Alisha's POV
Hearing Orathe's words, I felt it was too unbelievable, as if I were dreaming.
In my knowledge and memory, all normal werewolves could shift into wolves. Joey could, Evita could, Archie could, Erma could, everyone could—except me. I had been looked down upon by others, and Evita even threatened several times to kick me out of Black Furies because my existence brought shame to the whole pack.
For so many years, I had lived in the disdain and mockery of others, always feeling useless. But today, someone actually told me that I had my own wolf, and it was powerful and unique. I could hardly believe it all.
Sensing my excitement, Orathe took a deep breath and said to me with a smile, "You are my child, inheriting the royal blood of Blood Dawn. You are our noble princess. Anyone who dares to look down on you will pay with their blood."
My mouth opened, my throat seemed blocked, and I couldn't utter a word.
At this moment, Louie stepped forward and said to Orathe, "I understand your excitement. Maybe we can consider finding a place to sit down and talk. Alisha need to rest. I am also curious about this beautiful palace. Would it be possible to have the honor of exploring it?"
Gray, upon hearing Louie's words, nodded quickly, "Louie is right, Mom, let's not stand here. Quickly take Alisha inside to rest; her body hasn't fully recovered. I have called the witch doctor to come and treat her again in a while."
Upon hearing this, Orathe quickly asked me, "Are you injured? Why didn't you tell me? How can Gray be a brother? He actually let you get hurt! Hurry to go inside and rest!" While scolding Gray, she grabbed my hand and led me into the interior of the palace.
I quickly explained, "It's not Gray's fault; he has been taking care of me well. Without Gray or Louie, maybe I wouldn't have been able to survive…" I was unable to escape from Black Furies on my own.
Gray interrupted me, "You're right, Mom, it's my fault. I won't allow such a thing to happen again!"
Orathe replied without reservation, "You better live up to that!"
As they spoke, I was led to sit on a sofa. Orathe sat beside me, holding my hand tightly, unwilling to let go, saying, "Since we have to wait for the doctor, let's stay here for a while. Honey, if you feel uncomfortable anywhere, tell the doctor later. This is your home; you don't have to bear any burdens, okay?"
Hearing the word "home," a warm stream welled up in my heart. My eyes moistened once again.
I was afraid that all of this was a beautiful dream, and once I woke up, everything would be gone. I could only keep confirming, "Is it really me? Are you sure of this?"
Orathe tirelessly answered me over and over again, "It is you, absolutely you, my dear! Tell me, how have you been all these years? Has someone been taking care of you? Since you got lost, Gray and I have been looking for you. Some have told us to give up, for it is impossible to get you back, but thanks to Moon Goodness, she gave you back to me."
Hearing this, I felt a warmth. Regardless of what happened before, they had never given up on finding me.
In response to Orathe's question, I answered, "Sorry, I have lost my memory when I was little. As far as I can remember, I have been living in the Black Furies. My grandmother Magaly was once the Alpha of the whole pack, and she treats me very … very well."
At this point, I thought of Magaly again, and sadness overwhelmed me. I forced back the tears and continued, "But she never mentioned you. I never knew I had other family members."
Orathe gently patted my hand and then said with a sigh, "Black Furies... thank them for taking care of you. I never expect that you have lost your memory. That's too bad. These years, you must have had a hard time. It is my fault for not finding you earlier. Dear, I know you must have many questions about me and Gray. When I was 20, I gave birth to Gray... Later... Later, some things happened. I separated from Gray's father and then met your dad."
Hearing this, I was very curious, "Dad?" I had just seen one photo of my dad, Irwin. However, in that photo, he was just a little boy. Magaly said he didn't like taking photos. Magaly often told me stories about him. But why she didn't never mentioned anything about Orathe?
Moreover, from Orathe's words, it seemed she had just found out about the Black Furies. What was going on? Didn't she know that dad came from the Black Furies?
Orathe sighed and began, "The story between your dad and me is rather dull. He saved me in an accident, and we fell in love later. However, at that time, for some specific reasons, I didn't tell him my true identity as the Alpha of Blood Dawn. Similarly, he didn't reveal his true identity either. Our relationship was born in lies, without trust. So later..." Here, Orathe's eyes revealed a hint of pain.
She looked at me and continued, "Our relationship was destined to fall apart. After getting pregnant, our conflicts intensified. I decided to break up with him, so I lied to him about a miscarriage. In anger, he chose to leave, and I ended up bringing you back to Blood Dawn alone. Looking back now, I was too sensitive and fragile at the time, unaware of the meaning of love. My failed marriage with Gray's father caused me too much hurt, and I lost the courage to love. Despite being so inadequate, disappointing him, I have to be grateful that he brought you to me. But I failed to take care of you. I am sorry for him and even more sorry for you."
From Orathe's narrative, I felt her sadness. I could see the love she still held in her eyes when she mentioned dad, a love that had never faded. She must have loved him deeply, and even after so many years apart, her eyes still shone with admiration whenever she mentioned him. But such loving individuals never ended up together, and I felt sadness and regret for them.
Orathe touched my eyes gently, as if seeing someone else through me, and softly said, "Your eyes are exactly like his, like the most beautiful gems, sparkling. When I saw those eyes, I knew, without a doubt, that it was you, our daughter. It is a pity Gray hasn't met your dad before; otherwise, he might have recognized you earlier."
Upon hearing this, I couldn't help but think of how Magaly used to tenderly stroke my eyes and comment on their similarity to Irwin's. Suddenly, I remembered another person and felt a wave of fear.
Noticing my distress, Orathe gently rubbed my back and asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell? Gray, why hasn't the doctor arrived yet? What is taking him so long?"
I quickly explained, "I'm fine, I just remembered something. Joey, my uncle, once yelled at me when he was drunk, 'Get away! I don't want to see those damn eyes again! Why do you torment me? It's all your fault! I'll gouge them out!' I was terrified at the time. Thankfully, Magaly had someone take the drunk Joey away and comforted me for a long time. Later, when Joey sobered up, he apologized, saying he wasn't targeting me, just rambling while intoxicated. But for a long time after, I was scared to look at my own eyes in the mirror."
After hearing my words, Orathe narrowed her eyes briefly, a hint of coldness passing through them. She said in a chilling tone, "Joey? What does he think he is? Daring to threaten you? Don't worry, no one can harm you, but he will pay for his actions! Let him apologize to our Blood Dawn's little princess with those very eyes of his!"