Chapter 8

I woke up to a gentle touch on my cheek. "We're here, Kianna." I heard Alpha Primo's deep, soothing voice.

I quickly straightened up, realizing I had been leaning against him.

"I'm sorry, I've dozed off. " I bow my head while fidgeting with my fingers.

The triplets were no longer with us; they were probably already inside the mansion.

"I don't mind. " His face is close, and his raspy voice sent a pleasant shiver through my body. I closed my eyes, trying to calm down.

When I opened my eyes, Alpha Primo have moved away, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Shall we?" He asked while holding the door. I give him a simple nod.

Alpha Primo descended from the carriage first, then helped me down.

As Braden had promised, he baked cookies for me. They were surprisingly delicious. I shared them with Aunt Dahlia and Aunt Lily. Sianna is still in the infirmary, helping the doctors there.

We were enjoying ourselves when I heard a familiar voice.

"Hey, everybody!" My eyes darted to a familiar physique. The man who found me a few years ago.... Caiden.

Caislden is a Larsen like me. I found out who he is after a few months. He was actually the one who told me about our relationship as a family. His father, Calvin, is my grandfather's firstborn son. Before my grandpa met Grandma Marie, he had him. However, Grandpa Timothy is unaware of Calvin's existence.

Uncle Calvin is a hybrid since his mother, Caiden's grandmother is a werewolf.

Caiden's grandmother died after giving birth to Calvin. She never met Grandpa Timothy again. Fortunately, she found her mate, Fargus Dartmon, who brought Calvin to Gresham after his birth.

Uncle Calvin met Caiden's mother, Aileen, there. I don't know what happened to his parents since he doesn't really like to talk about it. All I know is that Caiden was twenty-two when he arrived in Artea.

"Caiden, you're back! " I ran towards him and gave him a tight hug. "You missed my birthday. "

He chuckled while messing up my hair. "We traveled quite far with the Scouts. But don't worry, I got you something. " He said, showing me his gift.

"It's not much, but I hope you'll like it. " He added.

"Of course, you know I'm fine with anything." He grinned and ruffled my hair. The triplets gave him a brotherly hug, and Alpha Primo nodded to acknowledge his presence.

"Why don't you come and join us, Caiden?" Aunt Lily said.

Caiden gladly agreed. We talked about their mission and other things. Alpha Primo excused himself quickly, saying he had something to do.

Sianna arrived not long after, upset because she hadn't received any cookies.

"What were you doing in the infirmary?" Jayden asked Sianna.

"Helping Doc Locke, of course. "she shrugged.

"Do you want to be a healer?" Braden asked, raising an eyebrow.

It wasn't a secret among us. Sianna had mentioned before that being a healer have always been her dream, but luck hadn't been on her side. She hadn't been able to finish her studies due to hardship.

"Why won't you continue your studies? You and Anna. " Caiden interjected.

Sianna shrugged and said she is contented helping Doc Locke in the infirmary.

"How about you, Anna?" Caiden turned to me.

"I never really considered it. I did study in Wyverlight, but because of what happened, I couldn't finish. It's sad, but I've accepted it. "

Not long after, Alpha Primo called for a meeting with the second and third in command. I suspect it have something to do with the Galliana and Jayden's mate. I didn't ask about the purpose of the Galliana—I didn't want them to think I'm meddling.

°°°°°°°

It is almost late at night, I'm heading to our quarters when I heard Caiden calling me in the hallway.

"Care for a stroll?" he asked.

"It's almost late, but a little walk sounds nice. " I replied, closing the distance between us.

"So, how have you been, Anna?" he inquired as we stepped outside.

"Things have been okay. Sianna and Aunt Lily took me to the town the day after my birthday." I nodded, my thoughts drifting. "And then... I returned to Wyverlight with Alpha Primo and the triplets."

Caiden stopped, his expression somber. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. " He said apologetically.

"It's alright, really. It was difficult, but necessary. I couldn't keep running from what happened forever." I give him a genuine smile.

"And I'm relieved I went back. It feels like the weight has been lifted. " I confessed.

"I'm glad to hear that. " He replied, wrapping an arm around my shoulders.

As we continued our quiet stroll, Caiden noticed my contemplative silence.

"What's on your mind?" he asked, furrowing his brow.

"Well... I'm curious about the Galliana. Are you searching for something?" I asked cautiously.

"Yes, but the Galliana isn't meant for us. " He revealed.

I was taken aback by his revelation, even more so because he actually answered my question. I hadn't expected him to share something so personal.

He chuckled at my reaction, and we sat down on the steps. He let out a deep sigh as he gaze at the stars.

"You've heard about Jayden and his forbidden love, right?" he asked and I nodded.

"Well... I'm actually the reason they're forbidden. " He confessed and showed me a guilty smile.

I'm at a loss for words, my mind is spinning. A soft sigh escaped him and he continued.

"I've shared our family history with you, but not everything. What I'm about to tell you might be overwhelming, but I want you to understand." Despite my confusion, I nodded.

"But if it's too much, you don't have to hear it." I reached out and touched his hand, reassuring him.

