Heart Bound

Ancient History

Kyrie's POV

As I stepped out of the bathroom, a strange new awareness washed over me, my senses sharper, alive in a way they’d never been before. I could hear the soft hum of the refrigerator downstairs, the faint rustling of leaves outside, the delicate sound of the wind as it brushed against the windows. Each sound layered over the next, creating a symphony of life that seemed to pulse around me.

My vision felt enhanced too, colors more vibrant, sharper at the edges. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and gasped. My hair, usually a warm chestnut, was streaked with shimmering silver, catching the light in a way that made it look almost metallic, like Gina’s. And my eyes—they sparkled, reflecting shades I hadn’t noticed before, deeper and more intense, as if they held an inner light.

My gaze drifted lower, taking in the subtle changes to my body. My frame seemed leaner, my muscles more defined, my skin smoother and glowing. My curves, my posture, even the way I held myself felt different, like a quiet confidence had taken root within me.

Had I always been this—” I paused, not quite able to find the right word.

“Beautiful,” Selene finished for me, her voice gentle and warm. *“Yes, Kyrie. The magic that bonded me and kept you hidden masked all of this too. Your hair was always silver, a symbol of your werewolf lineage.”*

I blinked, still processing the sight in the mirror. “Silver hair… that’s a mark of something?”

“Yes,” Selene purred, her pride washing over me like a warm embrace. *“We are Alpha wolves, Kyrie. Not only that—we are Queen and Mother of wolves. Your silver hair reflects your royal bloodline, and it’s a mark of strength. A long time ago, wolves with silver hair ruled our world, guiding packs and protecting our kind.”*

The word “Queen” echoed in my mind, filling me with a weight I hadn’t felt before. “Queen… and Mother of wolves?”

“Yes,” Selene affirmed. *“Once, the royal families ruled. We were leaders, protectors. But there was a war, Kyrie—a dark time that threatened to erase us all. The Shadow Wolf emerged, powerful and merciless, seeking to destroy our line. He won, and with his victory, he erased the history of our people, scattering us across the world and hiding our true nature.”*

I swallowed, my mind racing. “So… he erased everything? All of it?”

“Nearly all,” Selene replied, her voice solemn. *“The only ones who still remember are the Council of Elders, those who have hidden themselves away, safeguarding what little remains of our past.”*

The weight of it settled on my shoulders, a quiet but undeniable responsibility. I was part of something ancient, something that stretched back through generations. This wasn’t just about me or even Cal—it was about an entire world that had been hidden, lost to time and fear.

“And… I’m part of this royal bloodline?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

“Yes, Kyrie,” Selene said gently. “You are the last of your line, the rightful Queen of wolves. You, Cal, and others like you hold the power to rebuild, to restore our people. But the journey won’t be easy. There are those who would see you remain hidden, who fear what you represent.”

I looked into my own eyes, searching for the strength I’d need to face this, to shoulder a history I’d only just learned. But I felt Selene’s presence beside me, her strength mingling with mine, her pride and her determination a steady pulse that filled me with courage.

A queen. A leader. And here I was, an ordinary girl just yesterday, now carrying the weight of something ancient, powerful, and all-consuming.

“Selene… thank you,” I whispered, feeling a swell of gratitude. I didn’t know what the future held, but with her by my side, I felt like I could face anything.

I took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of Selene’s words settle into my bones. It was overwhelming, but there was also a thrill to it—a strange, exhilarating sense of purpose that I’d never known. The quiet, ordinary life I’d lived felt like a distant memory, like the shell of someone I used to be. Now, I was something more. I could feel it in every fiber of my being, in the warmth of Selene’s presence, in the subtle power humming beneath my skin.

I ran my fingers through my hair, letting the silvery strands slip between them. The mirror reflected back a version of myself I barely recognized, a girl with glowing eyes and a strength I hadn’t known was mine. A queen… my heart fluttered at the thought, but before I could fully absorb it, Selene’s voice came through, gentle but steady.

“This is only the beginning, Kyrie.”

