"Yep, so all I know, nobody found me acting weird or anything. I am guessing Orson was kind of like me." Y/B says, with closed eyes as if trying to remember something.
"Have you tried asking anyone?" you ask. "Not really."
You sigh, "I'll just go talk to Ne- my father.."
Y/B nods lightly and you start walking to your father's place with Mavis. "What did my father want to talk to me about?" you ask. "I wasn't informed about that."
You walk in and find a man standing beside his table. His face, full of wrinkles and fatigue didn't match with the sparkling crown and ears decorating his head.
"Nevil, I have been waiting for you. It's been so long since we had a proper conversation. How have you been? Are you being taken care off? Your white ears and tail look beautiful on you." the man, Nevil's father says after noticing you.
"I have been well, father. And yes, Mavis has been taking good care of me." you say.
"I think this guy's name was Odell. Yeahh, Nevil wrote in her diary when she was talking about an internal conflict he had." you think.
"So, I wanted to talk to you about... your marriage." He says, though hesitantly. "My marriage?!"
"You have reached the age where the alphas are traditionally supposed to marry and take over the city. I believe Ivail is also ready. His parents are already pushing him and pressurizing me."
"Your mother would have been so happy had she not-" a familiar voice says but Odell interrupts him, "Wren, I prefer you not to talk about that."
Suddenly, gloomy air surrounds the room. The silence is enough to send a chill down the spine. You try to locate the source of that voice and when you do, your eyes widen. "It's you?" you say.
It is the man you saw at the hunt. The one who shot the deer brutally...
"Oh? You remember me from that time?" he says, with an annoying grin.
"You two have met before?" Odell asks.
"Yes, we met during the hunt." the man named 'Wren' answers.
"Great, so Nevil, this is your uncle, Wren.. He is a distant relative, which is why you didn't properly meet him till now. Wren, this is my daughter, Nevil. Avoid talking about Kaia."
"Kaia? Maybe she is.." you think.
Your father notices you going into deep thought and says in a much more serious tone, "Nevil, I know you won't rest till you find about this Kaia I am talking about. She.. She was your mother. You have been trying to find out about her since a very long time, haven't you?"
.....
"My lord. Your presence is needed in the hall. The officials are waiting for you." a man interrupts.
"Nevil, we'll discuss about your marriage next time." He walks out of the room after giving Wren a warning with just his eyes.
An awkward silence surrounds the room.
"So, Nevil. I'll tell you about your mother. That old man really likes to keep secrets. I know I am the distant uncle but I know your father better than anyone." He says with a smile.
"You aren't supposed to tell me about my mother though.." you say narrowing your eyes.
"Yes, but anyone would want to know about their mother. And you deserve to know about your mother." he says.
You notice a glint of sympathy in his eyes.
"I think he just might be a good guy. But that day.. He was a completely different person. His eyes weren't so gentle then. And I'm surprised I didn't notice his ears and tail at that time." you think.
"You look exactly like Kaia.. I'm sure you know about the fight your father and Basil had."
"Basil?" you ask.
"If you are thinking about the herb, don't. He is the former male alpha of the West City."
"Oh.. Yes, I do know a little about that fight." you say, embarrassed after being seen right through.
"This might be my chance of finding about the cause." you think.
"Just like how all the alphas were invited on your birthday, long back, when the former alphas were still ruling, your parents were invited to celebrate, Basil's son's birthday." he pauses.
"Basil's son? C/N!" you think.
"That is where it all started. Your mother, well, this hurts me to say, she cheated. She went off to Basil. Why? Because he offered her something she wanted from the very beginning. Acceptance. Acceptance was what she wanted, what she desired."
"Acceptance? Why?" you ask.
"Your mother was different, Nevil. You may or may not know, but the all the alphas of the North City have always had light green ears and tail. Kaia, had white fur.. Just like you." he says, with sad eyes.
"Nobody accepted her in the North City. People called her a curse for being born in the North City, an abomination. They questioned the priest for choosing her." he continues.
"Then why.. Why did no one say anything to me?" you ask, while thinking about the 'priest' he was talking about.
"Because after Odell got to know that you also have white fur, he ordered that if anyone dared to question your white fur, he will kill them. I believe he really doesn't want to lose you." he answers.
You look down.
"He was in love with Kaia. But at the same time, he was afraid that the people might not accept him as well. So, he remained distant."
"Father is pretty stupid." you say.
He laughs and continues, "I think the female alpha of the West City passed away because of prolonged sickness. But some painful years later, Basil fell in love once again. After the celebration, all the alphas lived in the West City for some time. Gradually, even the people of the West City, started loving Kaia. Her insecurity didn't matter anymore. That is when she started being seen close to Basil. Your father did suspect her but didn't say anything. But.."
"But, of course the truth was bound to come out.." you say in a low voice.
He nods his head and continues, "Your father raged and kicked your mother out when he found out about her. Yes, she loved him.. And after realizing what she has done, she started hating herself. It affected her mentality deeply. And... Later on, she killed herself... Losing their love hurt both of them so much, their friendship just remained a long forgotten story."
"And that is how they fought so badly? So badly that an entire city was destroyed?" you ask.
--------------End--------------