Chapter 21

I woke up to the sound of hushed voices, I opened my eyes to find my uncle Fredrick, my supposed real father, and both of my adoptive parents outside of the door of the bedroom I was laying in. I was shocked to find my mother and father here. Did they know about me all along? Did they know who or what I already was? The uncertainty on me is daunting, and I again start to question my entire life with them.
I sit up, and the floor makes a noise as I move, and immediately, they stop talking with Shaemus. My mother looks into the room with a guarded expression on her face. Like she was just caught doing something that was supposed to be a secret. She fidgets and looks at me awkwardly. I arise from the bed and walk towards them; it is then I notice Tiffany and her mother are also there in the room. I stopped myself from approaching any further. The memory of Tiffany’s actions, and our conversation is still fresh in my mind. I really did not want to see them again.
“Hello Pumpkin” my father greets me. He walks over and plants a kiss on my temple. I hug him back, I have not seen him in such a long while, it feels nice to be with him again. I see my mother embrace us both as she kisses my hair. The rest of the party with the exception of Shaemus look awkward and uncomfortable.
I hold them for a little while longer then, I pull away and stare at the two people who I have loved more than anything. All this time believed that my real parents hated the sight of me so much they would abandon me in the woods to die. Now, secrets are coming to light that I can hardly wrap my head around.
“I think explanations are long overdue Velaria,” My father says. I give him a heated look as the truth of his words echoes in the room. He takes my hand and walks all of us toward the living room of Shaemus’s house. I sit down on the plus suede sofa and wait for him to speak. My mother sits next to me and holds my hands for support as everyone else stands in the room with keen attention.
“Velaria, when we adopted you, at first it was what we said. We had no idea about your background, you heritage. It was a week later when we found out” my father tells me
“I had not seen my sister and her daughter here, in years. When I left the region where you were born, I wanted to get away from it. I wanted a different life. So, I journeyed to America here, I found myself enrolling in college where I met your father, and I felt like I could finally build my own life until my brother, your uncle Fredrick had found his way to this country as well and joined me. That was shortly after the fall of the kingdom you were born in.” I nodded for her to continue, I needed to know all the secrets I have been dodging my whole life.
“It was a week later my sister and her daughter Ephany had shown up at our house, I was shocked to see them. When they saw me holding you, they were suddenly overjoyed and told me they had prayed it would be us who would adopt you. Mind you, I was very confused with their statement, they stayed for a few hours and explained everything that happened. I was surprised and heartbroken to learn that my previous home was destroyed” my mother says as she fights away tears
“Velaria, you must have questions, as you must assume, you are different and very special. We’re sorry for keeping this a secret pumpkin, we just never thought any of this would happen. We thought, you being so far away, you would never shift or anything” my father tells me
“What am I?” I need to know so I can stop feeling like I am losing my mind.
“Sweetheart, you are for the kingdom of ‘Pega’ you are a Pegra or also known as a Pegasus, there a special bloodline like yours who can shape shift. Long ago, the gods used some of the in battle, others were merely chosen as the royal horse of the gods like Zeus, and others. Those who were used in battle where a special bloodline as trained warriors which belonged to Ares.”
My supposed father stood up, and I noticed my adoptive parents and everyone else in the room except for Shaemus bowed to him.
“You, darling, are of a royal bloodline, you are my daughter and the long-lost princess of our kingdom. You were born to be chosen by another of the gods, you are destined to be not only his horse but, his bride.”
A gasp came from my mouth, my eyes went wide, and my hand covered my lips. Shaemus was snarling in the corner of the room he was in.
“Alpha, I do not know what your association with her is, I suggest that you walk away! She was born to rule with him, she was born to be his bride, it was foretold in our kingdom. That she would tame the beast and bring balance to the darkness of this world. Look how you all have raised her after knowing everything! From what I understand she is a lose cannon, a wild promiscuous woman! You never raised her to be the princess she is and the queen she should be” he growled at my parents who hung their heads in what looked like shame.
I stood up and glared at him “do not fucking talk to my parents like that! Who I am has nothing to do with them! I chose this after I was left for dead by an asshole fiancé! Cause, you know what, I would rather have men come to me for a night of hot sex than ever trust a man to marry me again!” I growled back, I said the heated words and regretted it when I saw Shaemus, the pain in his eyes was unbearable. I went to step towards him, and he backed away from me leaving the room. I felt his emotions and my words just about tore his heart out. A part of me felt terrible however, he also needed to understand if thought I was going to become ‘miss stay at home wife’ it was not going to happen.