Share

2

Penulis: Alyssa J
With those words, Dad left his seat, unilaterally ending our visit.

After leaving the prison, I returned home.

The once warm and lively home now only had Mom's black and white memorial photo on the wall.

My head throbbed with pain, my chest ached, and I felt surrounded by fog, the air growing thinner by the second.

I stumbled into their bedroom, trying to find anything—even the smallest clue—that might let me glimpse the truth. I couldn't believe Dad would do something like this.

It hadn't been long since Mom's birthday, but a thin layer of dust had already settled in the room.

Opening the closet, their clothes were still neatly folded.

Dad always said Mom looked beautiful in red, so most of her clothes were various shades of crimson.

Mom loved silver jewelry—ironic for a werewolf—but Dad still gave her special silver-plated pieces that wouldn't burn her skin.

Mom was always cold, so Dad kept a soft rabbit fur blanket by his side of the bed.

The nightstand, dressing table, and even the walls were covered with their photos. My usually stern father's eyes never strayed from Mom in any of them.

The more I saw, the less I understood.

Everywhere in this room were imprints of my parents' happiness and love.

Every detail showcased Dad's devotion to Mom.

Why would Dad destroy all of this?

I wanted answers, but Dad refused to see me again.

His cold attitude left me at a loss. I had never seen this strange side of him before. It was as if the person I'd grown up with had disappeared along with Mom, and this was just a stranger who looked exactly like my father.

A place without family was no longer my home. I moved out of this heartbreaking place and moved in with Ethan, my childhood friend.

During those unbearable days, Ethan was always by my side.

It wasn't just the scent bond drawing us together—he was patient, gentle, and took care of me in every possible way.

He made me feel the warmth of home again.

Three years later, under the guidance of the Moon Goddess, we decided to become mates.

The night before our mating ceremony, Ethan softly asked me:

"Skye, your father is out of prison now. Are we really not inviting him to our mating ceremony? Don't you want his blessing for the most important moment of your life?"

I remained silent for a while before hesitantly saying:

"I just can't understand it. Dad clearly loved Mom so much, and he was such a good person. Why would he cause her death?"

Ethan squeezed my trembling hand tightly:

"Maybe there's a misunderstanding? How could one sentence make someone commit suicide? Perhaps there was another reason."

"Maybe your mom's death traumatized your dad so much that he couldn't bear to talk about it."

He held me, gently persuading:

"No matter what, he's your only family now. The mating ceremony is too important not to tell him about. You don't want to have regrets, do you?"

"How sad would he be if he found out his daughter got mated without even telling him?"

Ethan was always so kind, putting himself in others' shoes.

During my darkest days, he was like a campfire, illuminating and warming me.

His words made my heart soften, and pleasant memories slowly rose to the surface.

As the memories gradually faded, I decided to have someone deliver an mating ceremony invitation to my father.
Lanjutkan membaca buku ini secara gratis
Pindai kode untuk mengunduh Aplikasi

Bab terkait

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   3

    The next day, at the mating ceremony venue. Flowers and decorations were arranged beautifully, with laughter and joy everywhere.Ethan had prepared the pack's most grand mating ceremony to show how much I meant to him.The place was filled with guests, the atmosphere incredibly festive.Amid this joyful atmosphere, Dad showed up after all.After more than three years, he had lost a lot of weight. His suit hung loosely on his frame, looking almost empty.The wrinkles around his eyes and his gray-white hair made him look much older.He kept his back straight, his face showing neither happiness nor sadness, his gaze following Ethan and me wherever we went.I felt that even though Dad's eyes were looking at me, they didn't really see me. It was as if he was looking through me, thinking about something else.It had been too long; I could no longer read the depths in his eyes.At the Elder's invitation, Dad walked to the center of the venue, standing between Ethan and me.Ethan, excited and

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   4

    He adjusted his suit cuffs, straightened his tie, as if none of this was his doing, as if he were merely a heartless spectator at someone else's funeral rather than the architect of this nightmare."You!" The word exploded from Ethan's father as he charged forward. His body contorted, bones cracking as he partially shifted into his battle stance, face elongating, teeth sharpening. He roared at my father, spittle flying: "What did you say to my son?"He slammed a fist against his chest, eyes glowing amber with rage. "Why did he jump into the silver pit after hearing it? What kind of monster are you?"He shifted further, claws fully extended as he lunged at my father. His attacks were lethal—slashing at Dad's throat, his chest, anywhere that would draw blood. But Dad, once the pack's Beta, hadn't lost his fighting abilities despite three years in prison. He faced the attacks with ease, bending backwards to avoid a swipe, sidestepping a lunge, not even bothering to shift forms, simply do

