Taking after my father

Chapter 4: Uncovering Secrets

The aftermath of the hunt left us with a sense of accomplishment, but also a lingering unease. The Bluestone Pack's challenge had been thwarted, but their threat still loomed. Back at our base, we gathered to debrief and plan our next steps.

"Good job today, everyone," I said, addressing my pack. "But we can't let our guard down. Cain and Ryder won't give up easily."

Jay nodded. "We need to stay vigilant. They might try something else."

As we discussed our strategy, my father entered the room, his expression serious. "Nakita, I need to speak with you."

I followed him to his office, where he closed the door behind us. "There's something you need to know," he began. "It's about your mother."

My heart skipped a beat. My mother was a mystery to me, a shadowy figure I knew only through my father's sparse and guarded stories. "What about her?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Sarah Blade is your mother," he said, his eyes searching mine for a reaction.

The revelation hit me like a punch to the gut. Sarah, the woman I despised, was my mother? "Why didn't you tell me?" I demanded, anger and confusion swirling inside me.

"I wanted to protect you," my father replied. "Sarah and I had an agreement. She would raise the boys, and I would take you. It was the best way to ensure you would be ready to lead."

I struggled to process the information. "So Cain and Ryder are my brothers?"

"Half-brothers," my father corrected. "They don't know about you. Sarah kept it from them."

The room seemed to spin as I tried to make sense of it all. My enemies were my family. "What do we do now?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"We continue as planned," my father said firmly. "But you need to be careful. If Cain and Ryder find out, it could complicate things."

I nodded, though my mind was still reeling. "I'll be careful."

As I left my father's office, I felt a mix of emotions—anger, betrayal, confusion. But one thing was clear: I needed to confront Sarah. I needed answers.

The next day, I couldn't shake the revelation from my mind. My pack noticed my distraction, but they knew better than to pry. Jay, however, approached me cautiously.

"Nikki, are you okay?" he asked, concern evident in his eyes.

I sighed, running a hand through my hair. "I found out something...unexpected. Sarah Blade is my mother."

Jay's eyes widened. "What? How is that possible?"

I explained the situation, and he listened intently. "So Cain and Ryder are your half-brothers," he said, processing the information. "What are you going to do?"

"I need to talk to Sarah," I said, determination hardening my voice. "But I can't let her know I'm looking for answers. Not yet."

Jay nodded. "We'll support you, whatever you decide."

Later that evening, I made my way to the Bluestone Pack's territory. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the ground. I approached their camp cautiously, my senses on high alert.

As I neared the main building, I saw Sarah standing outside, talking to a few pack members. She looked up and saw me, her expression unreadable.

"Nakita," she said, her voice cool. "What brings you here?"

"I need to talk to you," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

She nodded, dismissing the others. "Follow me."

We walked in silence to a secluded area of the camp. Sarah turned to face me, her green eyes sharp. "What do you want to talk about?"

I took a deep breath, trying to keep my emotions in check. "I know you're my mother."

Sarah's expression didn't change, but I saw a flicker of something in her eyes—regret, perhaps. "So, Trey told you."

"Why didn't you?" I demanded, my voice rising. "Why did you keep it from me? From Cain and Ryder?"

"It was for your own good," she said, her voice steady. "Trey and I agreed it was the best way to protect you."

"Protect me from what?" I asked, frustration boiling over. "From my own family?"

"From the dangers of our world," she replied. "You were meant to lead, Nakita. You needed to be strong, independent. Telling you the truth would have complicated things."

I shook my head, anger and confusion warring within me. "You had no right to make that decision for me."

Sarah sighed, looking weary. "Perhaps not. But it was the only way we knew how."

I took a step back, needing space to think. "This isn't over, Sarah. I need time to process this."

She nodded. "I understand. Just know that everything we did was to protect you."

I turned and walked away, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts. This revelation had changed everything, and I needed to figure out what it meant for me, for my pack, and for my future.