The Messenger( Iva) novel Chapter 14

Lies–1

iva walked home as if she were floating outside her own body.

The forest path felt unreal beneath her feet, the trees blurring at the edges of her vision, the sounds of birds and wind fading in and out like echoes from another world. Everything inside her was still spinning–Nick, the red thread, Avalon’s words, the impossible truth that had settled into her bones like a living thing.

Messenger.

The word repeated in her mind with every step.

Her heart, which had been pounding wildly only minutes earlier, now beat with a strange, steady excitement. Fear was still there, yes–but beneath it, something new had taken root.

Hope. Fragile, glowing, dangerous hope.

As she walked, her thoughts began to race ahead of her, forming scenes, rehearsing

conversations.

She imagined sitting at the kitchen table, hands folded, calm and composed, while her parents stared at her in disbelief. She imagined her father’s sharp words stopping mid–sentence, his anger dissolving into shock, then awe. She imagined the Alpha being called, his posture stiffening when

he realized what she was.

The next Messenger.

With this… everything would change.

They wouldn’t dare send her to the wild packs now. No Alpha would risk offending the Moon Goddess herself. No barbaric agreement, no northern exile, no life stripped of choice and voice.

Finally, she would belong.

Finally, the pack would have to see her… to accept her.

She pictured the whispers changing, the laughter dying on cruel lips, the looks of pity turning into respect–or at least fear. She imagined her father standing taller among the other Gammas, no longer ashamed, no longer forced to lower his gaze.

Your daughter is chosen, they would say.

Your bloodline is blessed.

For the first time since her shift, a small, hesitant smile touched her lips.

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Lies–1

25 Port

For the first time, she allowed herself to believe that maybe–just maybe–everything she had

endured had led to this moment.

That the pain had a purpose.

When she reached the house, the sun was already sinking, painting the sky in deep orange and bruised purple. The familiar sight of the front door grounded her, and she took a deep breath

before stepping inside.

The moment the door closed behind her, hurried footsteps rushed toward her.

“Iva!”

Her mother appeared in the hallway, eyes red, face pale, hands trembling as she grabbed Iva’s

arms.

“Oh, Moon Goddess, where have you been?” Rana cried. “You worried us sick! You didn’t arrive with the school shuttle–do you have any idea-”

Her father’s voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Nor lies,” he added coldly. “Do you understand me, young lady?”

Iva frowned, confusion creeping in. “Dad, what are you talking about?”

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