Resemblance

Days turned into weeks, and the pain of Alucard's rejection remained etched in my heart. Despite the emotional turmoil I endured, I found solace in returning to the Moon Oriental pack, where I received unwavering support from my fellow pack members, including Jaromir, who stood by my side through it all. The best older brother I could ever have.

The revelation of my pregnancy did not spread through our pack, and only Jaromir knew about it as soon as I returned to his dormitory on that day. He remained silent, giving me the impression that he already knew since he noticed that my attitude changed when I went to the royal palace in hasty. Yet, he chose not to confront me or discuss the matter further.

While dealing with the heartbreak, completely living life as if nothing happened when I was in the capital, I started to show some signs of pregnancy, like having morning sickness and having an upset stomach if there was food that was not to my liking.

In my chamber, I tried to find peace of mind, but it eluded me. Instead, my surroundings seemed to be filled with memories of Alucard, and tears welled up in my eyes as I glanced around. Every corner of the room held a reminder of our escapades, where he used to whisper sweet nothings to me, making my heart flutter.

The emptiness I felt without him was overwhelming, and I longed for the days when we were together, wrapped in each other's arms. Now, all that remained were the echoes of his voice and the memories of our time together.

I tried to push away these thoughts, to focus on the future and the life I would have with my pup. But the ache in my heart was too raw, and sleep eluded me that night. My mind kept replaying our moments together, and I couldn't help but wonder what went wrong, why he had turned away from me so coldly.

Though our time together was brief, my feelings for Alucard were authentic and deep. I couldn't predict how long I would linger in the warmth of our happy memories, reluctant to let go. Yet, the persistent sting of rejection kept haunting my thoughts, threatening to overshadow those cherished moments and gradually giving way to a growing sense of bitterness and resentment.

One morning, as I was lost in my thoughts and emotions, Jaromir arrived, accompanied by some visitors. I wasn't expecting anyone, and the sudden appearance of guests took me by surprise.

At a distance, I caught sight of a woman, that seemed to be in her 50s, still looking young, enveloped in the delicate scent of hyacinth flowers, her attire exuding opulence, a clear indication of her noble lineage. Our eyes met, and I couldn't help but blink in disbelief. My heart seemed to skip a beat as an uncanny resemblance struck me; however, her hazel eyes set her apart from me.

"What...?" My jaw fell open as I witnessed her eyes gushing with tears.

"Is that... her?" Her voice trembled, and her hands instinctively covered her mouth in astonishment.

Chills ran down my spine as I instinctively took a step back, seeking comfort by clinging to Jaromir's arm. He approached me with a tender gaze, and I couldn't help but inquire, "W-Who is she, Jaromir?" My heart tugged inexplicably, and even my wolf seemed to urge me to linger on the woman who bore a striking resemblance to me.

I did not know why but something in her was making me feel something.

Jaromir chuckled as he sighed in relief. "Faustina, I would like you to meet Grand Duchess Leanne Bellwood."

At the mention of her name, my heart seemed to skip a beat, as I recognized it from somewhere. Wasn't she one of the owners of the Velvety Stones, the infamous jewelry shop where Saul had been investigating?

"What... What is she doing here?" I gulped nervously as Grand Duchess Bellwood's gaze softened. I quickly looked away, feeling a sudden shyness washing over me, unsure of what to say or how to react to her unexpected presence.

Jaromir settled beside her and disclosed, "The grand duchess is here, and she is claiming that you are their long-lost daughter and the heiress of the House of Bellwood." My jaw dropped in shock, and I remained rooted to the spot, completely speechless and wide-eyed at the revelation.

Jaromir led us to the drawing room, where until now, I was still in silence after what I learned. I did not know how to react to this.

"According to a man named Saul, who claimed to be from the Moon Oriental pack, he brought this locket necklace to our jewelry shop," Grand Duchess Bellwood explained. "Howard, our artisan, was surprised to see it, as he knew well that Beowulf, my husband, had asked him to create a customized necklace for our daughter." As she spoke, she showed me the locket, and in her other hand was a portrait of a family of three – a father, a mother, and a child who appeared to be around the age of 2. My jaw dropped in astonishment when I realized that the child in the portrait bore an uncanny resemblance to me – the same face I saw in the locket, akin to the mother's face, which was the grand duchess.

With tears in her eyes, she continued, "Our daughter's name is Faustina Miles Bellwood." Her voice wavered as she locked her gaze onto mine. "You were lost during our visit to the amusement park. We had no idea where you went or how to find you, especially with so many people around, masking your scent." Overcome with emotion, she began to sob. "Beowulf was devastated and never gave up searching for you, my dear. And now, I can hardly believe that, with the assistance of Saul and Lord Jaromir, I have been led here to finally reunite with you, Faustina," she said, her voice filled with both joy and sorrow.

As Grand Duchess Bellwood poured her heart out, recounting the events of the past, I felt a whirlwind of emotions swirling within me. The revelation was overwhelming, and I found it difficult to process everything at once. My mind was a storm of thoughts, memories, and questions, and I remained speechless, unable to find the right words to respond.

Jaromir, sensing my inner turmoil, placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Take your time, Faustina. This is a lot to process," he said gently.

The grand duchess wiped her tears and composed herself as she continued, "I've yearned to see you again, to embrace my long-lost daughter. Your deceased father, Beowulf, has never stopped searching for you, even though the years have passed. When Saul presented the locket and mentioned your name, it felt like a miracle."

"I... I don't know what to say," I stammered, still trying to wrap my mind around the revelation. "I never knew I was lost or that I had a family out there. I grew up in an orphanage, and my memories of my past are hazy at best."

She nodded understandingly. "It must have been incredibly difficult for you. We've looked for you for so long, but we had no way of knowing where you ended up or what happened to you."

A mix of emotions flooded through me. A part of me felt a sense of belonging and hope, knowing that I had a family who cared for me and had searched tirelessly for my return. But at the same time, the pain of my past and the uncertainty of my future with Alucard still lingered, clouding my thoughts.

Grand Duchess Bellwood clasped her hands together, her eyes filled with earnestness. "Faustina, I know this is a lot to take in, but we would be overjoyed if you could return to the Bellwood estate with us. After all, you are our one and only pup and our heiress."

For a moment, I hesitated, torn between the life I had built with the Moon Oriental pack and the opportunity to reconnect with my biological family. But deep down, I knew that the time had come to face my past and embrace my true identity.

"I... I need some time to think," I replied, my voice trembling with emotion. "But I want to meet my father and learn about my past, the family I never knew I had." Even though I learned already that Grand Duke Beowulf Bellwood was already deceased.

Grand Duchess Bellwood nodded, her eyes brimming with understanding. "Of course, take all the time you need. We'll be staying in the capital for a while, awaiting your decision."

As they prepared to leave, I felt a mix of emotions overwhelming me. Jaromir embraced me tightly, offering his unwavering support, no matter what decision I made. "I'm here for you, sister," he said, his voice filled with affection, which made me cry and hug him so tight.