Chapter Thirty Two

CHRIS

As the full moon cast an ethereal glow over the pack and the forest beyond, I found myself standing on the threshold of a revelation that could alter my perception of my past and reshape my future. The revelation that Cade, the man who had ordered Lucy to kill me and the so-called leader of the rogues, was none other than my long-lost uncle.

A mix of curiosity and nervousness pulsed through my veins as I made my way to my mother's quarters, determined to confront my mother and unearth the truth about this mysterious connection.

I pushed open the door and stepped into the dimly lit room. The scent of lavender, my mother's favourite fragrance, still lingered in the air, bringing a sense of familiarity that brought both comfort and unease.

"Mother, "I called out, my voice carrying a tinge of nervous anticipation. I found her sitting in her favorite armchair, engrossed in a worn book, its pages filled with the tales of their ancestral werewolf lineage. The lines etched on her face were a testament to the struggles she had experienced as a widow and a protector of her only child and also ruler of the pack.

Startled by my unexpected arrival, she looked up, her eyes widening with a mix of surprise and concern. "Chris, my dear, what brings you here at this hour? Is something the matter?" she asked. I understood her surprise because it was rare to see me in her quarters.

A solemn expression settled on my face as I sat at her bedside. "I need to talk to you about something, Mother," I said.

"I knew something was wrong, you never come here unless you have something to say. What is it this time?" she said.

"There's a man who has been after me for a while now. He is the leader of the rogues-

"What?!" my mother cuts in. "You never told me about this. Those damned rogues, I'll make sure they are dealt with," she threatened.

"That's not it, mother. Listen I want you to tell me about my uncle, Uther. Where is he now?" I asked. "Can you tell me more about him? About his past and his connection with this family?"

My mother's gaze faltered for a moment as if the weight of the past bore heavily on her. Her hands trembled slightly before she clasped them together in her lap, her voice carrying a mixture of sorrow and resolve. "Chris, I hoped this day will never come to talk about that man. I hoped to shield you from the dark legacy that has haunted this family for generations. But I guess it's time to face the truth."

She began to narrate the tale of my fractured family, a bloodline marked by betrayal and tragedy. The history of my family was intertwined with power struggles and long-lasting rivalries and a strong thirst for dominance.

As she explained, the perception of my identity began to shift. With each revelation, the pieces of the puzzle started falling into place. The early demise of my father, the banishment of my mate's family from the pack, and the sudden presence of Cade or should I say Uther all seemed connected to a complex tapestry of familiar secrets.

"I understand you now, Mother. It all makes sense to me, I must uncover the truth about my father's death. The pack needs to know the truth about what happened. Uther killed my father not someone else." I said, my voice tinged in anguish and resolution.

"Son, we still aren't sure if he truly killed your father. Someone else was found by your father's side, covered in his blood. He admitted to his crimes and was banished," she said. "Let's not bring up the past again, the future is more important."

"I know that Mother but what if that man was innocent? What if he was at the wrong place at the wrong time? What if he was framed for my father's murder?" I said hoping to seek answers.

"We don't know for sure but like he said, he admitted to his deed. What has your uncle got to do with the man that has been after you?" she asked. Suddenly her eyes beamed with shock, "Oh my! Is it the same man that was accused of killing your father? Is he back to seek revenge on all of us?"

"He is dead mother, I heard he is dead. This man is different, you have nothing to worry about. I know how to deal with people like that," I assured.

My mother nodded, her eyes filled with pride and concern. "Christopher, my brave son, be cautious out there. I know you want to seek the truth about what happened to your father. The secret you seek to unveil holds the power to shatter lives and reshape destinies but remember you have the strength to rise above this darkness and forge into a new legacy."

If I succeeded in finding the truth and clearing Lucy's father's name then she would be able to return to the pack as my mate and Luna. How I was going to go about it was uncertain to me, I didn't know how to keep the news from my mother. If she knew that the man I made mentioned was my uncle, she would be frightened and lose her cool.

"Is there something you are not telling me?" she stared at me suspiciously. "You are doing that thing you do when you are contemplating on if to tell me something. Spit it out, what is it?"

"I-I don't understand, Mother. I told you everything, I'm just thinking of what to do next," I lied.

"You don't have to do all of this, we've moved on from the past, and you should too. Your father died a long time ago, seeking the truth won't bring him back," she said.

"At least the truth will help me find peace and get what I want," I sneered.

"What are you talking about? You said it yourself, the accused man is dead, even if he was innocent. It won't change anything,"

"His daughter is my mate, mother. I can't be with her if I don't clear her father's name," I blurted out.

"What?! Your mate, her father, what are you talking about?" she said, her hands trembling in anxiety.

I growled. "You heard me, mother. That man's daughter is my mate. Yes, my mate is a rogue and that's because of what we did to her family."

I stormed out of her chambers ignoring her calls. I felt a mixture of ease and anxiety, I was at ease knowing I finally let the cat out of the bag, and also fear of what will happen next.