Chapter 0137

The revelations from today hit me like a tidal wave. We came seeking answers, but all we found were deeper mysteries. And we've barely begun unraveling the threads of my own questions. I still need to know if Oberon has any knowledge about my mother's wolf spirit, Selene, and what he might understand about how I'm also a Guardian.

A knock interrupts my thoughts, followed by his familiar cedar-and-spice scent. I open the door to find Adrian studying me, his storm-gray eyes shadowed with concern. "You alright?"

I step aside, letting him enter before closing the door and pressing into his embrace. His arms tighten around me, anchoring me. "I can't stop thinking about King Oberon. To find your mate only to have them stolen away... And for Elowen—forced into a bond against her will. No matter how strong the connection, that violation would always linger." My throat tightens. "I know that feeling too well, when Victor tried to force the bond on me."

A growl vibrates through his chest as his fingers trace soothing patterns down my spine. I tilt my head up, brushing my lips against his. "Come on. Our fathers are waiting."

We find Gregory emerging from his room just as we reach Alistair's door.

Dinner becomes a strategy session. We all agree—we need to uncover what Oberon knows about my mother's Guardian lineage and the location of the newest Guardian. And Artemis... What does it mean that I'm the first born Guardian?

At dawn, we regroup in the dining hall before returning to the library. The air crackles with tension—we're all desperate for answers about my mother.

Before we begin, I voice the question gnawing at me. "What happened to Elowen?"

Oberon's gaze drifts to the stained-glass windows, his expression crumbling. "Her Alpha treated her as a weapon, not a mate. He used her as a shield in battle—a power-hungry brute who cared nothing for her heart. She died young." A single tear glides down his cheek. "My only solace? Her death destroyed him too."

My chest constricts. "I'm so sorry."

He offers a sad smile. "Your compassion honors her memory. It's what defines all Guardians."

Adrian snorts. "Clearly you've never survived one of Gregory's training sessions. 'Compassionate' isn't the word I'd use."

Oberon observes our group with newfound interest. "In all my centuries, I've never witnessed such unity between Alphas and Guardians. Perhaps there's something extraordinary about you, Alpha Alistair, and you, Alpha Adrian, that prompted the Moon Goddess to bless your pack with three Guardians simultaneously."

His piercing gaze lands on me. "I have theories about why this is happening now. But first—your mother's lineage." He retrieves four ancient tomes from the shelves. "These chronicle Valeria's bloodline across six generations."

The question I've dreaded finally escapes. "Did my birth cause her death? Did ending her Guardian line kill her?"

Gregory whirls toward me. "Evelyn? You believe that?"

Tears choke my reply. Adrian's thumb strokes circles over my knuckles as Oberon places the heavy books before me. Their leather bindings smell of time and secrets. "Read for yourself, child. The truth lies within."