Hidden Secrets (editing and improving the story)

Chapter 29 - Hunting day

Elektra's pov:

It's been two weeks since the Council handed down their verdict: thirty years in prison for my father—no leniency, no room for appeal. The weight of it crushed me. Even now, I can't believe how blind the Court has been. Richard shifted the blame onto my father, and somehow, everyone believed him without question.

My father swore to me that he was innocent—and I believe him. Why would he lie to me, of all people? He's always been honest, always stood by what was right. His only mistake that night was trusting his best friend. A friend who betrayed him in the worst way possible, pinning every crime on him to save himself.

I always had doubts about Richard. Ever since we visited his pack, I sensed something was off. His lavish estate, the opulence—it never matched the profile of someone with just a handful of modest businesses. Why didn't Father see it? Richard's wealth was disproportionate, suspicious. But suspicion wasn't enough to sway the Court. Richard struck a deal, walked away with a slap on the wrist. My father, on the other hand, took the fall for everything.

By the time my father finishes his sentence, he'll be eighty. He's a strong man, resilient, but I refuse to let him rot in a cell for a crime he didn't commit. Helping him has become my mission, though it's far from easy. After the trial, he was moved to the kingdom's high-security state prison, where visitation is rare and strictly monitored.

Months have passed in relentless effort. Alongside our lawyer, I've fought tirelessly to have his sentence overturned. We've uncovered new exculpatory evidence, enough to appeal the Court's decision. Now, we wait for the final verdict. I will not rest until my father is free—no matter the cost.

At the same time, I've officially assumed leadership of the Black Shadow Pack. As its Alpha, my goals are clear: restore our reputation, reclaim the respect we lost, and lead our people into a new era of strength and honor.

Change has already begun. I've restructured the pack's hierarchy, reevaluated outdated customs, and implemented fairer policies—beginning with the role of the omegas. No longer marginalized, they are now an integral part of the pack's future.

Mandatory training is another shift: all members, regardless of gender, are now required to undergo one year of warrior training. Everyone must know how to protect themselves and those they love. The days of complacency are over.

Six Months Later

Alexander's pov:

Six months have passed, yet there's still no sign of Elektra. I caught glimpses of her at a few meetings, but she didn't acknowledge me. I heard about her fight to free her father from prison—and I couldn't understand it at all.How does she care for a father who turned out to be a criminal? How can she be so supportive of a father who raped a teenager? How can she still justify him after such a heinous act that it is probably not the only one?

My wolf keeps trying to justify her, whispering that Bartholomew is her father, and that Elektra is simply doing what any loyal daughter would do. It says I'm judging her too harshly—that my anger at her rejection is clouding my judgment. But I know that's not the real reason I can't understand her.

What truly haunts me is that, all this time, she's been fighting to free her father as if he were innocent—which he is not. By forgiving him, she shows no respect for his victims. How could she do that? I wanted so badly to believe she'd come to see the truth, to realize she was wrong. But I can't fool myself anymore.

Maybe it really is true: the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Her attitude, her actions—they reveal one thing only: she supports him. And what kind of person supports a criminal, if not someone who shares something dark inside?

According to her psychologist, Cassandra has made significant progress in her recovery. She's returned to work, started making new friends, and has become much more socially active in recent months. When she turned eighteen two months ago, she told me she wanted to begin training with the warriors. In our pack, military training is only open to those aged eighteen and older.

Since being accepted into the warrior group, she hasn't missed a single day of training. Her dedication is remarkable, and her improvement over time has been nothing short of impressive. Steve even says she's a natural talent.

Cassandra and I have grown very close—we often spend time together whenever I'm free. Despite the age gap of more than a decade, she's incredibly mature for her age. We've discovered we share a lot in common: a strong moral compass, similar values, and a deep sense of resilience. She's a strong young woman with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. Being around her is always a pleasure.

It was Sunday, and like every Sunday, Steve, other pack members—including Cassandra and Alina—and I had arranged to go hunting. I love the hunt; it's when I can let Ares run free and relax a bit.

We were deep in the forest, split into two groups: Cassandra and I, and Steve with Alina. We crouched behind some thick bushes, waiting patiently for our prey. Soon, it appeared—a magnificent deer. Strong and tall, with impressive horns crowning its head. It was grazing in a clearing just below where we hid.

Even in our wolf forms, we retained control over our bodies and minds. Cassandra and I quickly planned our attack. I would approach from behind while she confronted it from the front. The plan worked flawlessly—the deer fell right into our trap. As Cassandra's wolf lunged, the deer fought back fiercely, using its massive horns to fend her off. But I struck from behind, clamping down on its throat. And just like that, it was over.

Triumphant, we carried our catch back to the meeting point. Steve and Alina were more impressed by Cassandra's skills than mine—they hadn't expected such rapid progress. Just three months ago, Cassandra was a sweet, quiet girl; now she had transformed into a strong, capable woman. Her growth amazed me in the best way possible. She's a diligent person with great potential—she can reach incredible heights if she chooses. What makes me happiest is knowing she's overcome the trauma of her assault and refused to let it define her. I admire her deeply and feel proud to call her my friend.

Once we reached the clearing where Steve and Alina waited, we decided to build a large fire to cook the meat. Steve and I gathered wood and lit the flames, while Cassandra and Alina prepared the deer.

By the time the sun had set hours ago, the meat was ready, and we sat down to feast. We had brought wine and fruit, keeping them cool in the small pond nearby. Dinner was delicious—we devoured every bite with relish. We shared the story of how we caught the deer in just two moves, making Steve and Alina cheer with delight. The evening passed joyfully—we drank plenty of wine, danced, and played games before deciding to call it a night. We slept in tents set up earlier: Steve and I shared one, Cassandra and Alina the other.

In the middle of the night, a strange sound woke me. I slipped out of the tent and scanned the area, but found nothing. Just as I was about to head back, a pleasant scent caught my attention. Turning around, I saw a very familiar face smiling at me. What was she doing here so late?