Raymonds pov
I know you must have heard the story at the festival by now, I said quietly.
"Yes, I did," he replied.
But there is one thing you still do not know, I continued. You are royalty.
His brows furrowed, confusion flashing across his face.
Your grandfather began the dance that led to the war, the war that brought the goddesses into the mortal realm. You are what our people call a werewolf.
Your bloodline has ruled the ancient Moon Throne since the first wolf drew breath."
He remained silent, listening, breathing slowly.
You have always asked me about the moon mark on your back, I went on.
That mark belongs to the Moon Goddess herself. Every true ruler bears it. sometimes on the skin, sometimes hidden, but it is always there."
It signifies the one the goddess has touched, I said. A blessing. Power. Authority."
His eyes darkened.
I know you encountered your mother recently, I added. The werewolf who came to visit.
His head snapped up in shock.
"How did you know a werewolf came here?"
I saw her, I replied calmly. And I saw you leap through the window.
His mouth fell open. "I thought you weren't around when I woke up."
I wasn't, I admitted. But I was returning when I saw you jump. And trust me, with eyes open or closed, I would recognize her anywhere. She is a majestic beast.
I studied him for a moment.
What trait do you think you both share? I asked.
He hesitated. "My hair… it's as white as her fur."
I nodded. Correct. I don't know your werewolf name, but I know your family name.
You are a Whitefang, Raymond. The line that produces rulers. The white hair and white wolf are the symbols of your bloodline."
His breath hitched.
If I'm right, I continued, your mother came to tell you it is time to return home. You are next in line.
"No," he snapped, shaking his head. "You expect me to believe I come from some mystical land?
"That a giant wolf is my mother? That I'm some kind of ruler?" He laughed bitterly. "No. I don't believe you."
You do, I said softly. You always have, you just dont want to accept it
I stepped closer. You've known pieces of your heritage long before I spoke of it."
Tell me, I said. Where do you think your strength came from? Your speed? Your vision? Your healing?
He froze.
"How do you know all this?" he asked, shock plain on his face.
You thought you hid it well, I replied. But I've known since the day James and his friends beat you up.
I watched your wounds heal far too quickly. I feared you would wolf out, but you never did."
Why do you think I never scolded you when you broke his legs?"
"I… I thought you didn't know," he whispered.
I knew everything, I said. I only wanted you to have a quiet childhood. Your adult life was never meant to be easy.
I took a breath.
You've heard of the prophecy, haven't you?"
He nodded.
You are the child of that prophecy. The supernatural realm; witches, werewolves, and dragons, is ruled by three goddesses. History claims they were sisters."
When chaos consumed the world, the goddesses descended and cursed their children.
The werewolves and dragons were cursed never to shed their skins again. Whatever form they wore during the war, they were doomed to keep.
The witches, I added, were cursed never to wield magic again."
For thousands of years, werewolves have remained trapped in their beast forms. That is why they brought you to the human realm when you were born. They could not raise you."
You, I said slowly, are the first human-born of a werewolf in thousands of years.
You were an anomaly that appeared… normal.
He swallowed hard.
The human realm was once protected by a veil, shielding it from supernatural beings, I continued.
That veil is breaking. Creatures cross freely now.
The goddesses promised that a child would be born to one of the three ruling realms. A child who would break the curse.
I met his gaze.
You are that child. The prince promised by the goddesses.
To free the supernatural realm. To bring peace. To return your people to their true forms.
His hands trembled.
Do you understand me?
I softened my voice. The heat you've been feeling, it's your wolf rising. When you turn seventeen, it will fully surface."
His face drained of color.
"You mean…" his voice cracked, "I'm going to turn into a giant wolf?"
I saw the fear in his eyes and for the first time, I understood it.