Chapter 9: The Real Truth

Claudia 

“What the hell are you waiting for?! Go ahead.” I yelled at him. “Just reject me and leave me the hell alone. At least you'd know you're dying alone without a care in the world.” He brushed his dark wavy hair backwards in frustration. There was this secret that was added to his soul and each time he tried to reach for it, he brushed it off almost immediately. 

Close enough for me to see what his impressions are.

“I cannot reject you!” He blurted out. “Like I said, the mate bond is different for Alpha's. When an alpha feels a deep connection with his said mate. Their souls are tied through an imprint. It is uncontrollable, we cannot choose whom we imprint on. Finding your mate is just the first step, imprinting takes time, for some years. Others, like us, the minute we find out. When an imprint is done on your mate, there isn't any going back. I can't just flip the switch. I cannot reject you.”

“Mates reject each other. It is normal.”

“Not for Alpha blood. Our souls are linked. In the grey realm, what that means is that if something happens to me it happens to you too.” It was then it clicked. I began to see what he meant. He was going to die soon.

“You mean you accidentally imprinted on me knowing you are going to die in two weeks??” I pushed him back. “How dare you cut my life short like that? I am not going to die with you Marcellus, I don't want to be wrapped up into your manipulation. I can't take this. “ I broke down, unable to stay on my feet any longer. 

“I am sorry Claudia. Deeply am. That's why I didn't want to talk about it. I don't like it either that I am dragging you along with me.”

“But you are enjoying the ride, since it isn't just you now. I am going with you to the great beyond. My life is In its doom because of you and your inability to control your emotions.” He was trying to reach out to me but I snapped his hands off me. Making me fall to the ground. 

“Nothing about this is fun.”

“You could have told me Marcellus but you chose to keep it to yourself. If I have not brought it up, are you ever going to tell me?” I whispered, I could barely make out the words out of me. He avoided my gaze by not replying. “Damn it! What the hell?! You were just going to watch me die as you do the same. That is cruelty. “

“I wanted to tell you but I didn't know how to. I figured you just arrived and didn't want to bore you with such details. Sometimes, death isn't an option for one whose fate is different from that. So you don't have to worry.”

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and eyes. “What do you mean?” 

“Sometimes, death doesn't happen to those whose hearts are linked. They just feel an immense solitude when their significant other is dead. If they cannot handle it, they might skip into a dark place. Like depression. “ He explained. “So you don't have to worry about dying.” Yet the link cannot be severed. I felt like my life was being ruined by decisions that weren't mine in the first place. I was soul linked with a dying man and he didn't think he could give me the courtesy of telling me.

“Either way I am doomed.” I was broken beyond anything and it was only fair that I think of a solution for his curse. Somehow, there must be something that needed to be done. 

“I would be happy if you keep this between us. We don't want anyone knowing that I had imprinted on you. We can easily be a target now, that I have realized. I mean, I was actually Poisoned. “ I turned to him not believing what he was saying right now. 

“You aren't bothered by how this affects me, Marcel. You are more worried about what people would think and what danger is coming? Have you thought about how this affects me? You are ashamed of me? And you think I am in danger just by speaking out?” I breathed. Short of words as he lingered at the edge of the bathroom entrance. I stood up, walking past him and leaving the room for him. Deep down, I wanted him to stop me, to at least come for me and not let me wander, with my emotions flaring up like this. When I shut the door, I knew that was it. I needed a place to go to, a place I would not be stared at like a pathetic loser. I just didn't want eyes on me , or someone threatening to end my life after speaking up… I just wanted it to end. All my life, I have never seen death as an option but it was looking like the only way out. As I walked through the hallway, I didn't know when I sauntered in a long passageway, a door by the side was left ajar. I couldn't see what was in there, but my curiosity was far greater than the pain I was feeling. As much as I knew all the corners of this house, this part of the mansion was secluded from every other part of the house I went into. It was an abandoned study. They were ancient artifacts and text lines written on the wall. I couldn't make out the words but they were written in a foreign language. Latin. I knew my Latin was rusty. I also knew that it was the language of the dead and whoever wrote all of these didn't want it found. They wanted to keep every context hidden.

This family was becoming more clandestine by the second and it scared me to know that I was wrapped right in the middle of everything. Nothing else made sense, I went through some of the ancient artifacts, The old books and the scattered files around . It was dusty and it was clear that this room had not been used in a while. I would have loved to ask Marcellus, he seemed to be well vast in pack issues and histories. I barely think he had an idea of the depth of his family history. Not just his family, his bloodline and pack in general. There was an aura of mystery around these times. I went into the room fully, scanning the contents of the room. I saw a dull painting, covered in white linen. I removed the linen. I saw a wolf in its full form holding the small frame of a lifeless body, while a ring of fire isolated them. The picture was dark and I could only feel grief from this painting. There were several other paintings and I checked it and saw the same similar woman was painted across several canvases. “Who owns all of this?” I muttered to myself as if I would be able to give the answers to my impending questions.

What does this mean? Was this even real or someone had a very bad nightmare. I felt an odd familiarity with all the paintings. It felt like we shared a common ground with the same connection. I didn't know what it meant, I can only imagine someone was really good in art class. Every painting had an inscription at the edge of all the paintings. Still in Latin and I couldn't make out the translation. When I looked closer, I saw the same mark I saw on Marcellus' body during one of his attacks on the paintings. Actually, the full markings were on each painting. I remembered that he said the markings meant that he was cursed. I knew there had to be an explanation to some of this. This has only proved just what a dark past he has or had. Not just him but his bloodline. I knew to be able to survive in this pack, I needed to understand the truth. I just have to uncover it somehow without drawing attention to myself. Before I could delve into the books, I heard a subtle knock. I looked startled. A maid was standing with her folded hands. Looking a bit tattered and she had a sad impression. 

“Alpha wants everyone at the hall downstairs.” I paused. “I came to fetch you.”

“What's going on?” I was a bit curious. He wasn't the type to send people to get me, he does that himself. It only made me imagine just how occupied he was. “He said something about a culprit.”

The confusion dawned on me as I followed her to the hall where all the staff were gathered. Nate, his second in command, walked up to me with a small smile. 

“I was just coming to fetch you. Alpha wants you to be with him while he makes his verdict.”

I shook my head, confused. “What are you talking about?” I asked. “A maid came to fetch me saying he sent her. “

“Which of the maids? Where is she?” I pointed to the corner where she stood but the maid was nowhere to be found. “I thought she…” 

“Never mind. Let me take you to him.” I was ushered through the crowd and stood close to him. His brother and his mother were standing side by side. 

“Earlier today, there was news reaching me that someone has been consistently poisoning me with graveyard dust.” They dragged the maid out as she yelled and screamed. 

“Who sent you? Tell me and I might just pardon you and send you to the Ninefold for trial.”

“I don't know. I was just paid to add it to your food and drink.” It was clear that she was lying, I saw the reaction of Darius and his mother. I didn't think their hands were exactly clear in this. Marcellus stretched his hands and they handed him his gun. He asked one more time before pointing the gun at the maid. She refused to speak.

Marcellus pulled the trigger directly to her forehead. He didn't flinch, his eyes were cold and determined. “Let this be a warning. The consequences of treason would be more next time.” He stormed out with his cane.

I stood over the lifeless body, hoping that she would wake.