"We're family, Anna. So, I want you to know me better. And I'd rather want you to hear it from me than hearing the truth from others." He tapped my head playfully and began his tale.

"My grandmother was originally from Gresham. She journeyed to Artea in search of adventure and discovery. She loves adventurer according to my grandfather, Wayne. She met Grandpa Timothy there. They had their moments, but since she is a werewolf, she couldn't be with him. They parted ways. Then Grandpa Timothy met your Grandma Marie. They fell in love, unaware that my grandmother was already carrying a child. She kept it from your grandfather, not wanting to disrupt things."

"As she was about to start a new life, she met her mate, Grandpa Wayne. When my grandmother died, Grandpa Wayne took my father to Gresham. He was raised there until he met my mother, Aileen." He smiled after he mentioned her mother's name. "She was a werewolf, a beautiful one." His warm smile is now replaced with a sad one.

"Ten years after my parents had me, my grandfather died. " he added.

"Anyway... I was fifteen when we joined the Moonlit Shadow Pack. My parents became Hunters of the pack, while I was still training. I haven't yet mastered to control over my wolf that time. But seven years later, they died. They perished during a hunt. I was outraged and stormed into the pack house. I wasn't thinking straight; I blamed the Alpha. My parents shouldn't have been part of the hunt. It was meant for the younger wolves, but the Alpha insisted they both go. He claimed they were both skilled hunters."

Now I can see regret and anguish in his eyes. He sighed and continued speaking.

"I know he's the Alpha, and he acts according to what he believes is right. But my rage consumed me. I couldn't accept it. I lost control of my wolf and nearly harmed one of his daughters. That's when I stopped myself. "

"I felt guilty, so I fled. The Alpha was furious and disappointed, sending some of the Hunters after me. I became a fugitive, an outcast—a lone wolf. I ran until I reached the border that separates Gresham and Artea.

"I knew trespassing was illegal, but I had no other choice. I was weak and exhausted, I wandered through the woods. I didn't understand how I was still alive. Then, I stumbled upon a river, where I saw the triplets. They were alarmed when they spotted me. With one look, they knew I wasn't from their land. I was prepared for a fight, but instead of cruelty, they offered me food." He paused, a warm smile on his face.

So that's how he first encountered the triplets. No wonder they're so close.

"They brought me to their pack house, and I met the Alpha. I told him everything, and he didn't judge me. He welcomed me into his wolf pack. I trained and eventually became a Delta. The Alpha of Gresham soon discovered my whereabouts. They didn't stop hunting for me. But Primo refused to give me up. He said I was already a member of the Serafine Pack. The Alpha of Gresham was enraged; he felt betrayed. However, he couldn't touch me legally unless Primo willingly surrendered me."

That explains the tension between the two wolf packs. Now it's starting to make sense.

"How about the Galliana? What does the Galliana have to do with all of this?" I asked, feeling confused.

"The Alpha of Gresham have three daughters, Anna. jayden's mate was the youngest—the same woman I nearly harmed five years ago due to my impulsive actions."

I was utterly dumbfounded by Caiden's revelations.

An Alpha's daughter is Jayden's mate?! This situation is indeed incredibly complicated.

"I know... it's difficult for me to process as well. " Caiden said while rubbing his forehead.

"If she's from Gresham, how did she end up in Artea? Braden mentioned that Jayden saw his mate by the river they often visited." I furrowed my brow. "Yes, the same river where I first saw them. I also wonder what Hyacinth was doing there." Now I could see the confusion etched on his face.

"Her name is Hyacinth?" I asked him.

"Yes, and she has two older sisters—the twins Hailey and Railey."

"So, one of them needs the Galliana?" I inquired.

Caiden stood up, hands in his pockets. I noticed a mix of sadness and longing in his eyes, though I couldn't pinpoint the exact cause. He averted his gaze, focusing on the stars. "The day I joined the Moonlit Shadow Pack was the same day I found her. I was wandering through the woods... until I felt something. My blood surged, and my heart raced erratically. And for the first time, I heard my wolf speak to me..."

"What did he say?"

He glanced back at me, offering a restrained smile. "He said... mate. He uttered the word 'mate,' Anna."

My eyes widened. He'd found his mate, but where was she now? Then I remembered the Galliana.

"Caiden, is she—"

He smiled bitterly. "Yes, she's... gone. When I arrived, it was too late. Only Hyacinth and Hailey were there. They were crying for help... and I did everything I could to save them from those rogues. Then I searched for her—my mate—but I couldn't feel her presence anymore. Hailey told me they had taken her twin. That's when I realized where we were. We were in Mystical Meyer. They used the Meyer to escape... and they took her."

Caiden clenched his fists.

"I felt defeated. Soon after, the Alpha arrived. They took me with them, offering me a place in their pack alongside my parents. The Alpha tried everything to find Railey, but they always failed. They'd used all their Gallianas. So I trained relentlessly, waiting for the right moment to search for her."

Now something clicked. "Is that why you're always with the scouts?"

"Yes... I'm gathering information about the incident twelve years ago. And I believe I know where to find her."

"Where?"

"The Mortal Realm, Anna... my missing mate is in the Mortal Realm."