Mated to My Intended's Enemy novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57: Chapter 57 Forest Folk

Victoria

"Apparently," I murmured, opening the journal. Unlike her botanical notes, this was a personal diary, filled with elegant handwriting that chronicled her thoughts, feelings, and experiences after meeting my father.

I read aloud from a random entry:

"*Dominic brought me wildflowers today—not store-bought roses or lilies, but meadow blooms he gathered himself at dawn. He understands that the most precious gifts are those that show attention rather than wealth. Mother would be horrified by my werewolf suitor, but for the first time in my life, I feel truly seen.*"

Leo’s hand settled on my shoulder as I continued reading through passages documenting their courtship and early marriage. Then I paused at an entry that made my breath catch:

"*I’ve made my decision. I will tell Dominic the truth about my family, my heritage. I cannot build a life with him on a foundation of half-truths, especially now that I carry his child. He deserves to know who—and what—he’s bound himself to. I pray his love is strong enough to withstand the revelation.*"

"What truth?" I whispered, flipping to the next page, only to find it blank. "Why would she need to hide her heritage? Father knew she was human."

Leo frowned, his eyes narrowing with thought. "Maybe there was more to it."

I continued searching the room with renewed purpose, my eyes drawn to a subtle discoloration on the wall behind a large botanical print. Moving the frame aside revealed a small wall safe with a keyhole that matched the tiny brass key we’d found.

With trembling fingers, I inserted the key and turned it. The safe clicked open to reveal a slim leather portfolio and a small wooden box. I placed both on the desk, opening the portfolio first to find more of my mother’s handwriting—but these weren’t botanical notes. They were letters she’d never sent to her family.

"*Dearest Mother,*" I read from the first page, "*I know you’ve disowned me for marrying outside our kind, but you would love your granddaughter if you met her. Victoria has your eyes and, I suspect, your gifts. Already she can make the seedlings respond to her touch in ways that reveal her heritage...*"

I looked up at Leo in confusion. "Outside our kind? But my maternal grandparents were human. They died before I was born."

"Keep reading," Leo urged, his expression intense.

The next letter revealed more:

"*Father, I understand your anger, but surely the ancient feud between our people and the wolf-kind cannot extend to an innocent child. Victoria represents hope for a new understanding. Her dual nature may one day bridge worlds that have been separated for centuries...*"

My hands were shaking as I opened the wooden box. Inside lay a delicate silver pendant—not werewolf silver that would burn our skin, but something similar yet different. It was shaped like a leaf with intricate engravings that seemed to shimmer in the sunlight. At the center was a small green stone that appeared to glow from within.

"I’ve never seen craftsmanship like this," I whispered, carefully lifting the pendant.

Leo’s expression had grown very still, his eyes fixed on the symbol etched into the back of the pendant. "Victoria," he said slowly, "this is sylvan work. The mark of the Forest Folk." 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Forest Folk?" I repeated, not understanding.

"Some call them the Hidden Ones or the Fae Folk," he explained, his voice low as if sharing a secret. "They’re as ancient as werewolves but far more secretive. Most believe they’re just myths now."

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