Chapter 165
Lily POV
My uncle stood in the doorway, his imposing frame nearly filling it. With his salt-and-pepper beard and piercing eyes, he looked as intimidating as ever, despite the gentle smile on his face.
“Hello, Lily,” he said, “Heard you got yourself in a bit of trouble p>
I hadn’t seen Uncle Tobias in over a month now. He has left Royal Hunters to follow some trail.. His presence here, now, sent a wave of conflicting emotions through me—joy at seeing him, but also concern. I almost knew how this conversation would go.
“What are you doing here?” I asked as he stepped into the room, closing the door behind him. ‘I wasn’t expecting you until much more later. When did you come back p>
“I just arrived,” Uncle Tobias said, settling into the chair beside my bed. “Celeste’s grandparents filled me in on everything that happened p>
His eyes darkened as he surveyed the fading bruises on my face and the healing cuts on my arms. “Are you truly alright, Lily? And don’t give me the brave face you put on for everyone else p>
I appreciated his directness. Uncle Tobias had never been one to dance around difficult topics.
“I’m… managing,” I answered honestly. “Physically, I’m much better. The doctors say I’ll be discharged today p>
“And mentally?” he pressed, his keen eyes missing nothing.
I sighed, fidgeting with the edge of the hospital blanket. “It’s been a lot to process. Being kidnapped, what Lucas did I trailed off, unwilling to revisit those memories. “And now with Kai and this curse—it’s overwhelming sometimes p>
Uncle Tobias nodded, his expression softening with understanding. “Trauma leaves scars that can’t be seen, little Llily. Don’t push yourself too hard p>
“I don’t have much choice,” I said with a weak smile. “Life keeps pushing, whether I’m ready or not p>
“Speaking of which,” he said, his tone shifting slightly, “have you given any thought to our previous discussion p>
I suppressed a groan. Our “previous discussion” had happened during our first reunion nearly a month ago. He had revealed a truth about my heritage that had seemed too fantastical to believe—that I was the last blood descendant of the ancient royal family of werewolves, the rightful heir to a throne that no longer existed.
According to Uncle Tobias, my mother hadn’t been a simple wolf from a neighboring pack as I’d been told my entire life. She had been the last princess of the Royal Bloodline, hidden away for her protection after the collapse of the old kingdom.
“Honestly?” I sighed wearily. “I’ve been too busy trying to stay alive to think about ancient werewolf royalty and kingdoms that fell centuries ago p>
“It’s not just history, Lily,” Uncle Tobias said, leaning forward intently. “It’s your birthright. Your destiny. The old prophecies speak of the last royal blood reestablishing the kingdom and creating peace among packs that have been at war since the fall p>
“Prophecies,” I repeated skeptically. “Uncle Tobias, you’re talking about rebuilding a kingdom that hasn’t existed for over three hundred years. How am I supposed to do that? I’m just a student, not a queen p>
“You are both,” he insisted. “The blood that flows in your veins carries power you haven’t begun to tap into. Powers beyond what any one possesses p>
“Whatever decision you make,” Uncle Tobias continued, “you need to make it soon. Our world is too far out of balance. The increasing conflicts between packs, the rise in rogue activity, the power struggles—they’re all symptoms of a system on the verge of collapse p>
“You make it sound like we’re heading toward some kind of war,” I said.
His expression was grave. “We are. Unless something fundamentally changes in how our kind governs itself. The Alpha system worked when we had a central authority—the royal family—to mediate disputes and maintain balance. Without that p>
“It’s every pack for itself,” I finished, understanding the implications. The increasing tensions between packs that had once been allies, the territorial disputes that grew more violent each year—they were all signs of a fractured society.
The weight of this supposed responsibility pressed down on me, making it hard to breathe. How could I possibly be the answer to problems centuries in the making? I was just one person, still finding my way in the world.
“I know it’s a lot,” Uncle Tobias said, his voice gentler. “But you won’t be alone. I’ll be here to guide you p>
“And Kai?” I asked, voicing the question that worried me most. “Where does he fit into all this p>
Uncle Tobias studied me for a long time. “You truly love him, don’t you p>
“With everything I am,” I confirmed without hesitation.
He sighed heavily. “Then we’ll find a way to make it work. But first, Lily, you need to accept who you are. What you are. Your abilities will only grow stronger as you come into your power. You need training, guidance p>
“I’ll get to all of that,” I promised, “but first, I need to find a way to help Kai. He’s fighting a curse that’s literally tearing him apart from the inside. Everything else has to wait p>
“The curse,” Uncle Tobias mused, his brow furrowing. “Celeste’s grandparents mentioned it but were light on details. What exactly are we dealing with p>
I hesitated, unsure how much I should reveal. But Uncle Tobias had always been trustworthy, and if my heritage was as significant as he claimed, perhaps he had knowledge that could help.
“Kai’s former mate was a hybrid—part witch, part wolf,” I explained. “She placed a curse on him that turns his feelings for me into violent impulses. The closer we get, the stronger the curse becomes, until he can’t control his actions p>
Uncle Tobias’s eyes widened. “A witch-wolf hybrid? Those are extremely rare, and extremely dangerous. Their magic can affect us in ways normal witch magic can’t p>
“That’s what makes the curse so powerful,” I agreed. “They’re trying to find her grimoire—her spell book. They think it might contain the counter-curse p>
“A sensible approach,” he nodded thoughtfully. “But witch grimoires are typically protected by blood wards. Only someone of the witch’s bloodline can safely access it p>
This was new information. “No one mentioned that p>
“They may not know,” Uncle Tobias replied. “Witch lore isn’t common knowledge among wolves, even Alphas p>
“Then how do you know about it?” I asked, curious.
A small smile played on his lips. “Our kingdom always maintained relationships with the other magical races—witches, fae, even some of the older vampire lines. Part of maintaining balance in the supernatural world p>
My head spun with the implications. If only those with the witch’s blood could safely access the grimoire, how would Kai and Luna Helen retrieve it?
“I need to warn them,” I said, “If they try to open that grimoire without proper protection p>
“Easy,” Uncle Tobias said, gently but firmly pressing my shoulder to keep me seated. “When are they planning to retrieve it p>
“Two weeks from today, at moonrise,” I answered, suddenly feeling anxious.
Uncle Tobias checked his watch and nodded. “There’s time. I’ll speak with them myself. I may have some knowledge that could help p>
Relief washed over me. “You would do that p>
“Of course,” he said, seeming almost offended by my surprise. “Whatever our differences, whatever path you choose regarding your heritage, you’re still my niece. And Kai is important to you p>
Impulsively, I leaned forward and hugged him. After a startled moment, his strong arms enfolded me in a familiar, comforting embrace.
“Thank you, Uncle Tobias p>
When I pulled back, his expression had softened. “Your mother would be proud of the woman you’ve become, Lily. She had the same fierce heart, the same determination to forge her own path, but she also knew her duty. You have to embrace yours as soon as possible p>
“Yeah,” I nodded absent mindedly. “After we solve this issue with Kai first. Then we can concentrate on me. Deal p>