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   5

    The chaotic scene instantly fell silent, as if he'd cast a spell. The question hung in the air, heavy with implication.Everyone fearfully stepped back, no one wanting to be the next to jump into the silver pit. Parents pulled their children behind them. Friends gripped each other's hands. The scent of fear saturated the air.In this situation, when everyone else retreated, I stepped forward. My dress was torn, my makeup streaked with tears, but I stood tall."I dare." The words came out stronger than I felt.Dad looked at me deeply."No regrets?" he asked, giving me one last chance to turn away.I nodded firmly, squaring my shoulders. "Absolutely no regrets!"He leaned toward my ear and finally spoke those words...After Dad finished speaking, everyone stared at me, waiting to see how I would react.After all, they had just witnessed Ethan hear those same words and then rush in terror toward the silver pit.Now, they wanted to see my reaction.Would I also jump to my death?But I just

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   6

    The hopeful look in his eyes when we planned our future together, sketching floor plans for our own den. "This room for the first pup," he'd said, circling a space on the paper. "And maybe another here for the second?"The warmth of falling asleep in each other's arms, his heartbeat steady against my back, his breath soft against my neck. Safe. Secure. Home.All these beautiful moments with smiling faces eventually morphed into their terrified expressions. Mom's wide eyes, her mouth forming a silent 'no' as she backed away from me. Ethan's face draining of color, his hand dropping mine as if burned.And then their twisted bodies at the bottom of the silver pit. Limbs bent at unnatural angles. Skin blackened where the silver burned. Blood pooling beneath them.I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to block out the images, but they kept coming."Stop," I pleaded with my own mind. "Please stop."The images from my memories piled up, layering over each other, and the more I thought ab

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   7

    Days passed, and except for pack members constantly coming to ask my father about those words (which he steadfastly refused to share), everything seemed normal. Terrifyingly, unnervingly normal.Dad remained as silent as ever, moving through the house like a ghost.Apart from calling me for meals with a simple "Food's ready," he never initiated conversation.Until the seventh day.I was tidying my room, organizing the few possessions I had left from before everything fell apart, when I suddenly heard a commotion outside—shouting voices, the sound of breaking glass.Dad's face changed instantly when the first crash came. For the first time since he'd returned, real emotion showed—raw, undisguised fear.He grabbed my arm with bruising force and rushed me into the study, turning a light fixture on the wall that I'd never noticed before.A hidden door opened in the paneling, revealing a dark passage beyond.He pushed me inside, his voice trembling with an urgency I'd never heard before:"R

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   8

    What secrets had he been keeping all these years?The passage finally ended at the oak forest beyond pack territory, emerging beneath the roots of an ancient tree.Fresh air hit my face as I climbed out, the night sky spread above me, stars cold and distant.I did as my father said, running straight ahead through the underbrush, branches whipping at my face.But my unease grew stronger with every step that took me farther from him.Though I had hated him for causing Mom's and Ethan's deaths, blamed him for destroying my chance at happiness,He had clearly been trying to protect me just now. For the first time in years, I had glimpsed the father I once knew.I couldn't abandon him to whatever threat had him so terrified.Perhaps this was related to their deaths. Perhaps there was more to the story than I knew."Damn it," I muttered, skidding to a halt. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, urging me to go back, to protect pack, to protect family.I turned around and ran back the way I had co

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   9

    I shook my head violently, tears blurring my vision:"Father never cared about others' opinions." I wiped my eyes roughly. "Never. You knew him.""He'd been calm these past few days." I grabbed Blackstone's arm. "Something happened tonight. Someone was after us.""Someone must have killed him!" My voice rose. "Someone who wanted him silenced!"My voice began to shake as the implications hit me fully.First Mom, then Ethan, now Father. All dead with that same strange smile.I was terrified, the realization washing over me in an icy wave.Feeling like I would be next. The last of my bloodline, whatever secret we carried dying with me.Blackstone tried to comfort me, his hand awkward on my shoulder.He asked the healer to examine the body again, to look for defensive wounds, signs of struggle.But the final conclusion remained suicide, the official report stating that my father had taken his own life with a ceremonial dagger.Case closed. No further investigation.I handled my father's fu

