Confession

Claude’s face darkens as he begins his story. His voice, though steady, carries the weight of haunting memories. “I’m not sure how long ago it was,” he starts, his eyes distant as he recalls the past, “but when I was first taken, we were placed in a different mine. We stayed there for what felt like an eternity, but eventually, we ran out of resources. The ravens decided it was time to move us.”

He pauses, his jaw clenched as the memories replay in his mind. “They marched us to the surface, chained at the ankles. We walked for what felt like weeks. It was grueling. Some of us were already weak, barely able to keep moving.”

Claude takes a shaky breath, his expression hardening as he continues. “I was near the back of the convoy when I first heard the sounds—howls, screams, chaos. By the time I got to the front of the line, it was… it was a massacre.”

His voice breaks as he recalls the horrific scene. “There were werewolf corpses everywhere, scattered across the ground. Blood soaked the earth. Some wolves were still fighting, trying desperately to protect their homes, their loved ones… but they were so outnumbered. The ravens… they didn’t show any mercy. Women, children, men—it didn’t matter. They were all slaughtered.”

Claude’s voice trembles as tears begin to stream down his face. His hands ball into fists, knuckles white as the weight of the memories crushes him. “I… I couldn’t do anything to help them. I was chained and powerless. I’ll never forget those screams.”

Tears well up in my eyes, spilling over as Claude’s pain becomes my own. So much suffering. So much death. I step forward and place a hand on his arm, my voice soft. “I’m so sorry, Claude.”

The room falls into silence, the air heavy with grief and shared pain. Everyone’s expression mirrors the same anguish, the same rage. But I know I can’t stay silent anymore. My chest tightens as the truth swells within me, clawing to be let out.

“There’s something I need to tell you all,” I say, my voice cracking slightly as I break the stillness. Everyone turns to me, their eyes wide with concern and curiosity.

I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the confession that’s about to leave my lips. “My mother… she’s the queen of fairies in my birth land.” The words hang in the air for a moment, and I can see the confusion flicker across their faces. But I’m not done. Not by a long shot. “But that’s not all. I’m not just a fairy.”

I pause, watching as their expressions shift, a mixture of surprise and anticipation building.

“My father… he’s a different species. He’s the king of alphas.”

The silence that follows is deafening. Everyone’s mouths gape open in shock, their disbelief palpable. I see the realization slowly dawn on them—the weight of my lineage, the complexity of my heritage.

I steel myself and push forward, knowing I need to say more. “Those wolves, the ones Claude spoke of… they were my kind. Werewolves. A species I am meant to protect. Seeing the suffering of the fairies breaks my heart, but witnessing the slaughter of my wolves… it destroys my soul.”

My voice grows harder, the fire inside me rising. “I can feel the alpha within me, raging for blood—blood of the ravens, blood of the dark sorcerer, blood of anyone who dares to harm my people. My fairies. My wolves.”

I pause, feeling the fury simmering just beneath the surface, barely held in check. “There’s a war brewing, and I can’t guarantee which side will come out on top. But make no mistake—it’s coming.”

I lock eyes with each of them, my heart pounding as I say the words I know they weren’t expecting. “I know this is a lot to ask. I won’t fault you if you don’t want to fight for another race—a race that isn’t yours. If you want to leave, I’ll break the bond between us. I’ll free you from the pledge. You’ll be safe. And I will still fight for the fairies. I will still free them, even if I have to do it alone.”

The room falls into a tense, uneasy silence as my words sink in. I can feel the energy shifting, the weight of the choice pressing down on everyone. It’s a monumental decision—one that could alter the course of everything.

I glance around at their faces, each one etched with worry, uncertainty, and something else—something deeper. My chest tightens as I wait for their response, the silence stretching out for what feels like an eternity. Will they stay with me? Or will they walk away?