Hidden Truth

The room was filled with stunned silence, with everyone's eyes fixed on Lyrien in disbelief. Aria was the first to force herself to speak, her voice was shaking with emotion.

"I don't believe it, Lyrien. I refuse to believe that you're capable of killing your own mother. You're not that kind of person."

Lyrien's expression was tortured, his eyes were flashing with pain.

Aria continued with her words, her voice firm. "I've heard from Josh that you're searching for the Treasure of Time. That it will reveal everything that happened that night. I won't believe anything until we find it and uncover the truth."

Lyrien snorted, his expression skeptical. "You really think something like that exists? I've searched for it everywhere, but it's just a myth. I don't believe it's real."

Aria's jaw set in determination. "I don't care what you believe, Lyrien. I won't give up on you. I won't believe that you killed your own mother without solid proof. We'll find that treasure, and we'll clear your name."

"It's futile, Aria. But if it makes you feel better, let's search for this treasure. Just don't expect me to hope for a miracle." his expression was hardened, his mask slipping back into place.

Aria's face was reddened with anger as she spat out her words. "I'll never believe what you're saying, Lyrien! I believe in you, no matter what!" She stormed out of the room, leaving the others which, were in stunned silence.

One by one, the others were followed her lead, each lost in their own thoughts and unsure of what to say. Until only Arachne remained, her eyes fixed on Lyrien with a gentle intensity.

"Lyrien, I don't know anything about your past," she said softly, "but I believe you're not a bad person. You need to believe in yourself too."

Lyrien's gaze dropped, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

Arachne continued, her voice filled with conviction. "Memories can get mixed up, Lyrien. Sometimes our minds play tricks on us. Don't put too much blame on yourself without thinking it through clearly."

Lyrien's eyes flickered, a glimmer of hope rising in their depths. He looked up at Arachne, his expression searching.

"Thank you, Arachne," he whispered.

Arachne smiled, her eyes warm with compassion. "We all believe in you, Lyrien. You just need to believe in yourself too."

Aria sat alone in the other room, she was lost in thought. Eluned found her and then sat beside her, she placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Aria, I know you're worried and care deeply for Lyrien," Eluned said softly. "But please, take everything easy. The journey ahead for the two of you is much more than this."

Aria looked up, her eyes were so red-rimmed from tears. Eluned's expression was warm and comforting.

"Don't let Lyrien's past define him, Aria. He's more than his mistakes. And you...you're more than your destiny."

Aria's gaze dropped, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just want to help him, Eluned. I want to make things right."

Eluned's hand was so tightened on her shoulder. "You will, Aria. You both will. But for now, just take a breath and trust in each other."

As Eluned stood up to leave, she paused and turned back to Aria. "There's something you need to know," she said, her voice low and serious. "Lyrien is a Moonwhisper, Aria. His power is stronger than any Alphan's. The future ahead for the two of you...it looks rough. It will be difficult, but I believe everything will be good."

Aria's eyes widened, shock and wonder etched on her face. "A Moonwhisper?" she whispered. '' I knew his power wasn't ordinary since the first day we meet..."

Eluned's expression was solemn. "I know. But it's true. And you, Aria...you're the key to unlocking his true potential."

With that, Eluned left Aria to process there conversation, her mind was reeling with the implications of Lyrien's true nature, she knows he isn't ordinary wolf and the journey that lay ahead.

Later that night, Lyrien stood alone at the top of the roof, gazing up at the star-filled sky. His mind wandered back to the incident, to the night of his first shift.

He had been so eager, so excited to finally experience the transformation. His mother had been waiting for him, guiding him through the process. But something had gone wrong.

As he started to shift, he felt a surge of power and pain. His body contorted, his senses was so overwhelmed. And then...nothing again as he fainted.

When he came to, he was lying amidst a scene of carnage. His mother's lifeless body was seen beside him, her eyes were frozen in a permanent stare. He was shaking her, trying to wake her up, but she was dead.

The memory still haunted him, the feeling of her limp body in his arms. He had been alone with her, and now she was dead.

The pack turned against,they accused him of her murder. The autopsy had shown that she had been poisoned with wolvesbane, and Lyrien was the only one with her that night.

He tried to defend himself, but no one listened. His father disowned him, he chased him out of the pack. The pain and shame still lingered in his mind, it was a constant reminder of that fateful night.

Lyrien's eyes dropped, his gaze fell to the rooftop beneath his feet. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was responsible for what happened, that he had somehow caused his mother's death.

The wind picked up, whipping his hair into a frenzy as he stood there, he lost in the darkness of his past.

Lyrien then felt the presence of Erith beside him, he was holding out a bottle of "Moonlight Mead", a strong, sweet liquor. Lyrien thanked him, and they clinked glasses, drinking in silence.

An old man one of the people in the house approached them, he offered them fruit, but they declined, preferring the burn of the alcohol.

After a few minutes of drinking, Erith spoke up, his voice low and husky. "I ran away from my pack''.

Lyrien turned to him, his expression curious.

Erith continued, his words spilling out like a confession. "I come from a polygamous family. My mother was the maid in my father's pack. When she gave birth to me, my elder siblings...they treated me poorly. I harbored so much anger and resentment towards them, especially my older brother."

Lyrien's eyes narrowed, his grip on his glass tightening.

Erith's voice dropped to a whisper. "I tried to kill him one night. I succeeded, or at least, I think I did. But the pack's mercenaries chased me, and I had to run. I ran into the rogue, and...I would have died if not for you, Lyrien. You saved me. You're my demi-god."

Lyrien's expression softened, his eyes filled with empathy.

Erith's voice rose, his words passionate. "I know you're not a killer, Lyrien. You're not capable of hurting people, let alone your own mother. I believe in you, Lyrien. Always."