I nodded, my mind buzzing with questions I didn’t even know how to ask. “So… if I’m part of this royal line, that makes Cal…” My voice trailed off, the realization blooming slowly, almost shyly, in my mind.

“Royalty,” Selene confirmed, her tone warm, as if she were smiling. “No, not quite not until we mate and complete the bond. He will become royalty. Together, you and Cal have the power to restore our people, to rebuild what was lost.”

“And… what about my family?” I asked softly, glancing back at the closed door. “If my mother isn’t really my mother, if that thing downstairs has taken her place… what about my dad, my brother? Are they even my real family?”

Selene’s presence grew somber, her warmth shifting into something protective and steady. “They may not know anything, Kyrie. The Djinn’s magic can be powerful and deceiving. It’s possible that Max and Kade believe they are your real family. And in many ways, they are—they raised you, they cared for you.”

A pang of sadness twisted in my chest. I’d always thought of them as my family, my real family, and the idea of questioning that, of potentially losing them, hurt more than I wanted to admit. “Should I tell them? Should I… ask them what they know?”

“Be cautious,” Selene murmured, her voice low and protective. “If they don’t know, it could put them in danger. But if they do… then perhaps it’s time to uncover the truth.”

I nodded, though the decision weighed heavily on me. How was I supposed to look at them the same way again, knowing that everything we shared could have been built on a lie? The thought made my chest tighten, but I pushed it down, focusing instead on the quiet strength that Selene gave me. She was there, steady and constant, a presence that felt like an anchor in the storm.

A faint knock at the door pulled me from my thoughts, and I tensed, my heart racing as I turned to see my father, Max, standing in the doorway, his gaze soft but concerned.

“Kyrie?” he asked, his voice gentle. “Are you okay? You’ve been up here for a while.”

I forced a smile, nodding. “Yeah, Dad. Just… a lot on my mind.”

Max froze the moment he saw me, his eyes widening in shock and fear. He took a step back, almost stumbling, his gaze locked on my silver hair.

“No, no, no…” he muttered, his face paling. “The protection spell… it’s breaking.” He reached out, almost as if to touch my hair, then quickly pulled his hand back, glancing around the room as though someone else might be listening.

“Dad… what’s going on?” I whispered, feeling a mixture of fear and confusion twist inside me. “Tell me. Please.”

He put a finger to his lips, his eyes darting to the doorway, then back to me. “First things first, Your Highness,” he said softly, his voice laced with urgency. “I am not your father… but your uncle.”

As the words slipped from his mouth, something began to shift. His hair shimmered, silver creeping through the dark strands, the color spreading until it was unmistakable—like mine, like a mirror reflecting the truth I hadn’t known.

My heart pounded, and I took a step back. “And… Kade?”

Max—or whoever he really was—nodded, his expression pained. “Not your brother, Kyrie. He’s… he’s your cousin. My son. He doesn’t remember or know any of this. The spell hid everything from him too. But when he sees you…” Max paused, his voice lowering. “The spell might break for him too. And if it does… we’ll all be in danger.”

“Danger from who?” I whispered, barely able to breathe.

He swallowed, glancing over his shoulder with a haunted look. “They—the ones who took your family, your aunt, my wife… your parents and your sister. They’ll come after us if they realize we’re awake. And if the Djinn knows Kade and I remember…” His voice dropped to a near whisper. “We’ll disappear too.”

I looked at him, a surge of questions and emotions rising within me, but he shook his head, his gaze sharp and urgent.

“There isn’t time right now, Kyrie. We have to play our parts, act as though nothing’s changed. I need to protect you and Kade, and for now, that means pretending.”

I nodded slowly, the weight of it settling over me, filling me with dread. “Okay,” I whispered. “I’ll… I’ll act normal.”

He gave a faint, sad smile, his voice barely a murmur. “Good. Just keep pretending, Your Highness. Until we can figure out our next move.”

With a final glance over his shoulder, Max left, leaving me standing there, my world turned upside down once more.