Chapter 29
607words
Derek knelt, brushing away leaves and dirt to reveal a keypad. He entered a code, and the door unlocked with a soft click.
"How did you know the code?" I asked, surprised.
"I didn't," he admitted. "But in my father's journal, he mentioned that the most important things in his life were my mother's birthday and the day I was born."
He helped me down a narrow staircase that led to an underground laboratory, much smaller and cleaner than Victor's had been. When Derek flipped a switch, soft lights illuminated the space, revealing workbenches, medical equipment, and shelves of books and journals.
"This is where they worked together," Derek said softly. "My father and yours. This is where they made their discoveries, away from Victor's interference."
I walked around in wonder, touching instruments that my father must have used, seeing notes in his familiar handwriting. It was like having a piece of him back.
"Look at this," Derek said, pointing to a framed photograph on the wall. It showed our fathers, much younger, standing together in this very lab, arms around each other's shoulders, smiling broadly.
"They were friends," I whispered, touching the image of my father's face.
"More than friends. Brothers in all but blood," Derek replied. "And they left something for us."
He led me to a small safe hidden behind a bookshelf. Again, he entered a code—this time my birthday, he told me—and the safe swung open.
Inside was a leather-bound journal and a sealed envelope with both our names written on it in faded ink.
With trembling hands, I took the envelope while Derek retrieved the journal. We sat together at one of the workbenches as I broke the seal and unfolded the letter inside.
"'To our children,'" I read aloud, "'If you are reading this, then our fears were justified, and we are no longer with you. But it also means that you have found each other, as we always knew you would.'"
I looked up at Derek in surprise. He urged me to continue.
"'Derek, by now you must know that Lena is your true Mate. And Lena, you must have discovered the rare gift of your silver wolf. What you may not know is that this connection between you was predicted in ancient werewolf texts that few have seen.'"
Derek opened the journal, flipping through pages of notes and diagrams. "Look at this," he said, pointing to a passage. "'The union of silver wolf and true Alpha creates a bond of unprecedented power—a perfect balance of healing and strength, compassion and authority.'"
I continued reading the letter. "'We discovered this prophecy years ago and recognized the signs in both of you, even as children. Victor learned of it too, which is why we became concerned. He doesn't understand that this power cannot be forced or stolen—it can only be freely given, born of love.'"
"They knew," Derek said in amazement. "They knew we would be Mates."
"'We have hidden our complete research here,'" I read on. "'Use it wisely, for the benefit of all werewolves, not just a select few. Remember that with great power comes great responsibility.'"
The letter was signed by both our fathers, dated just weeks before they died.
"They were protecting us," I whispered. "All this time, I thought my father died because of his healing research, but it was more than that. They died keeping this secret—keeping us safe until we could find each other."
