The Secret Heirs of the Lycan King (by Misha K) novel Chapter 84

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**Chapter 84**

**Bella**

I blinked, trying to grasp the whirlwind of emotions swirling in my mind after Nancy’s revelation. Scott’s mark still lingered on my skin, a warm glow that enveloped me in a comforting haze, making everything feel as though it were wrapped in a gentle embrace. Yet, despite this soothing sensation, Nancy’s words about knowing my mother struck me like a sudden thunderclap, sending jolts of confusion and urgency through my veins.

When she fell silent, her soft gaze fixed on me, I felt compelled to ask again. “Nancy… you knew my mom?” My voice emerged slowly, laden with disbelief. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?” The question hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears and unanswered longings.

Nancy hesitated, her eyes drifting toward the Elders. Elder Drosna reclined in her chair, her expression a mixture of scrutiny and concern. She offered a gentle smile to Ryan and Emma, who sat nearby, before her attention sharpened back onto Nancy. The tension in the room thickened, crackling like static electricity.

“You concealed their scent even after meeting the King,” Elder Drosna declared, her voice firm and unwavering. “You must explain this. Why did you not reveal the truth sooner? Do you understand the severity of your actions? We could imprison you for this!”

With a respectful bow of her head, Nancy lifted her gaze, her violet eyes steady and resolute. “Because I was uncertain about the Lycan King,” she responded, her voice calm yet laced with an undercurrent of emotion. “And I wanted to honor Bella’s desire to keep her distance from him. I had no idea they were mates, but I understood her fear of what might happen if he discovered he had children.” Her eyes turned to me, filled with a deep understanding. “Bella always worried that he might never accept them. To her, he was just a human who could easily reject her and their children.” She glanced back at Elder Drosna. “I couldn’t bear the thought of her enduring another heartbreak. She had already faced so much.”

As I caught Scott’s gaze, I felt a wave of pain wash over me. His expression shifted, revealing a hurt that pierced through me like a dagger. I longed to reach out to him, to assure him that I felt no shame for him, that I understood the fears that had once gripped my heart. I had been terrified, terrified of rejection, terrified of losing him, and most of all, terrified that he would never want our children. Nancy’s words rang true, and I couldn’t deny the reality behind them.

She continued, her voice steady despite the gravity of her confession. “When I learned that Bella was in Dallas, hiding with the children, I rushed to her side. I was acutely aware that predator wolves, those who harbored hatred for the King, were lurking everywhere. And hunters were out there too, searching for any sign of weakness. If either group had found the children, they would have shown no mercy.”

A murmur rippled through the room, a collective gasp of horror echoing off the walls.

Nancy’s expression turned grave as she faced the Elders. “There were attempts,” she revealed, a shadow of pain crossing her features. “Once, a woman infiltrated the building disguised as a delivery person. She brought poisoned candy meant for the children. I managed to intercept it before Bella ever laid eyes on it.”

My stomach twisted violently at the thought. “Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. “Who was that woman?”

“You were already living in fear,” Nancy said gently. “You didn’t need to bear more. Besides, I have memorized her scent and face. I will recognize her when I encounter her again.”

Silence enveloped the hall, thick with tension as she continued. “I cast my strongest spell, the only one potent enough to mask the scent of the Lycan King from his pups. As long as they bore no trace of him, no wolf or hunter would dare to look for them. But using that spell came at a cost. I sacrificed much of my magic, forcing me to hide from my own kind to ensure both my safety and theirs.”

Around the room, the wolves stared at her with a newfound respect and awe. Some regarded her with admiration, realizing the magnitude of her sacrifice. She hadn’t merely protected my children; she had shielded the heirs of the Lycan King, putting her own life on the line in the process.

Elder Kevin cleared his throat, his voice steady and authoritative. “How do you know Bella’s mother?” he inquired, his brow furrowing in curiosity. “Was she a witch as well?”