The Silverwood Legacy

Chapter Sixteen: The Confrontation

After the intense revelations at the café, Rowan's mind was in turmoil. She needed answers, and she needed them now. As she walked home, her thoughts raced with the implications of what she had learned. Her father's secrecy, the royal lineage, and the missing King—all of it seemed to be converging in a way she could no longer ignore.

When she reached the cottage, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the small, picturesque home. Her father was at the kitchen table, going through some papers. He looked up as she entered, his expression shifting from casual to concerned.

Rowan's heart pounded as she confronted him. "Dad, we need to talk. Now."

Her father's eyes narrowed, a flicker of unease crossing his face. "What's wrong, Rowan?"

Without wasting a moment, Rowan's frustration boiled over. "You're the King, aren't you? You're the Alpha of Alphas! That's why everyone's been so interested in me. That's why you've been hiding things. It all makes sense now!"

Her voice was a mix of disbelief and accusation, and it felt like she was screeching the words out. The tension in the room thickened as her father's face went ashen. He dropped the papers he was holding, his hands trembling slightly.

"I... I didn't want to tell you," he stammered, his voice strained. "I was trying to protect you."

Rowan's eyes were blazing with a mix of anger and hurt. "Protect me? From what? From the truth? From our family's legacy?"

Her father sank into a chair, his face a mask of defeat. He took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "Rowan, I changed everything about my life to keep you safe. The Silverwood name, the royal lineage—it's dangerous. I left it all behind to give you a normal life, away from the politics and power struggles."

Rowan stood before him, her emotions a tumultuous mix of confusion and anger. "Why didn't you tell me? I need to know what's going on, not just for me, but for everything that's happening. The visions, the training—it's all connected, isn't it?"

Her father looked up at her, his eyes filled with a deep sorrow. "The King disappeared a long time ago. The shifter world has been in chaos since then. I was once the heir, the next in line, but I left it all behind when I married your mother. I didn't want you to be caught up in that world. I hoped you'd never have to know."

Rowan's voice cracked with emotion. "But you knew it would come to this. You knew I'd find out. I need to understand what's happening. Why is everyone so interested in me? What does it mean for me and for our family?"

Her father's gaze was heavy with regret. "You're right. The Silverwoods are a powerful family. As the Alpha of Alphas' daughter, you have a significant role to play. Your presence alone can shift the balance of power among the clans. If you shift on your 17th birthday, it will be a signal to the world. The power and influence that comes with being the Alpha of Alphas' heir is immense and dangerous."

Rowan's mind raced as she absorbed his words. "And what about the King? Why did he disappear?"

Her father's expression grew somber. "The King was a powerful and feared figure, and his disappearance created a power vacuum. There are those who would do anything to claim his position. I left that life behind to protect you, but the danger hasn't gone away. It's only growing."

Rowan took a step back, her mind reeling from the weight of the revelations. "So, what now? What happens if I shift? What if I'm not ready?"

Her father stood up, his face etched with determination. "We'll face it together, Rowan. I'll tell you everything I can before your 17th birthday. But for now, we need to prepare. You have a role to play, and we must be ready for whatever comes."

Rowan nodded, her resolve hardening. "I need to understand everything. I need to be ready for this, for whatever it means."

Her father nodded, his expression a mixture of sadness and determination. "I'll help you as much as I can. We'll uncover the truth together, and I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe."

As Rowan turned away, she felt a strange mix of relief and apprehension. The path ahead was fraught with challenges, but with the truth finally revealed, she was ready to face whatever came next. The journey to understand her family's legacy and her own place in the shifter world had only just begun.