The Chosen One •

14

🐺 Kun 🐺

Jacob's grandmother's house was a modest, cozy space nestled among the tall trees of the Red Wolf Pack's territory. The scent of cedarwood and herbs filled the air, grounding and calming me as we stepped through the front door. It had been years since I'd been here, but the warmth of her home was unchanged.

Jacob's grandmother, a regal woman with streaks of silver in her long, braided hair, turned to greet us. Her face lit up at the sight of Jacob. "My baby," she said softly, embracing him tightly before turning to me. Her sharp, knowing eyes studied me for a moment before she bowed her head in respect and then pulled me into a hug.

I stiffened at first, but her embrace was so kind, so genuine, that I couldn't help but relax into it. It reminded me of a simpler time—when Jacob and I were just boys, and the world wasn't so complicated.

"Kun," she said, pulling back and placing her hands on my shoulders. "It's been too long. You've grown into quite the alpha-in-training."

"Thank you," I said, my voice steady.

We all settled into her living room, Jacob explaining the rogue attacks and the strange evidence we'd uncovered. She listened intently, her expression unreadable, before leaning back in her chair.

For a long moment, she was silent, staring into the flames of the fireplace. Finally, she spoke.

"There was talk, once," she began, her voice low, "of a group of sadistic vampires who joined forces with warlocks and witches of the same mindset. They were power-hungry and ruthless, believing their union would make them unstoppable."

Jacob and I exchanged glances, both leaning forward.

She hesitated, her eyes flicking to me before returning to the fire. "There's more," she said, her tone heavier. "About twenty-four years ago, there were rumors of another hybrid—a child born of a very strong alpha and a powerful witch, both of whom came from ancient royal bloodlines."

My heart skipped a beat, a strange weight settling in my chest.

She continued, "The alpha had a chosen mate, but he kept his true mate and their child a secret to protect them. When the chosen mate discovered the truth, jealousy consumed her. She attacked the coven of witches where the true mate and child lived, igniting a war."

Jacob's grandmother paused, her eyes darkening. "The alpha fought to protect his true mate and child, but the battle was brutal. It was said that the alpha, the witch, and the child perished. But..." Her voice trailed off.

"But?" Jacob pressed.

"There was a rumor," she said softly, "that the child survived. No one knows for certain, but it's whispered that the child was hidden away to keep them safe. If that child lives, they are the last of their kind. And those sadistic vampires and witches... they would stop at nothing to find and use them."

The room fell into stunned silence. My stomach twisted uncomfortably as her words sank in.

I thought of Isabel. The adoption, the way her scent didn't quite match anything else. No. It couldn't be. She wasn't... she couldn't be.

I forced the thought out of my mind, trying to focus. But Jacob's grandmother caught the flicker of unease in my expression.

"Kun," she said, her voice gentle but probing, "are you all right?"

I nodded quickly, avoiding her gaze. "I'm fine," I said, my voice calm and controlled.

Before she could press further, there was a knock at the door. The alpha of the Red Wolf Pack entered, his presence filling the room. He was a tall, imposing man with deep-set eyes and a warm smile that made him seem both approachable and powerful.