Chapter 34: Chapter 34

Chapter 8

Then she asked again. “Ok. Timber my dear child, what is it that I can do for you?”

I swallowed the last of the second cookie I put in my mouth and looked her straight in the eye deliberating what and how I was going to start this conversation.

Not sure how I decided I was just going to start…

“Ancient One, Selene.” I spoke out.

“Please Timber. Just call me Selene. We are one, you and I.” she spoke softly and reassuringly as she placed her hand on top of mine.

“Ok. Ummm… Selene?” I started again feeling a little odd calling her just Selene.

‘Just ask her. You know, blurt it out… like ripping a bandaid off.’ Karin tried to encourage me in the oddest way. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and released it slowly. When I reopened them the words fell out.

“I need to know who Shamira is.” I went straight for it, getting to the point as I didn’t know any other way to get it out there. Her face fell slightly at the mention of Shamira’s name but still held a small comforting smile.

“I see.” she said sweetly sitting back a little in her chair. SHe sat silently as if she was thinking or waiting for me to continue. So I did.

“I’ve been having dreams of her and she’s been threatening me and my children telepathically. JOhnathon cannot seem to hear, thank the Goddess.” I paused briefly waiting for any response, but she only nodded for me to continue.

“I battled her in a dream once. She looked just like me but her eyes were two different colors and her powers come through red just like her hair. She said something to me before I left to find you for answers that bother me however.” she leaned forward slightly and nodded again for me to go on so I did.

“She said she was the rightful ruler of the Lycans? Then… she said we were sisters?” I spoke in more of a question than a statement. Selene looked at me. Furrowed her brows and pierced her lips together before standing up to walk over to the refrigerator opening its door.

Pulling out the milk she said, “milk with your treats dear?” Looking at her a little puzzled I nodded a yes then smiled sweetly.

“Timber.” she started remorsefully, as she sat back down passing the glass of milk my way. “Shamira is your twin sister. That is why she looks like you.” looking at me with sad eyes as she said this. Unsure of how or why this happened or the change in her facial expressions.

I on the other hand just stared at her indifferently. I could even hear Karin sit up a little straighter, her ears perking up at the confession. ‘Did she just say what I think she said?’ acknowledging her with a mental head nod.

“You apparently do not know who or what you are. What you can fully do or where you come from. Do you my child?” All I could do was wiggle my head slightly in reply as I sat there frozen in my chair completely in awe of her and the words she just spoke. Her voice entranced me.

“So, let’s start there. Shall we?” again nodding like an innocent child who was just asked if she wanted to go to bed after a long day of intensive play. I watched her attentively while she reflected briefly before continuing with my story.

“You were born to Queen Isralia and King Tramus. She was of Royal blood and bore the mark of the Elders, as well. He was her given mate, not of alpha blood or status but she approved of him because he was gentle yet firm, fair yet strict. She knew he would be a perfect mate, father and King to the Lycans. At the first sight of him and his claim on her, she embraced the mate bond falling for him hard and quickly.

So, she mated and allowed him to mark her as she marked him in return. With such marking he was granted some of her powers so he could rule with her equally side by side.” taking a drink of her water while she paused momentarily. A small smile etched over her endearing features as if recalling the sweetest of memories.

“Queen Isralia had an older sister who, unfortunately was not bestowed upon with the mark of the Elders and was extremely jealous of the fact your mother was. She was passed over as Queen and sought out the aid of a witch for powers not meant for her. These… powers if you will… were granted on one condition. She would end your family's lineage so they could be the most powerful magical beings in our realm.” she said before stopping again for another sip of water.

I let her words soak in as disbelief of what my ears just heard flowed through every inch of my being. My mother was a Royal? I wonder why my aunt wasn’t? And why did this witch want my family to end? So many questions surfaced with her retelling of my past.

“The Queen and King did not expect what was to come. Your aunt, the Queen’s sister and about fifty displaced warrior rogues attacked the castle. It was a complete bloodbath. After the Queen and King were slaughtered their children were sought after for killing as well.” stopping to recollect herself she stared at me looking for something.

