Narrated by Roberto
Elizabeth has been quiet for hours now; three candles have since burned out, and she still has 10 hours left—I hope she finds what she's seeking and manages to distinguish memories from reality. There’s a knock at the door; I stand and go to see who it is.
Upon opening the door, I'm greeted by Vicenzo. "Hey, my friend?"
"How is Elizabeth?" he asks, his concern palpable. I have nothing to say; I've explained before that while I can only open the path, it's up to her to make the return journey.
"Come in, we still have 10 hours. Let's have some tea and catch up," I suggest, hoping to distract him since there's little else I can do.
"I brought some green tea straight from Japan, even learned to prepare it the traditional way. Come, try it," he says as he takes a seat at the table. We talk about recent events—I've learned about Eliz's companion who is in a coma and the lengths to which her stepmother went in releasing her from captivity, risking the lives of many. Life as a Supreme Alpha seems hectic enough without all this commotion, which seems to follow Eliz wherever she goes. A corner smile slips out as I contemplate these thoughts, and he catches it.
"Roberto, what do you find so amusing about my life?" He glares at me with fiery eyes, and without an explanation, I might not escape with my life.
"It’s nothing, just silly thoughts," I say, turning to the kettle beginning to whistle, hoping to deflect his suspicion but unsure if he's convinced by my explanation.
"Tell me something, did you really only take her in initially because of your sister?" I press on, driven by curiosity about his past, especially his attitude towards humans after his father was killed by villagers near his territory. Vicenzo became stone-hearted after his father died in a trap and his mother passed away from complications during Lara's birth. He ruthlessly destroyed the human village responsible for his father's death, sparing no one.
"At first, yes. I referred to her as 'Thing' when speaking of Elizabeth; I didn't know she was a half-breed," he confesses, his eyes welling up with tears.
"She softened my heart. She and Matheus are so important to me; I can't imagine life without them," he admits, letting his tears fall.
"How did you endure the six years she was gone?" he looks up, taking a deep breath before responding.
"It was because Athos kept hope alive. I had almost given up, accepting that she might have died or simply didn't want me as a father," he dries his tears and turns to the cup I’ve placed in front of him.
"I was glad she wanted to remember her childhood among the wolves, but I fear she won't return from there," he stares intently into his cup.
"I sensed an energy in her from the moment I met her. I believe she'll return tomorrow morning," I say with a smile, hoping to cheer him up, though uncertain about the energy she possesses.
"I'm heading home; I still need to attend to Matheus. Goodnight, friend, and keep me posted," he says as he departs, and I return to my chair. I'll get little sleep tonight, for I'm still weary, and the brief rest earlier was insufficient. Before closing my eyes, I notice two more candles have gone out, leaving her ample time to return. Soon, sleep overcomes me.
Narrated by Samuel
I still hold out hope that Athos will not wake up, or perhaps I could give him a little push to ensure he doesn’t. I need to find a way into the hospital, where only family and Elizabeth have permission to visit. I've got it—I’ll use her to gain access and then find an opportunity to be alone with him, which shouldn’t be too hard, considering she believes we're on good terms.
It took time, but I've repaired my room. Everything broken went into the trash. My stepmother went out and bought a new bed that I've since assembled. I'd like to call Alice "mom," but my father said it would be like denying I ever had a mother at all. She has always been there for me. My father and I get along great, but after my mother's death, when I was just three, he didn't have much time for me, and a year later, he became involved with Alice. Initially, I disliked her, fearing she'd take my father away. But she persisted, eventually won me over, and genuinely loved me. I know she would hate to see me on this path, but I am utterly in love with Elizabeth and care little for the consequences of my actions.
And besides, no one will ever find out. I’ve left no trace; there's no way to prove my involvement, and the dead don't speak. Tomorrow morning, my plan goes into action.
"Samuel, come for dinner," my father calls from the kitchen. I think I'll apologize for the destroyed room. As I enter the kitchen, my father looks at me with concern.
"Dad, I want to—" I pause before continuing, "apologize for wrecking the room. I will pay for all damages, and it won't happen again," I say, sitting beside him.
"Son, all I want is for you to tell me if something is wrong. I'm not your enemy, and I can help if you let me," he says, patting my head. If only he knew what I've done and my plans, he’d confine me to my room forever.
"It's okay now. Alice talked to me, and I feel much better," I say. My father sighs with relief at my words and proceeds to serve himself.
