Chapter 4

Kate’s POV

I am so sorry for your loss.” Nicole, our aging neighbor whispered next to me before walking away with her support cane making a thud along.

The noise appears to be distracting me. I can’t seem to focus on my thoughts. Despite the space, it still seems suffocating. I need all of these people out of here to be sure I am not having a bad dream. Nightmares can be so surreal and scary. This is probably one of them. I need someone to bring me back to reality.

I spoke too soon. A spiteful shove had me almost falling on my face. I turned around to see my stepsister, Jean pushing a basket of bedsheets in my face.

“Mum says if you won’t be of any other use, you should get the laundry out before the service begins.” She didn't wait for me to respond before dumping it at my feet.

I swallowed hard and lifted the basket with conflicted emotions. My wolf protested within me. But I feel too weak to contest anything. Stepping outside the house, my eyes caught sight of my reality. My father’s remains in the casket weakened my eyesight. The casket looked very ugly. I am sure Judith got it at a ridiculously cheap price. She couldn’t even keep her dignity in check and send him off nicely.

The funeral is of extremely low budget and I hope Dame wouldn’t come by until after the casket has been placed in the ground. I had invited him over through a text, breaking the rule of not reaching out to him first.

The tears I had held in all day that had my heart heavy rolled down my face without caution as I spread out the sheets. It feels like my life is shattered and will never remain the same again. The only person that I know who would stick his neck out for me is dead. I need Dame here so bad, he is the only one I have left.

I haven’t been home since our last fight. I feel so regretful not picking up his calls. Judith wouldn’t tell me how he died. I should have run faster that day, I probably would have been able to save him or at least tell him how much I love him. I almost lost my phone due to the confused state I was in, thankfully Lois found the phone and brought it to me. It was my mistake to think that my father would always be around. I will never forgive myself for being so adamant and unforgiving. I brought this upon myself.

He tried his best as a father should. The circumstances were just too hard on him. I had taken up the waitress job to support the family since Judith and Jean felt too royal to work. Now that Dad is dead, I wonder what would become of the lavish lifestyle that they lived on another person’s hard work.

Knowing I would never get to see my only family again made my knees weak. I bent down on the grass and wailed. Tears of pain and regret. Just then I felt a comforting arm around me and a familiar smell. It turned out to be Dame and he had a flower in hand.

“Baby.” I cracked up tearfully, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I didn’t know you would make it.”

“How could I not? It's your father, I am so sorry for your loss.” Dame said, pulling me off the ground and handing me the flowers.

I couldn’t thank him enough for showing up when I needed him the most. He stayed back in the car as I had requested until the service was over. I didn’t want Judith or Jean clawing into him with their fangs. Lois helped with getting the dishes done and afterwards, I went to meet Dame.

He was sitting patiently in the car waiting for me. Before I could continue with my sobbing, he cut me short. “I think you can do with some air,” Dame suggested.

I was surprised when he kept driving and didn’t stop until we got to the beach. I stepped down from the car and even though it wasn’t something so grand, I felt like he cared enough.

“Come with me, there is a beach house that belongs to me here.” He offered.

I followed meekly, letting him guide my steps. My heart was too heavy to pay attention. I just want to cry my eyes out and mourn my father. Dame ushered us into the wooden space that seemed so cozy. I sat on the edge of the bed, covering my face with my palm, crying.

“He was everything to me, Dame. I can’t believe I missed his last days.” I wailed.

Dame sighed and sat next to me while caressing my open back. “Don’t let yourself get too worked up. It was his time, baby. You have your life to live now.”

As he spoke, his lips found their way to my neck, I tried to resist, but Dame had a stronghold. He pushed me slightly into the bed and despite my muffled protest, he pulled up my dress and found his way under it.

“Please, Dame. This isn’t right. I shouldn’t be doing this.” I mumbled, trying to make him see reason.

“Shhh. You should live freely, Kate. Live freely.” He repeated, resting his body on me. My work couldn’t fight him off either.

His dick slide into me swiftly and he kept thrusting without looking back at me, tears rolling down the side of my eyes uncontrollably. I feel like the worst child anyone could ever ask for. Whatever happens to me is all that I deserve.

**************

Two days had passed after the funeral. Dame didn’t let me leave the beach house until l got a call from Judith saying I had to be back to discuss something important. It took a lot of begging before Dame let me go. He seemed obsessed all of a sudden. And I like the new turn of events even though I am still grieving.