‘We weren’t killed?’ thinking to myself. ‘How was that possible? What happened?’ I wondered again. Still more and more questions unveiled themselves.

‘Why are you complaining about not being killed?!? Seriously Timber.’ Karin’s voice echoed as she listened to my story just as intently. It was only when she spoke that I had fully realized she was sitting in the front of my mind listening just as vigorously as I was.

‘Hey I’m not complaining! By no means am I complaining.’ throwing my hands up in defense mentally. ‘Just curious about what happened, that's all. I like my life Karin!’ I shot back.

‘Well now you do!!’ emphasizing on now like I needed that reminder.

‘Yeah yeah… whatever. Can we get back to the story now?’ Giving her a mental eye roll, Karin laid down before giving our whole attention back to Selene.

“But before she could kill them she was betrayed by her own chosen mate, Jonas. Jonas was just as deceitfully evil as she was. An exiled young alpha without a pack. So? He created one out of rogues. When she was not paying attention he stole her heart right from her body. Literally pulling it from her rib cage out of her back. She didn’t know what happened until it was too late for her.”

Selene shook her head in disgust thinking of what he had done. All I could do was wince and shake my head slightly at the thought of having my heart ripped from my chest. Or should I say back.

“His rogue warriors had indeed found you and your sister, but hid you both from her per Jonas’ orders. He kept Shamira because she was different from you. Not only in looks but in aura. She was a kindred spirit to him and he knew it. So, he took her and had ordered you to be killed and thrown to the scavengers as food.” taking another sip of her water. Her eyes softened with a knowing realization of the betrayal looking up at me curiously.

“Or, so we all thought.” raising her hands as if presenting me and nodding her head slightly smiling.

“Ok. So you're telling me that I am the long lost daughter. Well twin, of Shamira that everyone thought was dead after my entire family was murdered by my sick twisted psycho aunt? Is that correct?” only half believing what I am hearing getting up pacing the floor.

This is a lot to take in. For anyone to take in. It’s not that I don’t believe her… it’s… it’s just a hard thing to swallow. I was meant to be dead but I’m not. So I was found like they said then? WOW! This is frustratingly weird. I thought to myself.

“Yes. Everyone thought both sisters were dead for a long time until Shamira was made Queen of the Lycans on her eighteenth birthday. It was not until your powers activated that I knew you existed. I am sure this is why you have been contacted by Shamira as well. She can feel what you feel. She can be in your thoughts because you are the same… no.” Pausing for the right words to say.“You are… twins.”

“But why now? I have had this blue power for a while now? It doesn’t make sense why now?” I could feel Karin nodding as if I asked her question as well.

‘She can’t see your head Kain.’ giving her a mental eye roll and chuckling at her innocent way.

“Hmmm. Well. She must feel threatened by you… and your children if she’s been so invested in her communication with you now?” puzzlement grew on her face as she stood and paced lightly behind the chair.

“But why? Why would you and your children be a threat to her? Why now?” she contemplated these questions for what seemed like forever before I saw her eyes grow wide in realization of something.

“Is there something else you are not telling me?” she turned to face me and questioned.

“No, I don’t think so?” puzzled where this may be going.

“Have you found…. Something?” very earnestly she stared at me in anticipation of what my next answer would be.

I sat there dumbfounded my eyes darting back and forth rapidly on the small plate in front of me at what she could possibly mean.

‘Uh Timber? The pretty round thing Myles and Marcus found by the lake?’ Karin so casually reminded. Slapping my mind like one would the back of someone’s head.

Until memories flickered in my mind at the reminder. Across my eyes they glistened, as I slowly lifted my head up to hers with shock and revelation on my face.

“What Timber? What did you find?” persistence in her voice. Anticipation etched all over her face.

“While out with my boys they found something in the brush of trees and brought me… this…” reaching into the pocket of my warrior suit pulling out the small stone that was found days ago. My palm tilted up, Serene’s eyes searched my hand as I slowly opened it fully for her to peer inside.