Dinner passes in silence, my father exchanging a few words with Samantha. After we finish eating, I help my stepmother clear the table and do the dishes. Then I head back to my room for sleep, content in the knowledge that tomorrow I might finally be happy with Elizabeth. I fall asleep with a broad smile on my face.
Narrated by Elizabeth
I find myself in a massive house, observing a white she-wolf on the stairs, unsure of what's happening. I see chaos, fights, and an argument whose words I can't quite catch, but I'm filled with anxiety. After some time, the she-wolf transforms into a beautiful woman who scoops me into her arms and carries me upstairs.
"Where am I?" I can’t understand, only hearing my own sobs.
"Hush, little one, don't cry," she soothes as she rocks me in her arms. Strangely, this calms me a bit. After a bath and being dressed in boy's clothes, she nurses me through tears. I wish she could hear me.
"Why are you crying? Did I hurt you?" My words fall on deaf ears as she can't hear me. She turns her face to mine, and a few tears drop onto my face.
"I must name you, let's see... I'll call you after my mother, Elizabeth. What do you think?" she looks at me lovingly, but I believe my name is Luma.
"My name is Luma?!" I shout, but to no avail.
"You're my ray of sunshine, pulling me from darkness. You see, I lost my boy a week ago; he was too premature and didn't make it. I lost my husband before his birth, and losing him made me feel life wasn't worth living anymore. Then I saw you in my brother's arms, and something inside me reignited. You've brought peace to my spirit; I'm lucky my milk hasn't dried up. I'll make you very happy, Elizabeth."
I witness the days fly by, and she kept her promise, making me happy until the day our room was attacked. I saw everything but was powerless to help—I wanted to fend off the vile wolf that attacked my mother. I remember the stench, my mother throwing him out the window, and her bloodied weight collapsing on my body.
I gaze at my tragic reflection in the house’s mirrors, calling my uncle "daddy" for the first time at my mother's behest. I find myself crying for her in my father's embrace. Life settles into routine, always at home, never venturing out—just me and two maids, with my father spending time with me when he’s home.
Time passes unclearly until I bid farewell to my father beside Uncle Alec, who promises to look after me until his return. My days roll on: attending school, the gym, hunting with Athos, getting into fights, standing my ground, and proving that I'm destined to be the strongest Supreme Luna. I remember an attack by the same vile wolf who killed my mother; I'm not scared, I'm furious for being unable to protect her then. My uncle saves me from the wolf and imprisons him. I see chats with my father, him returning with his intended—I'm happy.
After meeting her, I don't feel trust. Life resumes its rhythm until Mel and I go shopping for my brother. She gives me a milkshake, and soon I lose consciousness. Then I wake up in a pediatric psychiatric hospital, confused about why I'm here, my head aching. The lack of clarity is maddening—I want out. I’m trapped in a padded room, yearning for my father, Athos, and Uncle Alec.
"This isn't real," I scream, fighting panic. I don’t like confinement.
I watch days, weeks, months, and years trickle by in that place. It doesn't seem possible that I endured all of it. Why didn't I lash out, rip out their throats, and escape? I knew this wasn't where I belonged, yet I let them deceive and tame me. I just wanted freedom and return to the forest.
I feel my sanity slipping away. Suddenly, I'm with my supposed aunts and uncles, then back home where Elizabeth no longer exists. I can't discern who I am. I see a wolf with blood-red eyes and a demonic thirst—I'm afraid, but it doesn't advance. As I step toward it, it mirrors my movement. I realize this ferocious animal is a reflection of me. I choose to distance myself; I refuse to accept this part of me.
Yet it chases me, blocking my path.
"You can't deny the darkness within," it speaks, shocking me.
"I’m not evil; I can't bear such darkness," I argue.
"Everyone has it; it's part of who we are. Deny me, and you deny yourself," it insists, meeting my gaze.
"I refuse to admit to such a thing. I promised Matheus I would never be a monster again," I declare, on the verge of tears.
"Deny all you want, but your reflection stands before you," it says, and I'm startled to see myself standing there, almost collapsing as if in a demonic mirror. I notice we're surrounded by darkness, nothing else visible.
"Where are we?" I ask my other self.
"You lost your way, but to find it again, you must first find yourself, or else you may never find your way back," my double says cryptically as it walks away, and I follow, seeking answers…
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