Chapter 0138

"Six? But you told me mine only had four." Gregory's voice held confusion.

"Correct. I also mentioned your bloodline carries exceptional strength. A power that surpasses even an Alpha's. Valeria's lineage granted the Guardian the might of an Alpha. Thus, her line has reincarnated more frequently than Gideon's."

"How many times?" My father pressed.

"From what I know, Valeria's line spans eleven generations, while yours has only seven."

Oberon turned back to me. "Now, to your question. No, I don't believe your birth erased her Guardian line. I suspect something happened to the wolf carrying it. Either that, or she's exceptionally skilled at hiding. If I had to guess, she fled her pack upon discovering her true nature and has been living among humans ever since."

"Yet despite years of searching—sending my finest trackers—I've found nothing. Once, I thought I caught her scent, but it vanished. Never resurfaced."

He hesitated, then admitted, "I confess, Valeria's line was tied to my mate. I've longed to reconnect with the Guardian who once shared her soul. Believe me, I've exhausted every resource trying to find her. To no avail."

Alistair Grey crossed his arms. "But you think her line still exists because you briefly detected her scent, and no new Guardian has appeared?"

"Yes." Oberon paused. "When she's found, I believe she'll recognize both of you—not just as Guardians, but as her former mate and... possibly as her daughter. Not in past tense, but present. The Guardian spirit endures. And since no Guardian has ever been born from another before, she may very well still see you as her child." His gaze locked onto me.

"Even if she's younger than me?" That would be beyond strange.

"Her human side may be younger. Her Guardian side is ancient. Her wolf will likely recognize Selene as her daughter, not you, Evelyn."

"Why now?" I pressed. "Why am I the first Guardian born in centuries?"

Oberon studied me before answering. "Several theories. First, male Guardians are rare. Your existence required one to mate with another. Second, your Alphas broke tradition by allowing true mates instead of forced bonds. That may have been key. Forced bonds could've prevented Guardian offspring."

He exhaled. "The last possibility... I hope I'm wrong." His eyes darkened. "The Moon Goddess may foresee a need for more than two Guardians. If so, a third means war is coming."

Adrian and Alistair exchanged glances. Neither showed any sign of prior knowledge about impending conflict.

"I'll consult our allies," Alistair said. "Though all three theories could hold truth."

Food arrived as we pored over ancient chronicles. I learned little new about Valeria's spirit—only the packs she'd lived in and battles fought. Oddly, Guardians had fought in simultaneous wars yet never crossed paths.

When my eyes grew heavy, I announced I was retiring. Adrian walked me to my room, kissing me goodnight. That night, my dreams were haunted by visions of my mother's wolf—lost, alone, desperately searching for me and Selene.