27 27| Hidden Truths

I froze.

I knew that I made no attempt to disguise my features since that would only draw more attention to myself. But how did he know?

"You're a splitting image of your father, my lady. Anyone who has met that elusive man could identify those golden eyes of yours," Rafayel replied to my thoughts.

Ah, of course. As a proper Alpha Superior who had undergone the rituals in the Temple of Cerne, he could hear my thoughts as my Alpha.

"I was banking on the fact that very few people have met my father, and none knew my face. It seems that was not enough. What do you want, Alpha Superior Rafayel?" I asked warily. He was definitely on friendly terms with Zak, so I doubted he would harm me.

I concluded that his concerns were more towards Zak, and the prospect of me deceiving him.

"How are you still alive? You should be dead by now. It's been over five years since you were stripped of your powers and exiled, Ashley. How come you survived and do you even know what kind of danger you brought to my territory?" He seethed.

I was confused by his sudden anger.

"My business with the Royal Lycans was over the moment I was stripped of my immortality. They left me to die. You can't possibly think that I'm the reason the Royals are interfering with your pack, do you?"

Rafayel was silent for a moment.

"Of course, you were too young at that time. Why do you think the Lycan Prince challenged a young promising Alpha Heir like you and ruined you?" He asked, curiosity in his voice.

"Because I provoked him? And he's an irrational basta- I mean, person. I would never insult royalty, no matter what they have done. Trust me."

He sighed.

"You would think that, yes, but that's not the reason. Almost every Alpha Superior knew the royals were out to kill you for some unknown reason. They wanted you dead, Ashley. They still do."

I stilled.

"And how do you know that?" I asked skeptically.

"I'm an Alpha Superior. And I'm curious by nature. No matter how hard I tried to find it, I still couldn't figure out why they wanted you dead. But I do know for sure that the Royals will hunt you down as long as you're alive. And I know that you are somehow connected to this mess we're in now."

"If I leave with Alpha Zak, will I bring danger to him?"

He didn't answer at first.

"I'm not sure if I should tell you this, but Zak is already at odds with the Royals. I think he might also know the reason why they are hounding you. You both should have a talk," He replied finally.

"You aren't gonna tell him?" I asked in surprise.

"It's none of my business. I shouldn't interfere in relationships."

My silence was enough to tell him that I didn't believe his bullshit.

"It's also fun to know something Zakariya doesn't," he admitted.

I rolled my eyes. Of course.

"Anyway, just tell Zak that I opened a mindlink with you to contact him in case something bad happens. And don't hesitate to call me if you need something."

"Like he's gonna believe that," I muttered in distaste. My mate was too doubtful of me.

"He won't question you. At least not while you're here."

"That's true," I said.

"Then I'll go back to my own business. I recommend that you reveal everything to Zakariya as soon as possible," He suggested helpfully and in a moment the mindlink was severed, and I could no longer feel his presence in my mind.

Zak was standing beside me with his arms folded, staring at me intently. I gave him a sheepish smile.

"Alpha Superior Rafayel opened a mindlink to contact you in case of an emergency."

"And that took this long?" Zak asked skeptically.

"No, he was just advising me on something." It was a half truth that wouldn't get caught by him.

"What was he advising you on?" He asked curiously. I shook my head.

"I'll tell you later." He looked at me for a moment, then shrugged, not pressing me further. We walked in silence. I just followed Zak wherever he led me with my hand in his as memories of the past haunted me.

I was only fourteen at the time of my exile. Unaware of the cruel world, shielded from all kinds of dangerous affairs by my beloved father, the Alpha Superior of the Southern Lands, and the Eclipse Pack, Rashid Levisay and my stern but loving mother Solcha, the Luna Superior.

I was their only child, the only heir to their vast lands. Many coveted what I had, but never dared to touch me in fear of what my parents would do to them if even a single hair on my head was harmed. But not even my powerful parents could protect me from the disaster that followed.

Two duels, fought in a row, destroyed my life. The first one, with the Beta Superior Ryker Carson of the Eternal Frost, was a friendly exchange between the two packs, the next with the Lycan Prince, who cursed and stripped me of my position and immortality for all eternity. The final blow was my exile, separation from my family and pack that I loved.

The things I did to survive after that, the dumps I had to live in before I somehow got accepted into Wolfsbane. Those were memories I intended to lock up deep inside me, never to revisit.

I trailed behind Zak absent mindedly as I thought about what would have happened if I had chosen my life over honor and rejected the Lycan Prince's duel. I smiled bitterly. It seemed that even if I had, my life would have been somehow ruined by the royals. I didn't doubt Rafayel. He was right. They wanted me dead.

And the only one who might know the answer as to why was my mate, whom I hoped would never come to know about my past.

'Screw me.'