NovelNext Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Two
The Truth
Lily’s POV
I couldn’t help but watch as Zack stomped into the kitchen to wrap his hand around the father’s throat–similar to how he did it to Max when we found him at the brothel.
The father struggled against Zack’s strength and I knew I needed to stop him before he killed him.
“Zack…” My voice was hardly above a whisper. “We won’t be able to find out the truth if you kill him…”
Zack groaned at my protests but loosened his grip anyway. His hands never left his throat, however.
“I’m not going to ask again–which fucking alpha is paying you and what for?!” Zack growled.
I gave Max a pleading look. “Where’s your sense of brotherhood? Are you not a lycan like Zack? Don’t either of you want to find out about the disappearance of your people?”
“Our people haven’t been disappearing…” The father still struggled with Zack’s grip. “Allow me to explain, please…”
I squeezed Zack’s arm gently and, although reluctantly, he let the father go.
“Follow me,” the father spoke as he guided us up the stairs.
The father led us into a study–which reminded me a lot of my dad’s just more worn down. He closed the door and then directed our attention back to him.
Taking a deep breath, the father unbuttoned his shirt and turned his back to us. We the same three downward claw marks with a crescent moon in the middle that we saw on Max’s back.
“The Mark of the Lycan Blood…” The father began to explain. “The world has had trouble distinguishing between lycans and werewolves for centuries. They think we’re one and the same when we’re not.”
“Lycans are faster, stronger. Our blood heals and purifies. Some are born into this world with a special ability, but those are usually saved for the pure-bloods.” The father’s tone was sad.
“You never know when you’re face-to-face with a lycan until it’s too late. But this mark… this mark was given to us so the right people do know who we are…” The father sighed.
“You’re a pure-blood, aren’t you?” The father looked up at Zack.
Zack nodded his head. “You can sense that.” He didn’t phrase it as a question.
“I don’t need to sense anything–I just know.” The father pulled back the curtain behind him to reveal a painting with a brutal scene.
In the middle was a man who looked all too much like Zack. Pale skin, red eyes, and all in black clothing. But he was on fire.
Around him were faceless people that were joining hands. It looked like they were dancing, too. They were all also under the sky of a new moon.
“The painting’s called “The Demise of the Last Pure-Blood.” It was commissioned for all of the packs to own as a reminder of what the ultimate goal is.” The father looked at Zack. “And that’s to get rid of you.”
“Who had it commissioned?” I asked, even though I felt like I wasn’t going to like the answer.
“Alpha Leo of the Night Walker Pack. The same man who sends all of us a stipend at the end of every month if we fulfill his orders.” The father answered. “If we fulfill them to his satisfaction…”
I looked up at Zack who had fists balled up. He looked too angry to speak or say anything. So, I decided to do all of the talking for him.
“What are these orders? And what do they have to do with Zack?”
“As I said before, Zack is a pure-blood lycan. To be more specific, he’s the last pure-blood lycan on this planet.”
My eyes widened. “But the Mark–”
“The Mark was given to us by Alpha Leo. It’s to show that we’re half-bloods… Nothing more than a sign of his own determination to breed our people into trying to make stronger lycans.” The father spoke.
“What happens to these stronger lycans?”
The father shook his head. “There’s a place called “The Garden” where most newborns get sent to. Once they’re there, they never leave.”
“Wait, why?” My heart hurt for the babies who were essentially being ripped away from their mothers as soon as they were born.
The father frowned and shrugged his shoulders. “I wish I could tell you.”
There was a silence between us. It was a lot of information to process. I wonder what Zack thought about it all.
“You said that your daughter gave birth to a baby girl.” Zack finally spoke up, not phrasing his sentence as a question. “That means she’s getting sent to this Garden. When?”
When I looked up at Zack, he was surprisingly calm. But touching his hand told a whole different story.
The father looked at his calendar. “Two days. A doctor will be here tomorrow to run some tests on the little girl to make sure she’s fit to be sent to The Garden. If she is, then I’ll be taking her there.”
“I’m going with you.” Zack’s voice was strong.
The father nodded his head and let out a sigh. “Okay. I won’t argue with you. Well, you two are welcome to stay here for the time being then. I know the place isn’t as luxurious but Alpha Leo doesn’t exactly favor our pack, so…”
The father nodded to Max. “Son, show them their room, please. I need to get the documents prepared for the baby girl.”
Max motioned for us to follow him. He had remained quiet throughout the whole ordeal until we came to our room. It was big and surprisingly in better condition than the other parts of the house.
“I hope you find what you’re looking for at The Garden,” Max spoke to Zack. “And maybe… maybe you’ll put an end to whatever it is they’re doing.”
Without another word, Max left us alone so we could relax and process everything we were told. I thought that maybe he would also have the time to talk about a plan and strategize what we would do, depending on what he found tomorrow.
But Zack remained restless and didn’t sleep. He didn’t even try to talk to me.
When the doctor showed up the next day to run the tests, Zack hovered over them. He wanted to be there to know if the baby was going to pass their tests. Which, she did.
Still, Zack remained distant. I couldn't blame him, though. I knew that whatever he was going to find at The Garden wasn’t going to be good.
When nightfall came, Zack went to bed early to get all the rest he could for tomorrow. I climbed into bed with him and kissed him on the cheek.
Stay safe tomorrow, Zack… please. Don’t risk your life for whatever you find at The Garden.