Chapter 82: Fran’s Identity
“Fran,” Gerard’s voice echoed from outside the door.
Fran set aside the blue robe and opened the door to find Gerard standing there.
“Gerard, do you need something?” Fran inquired.
“Have you been reminiscing about the past again?” Gerard noticed the blue robe on Fran’s bed.
Fran nodded and let Gerard into her room. Gerard closed the door behind him, knowing that Theo might return at any moment. He was also well aware that Fran didn’t want Theo to know about the blue robe. Fran had kept this secret hidden deep within her for many years.
“I know Hazel overheard our conversation last night,” Fran said as she sat on her bed.
She knew her granddaughter was intelligent and brave, and she would want to know the truth. However, Fran didn’t know how to reveal the information to Hazel. Perhaps when the time came and they could no longer keep it hidden, she would openly share her secret and Hazel’s true identity.
“She probably wanted to tell Cyril,” Gerard chuckled softly. It was no wonder Hazel had left home early.
Gerard didn’t know what arrangement Hazel had made with Cyril, but he could sense her trust and reliance on him. Cyril had always protected Hazel.
“It’s reassuring to know that someone can protect her,” Fran smiled.
She understood that if Hazel’s true identity were revealed, she would become an object of envy and pursuit for everyone. At that point, Fran couldn’t guarantee Hazel’s safety. However, Cyril led the world’s largest Pack, and he was a powerful Alpha who could withstand many challenges. Fran felt at ease entrusting Hazel to Cyril’s care.
“Gerard, if something happens to me, promise me you’ll protect her,” Fran spoke, unable to predict the future or what trials Hazel might face, but she wanted to ensure Hazel had as much protection as possible.
Gerard’s eyes darkened, fully aware of whom Fran was talking about.
“Luna, I will protect her,” Gerard suddenly stated.
Fran’s eyes subtly changed; she hadn’t heard that name in a long time: Luna Fran. From a young age, Fran had known her identity and responsibilities. She was the most talented witch in the McGo Family, and everyone expected her to be the next leader. However, that was not the life Fran truly desired. The role of leader was the aspiration of all witches, but it wasn’t what Fran wanted. She simply wished for a peaceful and happy life.
She had grown tired of the endless studying, the daily grind of herbs, books, and tools, and constant practice of magic, even though she had mastered it all. But her mother remained unsatisfied.
“Fran, you must become the leader,” her mother’s words were a constant source of agitation.
After endless years of study, Fran escaped quietly. It was during that escape that she met her future husband, a werewolf and the Alpha of a Pack.
“What’s your name?” the man stopped the unfamiliar girl who had trespassed into his Pack.
“Fran,” Fran replied without any trace of fear in her eyes. She saw a more intriguing world and encountered a different race: werewolves. This piqued her curiosity.
“Why have you come here?” the man inquired once more.
“I escaped from somewhere else. Is this your territory?” Fran looked around at the surroundings, which were unlike the magic-filled room she had come from.
“This is my territory,” the man spoke, a hint of curiosity shining in his eyes as an unknown girl, who had fled from an unknown place, invaded his Pack fearlessly. She was bold and unique.
“What’s your name then?” Fran asked as she circled him with a curious gaze.
“Osnald,” Fran remembered the name.
“I want to stay,” Fran ran on the grass, enjoying the open air. Fran vividly remembered the expression on Osnald’s face after she said that.
“Stay for what?” Osnald inquired.
“To play!” Fran giggled. She loved the place where there were no herbs, no books, and where everyone ran and played on the grass.
But back then, Fran hadn’t thought of leaving the McGo Family forever. She just wanted a breather, more choices. If it weren’t for the events that followed, Fran might have indeed become the McGo Family’s leader.
“Gerard, you’re the last one left,” Fran looked at Gerard, who seemed older now.
“Fran, you’ve never wanted me to call you Luna. The truth is, you haven’t let go of the past,” Gerard’s face showed a hint of sorrow. He didn’t want to recall the painful memories.
Gerard was well aware that Fran could never let go of the past.
“The past is in the past, what matters is the future,” Fran placed the blue robe back in a box and then put the box back at the bottom of her closet.
“I promise you, I’ll protect Hazel,” Gerard said with a serious expression. Werewolves didn’t make promises lightly. Once they swore an oath, they had to fulfill it until their last breath.
“With your word, I feel at ease,” Fran nodded, offering a knowing smile. Gerard knew Fran wouldn’t say more. He opened the door and left her room.
Meanwhile, Hazel, under the protection of Carlotta and Viola, returned to the estate. Carlotta and Viola went back to the Pack House. Hazel walked through the garden into the main hall, where Berhtulf was assigning tasks to the maids.
“Miss Moen, you’re back,” Berhtulf respectfully greeted her. “Have you had breakfast?”
Hazel nodded, “Yes, I’ve eaten. Is Cyril at the Pack House?”
“Alpha is working in his study,” Berhtulf replied. “Do you need to see him, Miss Moen?”
“Yes, I’ll go up on my own. Thank you, Berhtulf,” Hazel smiled at him. Berhtulf had the look of someone who understood more than he would ever say. He knew that Alpha hadn’t left the estate, waiting for Miss Moen to return.
Hazel went upstairs and headed straight to Cyril’s study. She gently knocked on the door.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
“Come in,” Cyril responded almost instantly.
Hazel opened the door and found Cyril with a cold expression. He was indeed working.
“You’re quite punctual,” Cyril remarked. Hazel had promised to return early today, but it was still early. She hadn’t been able to sleep last night, preoccupied with thoughts of her grandmother and the McGo Family’s situation.
The matter had troubled Hazel throughout the night, and she couldn’t wait to tell Cyril.
“Listen, Cyril, there’s something I need to tell you.” Hazel’s hands rested on Cyril’s desk, her expression serious.
“What’s up? Elmer?” Cyril inquired, having learned about Elmer’s situation the day before, and even disturbing a mother wolf’s sleep. Cyril was interrupted for the first time.
“No, it’s my grandmother,” Hazel sat on the sofa, arms crossed in front of her. Cyril furrowed his brow. Had something happened during her visit home? Cyril became more convinced that having Hazel stay at the estate was the best choice.
“What do you want to say?” Cyril asked, looking at Hazel. Hazel proceeded to tell Cyril about what happened with her grandmother last night, and how her grandmother’s reaction had been beyond her imagination. She had never known there was any connection between her grandmother and the McGo Family.
“The matter with your grandmother and the McGo Family?” Cyril’s eyes hinted at a sense of puzzlement. He recalled that Hazel’s grandmother had returned to town with Hazel. Logically, there shouldn’t be any connection between her and the McGo Family, unless it was a very old matter.
“My instincts tell me that my grandmother is hiding something,” Hazel continued. She wasn’t prying into her grandmother’s secrets, but she wanted to understand what her grandmother was keeping from her. Had her grandmother held a grudge against the McGo Family? Yet, her grandmother’s reaction didn’t seem like she harbored any hatred toward them.
“I’ll help you investigate, but right now, someone has come to visit,” Cyril’s voice resonated in the study as he received a message through the mind link. He stood up from his chair and walked toward Hazel. “We need to go to the Pack House.”