Not long after Ivan and his father finished their minor argument and reunion, the trio moved into his office. The fireplace flickered with burning embers and warmth, with a massive image of a female with silver hair and golden eyes above, her face stern and with a resting sneer.

“So, Nikolai, I imagine you have many questions.” His grandfather held a glass of thick, red liquid with a caramel scent. It reminded him of the whiskey his father brought home, but it was much stronger, likely an older or superior batch.

“I do, Grandfather…” The feeling of distance and awkwardness couldn’t be easily dealt with, but Viktor just lifted the corners of his lips and smiled.

“Do not force yourself first. I should properly introduce myself.” His grandfather placed the glass down, standing before the roaring fire, and spread his arms before giving a low bow. “Greetings, be dear grandson. I am Viktor Igorevich Volkov. The current head of the Volkov clan and Silvan werewolf alliance.”

‘Silvan werewolf alliance?’

Nikolai’s brows lifted something that Viktor didn’t miss, a smile forming on his lips. “The Silvan werewolf alliance, an alliance of all moonlight clans from the far east, and our motherland.”

“Moonlight?”

Ivan’s lips twitched before he spoke, not letting his father win all the glory of teaching Nikolai.

“Werewolves who grow stronger in the darkness, typically with silver, white or dark blue fur.”

“Oh, Ivan, have you interrupted your father?” Viktor lifted his upper lips, sneering at his son and showing slight aggression.

Ivan lowered his head and turned away, but the way his eyes focused, the young boy could see they weren’t finished with this argument. Or rather, he understood their underlying affection and delight at a new werewolf joining them. ‘Maybe because of the ritual, they worried I might never awaken?’

“It seems like a lot of responsibility.” Nikolai rubbed the back of his head while trying to diffuse the situation.

“Oh, my grandson you are right! Those ungrateful idiots have long forgotten our oath to the kings of old, to keep the bloodshed hidden in the darkness of night.” For a moment, Viktor’s eyes dimmed. His eyes were looking at the beautiful woman in the portrait. “Many have forgotten the bloodshed and horrible wars to hide our existence…”

Ivan also seemed to gaze at that image with respect and admiration, which made Nikolai curious. But his grandfather answered without prompting as if sensing his question.

“This is the mighty Aliza Konstantinovna Fenrir who married into Volkov, the woman who unified thousands of werewolves over eighty years ago, when those pesky bastards invaded the west, and created the second world war trying to spread their anti monster crusade.”

“So… my great grandmother.”

Viktor nodded.

The tale was short and straightforward. It explained how werewolves recruited human allies to fight against humans who sought the extermination of monsters. “How was she related to Dimitri, the current head of Fenrir?” Nikolai was born and lived most of his life. Humans are worried about things like genetic issues; what if Nikita had a closer biological relation to him?!

“Don’t worry, the current head of the Fenrir, that Dimitri boy isn’t even a first or second-line relative, but one of the few survivors of the collateral clan, her nephew twice removed.” Ivan, this time, added the information before taking a short yet jittery breath. “In the great war, most of the Volkov, Silver and Fenrir family members were hunted by humans and the Day walkers alike.”

“The daywalkers?” This story was already far more complex than Nikolai thought at first. He wondered if they might just apologise for leaving him in danger. Yet, learning about the war, he thought it was something humans did against other humans, which made his mind race.

Especially given that all this turmoil took place less than a hundred years ago.

“Werewolves who refused to ally with the Silvan pact, we do not care about fur or racial heritage, because we are all brothers who love the moon… However, those who gathered under the Hati clan, and many others chose to fight alongside our nemesis in the war, and slaughtered their brethren to take control from the Volkov.” Viktor’s eyes looked distant, his wrinkled hands trembling as he looked at the portrait… “Mother, she fought against the enemy, but still wanted to save all our brethren be they traitors or allies, and for that, she paid with her life.”

Viktor’s eyes shook with emotion and grief that would likely last for the rest of his life… Nikita didn’t interrupt; the emotions in his heart were hard to name.

Complex, Nikolai didn’t feel a direct connection, but when his mind remembered the training wolves, the maids and Sofia… He realised it felt strange, and his chest became heavy and tight. ‘If this were to happen again, or rather, this is what they are aiming for targeting Nikita’s clan now…’

“You look angry, young wolf… what is wrong?” Viktor’s eyes became calm and tranquil, and seemed to lack vision as if blind.

“I just worried that the past might repeat itself… or rather, that it might have already started.”

The moment Nikolai spoke his mind, both Ivan and Viktor’s lips trembled, their gaze interlocked, with both men letting out long sighs as if they wanted to avoid this, yet they also wanted to praise the young wolf because of his intellect and foresight.

“My young grandson, you are indeed very perceptive. But, you may rest easy knowing the two world wars weakened humans significantly… despite the Hati clan and remaining enemies of the past. It wouldn’t reach the same point, but you are correct. There is a battle ongoing, and since that moment seventeen years ago, it has begun brewing.”

