The afternoon sun cast a warm glow over the outskirts of Blackwood as Isabella stepped out of the cabin, the gravity of the conversation with Gabriel still lingering in the air. The secret meeting had been filled with discussions about orchestrating Ethan's departure from Blackwood, but there was a weightier secret that gnawed at Isabella's conscience.
As she strolled away from the cabin, her mind echoed with the plans, but her heart harbored the burden of a truth she was hesitant to unveil. She dreaded the fact that she will eventually reveal to Ethan that Viktor was not his biological father, but rather Gabriel, a man Ethan barely knew, just thinking about it weighs her down.
The rustling leaves and the distant sounds of the forest provided a poignant backdrop to the internal turmoil Isabella grappled with. She paused, looking out into the expanse of Blackwood, contemplating how to breach this delicate subject with her son. The truth was a formidable adversary, and Isabella was acutely aware of the potential upheaval it could cause.
As Isabella wrestled with her emotions, Gerard, a shadow in the distance, observed the scene unfold. His keen eyes had caught the passionate kiss Isabella shared with Gabriel before she left the cabin. A sly smile crept onto Gerard's face as he mused to himself, "I knew something was going on with these two."
The revelation fueled a newfound sense of purpose in Gerard, who now saw an opportunity to show his loyalty to his best friend, who he sees as a brother he never had.
His thoughts raced as he pondered how to deliver this bombshell to Viktor. Doubt and hesitation flickered in his eyes as he grappled with the moral implications of his discovery. Would Viktor even believe him? He knows how stubborn his friend can be. Would he shatter the semblance of a family built on loyalty and trust?
As Isabella continued her solitary walk, Gerard mulled over the potential consequences of his revelation. He questioned the ethics of becoming the bearer of such explosive news, yet he knew he had to tell Viktor, this woman has betrayed his best friend and he can't let her get away with it. His internal debate reached a crescendo, and he muttered to himself, "The truth will hurt Viktor, but it will set him free from this despicable woman."
Gerard's internal struggle mirrored the conflicting emotions swirling within Isabella.
—--
The midday sun hung high in the sky as Ethan stood before Taran, his eyes searching for answers that remained shrouded in the mystery of the supernatural. He repeated his questions, "tell me what do you mean by I haven't transformed yet?" His tone is a mixture of curiosity and urgency. Taran, realizing the gravity of his inadvertent revelation, felt the weight of the unspoken truth pressing against his conscience, but he knows he is the wrong person to tell Ethan the truth because it's much more than him being a werewolf.
"I must be hallucinating, confusing my imagination with reality," Taran deflected, his eyes evading Ethan's penetrating gaze. "You can't blame me; I haven't eaten since yesterday." The lie lingered, a feeble attempt to divert Ethan's attention from knowing the source of his extraordinary abilities, a secret tethered to the truth of his biological father.
Ethan, remorseful for his unintentional probing and now distracted by Taran's apparent plight, softened. "I am sorry I haven't given you something to eat since morning," he apologized sincerely. "I will get on with it now." But at the back of Ethan's mind he couldn't stop fixating on what Taran said, something about it has taken a percentage of his focus.
"Whew! That was close," Taran heaved a silent sigh of relief as Ethan retreated into the house. The facade held, at least for now. However, his momentary respite was abruptly interrupted by the appearance of Celeste, who had been an unseen witness to the entire exchange, unbeknownst to Taran. Her piercing blue eyes, sharp and perceptive, reflected a curiosity beyond her years.
"I heard what you said," Celeste declared, her tone a mix of innocence and smart insight. "You might be able to confuse and distract him, but not me. So tell me the truth, is Ethan a werewolf?"
The question hung in the air, casting a weighty silence over Taran. He felt emotionally exhausted, the burden of keeping secrets threatening to crush him. With a heavy heart, he responded to Celeste's probing inquiry. "He's just a kind, weird boy."
Celeste, undeterred by the vague response, scrutinized Taran with a gaze that hinted at a wisdom that is fueled by curiosity and determination. "There's something more, your handsome face is making it hard for me to read you, but I know there is something you're not saying."
Taran, caught in the crossfire of a young woman's curiosity and the consequences of his own slip, hesitated. He glanced toward the house, Ethan still occupied with gathering food. Finally, he spoke in a hushed tone, ignoring Celeste's compliment, and hoping to preserve her innocence. "Sometimes, things are not what they seem. It's not my place to tell you, Celeste."
Her eyes widened, absorbing the weight of Taran's words. The revelation danced on the periphery of her understanding, leaving her with a sense of curiosity and a lingering unease. Taran, burdened by the knowledge he couldn't share, watched as Celeste processed the cryptic information.
As Ethan emerged from the house, carrying a plate laden with food, Celeste's gaze shifted from Taran to her brother. Taran, grateful for the diversion, accepted the meal with a nod of thanks.
Ethan, unaware of the complex dynamics at play, smiled at Taran. "I hope you enjoy it. If there's anything else you need, just let me know."
Taran, burdened by hidden truths, nodded appreciatively as Celeste exchanged pleasantries with Ethan and left to go and check on her father, leaving Ethan and Taran alone. Ethan, sensing Taran's glum expression, refrained from probing further. Instead, he unveiled his daring plan to liberate Taran from his father's wrath. Mid-bite, Taran hesitated before confessing, "It's too risky, not just for you, but my friends too. They might end up in a far worse situation than I." The weight of impending danger hung between them, a silent acknowledgment of the perils that lay ahead.