Chapter 105

I wasn’t sure how it had happened or who had dropped it off, but by some miracle, I had found a letter addressed to me in our mailbox in the morning before Jack was able to bring in the mail. There must have been someone looking out for me.

As soon as I read it, I called Matt. I told him that whatever he had planned today had to be canceled. We needed to go to an address that was kind of out of the way and since I didn’t have a car, he needed to take me.

Matt was more than willing. I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel a little guilty. I felt like I was using him, just a little. I knew it wasn’t true, but I couldn’t help it. Matt wasn’t getting anything out of this. Maybe I could get him a gift as a thank you.

By the time we reached our destination, it was dark out. I had no idea how I was going to explain this to Jack. There was no way Matt and I would be able to make it back the same night. I was going to be in so much trouble.

The night was cold and eerie, the moon casting long shadows on the forest floor as we stood before the decrepit cabin. I couldn’t believe I was about to come face to face with my father.

The letter hadn’t said who it was from, only that I would find what I’d been looking for at this address. If I thought about it too much, it was kind of creepy, but I had to take the chance. I knew I would regret it if I didn’t.

As I pushed open the creaking door, the musty scent of old wood and damp earth enveloped me. The air was heavy with tension, my heart pounding in my chest as I called out, "Henry?"

A figure emerged from the shadows, tall and haggard, his face etched with lines of weariness and sorrow. Recognition flashed in his eyes, followed by a mixture of surprise and apprehension.

"Celeste," he rasped, his voice carrying the weight of years apart. His eyes darted to Matt and his eyebrows rose, but he didn’t say anything. “I wasn’t sure if you would come.”

“You’re the one that sent the letter?” I asked, not able to keep my mouth from dropping open. I honestly hadn’t even thought of that. I had been working under the assumption that my father didn’t want to be found.

“I’m sorry that I haven’t been easy to track down. I had to go into hiding when Jack saw me. I was sure that he would tell the rest of the family that I was alive. If they knew…well, let’s just say that I wouldn’t be that way for much longer, “ Henry explained, crossing his arms over his chest.

I pressed my lips together. I had a million questions that I wanted to ask, but I had no idea where to begin. Matt slipped his hand into mine and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I gripped his hand tightly

I took a step forward, my resolve unwavering. "Ever since I could remember, I thought you were dead. They told me you were dead. Why didn’t you come back? Why didn’t you tell me that you were alive?"

He averted his gaze, unable to meet my eyes. "There are things, Celeste, things you deserve to know, but I never wanted you to be a part of this world."

"What world?" I pressed, my voice trembling with a blend of frustration and desperation. Matt stepped closer to me, offering his warmth and strength. Despite myself, I leaned back into him for a brief second.

Henry motioned for me to sit, and we settled on opposite sides of the small, weathered table. The room was lit only by a flickering candle, casting long, dancing shadows across our faces.

“My world. His world,” Henry said, motioning to Matt. “The world where werewolves exist.”

“You know what I am?” Matt asked and it was his turn to sound surprised. Henry let out a snort of laughter.

“Of course I know what you are, boy. I also know who you are. I’m still a Screiber,” Henry said, as if that explained everything. I guess it did for Matt because he shook his head, a small smile on his face.

“What does that mean? What does our family have to do with it?” I asked, forcing my father’s attention back to me.

“Celeste, you’ve been kept out of the family business, but the Schreiber family has long been known for their inventions as well as their experiments on werewolves,” Henry said and I blinked at him, not knowing what to say.

“Why don’t I know any of this? Why have I been kept in the dark?”

Henry sighed. "It all began with your mother," he began, his voice a somber whisper. "She was not just a werewolf, Celeste. She was so much more. She was a being of extraordinary power, a guardian of the forest, a force of nature."

Matt shot upright and I just stared at my father. “Our mother was a werewolf?”

Henry shook his head. “She wasn’t Jack’s mother. Only yours.”

Matt ran his hand through his hair. “Well, that explains why Jack hates werewolves so much. I thought it was just a Schreiber thing.”

Henry shook his head again. “He blames Celeste’s mother for our family falling apart. I’m afraid my parents put some rather disturbing thoughts inside his head.”

My heart quickened, confusion mingling with curiosity. There had been so much information revealed in such a short time. There were more questions forming and it was so fast that I could barely keep one in focus before another was popping up.

"As her power grew, so did the interest of those who sought to control it," my father continued. "They were scientists, driven by a thirst for knowledge, blinded by their ambition. They captured her, subjected her to experiments, trying to dissect the very essence that made her who she was."

Tears welled up in my eyes, the pain of my mother's suffering etched deep into my heart. "How could they do such a thing?"

He reached out, his weathered hand resting gently on mine. "They believed they could harness her power for the betterment of humanity. And I’m sorry to say that I was one of them. That’s how we met.”

I pulled my hand away and sadness rose in his eyes. “I fell in love with your mother, Celeste. I did everything that I could to keep her safe. And before too long, she became pregnant with you.”

“When we found out,” Henry continued, “it was the happiest and scariest day of our lives. We knew what the Schreibers would do if they found out about it so one night, I helped your mom escape.”

“I got your mother a new identity. I hid her away as best as I could. And for a while it worked. I was able to keep your mom safe throughout her entire pregnancy and for about a year afterward. But of course they found out.”

“They stormed into the home and captured your mom again. They took her away and I never saw her again. They left me for dead and erased me from existence. The Schreibers thought I died that night and I kept it that way for almost twenty years,” Henry said and collapsed back into his chair, his story finally finished.

“Do you know what happened to my mom?” I asked as tears rolled down my cheek. How could that side of my family be so cruel?

Henry looked at me with his own tear-filled eyes. “I’ve always assumed she was dead. I’m so sorry, Celeste. You deserved so much better than me.”