‘Again… the ritual? Is it my fault…’

Viktor observed the changes in Nikolai’s face and expression and smiled. He walked around his massive coffee table before petting his head. “You cannot be blamed. The tragedy was caused because your mother was targeted, as were your brethren…”

“What do you mean?!” With an excited yet expectant tone, Nikolai wanted to know so he could protect his new family.

“I have been told you remember most of the ritual, from little Nagi, is this true?”

‘Little Nagi… Mother Nagisa?!’

“Well, yeah, I saw memories from the past and the mansion being raided,” Nikolai muttered, amazed that his grandfather spoke of the powerful Nagisa like a young woman.

“Well…”

“Dad, can I tell him?” Ivan interrupted, his face dark, yet his eyes filled with sincerity and determination.

“Are you sure, Ivan? That night, you lost more than anyone.” Viktor’s affectionate side trickled through, and Nikolai noticed the father and son’s subtle yet unique ways of showing it to one another.

‘Dad’s face looks so serious and anxious… does that night and mom’s death weight on him so heavily?’

“First… Nikolai I hope you won’t blame the family, or your grandfather for that night.”

“Eh?”

“Because it’s me who told them to stay away… I broke off ties with them because I convinced myself they would try to have you killed, being a hybrid.” Ivan lowered his head, his fists balling up as his fingernails dug into his palms. “I… am not an honourable man; even after finding my bride, I feared the pack for wanting to sacrifice our first child and so even when my father offered to protect the mansion that night, I became doubtful and refused.”

Viktor stood nearby, calmly rubbing his son’s back while watching Nikolai closely, waiting for a reaction. When he saw what pleased him, he nodded.

Nikolai didn’t become angry or full of emotion; instead, he felt a swirling sensation of anger and other emotions. Yet he swallowed his breath and looked his father in the eyes, waiting for Ivan to finish.

“I trusted the head of the Hati clan back then… he offered help, and for many years ,that bastard was our good friend. It was a time where we believed the night and day walkers would be united under the beauty of the moon.” Ivan’s lips quivered, transforming into a twisted and aggressive snarl. “But we were tricked… the alliance and friendship were all a lie, waiting for the right moment to strike us with the help of the Nosferatu, who wanted to destroy Vladimir’s reign.”

‘So that night, Selene and Lunaria’s family were also attacked?’

“You look lost in thought, but Nikolai, that night it wasn’t just monsters that attacked our home and killed your mother and Lunaria, but humans… members of a radical anti-monster faction within the SSS with access to anti-monster weapons, which resulted in the death of thousands that night.”

Ivan’s fists clenched, and Nikolai’s questions about why the people in this mansion didn’t help, but when he understood the gravity, that night’s events were bigger than just him and the girl who shared divine blood. “Then why did they try to kidnap, not kill me and Kumiko?”

“Your blood…” Viktor’s words startled Ivan, who looked at his father pleadingly, but his eyes were empty of sympathy.

“He needs to know, Ivan. Do not coddle your son, he is a man now, with his own family to protect.” Viktor’s cold yet sincere voice caused Nikolai to think of the three women he considered important and Sarah, who also held a high position in his mind.

‘Could something terrible happen to any of them?’

“Well, because you and that girl’s blood is special… Anastasia was the first, we thought her to be a miracle with a small percentage of that black blood. However, you Nikolai… if Anastasia was a pool… you would be the source, able to create more and more of that cursed, yet powerful blood. As for the Kistune, well her blood is more valuable to humans than anything else in this world.”

“H…how?”

‘I now understand that my black blood can mimic and copy all other bloodlines, and that is why I can learn abilities more easily that other clans.’

“That girl’s blood can heal, restore or fix any ailments… if your blood is of an evil god, then here’s a god of light or purity. For humans, she is a blood tank that is able to heal all diseases and sicknesses. To monsters, she is poison… only one with the same blood as her could avoid being killed by her holy bloodline.” Viktor explained, with no mercy for the boy.

‘Wait…’

“Then does that mean other monsters would want her dead if they found out?”

This reaction and question made Viktor chuckle.

“Well, some werewolves see her as an enemy. However, most don’t mind her existence due to a certain folktale and old records; we all know that for generations, those with evil and cursed blood would be paired with the shrine maidens of that girl’s family line to produce the purest and most powerful offspring.” The grin on Viktor’s face made it difficult for Nikolai to trust him.

Ivan’s body shook for a moment before calming himself. “Father, You aren’t suggesting!”

“Hohoho, nothing shall be forced, but for that girl it is a bit cruel a fate if nothing happens, right?”

“But Nikolai…” Ivan’s frustrations were clear, and Nikolai somehow understood the gist of their words and insinuations, but he couldn’t help but feel a little uncomfortable. His father and grandfather seemed to hint at something happening between him and that girl, yet the two of them barely knew each other.

‘That’s really going too far. Besides, I’m trying to build something real with my three women. And then there is…’

Viktor seemed to understand Nikolai’s thoughts from his twisted facial expression before stroking his head once again, a bitter smile on his lips. “Don’t worry, we will not force you. Let time and nature take it’s course, understood my kind boy.”

‘These old bastards trying to palm me off with ANOTHER woman!’

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep