Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1331 - 86 : Origin of the Sigils

*Zara*

I couldn’t believe things were finally looking up, and I felt accepted by Drogomor. I’d be able to carry on as a working woman, the pack’s Luna, with their blessings.

Relief radiated off me in waves, and I beamed happily at Noah as the ceremony came to its conclusion. Not only did the ceremony go well, but I could finally get answers about these terrifying sigils.

As the days passed with no information, I’d been growing more and more antsy, the dread in my stomach reaching its peak. Now, hopefully that problem would be solved... or progressed, at least.

We gave Briella to my parents, ensuring she was doing well. She needed a nap anyway, and I didn’t want her exposed to too much excitement just yet. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

A meeting was set up in a proper room, and we made ourselves comfortable, sitting across from Sasha and her mate, Lucas.

I let out a breath, giving her a light smile. “Hello. Thank you so much for agreeing to meet with us here,” I said.

She gave me a faint smile. “It is my pleasure. Briella is a beautiful name. Congratulations on such a wonderful child to the future Luna of Drogomor.”

I beamed at her, feeling pride swell within me. Until recently, I hadn’t felt confident at all in my future role. I’d had so many doubts before about being a Luna and a mother. But now that the Drogomor people seemed so accepting and even excited about Noah and me, my confidence was growing.

Sasha grew serious but kept a warm expression on her face. “You had questions to ask of me?”

I nodded and explained to her the situation with the sigils tattooed on my back, that I’d had no idea they were there, how they only showed up in the light of the moon, and how I was nervous about their purpose. I took out my phone and showed her a picture, just so she would know for sure what they were, in case she had forgotten.

Recognition flashed in Sasha’s eyes, and her expression turned solemn, which caused my stomach to lurch nervously.

“What’s the matter?” I asked in a hushed tone.

“Well,” she began. “When I touched you as a baby, you seemed to harbor horrific, hellish nightmares. It was so distressing, I—”

She put her hand over her heart, overcome with emotions that looked like sadness and terror for a moment as a frown spread on her face.

Noah was now frowning as well, and he leaned over to squeeze my shoulder to reassure me. I relaxed slightly at his tender gesture. He knew this was causing me stress.

Sasha continued. “I wasn’t sure if the disturbing visions were memories of what you might have experienced from wherever you came from previously... or—”

I leaned forward, wondering where else the visions could have come from.

“Or if they were extracted from another life,” she continued. “They could have even come from another person.”

I let out a breath, the thought of that absolutely terrifying to me. All prospects seemed very nerve-wracking, and I felt anxiety rush through my wolf as well.

“What exactly did you see in those nightmares?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady, though likely failing a bit.

“I am sorry,” Sasha said softly. “I regret to say I cannot recall the specifics after all this time. I tried to forget them on purpose. The images were much too disturbing.”

A chill rushed through me, practically freezing my soul at this news. My eyes widened in fear, and I swallowed. I wondered what kind of traumatic events could lead a baby to harbor such extreme night terrors.

I took a deep breath, trying to compose myself. I had Noah there with me, and Drogomor on my side too. I wasn’t alone. Finally, I wasn’t alone. Finally, I was accepted by them.

They would be here for me, especially Noah. I grasped that in my mind firmly before asking my next question for Sasha. “W-what would happen if the markings were to be removed from my back now?”

“I am not sure,” Sasha said, her brow furrowing in thought. “But. I suspect the original nightmare visions could return if the mystical block is lifted.”

Yet another chill went through my spine. Knowledge was power, but I wasn’t sure if that would be the case in this instance. The sigils were indeed meant to protect me... from my own mind.

That thought was so off-putting, and I gulped, reaching up to rub at my temples for just a moment. Noah leaned over and planted a gentle kiss on my cheek.

I gave a hum of appreciation for him, turning to gaze into his blazing blue eyes. There was concern churning in those swirling depths, and determination to protect me.

I let out a soft sigh, then looked back at Sasha. “Is there any way to learn more about this? Did you do this on your own?”

Sasha shook her head, her eyes very distant. “No,” she said in a hushed tone. “I had help from a witch. She harnessed unusual dark magic but used it for good... like to help you.”

“A witch? Dark magic?” I asked in a hushed tone, knowing some people thought I was a witch myself. I swallowed, trying to wrap my head around everything.

Sasha nodded. “Yes. She prefers her anonymity for her own safety. I am sure you understand. You were brought to the witch as a last resort when all else failed to grant you peaceful rest.”

I studied her expression, and her words were edged and hesitant. She stared at the table, and I waited to see if she had anything else to add.

She closed her eyes, then let out a sigh. “I didn’t want to resort to that, really, because though she did seem very benevolent, her rare command of shadow magic gave me the chills.”

I glanced over to Noah to see how he was taking it. He concentrated on Sasha’s words, then noticed my look toward him. He gave me a light smile. “Dark magic, witches—regardless, still here.”

I let out a sigh of relief, then thought for a moment. “Would... something like that interfere with a mate bond?”

“I am not sure,” Sasha admitted. “I am sorry I don’t have more answers for you right now. These are all valuable questions, and here I am with so many ‘I don’t knows.’”

“That’s alright,” I said softly. “The fact that you’re here and trying to help means the world to me. Thank you so much.” I swallowed.

She smiled at me, then focused on the distant past. “Though I do know we’d been very careful to construct sigils that were only meant to counteract and block the nightmares. I don’t know dark magic enough to understand if unexpected side effects would apply.”

“I understand,” I said softly, thinking it through.

“The witch had sealed your markings with the sanctified blood and loving energies of your adoptive parents. In fact, your unique matchmaking abilities may have been the result of that ritual.”

I blinked, thinking that through. Granted magic by some sigils on my back... that would be interesting. But I wondered if I would lose my powers if I had them removed.

My mind was full of such questions. What if we found out they were blocking my mate bond, and confirmed that I’d lose my powers if they were gone? Could I go through with it?

I mulled it all over in my head, having so many more questions than before. I had thought everything would be answered there, but I should have known that wouldn’t be the case.

A deep frown formed on my face, and I leaned against Noah for comfort. A silence stretched between all of us, one that I broke after a moment. “Sorry. This is just a lot to take in.”

“I understand,” Sasha said. “Take all the time you need to process this. You are a new mother, after all, and will be Luna of Drogomor. You have a lot on your shoulders.”

I shot her a thankful look, glad that she understood just how heavy it all was for me.

Noah spoke up. “Could anyone be granted powers by sigils?” He was mighty curious, and I just had to chuckle. He glanced over at me and gave a grin. “What? Being a winged wolf or something would be helpful.”

“It would,” I said, realizing he was trying to be lighthearted about the situation for my sake.

Sasha chuckled at her nephew, shaking her head. “Well, if you are able to speak with the witch, that is something you can ask her,” she said.

After gazing at our expressions for a moment, she sighed. “I can make a promise to try to reach out to this witch from long ago to see if she’d agree to meet with you. But it isn’t something you should expect outright.”

I nodded firmly, my heart leaping with hope. Even just a chance at more answers would be better than nothing, and we were farther than before now, even if we hadn’t revealed everything I wanted to know.

“I would really appreciate that, and I understand. I will find some way to compensate her or something. I really want to know what may be blocked.”

“Just remember,” Sasha warned, wincing. “Some memories are best left blocked. But these answers could prepare you for... well, whatever the images implied.”

I shivered, feeling that spike of dread rush through me at the thought of whatever horrors I’d seen as a baby, or in a past life, or even from someone else... could mean.

Whoever or whatever was connected to those memories could pose a huge danger to me and my family, I thought.

“Any chance to try and talk with the witch will be helpful,” I said. “I won’t try to reveal everything if it is bad. But more revelations for who I am underneath the surface will be helpful, like you said.”

“Right,” Sasha said. “Exactly.”

Noah chimed in. “And I will be with you the entire way, Zara. I promise.”

Warmth billowed within me as I turned to give Noah a relieved smile. I knew I wouldn’t be alone, but his reassurance was very heartening.

I leaned over and gave him a deep kiss on the lips, one that I held for a bit before pulling away and letting out a sigh.

“I need to make sure Briella is completely well before focusing on this too much,” I muttered. “But if there’s any way the witch could come here, or accommodations could be made.... I would appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Sasha said. “I will mention your situation should I be able to get in touch with her.”

With that, the meeting concluded. I felt shaky and very nervous, but I really hoped I could discover the truth about myself.

Maybe it would finally help fill in some critical missing pieces.