7: The Truth

"The truth is never as painful as discovering a lie"

RKG

****

I woke up, slowly blinking away the remnants of sleep from my eyes. Stretching my tired limbs, I reached out my right hand to grab my phone from the bedside table. However, instead of feeling the familiar touch of wood, my hand met empty air. In an instant, my senses heightened, and I became fully alert.

I hastily threw off the covers and surveyed the room. The bed stood in the center, surrounded by dark blue walls. To the left, there was a white table cluttered with a laptop and scattered papers. Across from the bed, a flat-screen TV adorned the wall. Two doors on the right side likely led to the bathroom and closet. I couldn't help but wonder, where was I? This definitely looked like a guy's room. I prayed fervently that I hadn't been kidnapped.

Noises from outside the room caught my attention, drawing me towards the door that seemed to lead out. Opening it cautiously, I found myself in a hallway adorned with doors to various rooms, as well as some renowned artwork. At the end of the hallway, a stream of light spilled through an open doorway, suggesting that the source of the commotion lay beyond.

As I made my way towards the light, descending a flight of stairs, the cacophony of voices grew louder, hinting at an argument taking place. Reaching the bottom, I turned left, where the voices resonated more intensely.

"Dad?" I called out, my confusion evident as I stepped into a living room bustling with noise.

Relieved, my dad stood up from his seat upon seeing me. "Honey, you're awake," he said, his expression reflecting his relief. I couldn't help but fire off questions, my mind racing to understand the situation. "What am I doing here? What are you doing here?" I demanded answers.

"I think it's better if you sit down, honey. We have something to explain," my dad responded with a sad smile. "We?" I wondered, glancing around the room and noticing that my dad wasn't the only one present.

Nova sat on a single couch near the fireplace, accompanied by a handsome young man with blonde hair and grey eyes on the other side. Behind the couch stood an older man with black hair and green eyes, his kind smile offering reassurance. Opposite Nova, a beautiful older woman sat on another single couch. And there, on a two-seat couch diagonal from the older woman, was Blake.

My heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. Memories came flooding back, overwhelming me as my gaze locked onto Blake. Taking a shaky breath, I took a few steps backward, keeping a cautious eye on him. A fleeting emotion flickered in his eyes, too swift for me to discern its nature.

"You..." Dread laced my words as I tried to confront him.

But before I could articulate my thoughts, my dad intervened, urging me to sit down. Eager for answers, I reluctantly moved towards the only available seat next to Blake, intentionally placing as much distance between us as possible. I noticed a slight frown on Blake's face, but it vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving his countenance blank once more.

My dad resumed his seat, running a hand through his hair, causing it to become slightly dishevelled. "First of all, let's start with the introductions," he began, gesturing towards the individuals in the room. "This is Lauren and David," he said, pointing to the older man and woman. "And this is Brandon, Blake's brother, and their son."

They all smiled at me, and I mustered a smile in return, even though it felt forced. "Honey, right now, I need you to listen to me and understand that everything we've done was for your safety," my dad said, his eyes locked with mine. I nodded, offering him a small, reassuring smile, eager to unravel the mysteries surrounding Blake.

"I know Blake is a werewolf, and so are all of us," my dad confessed, his voice carrying a mix of solemnity and vulnerability. The revelation hit me like a bolt of lightning, and I couldn't contain my shock.

"What? You're all werewolves?" I exclaimed, my mind struggling to process the information.

My dad's expression softened, and he delved into a history that shattered my preconceived notions.

"Werewolves didn't emerge due to a witch's curse or any myth like that. They've existed alongside humans since the dawn of time. For a while, humans and werewolves coexisted peacefully, but fear and hatred grew among humans due to our abilities and our ferocious appearance in our transformed state. Humans began hunting and tormenting werewolves, sparking a war between the different breeds."

The room fell silent as my dad's words resonated within me. It was a tale of suffering and survival, of a hidden existence driven by the relentless pursuit of acceptance and safety.

"Werewolves were pushed to the brink of extinction, so they retreated into hiding, deep within the forests. They emerged sporadically, concealing their true nature, for even after the war ended, there were still humans who despised and hunted them. We call them hunters," my dad concluded, his voice tinged with both sadness and resilience.

Seeking clarification, I inquired about my own connection to this world. "So, if you're a werewolf, does that make me a werewolf too?" I asked, curiosity and anxiety intertwining in my voice.

My dad's response, however, was more complex than a simple "yes" or "no." He grimaced, contemplating his words carefully.

"You're a hybrid, Skylar. Your mother is a vampire, and I am a werewolf. That means you carry both the wolf and vampire within you."

The revelation sent shivers down my spine, and I struggled to comprehend the enormity of what my dad was revealing. "So, I'm a hybrid?" I repeated, a mix of awe and unease colouring my tone. My dad nodded, acknowledging my inner turmoil. "Yes, you are one of the three hybrids," he affirmed, his gaze filled with a mixture of pride and sorrow.

Curiosity compelled me to inquire about the other hybrids. "Who are the other two?" I asked, captivated by the notion of shared destiny. My dad's expression darkened, his voice filled with regret as he mentioned my brother. "Your brother, Alex, is one of them," he began, pausing briefly. "The identity of the third hybrid remains unknown to us."

I couldn't suppress a tear from escaping, my heart aching for the brother I believed to be lost forever. However, my dad's next words dispelled the despair that had consumed me. "Alex isn't dead, honey. Neither is your mother," he whispered softly, his voice laced with hope and tenderness.

Emotions surged within me, and tears flowed uncontrollably as the weight of my father's revelation sank in.

They're not dead.

They're not dead.

The words echoed in my mind, offering solace amidst the tumultuous storm of my thoughts. I felt arms enveloping me, and I looked up to find Blake standing there, providing a much-needed anchor in that moment of overwhelming emotions. Yielding to my vulnerability, I leaned into his embrace, seeking comfort and reassurance.

Blake tightened his hold around me, his touch soothing as he gently traced circles on my back. "I think we can continue this conversation another time," he interjected, his eyes shifting toward my dad.

"For now, I'll take her to my room so she can rest." Weariness tugged at my weary body, and I lacked the energy to resist. Gratefully, I wrapped my arms around Blake's neck as he lifted me effortlessly, guiding me out of the room and up the staircase.

Returning to the room where I had awakened earlier, Blake gently placed me on the bed and kissed my forehead with tenderness. "Get some rest," he whispered softly, his concern palpable. Unwilling to let him go just yet, I reached out and grabbed his hand, my voice tinged with desperation.

"Can you stay with me?" I pleaded, tears continuing to cascade down my cheeks.

"Of course," he replied, his voice laced with unwavering support. Slipping into the empty space beside me, he pulled me into his embrace, offering warmth and protection. I released a sigh, finding solace in the security he provided. "Thank you," I whispered gratefully, meeting his gaze with tear-filled eyes.

Blake pressed his lips against my forehead, his touch imbued with tenderness and reassurance. "Get some sleep," he murmured, a gentle command that resonated deeply within me.

And so, with Blake's arms wrapped around me, I surrendered to the embrace of dreamland, finding solace and respite in the midst of a world forever transformed.