"It seems you just unlocked something in you," the Beta remarked, observing my reaction.
I ignored her, letting out a dismissive 'mtcheew.' "I just want to leave these weird people," I muttered under my breath, dismissing it as "Maybe it's just my instinct."
She led me to a quiet spot and instructed me to sit, preparing me for a story she needed to tell. "First of all, I want to apologize to you. I am so sorry."
"Sorry for what?" I asked, but the formidable Ms. Laura gave me a silencing glare, and I bit my tongue.
Ms. Eleanor continued, "This is a story about two people. Ms. Rebecca married Mr. Leonardo, even though their mother-in-law was against it. They proceeded regardless. When the mother-in-law realized Ms. Rebecca was pregnant, she immediately assumed it would be a son. However, Rebecca was carrying a female child. The mother-in-law was vehemently against it because Rebecca was a Sentinel, and Mr. Leonardo was a Werewolf—an Alpha."
I cut her off immediately. "So, where is this going?" I demanded, but no one answered. Ms. Eleanor simply continued.
"She desired a child who would continue their bloodline. So, when Rebecca gave birth to a female, she got rid of the child, abandoning her at St. Louis Orphanage. Tragically, Rebecca passed away shortly after. The mother-in-law then told her son that Rebecca and their child had both died. Since Sentinels don't possess the healing abilities of werewolves, Leonardo believed her. He mourned them for months before remarrying, having been titled Alpha after the mother-in-law retired." She paused, taking a sip of water.
"So, what does that have to do with me now?" I asked, my patience wearing thin.
"That child is you, Hannah, and the mother-in-law is me," she dropped the bombshell, rubbing her forehead with her hand.
I was utterly bewildered. Words failed me. I stared at her eyes, then at Ms. Laura's, and neither betrayed any hint of a prank or a joke. "W-H-A-T do you mean?" I stammered, my voice rising sharply, my heart hammering in my chest. "You think that because you bailed me out, you have the right to tell me some shitty story?" I retorted, my mind reeling. This couldn't be true; it was complete nonsense. I stepped back, confusion clouding my vision.
"It's not a shitty story; we've been searching for you for so long," she insisted, and her words struck a nerve. I stood up.
"My voice trembled. "And what? You expect me to believe this? That I'm the granddaughter of some mighty rich and powerful lady?" I paced now, trying to shake the growing knot in my chest. "Look at you and me—we're not from the same world. And if it's true, why now? Why are you here now, huh?"
I stopped. The words came faster now.
"You dropped the child at an orphanage because you never wanted her, and now you're looking for her? How does that make sense?"
"And look at you! You look younger than me! It's as if you're my boss and I'm your servant! Oh dear lord, tell me who will believe me?"
Then... something shifted. Something spoke.
I am Arkin, your Sentinel. The same Sentinel that belonged to your mother. I want you to believe her; she is telling the truth. Although she didn't tell you everything, you need to find out.
I blinked, alarmed. "Huh? What's happening to me?" I whispered. But no one reacted. No one else heard it.
"I don't care about your story, but can you explain what's wrong with me? I hear voices, and... the twisting part... how did I heal so fast? How did you do that?" This was truly unbelievable. I wondered, shocked. This time, they didn't hear it; it seemed I was the only one, I pressed, and the Beta extended a glass of water to me.
Laura said, "Calm down, Hannah. We will answer your questions. But if you still don't believe us, there's a necklace you wore since childhood, with your name engraved on it: Hannah. And a small mark on your back that looks like a large letter H in a heart. It was passed from your mother to you. No matter where you go, we would be able to recognize you when we find you."
Ms. Eleanor added, "The voice you heard was your wolf. And I gather you already know about wolves, since you didn't flinch when I mentioned 'Beta.'"
"Yeah, I'm aware of their existence," I confirmed. "My adopted father was a Beta too. So, you mean I have a wolf in me?"
All my life, I had been bullied for being wolfless. Even the few guys who approached me when I turned eighteen confessed they had mistaken my sister's scent for mine and had wanted to mate with her, rejecting me instead. My sister, however, rejected them all, seeking someone with a more prestigious title—an Alpha or a Beta. I was completely stunned. I had never heard the voice before, though I often had dreams of myself running in a different realm, but I had always dismissed them as normal. I have a wolf in me? Wow! I thought, and it responded.
Let me introduce myself. I am Ryan, your male wolf. Sorry for the late introduction; I was just angry that I share you with Arkin.
Wow. This was simply amazing. This revelation consumed me, but I quickly snapped out of my obsession and happiness.
"Oh, so, why are you here now?" I asked, though I still didn't fully believe her. "It's not that I completely believe you, but I do have the mark. So why are you here now, after what you did?"
"I made a huge mistake," Ms. Eleanor confessed. "I was so young then that I didn't think much. I was just so selfish and cared only about myself. Right now, I am dying, and I feel that if I don't come looking for you and reunite you with your father, I won't be at peace."
"My father?" I gasped. "Do you mean my father is alive? And he doesn't know I'm alive? Are you sure you're not mistaken?"
After twenty years, this was finally happening. I had been told my parents died in an accident. I grew up alone before being adopted by the Ragnars.
"Yes, if you accept my forgiveness, I will take you to him," Ms. Eleanor replied.
A flicker of happiness sparked within me, a desire to meet my father as soon as possible, but it was quickly overshadowed by irritation. Are you so easily swayed? Are you accepting them after what they did to you? Arkin's voice interjected. That was true, but my father… Ryan immediately diverted my thoughts: Ignore her; she's just jealous. I didn't even know which voice to listen to, or how I would get used to these two, but I knew what I had to do.
"Meeting my father is one thing, but forgiving you is another. You were never there when I needed a family, so leave me be. I need time to process this." I finally stood up, preparing to leave, but she held my hand. "You were kicked out. Where are you going to stay?" she asked.
I felt a flush of embarrassment at her words, but I gathered my courage and spoke my final piece before turning away. "I will pay you back for the bail. Thank you for the story." Where had she been all those years I struggled? 'Mtcheew,' I hissed, and walked away.
The both of you, I want you to keep quiet until I say you should speak.
I still hadn't fully processed everything. So now, where would I sleep? I was almost at the motel where that man had splashed water on me.
But… mean I have two voices? , I haven'
t heard of that before or Does that means…