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   10

    Sage's expression froze.Her hand remained suspended in mid-air.Her knuckles turned white from tension."Skye, what are you saying?""How could I possibly harm your family?"Her voice suddenly became high-pitched.I gave a cold laugh:"You were quite thorough in pursuing your goals.""Killing people, hiring someone to pretend to be my grandfather to spin tales.""Did you think you could fool me so easily?"Seeing my confident gaze, Sage dropped her fake smile.She slowly lowered her hand and sat up straight.The wrinkles on her face suddenly deepened."You know everything?"Her voice had completely changed.No longer gentle, but piercing cold.I nodded:"That's right.""The prophet you spoke of wasn't my grandfather, but you.""The one destined for loneliness isn't me, but your granddaughter.""Isn't that so?"Sage didn't deny it.Her bony fingers tapped against the altar:"Continue."I stared into her cloudy eyes:"You were present on my father's birthday.""You were also at my matin

Bab terbaru

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   10

    Sage's expression froze.Her hand remained suspended in mid-air.Her knuckles turned white from tension."Skye, what are you saying?""How could I possibly harm your family?"Her voice suddenly became high-pitched.I gave a cold laugh:"You were quite thorough in pursuing your goals.""Killing people, hiring someone to pretend to be my grandfather to spin tales.""Did you think you could fool me so easily?"Seeing my confident gaze, Sage dropped her fake smile.She slowly lowered her hand and sat up straight.The wrinkles on her face suddenly deepened."You know everything?"Her voice had completely changed.No longer gentle, but piercing cold.I nodded:"That's right.""The prophet you spoke of wasn't my grandfather, but you.""The one destined for loneliness isn't me, but your granddaughter.""Isn't that so?"Sage didn't deny it.Her bony fingers tapped against the altar:"Continue."I stared into her cloudy eyes:"You were present on my father's birthday.""You were also at my matin

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   9

    I shook my head violently, tears blurring my vision:"Father never cared about others' opinions." I wiped my eyes roughly. "Never. You knew him.""He'd been calm these past few days." I grabbed Blackstone's arm. "Something happened tonight. Someone was after us.""Someone must have killed him!" My voice rose. "Someone who wanted him silenced!"My voice began to shake as the implications hit me fully.First Mom, then Ethan, now Father. All dead with that same strange smile.I was terrified, the realization washing over me in an icy wave.Feeling like I would be next. The last of my bloodline, whatever secret we carried dying with me.Blackstone tried to comfort me, his hand awkward on my shoulder.He asked the healer to examine the body again, to look for defensive wounds, signs of struggle.But the final conclusion remained suicide, the official report stating that my father had taken his own life with a ceremonial dagger.Case closed. No further investigation.I handled my father's fu

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   8

    What secrets had he been keeping all these years?The passage finally ended at the oak forest beyond pack territory, emerging beneath the roots of an ancient tree.Fresh air hit my face as I climbed out, the night sky spread above me, stars cold and distant.I did as my father said, running straight ahead through the underbrush, branches whipping at my face.But my unease grew stronger with every step that took me farther from him.Though I had hated him for causing Mom's and Ethan's deaths, blamed him for destroying my chance at happiness,He had clearly been trying to protect me just now. For the first time in years, I had glimpsed the father I once knew.I couldn't abandon him to whatever threat had him so terrified.Perhaps this was related to their deaths. Perhaps there was more to the story than I knew."Damn it," I muttered, skidding to a halt. My wolf stirred beneath my skin, urging me to go back, to protect pack, to protect family.I turned around and ran back the way I had co

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   7

    Days passed, and except for pack members constantly coming to ask my father about those words (which he steadfastly refused to share), everything seemed normal. Terrifyingly, unnervingly normal.Dad remained as silent as ever, moving through the house like a ghost.Apart from calling me for meals with a simple "Food's ready," he never initiated conversation.Until the seventh day.I was tidying my room, organizing the few possessions I had left from before everything fell apart, when I suddenly heard a commotion outside—shouting voices, the sound of breaking glass.Dad's face changed instantly when the first crash came. For the first time since he'd returned, real emotion showed—raw, undisguised fear.He grabbed my arm with bruising force and rushed me into the study, turning a light fixture on the wall that I'd never noticed before.A hidden door opened in the paneling, revealing a dark passage beyond.He pushed me inside, his voice trembling with an urgency I'd never heard before:"R

