It's nearly midnight when we arrive in the Alpha's study. My dad, along with Alpha James, Luna Lizzie, Beta Caleb, Aunt Ally and Uncle Troy are all waiting for us.
I've always prided myself on my courage, I've spent my entire life training to become a general for our pack. It comes with the job.
I've never run from a fight, I always face things head on. But in this moment, I want to run for the hills.
Everyone has a solemn look on their face and in their eyes. I can smell the fear and anxiousness rolling off them.
"What's going on?", my whisper is barely audible.
My dad is the first to speak, "Please, have a seat guys."
My eyes snap to Erik's, he looks as scared as I feel. He places his hand on my lower back and gives me the smallest nudge.
"Come on baby.", he walks with me and we sit in front of the Alpha's desk.
My mom pulls a chair over and sits in front of us.
She let's out a deep sigh, one that seems to give her resolve to tell me what she has been hiding from me. She takes my hand between both of hers, I feel a small tremble from her.
'She's scared...what is this...'
"Enya honey...", her voice shakes as tears form in her eyes.
Squaring her shoulders and looking straight in my eyes, she says, "I wasn't born a human."
A second ago I would've said my heart was going 100 miles an hour. Now I swear it's stopped beating. I scan her eyes, this has to be some kind of sick joke right?
I don't find a trace of deception in the orbs that I mirror. I've never really looked this deep into them before. I have never had a reason to doubt her. She's my mother...why would she lie to me?
Tears threaten to spill from me, "What?", I hear the brokenness in my voice.
"How...how could you...", the tears have fallen and I stumble over my words. My heart feels as if it's being torn from my chest. I begin to hyperventilate.
Erik pulls me into his lap, his touch brings me a small comfort, yet it's not enough. I can barely breathe.
"Why would you lie about that?", I nearly choke on the words.
Erik rubs small circles on my back to help calm me. My sobs still break through. Mom covers her mouth as tears stream down her cheeks.
Dad puts his hand on mom's shoulder and gives her a small squeeze.
"It's time, my love. You have to tell her. She needs to know.", even he sounds heartbroken.
Mom nods her head and takes another deep steadying breath.
She wipes the tears from her face, "Goddess give me strength."
My dad never takes his hand from her shoulder.
"I come from a long and distinguished line of witches and warlocks. My family are some of the most powerful witches in the world. Certainly the most powerful in the country." She no longer trembles as she speaks.
She continues, "My mother was the High Priestess of the West Coast Covens. I was slated to take over the position when I turned 18."
Her words sound so foreign to me, but I feel a ring of truth to them. Even though she has lied to me all my life, I still believe her now.
"When the time came my parents, your grandparents, decided I wasn't ready for the responsibility. I was still too headstrong and impulsive."
She pauses, I see the turmoil in her heart. A part of me breaks knowing my mom has had to carry this lie for so many years. The other part of me is still seething for the betrayal.
"I was always looking for something beyond my magic. I was restless in my life. I always wanted something different for myself. I never felt fulfilled with my magic, it felt like there was something missing."
"When I met your father, all of it suddenly became so clear. I was meant to stand by his side. The Moon Goddess destined me to him, and I had never been more sure of anything in my life.", her smile shows how deeply she loves my dad.
"Was the way you met dad a lie too?", my voice has a sharpness to it. This lie has shaped my entire life! What am I supposed to do with this?
"No! No, the way I met dad isn't a lie.", she quickly responds.
"Oh, so you only lied about where I come from? Is that it?", the malice dripping from my mouth tastes like sour milk. My body literally despises the disrespect.
So does my dad, "Watch how you speak to your mother young lady.", his firm tone makes me feel small.
"Dad, I...", more tears stain my shirt. I hang my head, and Erik pulls me closer.
"Just...just tell me why mom? Please...", my sobs break apart my words. I need to understand what was so important that they had to lie to me for 18 years.
"Baby, we only did it to protect you.", her sobs match my own.
This time it's Erik asking the hard question, "Protect her from what?"
His arms wrap around me tighter as his fear seeps through our mate bond.
"Our family was hunted several centuries ago by a vampire-warlock Hybrid. He was searching for the descendant of Beatrix. It was prophesied that she would be the one to bring his death."
The story gives me a feeling of deja vu. It feels so familiar but I can't place it.
"Half witch, half wolf. A Hybrid."
Chills begin to freeze the blood in my veins. Even Erik's presence and touch do not comfort me now.
"It is said that she would possess a snow white wolf, with markings on her face. Red markings,"
My stomach begins to plummet again. I feel like I'm gonna be sick.
"And golden eyes.", she finishes.
"I'm...I'm a Hybrid?"
The tears are free flowing now. All my life I have been lied to and now I'm being told a vampire-warlock Hybrid is after me?
Mom can barely speak, "According to the prophesy... Yes sweetheart, you are."
With mom struggling to speak, my dad takes over, "This descendant is also said to be the reincarnated soul of his mate.", my ears start to ring.
"Her name was Annabel."
'Annabel.'
A bolt of lightning hits my heart and I nearly fall out of Erik's lap. He catches me before I slip and pulls me back against him.
The most peculiar feeling comes over me when I hear the name Annabel. It's not deja vu, exactly, but my skin feels prickly. A feeling of dread begins to unfurl within me.
"What happened to her?", I can't stop myself from asking.
Mom answers this time, "That part of the story I am not sure of. But what I do know, is that her death was brought on by the Hybrid's disregard for the laws set forth by the Moon Goddess."
"His choice of turning her, lead to her demise. He has been searching for her for over 500 years, believing that once she is restored, they will come together as before. As mates."
I don't believe what I am hearing, "Wait...he thinks he will be my mate? I'm mated to Erik."
At the mention of this vamp Hybrid thinking I am his mate, Erik's fingers dig into my hips. A small growl rumbles his chest.
"That is what he believes. The prophecy clearly states that Annabel's soul must make amends to the Goddess."
"Amends? For what?", the question burns my very soul.
"For her crimes. She is said to have drained a young boy. It's why she was killed.", the words reach my ears, but I can't feel them. My whole world is spinning, I can't focus on anything.
"Stop. What does any of this have to do with you and dad lying to me all my life?"
Mom casts her eyes down before continuing, "The Hybrid spent years tracking down our ancestors. Generation after generation he didn't find Annabel. The Moon Goddess chose not to mate us with a werewolf...", her pause brings more dread to my heart.
"Until me that is."