Cal's eyes scanned the page, his brow furrowing deeper with each word. The room fell into an eerie silence as everyone watched the scene unfold. Jax loosened his grip on Natalie slightly, sensing that the damage was already done.
Cal's voice was low but icy. "What is this, Natalie?" He held the book up, displaying the hateful, scrawled words across the pages. "Witches, werewolves, fairies... your father wrote all this?"
Natalie's heart raced as she looked around the room. Iris was staring at her with wide eyes, Jax still standing close enough to grab her if she made any sudden moves. Her mouth felt dry, and her thoughts scrambled for the right words.
"It's not what it looks like," Natalie began, her voice shaky. "My father... he was—he was paranoid. He hated anything that wasn't human. But I don't think like him. I never have. I kept the book because—because it's all I have left of him, not because I agree with what's inside. I swear."
Cal let out a deep breath, his face still unreadable. He tossed the book onto a nearby table, the heavy thud echoing through the room. "This isn't just paranoia, Natalie. It's hate. Deep, vile hate. You've been carrying this with you this whole time?"
Natalie's shoulders slumped, and she nodded slowly. "I didn't know what to do with it. I didn't want to destroy it because—because it was all I had left of him. But I don't believe in any of it. Please, you have to believe me."
Jax folded his arms over his chest, looking between Natalie and Cal. "Then why hide it? If you didn't believe it, why not get rid of it the second you could? Why sneak around?"
Natalie swallowed hard. "I was scared, okay? Scared that you'd all think I was like him. That you'd think I was a threat."
Iris finally stepped forward, her voice soft but steady. "We've all kept secrets, Natalie. But this..." She glanced at the book, her expression torn. "This is dangerous. For everyone."
"I know," Natalie whispered. "But I'm not him. I'm not."
Cal ran a hand through his hair, frustration clear on his face. "You've put us all in danger by keeping this to yourself. We're already on edge with everything happening between the witches and wolves. And now this?"
Tension crackled in the air like an impending storm. Natalie's gaze darted from one face to the next, desperate for some sign of understanding, of forgiveness. But the room was filled with doubt, suspicion—and a lingering sense of betrayal.
Finally, Jax spoke up again, his voice gruff. "I think it's time we talk about what's really going on, Natalie. What else are you hiding?"
Natalie's breath caught in her throat. She knew the truth would change everything—her connection to Iris, her father's dark past, the secrets she hadn't dared to share until now.
And with everyone watching, waiting for her to speak, she realized there was no turning back.