When I got to the house. Judith had red wine in her glass as she sat opposite me with her legs crossed. Some of my dad’s colleagues had been generous enough to bring wine as a condolence gift and here she was gulping it down her parched throat like the glutton she is. It's rude to look down on one’s elders. But she brings out the worst in me.

She and her daughter sat still staring me down like I was some amusement tool. I cleared my throat as it was becoming more awkward with each passing second. When none of them thought it wise to speak, I chose to put my foot forward.

“Thank you for everything, Mother,” I said as respectfully as I could. Father must be feeling proud right now.

Judith scoffed, twirling her glass in hand. “You can keep your fake appreciation to yourself. I have been meaning to tell you this since he died, but those nosy neighbors kept showing up. Your father has a lot of debts to pay.” She said it casually like debts aren’t much of a big deal.

I shifted, furrowing my brows. I always thought we were clear of any sort of debt even though we weren’t exactly buoyant. My father hates the idea of being in debt and always warned me to be financially cautious and not spend beyond my means.

“Debt? He didn’t tell me anything about that.” I uttered.

Judith exchanged a look with Jean and looked back at me before letting out a bored laugh. “You are so naive. Just because he always makes you feel special, you think you know everything about him. Well, I am not sorry to break it to you that your father is a pauper and he owes a lot of money. Which leaves this house we are in at the mercy of the creditors.”

My mouth came open in shock. “W…what? We are going to lose the house?”

“We? The situation here doesn’t include you because I have found a way out of this.” She said.

My racing heart took a pause and I felt relieved that there might be a way out truly. “That is good. All you have to do is beg for more time with the creditors. I will do all that I can to make sure I pay them back….”

“You are getting married,” Judith announced, cutting me short.

I blinked in shock, glancing at Jean who had a devilish smirk on her face before I returned the look to the mother. “Me? How is that?” I asked, knowing clearly that I didn’t tell her or Jean about Dame.

She stood up and sashayed towards me. Settling herself gingerly next to me, she smiled coldly. “Actually, our way out of this debt is you. An extremely wealthy and generous man so to say is willing to get married to you and pay off all of our debts. And we get to keep the house. I am sure you would want the memories of your childhood and that of your father to remain in the house, don’t you?”

I swallowed with difficulty while my brain tried to process everything she just said. “A…are you pulling my legs?” I stuttered.

“I find that quite offensive. Do I look like a comedian to you, child? You will be getting married in the next three days and you had better not try to play funny.”

I shook my head and jolted out of the couch. No! There is no way that is ever going to happen. I’m only sixteen for the goddess’s sake.

“I won’t be getting married to anyone. I already have a mate and I am in love with him,” I stated firmly.

Judith cackled and blew on her nails. “You are such a naive fool. Do you intend to live solely on love? You had better reject him.”

“I am never going to do that,” I stated firmly.

“Listen, Kate. There is no way out of this for you. You are your father’s next of kin which means my daughter and I are your responsibility and it is up to you to pay that debt. You should be thankful to me that I proffered a solution to your miserable life. Just so you know, the old man is nice, be rest assured that he wouldn’t harm you.”

I gasped, quivering in shock. “He is old?”

“Just around 55, I think.” Jean chipped in.

“I am only sixteen! He is old enough to be my father!” I blurted.

“That is good! Which means he will shower you with enough fatherly love. I think we are done here. You will be married in the next three days. Have as much fun as you want until then.” She said, standing up.

My palms become sweaty all of a sudden. This can’t happen. If we lose the house, my childhood and memories would be gone with it. This is the only thing that connects me to my parents. I can’t lose it.

“Please.” I pleaded, falling to my knees. “I can’t get married to someone old enough to be my father. I have a mate and we love each other. I promise you, I will find the money.”

Judith sucked her teeth and turned to me with a pout. “You don’t get it, do you? I have no interest in whether you have a mate or not. What matters is the house being saved and every debt cleared. The only reason I will let you be with your desired mate and get married to him is if he is filthy rich. Someone capable enough to pay the debt off.”

She was about to leave but paused to look at me again. “I doubt a wretched person like you will be mated to a worthy man who has plenty of riches lying around. So brace yourself and accept your coming fate.”

Her condition is crazy, but I am at a point of desperation. “Three days is too short, but I will find the money,” I said with so much fate like I really have a plan.

“Good for you, then. I hope you do get something in the next seventy-two hours. If not….” A dark shadow fell over her features as she leaned forward with her eyes burning into my soul as she parted her lips and whispered dangerously. “The goddess bears me witness, you will be married off to the one wealthy enough to save this house. And even if I have to auction you off. The highest bidder will definitely take the win.”