Alpha Queen [1] ✓

xlvii

The first time I felt something was off was when I was six years-old. Mom and I were at a doctor's appointment and the doctor asked if she had found out any new medical history since mine was marked unknown. I asked why it was unknown when all four of my grandparents had gone to the same hospital for years and I noticed that the doctor hesitated. Mom was quick to change the subject and that was the end of that.

The next time was when I was in middle school and we were learning about genetics. I was supposed to make a punnet square with our parents' blood types but when I put the three of us in one, it didn't make any sense. Both of my parents were B+, so how could I possibly be AB-? Dad said it was probably a fluke. It was never talked about again.

My parents had countless opportunities to tell me the truth. They hid two huge, life-altering secrets from me for eighteen years. I chose to forgive them in the end but the trust between us would never be the same.

And now another bomb had exploded.

I nearly collapsed in Ares's seat. Why was I always in the crossfire?

"Haven't you ever thought more of where you came from? Haven't you ever wondered why you—just an average, human girl—were given a mate at all?" Coral asked in a curious tone.

"Everyone said it was rare. . . but still possible." I shook my head and gripped the arms of his chair. I glanced at Ares to gauge his reaction but his face was neutral. "Can you start from the beginning?"

"Yes, I can do that." Coral finally sat down in the chair opposite me. Ares still chose to stand. He hadn't said one word after she revealed who she was. "I grew up in the Opal pack and served under Alpha Lennon and Luna Jade. I had just taken my vows as a healer and, as you are likely well aware of, was prohibited from taking a mate or bearing any children. One day, I was searching for herbs in the white mountains when I caught the scent of a human. Humans were ordered to be killed on sight if they were ever caught on our territory and I was prepared to silence them as the Alpha commanded. . . but then I met him. He wasn't at all how I imagined. He was kind yet bold and possessed that rare spark I could never seem to find in anyone I'd met. He was hurt so I healed him and, to make a rather long story short, we fell in love. I knew it was forbidden and it could mean certain death but neither of us cared. We were ignorant and we thought we were untouchable and although I could never have a mate, I knew it was because I was meant to be with him. Then I became pregnant."

Coral looked out the only window in the office. She paused for a bit to let us process. There was a lot of information that we were being drowned with so it was desperately needed.

"It didn't take too long for the Alpha and Luna to find out and when they did, they were furious. Everyone knew of my betrayal and I was exiled from ever going home again. My name was, and still is, permanently tainted." There was a hint of sadness in her voice but she continued. "I never envisioned myself with a child. It was immoral enough that I violated the code by taking a lover but having a child was another thing entirely. I was never supposed to have you but I am so inexplicably happy that I did. If given the chance to redo everything knowing what I do now, I would."

I didn't know what to say at first. It was a lot to take in and even though the gaps were being filled, it only left me with even more questions.

"Did you know when we first met?"

"Yes."

"Have you always known?"

"Yes."

Of course she did. And yet. . .

"Did you ever try to find me after you gave me away?"

"No. If I sought you out, it may have meant sorrow for the both of us."