Chapter 168
Elle’s POV
I looked at Brad with a sly expression, an idea forming in my mind. “You know what? We don’t have to wait until we get back. I can ask
right now.”
Before Brad could respond, I pulled out my phone and dialed Martin Blair’s number. I hit the speaker button so Brad could hear
everything too.
“Martin, I’m in Moonvale Town right now,” I said when Martin picked up.
There was a pause on the other end.
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I glanced at Brad, then dove straight into it. “I need to ask you about this bracelet you and Mom gave me. The town elder here recognized it immediately and said it represents some kind of ancient promise. And Martin…” I took a breath. “There’s a painting here in the
memorial hall that looks exactly like Dakota. I mean, exactly. Who is she?”
The silence stretched so long I thought the call had dropped.
“Martin?”
A deep sigh came through the speaker. “I was wondering when this conversation would happen.” His voice sounded tired, older somehow. “Elle, that bracelet was originally meant for Dakota, but now you’re like my daughter too. Same difference.”
My heart skipped. “What do you mean it was meant for Dakota?”
“I knew you’d end up getting involved with Moonvale Town eventually it was bothering you, I could tell. So I had your mother give you that bracelet, hoping it might help if you needed it.”
I felt Brad’s hand squeeze mine as Martin continued.
“The thing is, Elle… my generation, your mother and I, we’re done. We’ve had our time. The future of the Blair family isn’t in my hands
anymore. You understand what I’m saying?”
The weight of his words hit me like a truck. I looked at Brad, whose expression had grown serious.
“Martin, who is the woman in the painting? She looks just like Dakota.”
Another long sigh. “That’s Iris Blair, the most famous woman in our family’s history. She lived in the early eighteenth century, over two hundred years ago.”
I sank down onto a stone bench, Brad sitting beside me. “Tell me about her.”
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Martin’s voice took on the cadence of someone telling an old, painful story. “Back then, the Blair family had been living in that area for generations. Slowly, werewolf packs started settling there too. Our family had always practiced ancient healing arts and alchemy, and we formed deep friendships with the werewolves.”
“Alchemy?” I interrupted.
“Yes, sweetheart. Real alchemy – not the fairy tale version. The Blair family has always had… special knowledge. Anyway, everything was
peaceful until a powerful Alpha king from the Black Moon pack in the northern territories arrived.”
I felt a chill run down my spine as Martin continued.
“This Alpha king discovered that Iris was his fated mate. He became obsessed with her, wanted to claim her. But Iris was committed to her
role as the Blair family’s chief alchemist and protector of the human–werewolf alliance.”
Brad’s grip on my hand tightened. I could see the tension in his jaw.
“The Alpha king was cunning,” Martin went on. “He pretended to threaten the other packs, set up a fake crisis that drew all the pack
representatives into a trap during peace negotiations.”
“What kind of trap?” I whispered.
“He captured the leaders of all six packs – held them hostage. Then he gave Iris an ultimatum: abandon her alchemist duties, renounce the Blair family, and become his mate, or he’d kill every single pack leader.”
I felt tears prick my eyes. “She had no choice.”
“None at all. Iris agreed to his terms to save over a thousand werewolves and humans. She publicly performed the mating ceremony with the Alpha king, swore never to return to the Blair family. She sacrificed everything.”
“The pack leaders were so grateful to Iris that they voluntarily became guardians of the Blair family’s ancestral grounds. They hung her portrait in their memorial halls as a sign of eternal respect and gratitude.”
Martin’s voice grew heavy. “Iris died just a few years after becoming the Alpha king’s mate. Some say it was heartbreak. The Alpha king never took another mate after her death became a lone wolf for the rest of his days.”
I was staring at the painting.
“Elle? You still there?”
“I’m here, Martin.” My voice was thick with emotion. “What does this have to do with Dakota?”
“The year Dakota was born, something strange happened. All six pack memorial halls reported the same phenomenon paintings seemed to come alive, almost like she was looking back at them.”
–
Iris’s eyes in the
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I shivered, remembering how the painted eyes had seemed to follow me.
“As Dakota grew up, she looked more and more like Iris. The people in Moonvale Town started thinking she might be Iris reborn.”
“But Dakota died young,‘ I said softly.
“Exactly. Poor girl, taken too soon. How could she be Iris when she didn’t even get to live a full life?”
Brad wiped a tear from my cheek with his thumb, his touch gentle and warm.
“Martin, what about the bracelet? Where did it really come from?”
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“When Iris left with the Alpha king, the pack representatives gave her that bracelet as a parting gift. It was their promise that as long as anyone wore it, the ancient peace agreement would be honored. The bracelet eventually made its way back to the Blair family and has
been passed down through the generations.”
My throat tightened. “It was supposed to go to Dakota.”
“Yes, but Elle… you look so much like both Dakota and Iris. Maybe that’s not a coincidence. Maybe you’re exactly the person who should
have that bracelet.”
I clutched the ancient piece of jewelry, understanding now that its value wasn’t in the metal or stones, but in the promise it represented. More than that, I understood what the Blair family was trying to tell me that they loved me, that they saw me as their daughter, blood
or no blood.
“Martin,” I managed through my tears, my voice breaking. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Hey now,” Martin’s voice was warm with emotion. “You understanding what we’re trying to do for you – that’s all the thanks we need. Elle, you’re a smart girl, so I won’t spell everything out. Just know that the Blair family will always be your foundation, always have your
back.‘
I pressed my free hand to my mouth, overwhelmed by the depth of their acceptance and love. For the first time in my twenty–three years, I felt like I truly belonged somewhere.
“I love you too, Martin,‘ I whispered.
Brad’s arm came around me, pulling me close as Martin’s pleased chuckle came through the phone.
“Good girl. Call if you need anything.”
After I hung up, I sat in Brad’s arms, holding the bracelet that represented not just ancient promises, but a family’s unconditional love for the daughter they’d chosen.
