take the fight to them. Whoever’s pulling strings from Base Two, whoever thinks they can use me like a pawn? We smoke them out.” Thomas shook his head. “That’s war.” “Good.” My voice was low, steady. “Because I’m done hiding.” I didn’t tell him the part clawing at my ribs. The part about what the watcher had said.