Chapter 404: The truth.

A hiss came from Hunter’s mouth as he waved his fingers dismissively, "When have I ever been on mother’s side? I don’t even think she remembers my name anymore. Over the years, she has called me rat, worm, fool, burden--"

"Freak, clown, curse." Achilles jumped in eagerly, like they were naming their favorite things.

Hunter continued from where Achilles stopped. "Brute, demon, stain, pest, filth--"

Uncle Derek raised his hand. "Maybe you should stop, because we might be here for a whole week if you have to list them one by one. I should have beaten her ass for the name calling alone."

Achilles let out a hysterical roar of laughter, banging his fist on the table so hard the glasses rattled. "Aunt Sabrina would have beaten your ass into a pancake before you did anything to her, Uncle Derek. Much as we all don’t like her, we have to admit that she is a great fighter."

"Hey! Respect your elders, kid! She couldn’t beat me if the fight was fair!" Derek argued aggressively, waving his hand in the air to dismiss the claim.

Then, Derek turned to Hunter, his expression softening with genuine warmth. "In all seriousness, kid, it really is good to have you back home. I hope you and Zyra stay for a long, long time."

Zayn nodded vigorously, taking a big gulp from his cup. "Seriously, Hunt! We all love your wife; she is nothing like the scheming idiot Elliot married. And now that we know Aunt Denea is actually alive, and that your wife took her in and cared for her! And she helped save Maverick; Zyra is now practically the darling of the whole Kaelion family right now. Anyone who dares touch a hair on her head will get obliterated!"

Achilles leaned back in his chair, a goofy drunk smile on his face. "Honestly, it’s impossible not to love Zyra. She’s like the sweet, awesome little sister I always wished for... you know, instead of Bianca, who is basically a nightmare!"

The whole room erupted into a fit of wild laughter. Even Hunter couldn’t help but shake his head and grin at his cousins’ foolish comment. He had a feeling that Bianca would hear of this tomorrow, and she would beat Achilles into a coma!

Now that he thought about it, the women in their family were unusually stronger than most of the men, in combat.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps echoed from the doorway. Hunter turned his head toward the entrance, his sharp eyes catching sight of a tall figure hovering over there.

It was his father, Horas. A man that he needed to see, very much.

"Excuse me for a second," Hunter said, setting his unopened beer bottle on the counter and walking out to meet him.

The moment father and son met in the softly lit doorway, a broad, exhausted yet overjoyed smile spread across Horas’s face. He threw his arms wide open.

"Welcome home, my son!" He boomed. "Now, hug your old man, and don’t give me that crap about being too old."

Hunter didn’t hesitate. He stepped forward and wrapped his arms around his father in a deep, comforting hug. It had been far too long since he last saw or spoke to him. Horas patted Hunter’s back with heavy, warm hands before pulling back to look at his son’s face.

Tears shimmered in the corners of Horas’s old eyes. "Look at you... you look so healthy. You look well, Hunter, nothing like the bony kid who left home and never called his father ever again."

Hunter nodded, feeling a lump in his throat. "I am sorry, but I had to. Father. I... father, can we talk privately for a moment?"

"Of course," Horas agreed immediately.

He led Hunter down the quiet corridor into his private study on the second floor. As soon as the door shut, Horas turned around, placed his hands on his hips, and let out a defensive sigh.

"Son," Horas started quickly, "if you’re here to talk about your mother and what happened to Elliot, I really have nothing to say. What has happened has already happened. Elliot cannot be brought back to life." He sighed softly. "Your mother is refusing to eat or see anyone right now."

Hunter rubbed his temples and let out a long sigh. "Father, stop worrying about her. You need to focus on yourself now. Mom is... she’s a monster. You know what she’s done." ℯℯ𝑙.

"Hunter! Don’t talk about your mother like that!" Horas snapped, his voice trembling as he cut his son off. "No matter what she did, she is still my wife!" He choked back a sudden sob, pressing two fingers against the bridge of his nose as tears spilled over. His voice cracked with sheer heartbreak. "I know she has done terrible things... but God help me, Hunter, I... I just don’t know how to stop loving her!"

It was pitiful to see him looking so weak and heartbroken over a woman who had caused so much chaotic destruction.

Hunter twisted his mouth to the side, looking at his father with a mix of sympathy and frustration. "Father, calm down. I didn’t come in here to talk about mother...well not really."

Horas blinked away his tears, wiping his cheek with his sleeve like a confused child. "Huh? You didn’t? Then what do you want to talk about?"

Hunter took a deep breath, looking straight into his father’s eyes. "I know the truth, Father. I know that you are part Somnivore."

It felt as though a bolt of lightning had struck inside the quiet study. Horas froze completely, his jaw dropping open in utter shock. His face went pale as paper.

"There’s no need to try and hide it or lie to me anymore," Hunter said softly. "I heard both of you... that day when Elliot and I returned from our last trip beyond the veil. I stood outside the door. I heard Mom confessing how much she hated me. I heard her calling me a monster and calling me a curse to the entire Kaelion family bloodline. She also blamed you for my existence."

Horas stood frozen for a few seconds, blinking rapidly as the painful memory rushed back. A look of deep, overwhelming pity and regret washed over his weathered face.

"Oh_ Hunter_" Horas whispered, his heart aching. "I am so, so sorry... I’m so sorry you had to hear those terrible words coming from your own mother’s mouth."

Horas took a shaky step closer; his eyes filled with immense sadness. "All these years... every single time I asked her why she hated you so much, why she treated her own child so coldly... she would never give me an answer. She would just scream and spit curses at the sky." He shook his head, smiling sadly. "I guess I now know why." Horas bowed his head, letting out a heavy, painful breath. He looked up at Hunter with complete, raw honesty. "Son... there is another truth you must know. I... I am not your biological father."