4. Is That Why?

“Do not start you two! You’re not too old for a hard smack,” Mum threatens her sons, making everyone snicker slightly as Osric and Angel both growl a little.

“I’m guessing they’re always giving each other a hard time?” I question, grabbing a sausage while watching everyone enjoy themselves, and listening to the easy conversation around the table.

“Since they were boys, you should have seen when Gideon and Embry joined the mix, I’d always get someone telling me the trouble they’d be getting into,” Mum laughs, shaking her head at her sons, as our dad blushes a little.

“I can only imagine the shit they would get themselves into, I give you and Mummo props for dealing with them.” I can’t help giggling a little feeling Osric kicking Embry under the table.

“They’ve gotten into their fair share of trouble, back before Osric was Alpha, they used to sneak off during pack runs and return with she-wolves from off territory. Fortunately, it wasn’t too terrible considering Jyrki was able to put the fear of God into them.” Mum teases making Osric growl, as the rest of the table laughing lightly.

“Dad was terrifying, Raven does take after him.” Dad admits, making Osric roll his eyes as Helena goes to speak again.

“Mum,” Osric whines, interrupting her not wanting her to talk about any more potentially embarrassing stories.

“Son,” she smiles over at him gently, making him shake his head then gently kiss her forehead.

“I love you.” Osric chuckles, before pressing his forehead to hers making my heart ache a little, wishing my mother loved me like Mum does him.

“I love you Son,” she whispers, rubbing his back, reassuring him before going back to eating her breakfast.

“Sounds like quite the little miscreant.” I tease, after eating more of my breakfast and Osric nods his head.

“Couldn’t be helped, especially after bringing Embry home from Japan when he ran from his father,” Osric chuckles, with his eyes on Embry who nods his head with a shit eating grin.

“How did Osric become Alpha?” Ryder questions, silencing everyone as all eyes go to him and I notice how tense Angel grows.

“Angel don’t, I took the title from my father,” Osric answers as I grab his hand on top of the table knowing better than to ask.

“Ryder stop,” I warn him, already knowing the story of Osric becoming Alpha isn’t a pleasant one, considering one usually has to kill to gain that power.

“No, it’s ok Raven. It’s how I got the scar on my face. Mine and Angel’s father was a hard man and was very abusive; he hit our mom and that day Angel wasn’t having it, he jumped in first. Our father was about to kill Angel for his behavior, and I did what I had to. I wasn’t about to watch my mother be abused any longer, nor was I going to lose my little brother.” Osric explains, looking down at me gauging my reaction like it was the only thing that mattered.

“I would have done the same,” I admit, looking up at Osric and shrug gently as he brushes my hair from my face, leaving his hand, gently cupping my cheek.

“You already have protecting Liliana from your mother.” Osric admits, wiping his thumb under my eye as I nod, feeling a little sad knowing I took my mother’s life.

“I did what I had to.” I gently smile. Shrugging my shoulders, moving my head to stare at the floor, not exactly proud I killed my mother, but I don’t regret it either.

“We both did, it’s what makes you suited for your position. You’ll sacrifice yourself, putting yourself before family and pack just like I would,” Osric reassures me, moving his hand down to my belly as I blush, at his sweet touch.

“No one touches my twin.” I smile at Liliana who blushes while shaking her head.

“You know I can take care of myself?” Liliana questions, making everyone chuckle knowing she is right.

“Like that’s ever stopped me before.” I answer, shrugging my shoulders making Dad laugh, knowing how protective Liliana and I are of each other.

“No, it hasn’t,” Liliana smiles, looking over at our father, nice to see him happy for the first time in a while.

“I’m just glad I sent you away from the meeting.” I admit, looking down at my belly feeling the babies kicking.

“Me too, I can’t believe you could tell they were all there.” Lilian agrees, making me nod my head, as it surprised me to.

“King Osric, your story is really sad.. Everyone says you murdered your father for his power after he stole the crown from the rightful royal line after they were cursed for their cruelty.” Kitty speaks, twirling her curly hair between her fingers, and winces at Nikki pinching her earning a look of confusion.

“It’s ok, you, and Nikki can call me Osric in non-formal settings. I know the rumors about me being just as power hungry as King Draven. And the part about my father taking the crown from another royal line is true. Dagon Wulfric was a very cruel King and was stripped of his power by the moon goddess, who cursed his entire line to be Lycans without power. Draven took his crown, banishing him and his family. Your mother’s family, into exile before she was born.” Osric explains, making my eyebrows shoot up into my hair line making Liliana and I both look to our dad.

“Then how do we have power? And why haven’t you told us about our bloodline?” I question, knowing his only intention is to protect us.

“You and Liliana are directly blessed by the Moon Goddess to help bring balance from the chaos that Wulfric’s line caused. No one told you because none of us wanted that stain to follow you. You two are amazing young women who will make this world better,” Osric speaks before Dad can answer, and I nod my head.

“Is that why Mum hated me so much?” I can’t help the word vomit leaving me, as Liliana whimpers at my question and our dad nods gently.

“I don’t know if it was hate, as much as it was fear. Rebecca believed in a lot of what Dagon taught her; purity of blood lines, Lycans being above humans, vampires, werewolves, and how they should have been ruling them all. Rebecca was terrified of the power you and Lilian began to display, then finding out you were mated to Osric made things worse. She knew what you would become and that you would protect the world from people like her father and their beliefs. You naturally protecting Liliana your whole life only reinforced her fear, it’s one of many reasons she tried to hand you over to King Orin.” Dad explains with an empathetic look, as Liliana rubs his back and I swallow the lump in my throat.

“Liliana is the one who taught me to fight for what’s right, and to fight for those who are abused and weaker. Rebecca’s cruelty taught me kindness and compassion, I’m sorry you had such a cruel mate.” I apologize to my father unable to imagine the heartache he felt for her.

After finishing breakfast, I made my way upstairs to lay down in Osric’s warm bed, reveling his and Embry’s scent.