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   6

    The hopeful look in his eyes when we planned our future together, sketching floor plans for our own den. "This room for the first pup," he'd said, circling a space on the paper. "And maybe another here for the second?"The warmth of falling asleep in each other's arms, his heartbeat steady against my back, his breath soft against my neck. Safe. Secure. Home.All these beautiful moments with smiling faces eventually morphed into their terrified expressions. Mom's wide eyes, her mouth forming a silent 'no' as she backed away from me. Ethan's face draining of color, his hand dropping mine as if burned.And then their twisted bodies at the bottom of the silver pit. Limbs bent at unnatural angles. Skin blackened where the silver burned. Blood pooling beneath them.I pressed my palms against my eyes, trying to block out the images, but they kept coming."Stop," I pleaded with my own mind. "Please stop."The images from my memories piled up, layering over each other, and the more I thought ab

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   5

    The chaotic scene instantly fell silent, as if he'd cast a spell. The question hung in the air, heavy with implication.Everyone fearfully stepped back, no one wanting to be the next to jump into the silver pit. Parents pulled their children behind them. Friends gripped each other's hands. The scent of fear saturated the air.In this situation, when everyone else retreated, I stepped forward. My dress was torn, my makeup streaked with tears, but I stood tall."I dare." The words came out stronger than I felt.Dad looked at me deeply."No regrets?" he asked, giving me one last chance to turn away.I nodded firmly, squaring my shoulders. "Absolutely no regrets!"He leaned toward my ear and finally spoke those words...After Dad finished speaking, everyone stared at me, waiting to see how I would react.After all, they had just witnessed Ethan hear those same words and then rush in terror toward the silver pit.Now, they wanted to see my reaction.Would I also jump to my death?But I just

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   4

    He adjusted his suit cuffs, straightened his tie, as if none of this was his doing, as if he were merely a heartless spectator at someone else's funeral rather than the architect of this nightmare."You!" The word exploded from Ethan's father as he charged forward. His body contorted, bones cracking as he partially shifted into his battle stance, face elongating, teeth sharpening. He roared at my father, spittle flying: "What did you say to my son?"He slammed a fist against his chest, eyes glowing amber with rage. "Why did he jump into the silver pit after hearing it? What kind of monster are you?"He shifted further, claws fully extended as he lunged at my father. His attacks were lethal—slashing at Dad's throat, his chest, anywhere that would draw blood. But Dad, once the pack's Beta, hadn't lost his fighting abilities despite three years in prison. He faced the attacks with ease, bending backwards to avoid a swipe, sidestepping a lunge, not even bothering to shift forms, simply do

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   3

    The next day, at the mating ceremony venue. Flowers and decorations were arranged beautifully, with laughter and joy everywhere.Ethan had prepared the pack's most grand mating ceremony to show how much I meant to him.The place was filled with guests, the atmosphere incredibly festive.Amid this joyful atmosphere, Dad showed up after all.After more than three years, he had lost a lot of weight. His suit hung loosely on his frame, looking almost empty.The wrinkles around his eyes and his gray-white hair made him look much older.He kept his back straight, his face showing neither happiness nor sadness, his gaze following Ethan and me wherever we went.I felt that even though Dad's eyes were looking at me, they didn't really see me. It was as if he was looking through me, thinking about something else.It had been too long; I could no longer read the depths in his eyes.At the Elder's invitation, Dad walked to the center of the venue, standing between Ethan and me.Ethan, excited and

  • My Mother Was Killed by One Word   2

    With those words, Dad left his seat, unilaterally ending our visit.After leaving the prison, I returned home.The once warm and lively home now only had Mom's black and white memorial photo on the wall.My head throbbed with pain, my chest ached, and I felt surrounded by fog, the air growing thinner by the second.I stumbled into their bedroom, trying to find anything—even the smallest clue—that might let me glimpse the truth. I couldn't believe Dad would do something like this.It hadn't been long since Mom's birthday, but a thin layer of dust had already settled in the room.Opening the closet, their clothes were still neatly folded.Dad always said Mom looked beautiful in red, so most of her clothes were various shades of crimson.Mom loved silver jewelry—ironic for a werewolf—but Dad still gave her special silver-plated pieces that wouldn't burn her skin.Mom was always cold, so Dad kept a soft rabbit fur blanket by his side of the bed.The nightstand, dressing table, and even the

Jelajahi dan baca novel bagus secara gratis
Akses gratis ke berbagai novel bagus di aplikasi GoodNovel. Unduh buku yang kamu suka dan baca di mana saja & kapan saja.
Baca buku gratis di Aplikasi
Pindai kode untuk membaca di Aplikasi
DMCA.com Protection Status