Chapter 7 - THE DEAD ALPHA
Damian left the council chamber without permission from anyone.
I followed him.
“Elara, don't.”
“I'm done staying behind.”
He didn't argue.
We climbed to his father's old study.
Damian had kept it locked for years.
He removed a key from beneath his shirt.
“You told me you never came in here.”
“I don't.”
“Why?”
He unlocked the door.
“Because I hated him.”
Dust covered everything.
Books.
Maps.
A wooden desk.
A portrait of former Alpha Marcus Cross hung above the fireplace.
I had seen that face before.
Not in the estate.
Somewhere else.
Damian began opening drawers.
“What are we looking for?”
“Anything.”
I examined the shelves.
Then I saw a photograph.
My heart stopped.
Marcus Cross stood beside a younger Aurelia.
And between them was my father.
I picked it up.
“Damian.”
He came closer.
His face tightened.
“They knew each other.”
On the back were three words.
FROST HOLLOW COUNCIL.
Damian opened a hidden compartment behind the desk.
Inside were letters.
Dozens.
He unfolded the first.
His expression changed.
“What?”
He handed it to me.
Aurelia,
They know about Elara.
Do not bring her north.
Marcus.
My knees weakened.
“Your father warned my mother.”
Damian grabbed another letter.
Then another.
The story changed with every page.
Marcus Cross had been part of the conspiracy.
Then he discovered children were targeted.
He withdrew.
He helped Aurelia escape.
He hid records.
He created false death certificates.
Then one letter ended abruptly.
If Gideon discovers I helped you, Damian will—
The rest had been burned.
Damian stared at it.
“My father disappeared when I was twelve.”
“You were told he died.”
“I saw a body.”
“Was it him?”
He didn't answer.
Footsteps sounded behind us.
We turned.
Serena stood in the doorway.
No chains.
No guards.
Damian immediately moved in front of me.
“How did you get out?”
She smiled.
“You still think your estate belongs to you.”
Then a blade appeared in her hand.
She lunged.
Damian caught her wrist.
They slammed into the desk.
I grabbed the nearest object.
A brass candlestick.
Serena kicked Damian away.
Then she came toward me.
“You should have stayed scentless.”
She swung.
I blocked with the candlestick.
Metal struck metal.
Damian grabbed Serena from behind.
She drove her elbow backward.
He stumbled.
Serena raised the knife again.
Then something inside me snapped.
Not anger.
Something deeper.
A pressure filled the room.
Serena froze.
Her arm began shaking.
“Drop it.”
My voice didn't sound louder.
But her fingers opened.
The knife hit the floor.
Damian stared at me.
Serena stared too.
“What did you do?”
“I don't know.”
She fell to one knee.
Then the other.
Her face twisted with rage.
“Stop.”
“I don't know how.”
Damian approached slowly.
“Elara.”
“Don't touch me.”
He stopped immediately.
The pressure vanished.
Serena collapsed forward.
I stared at my hands.
Damian looked almost stunned.
“Your seal is breaking faster.”
A voice came from the hallway.
Aurelia.
She entered.
Her expression was grim.
“Too fast.”
I looked at her.
“What happens when it breaks completely?”
Before she could answer, an explosion rocked the western side of the estate.
Damian ran to the window.
Smoke rose beyond the trees.
Then the estate speakers crackled.
A man's voice filled every room.
“Hello, son.”
Damian went completely still.
The voice continued.
May you like
“It's been a long time.”
And for the first time since I had known him, Damian Cross looked like a frightened twelve-year-old boy.
