The experience of losing my father has been completely eye opening. There are so many things to consider once someone is gone, and it's something people don't really think about.Although, I have a feeling not many eighteen-year old's are having to help plan some sort of memorial or funeral for their father by themselves.Choosing not to host a traditional funeral seemed fitting to me. It was just him and me, and the thought of cremation resonated as the most intimate option. And I had the perfect idea on how to release my father.Over the past few days as I prepared, slowly things got easier. I had come to terms with my father's passing, and realized that although I missed him, this was unfortunately how things must be.He wasn't the greatest father, and he only chose to harm himself and me over and over again. Now, he didn't have any weight on his shoulders. He was free, and I wanted to offer him even more freedom from that pain.Lucas and I currently sat in my car as faint music pl
LUCAS POVI got Shana in touch with a relator that my father used to use when he started his business. She was a woman in her mid-40s and very knowledgeable about the area where we lived.She promised me that she would be able to get the best deal for Shana when selling the house.Shana and I had only had the small ceremony for her father a week ago, but in that time, I've noticed a big improvement in Shana's mood and overall attitude.She's much more upbeat and livelier. Slowly but surely, she's becoming herself again.I've noticed that she doesn't like being left alone, so she often creeps into my room at night when Grandma Jo is already fast asleep, and leaves before she wakes up.After Grandma Jo's last fit, I didn't want to risk upsetting her again, but at the same time, Shana needed me. And besides, sleeping together was harmless. We weren't doing anything except comforting each other.Today, I was driving Shana to her house where the relator would begin staging the house for po
LUCAS POVI steered the car towards Grandma Jo's house, my grip on the wheel tight with frustration and anger.The entire journey was consumed by the relentless question of why my father was once again pursuing me.What did he want this time? I had made it abundantly clear that I had no interest in him or the family business. The persistent pursuit felt like an invasion, a violation of the boundaries I had tried so hard to establish.The gravel crunched beneath the tires as I jerked the car to a stop in Grandma Jo's driveway, my heart pounding with a mix of defiance and anxiety.The arrival of the ominous black SUV behind me intensified the already tense atmosphere, casting shadows over the familiar surroundings.As I stepped out of the car, ready to confront my father, a sudden force clamped down on my arm.A huge bodyguard appeared, his grip unyielding, and before I could react, another joined the effort, securing my other side."Let go of me! What the hell is happening?" I shouted,
LUCAS POVMy father's eyes bore into mine, unwavering. "Lucas, I know you're dating the White Wolf. I know it's Shana."As he repeated himself, I remained froze, unable to comprehend what he was telling me.The words hit me like a punch to the gut, stealing my breath.How did he find out? Shana and I had been so careful, not even James knew the truth, our closest friend.The only other person who knew was Professor Black, and I wondered if he had somehow let it slip. Did my father bribe him with money? Did he go to my father willingly?But I shook that thought away as soon as it entered my head. Professor Black would never do such a thing.He seemed so shaken up about the wolfless boy he had tried to help in the past. He would never want to jeopardize Shana's safety by revealing her secret.Especially not a secret as big as this.I racked my brain for any other signs I might have missed, any slip-up that could have betrayed Shana's secret.Denial was the first instinct that surged wit
LUCAS POVI clenched my jaw, the protective instinct flaring within me. "You're not going to harm her, Dad. I won't let you."My father rolled his eyes, dismissing my concern with a condescending smirk. "You're so damn stupid sometimes, Lucas. Do you really think I'd do anything to harm the White Wolf? I'd have to be the dumbest wolf of all."His words sent a chill down my spine.There was a predatory gleam in his eyes, a look I had seen before when greed or excitement seized him. But this time, it was different.It was as if he saw something beyond the present, an opportunity or potential he hadn't considered before.He almost sounded... protective over Shana himself. Was it because of the force? Did he feel some sort of connection with her that he hadn't before?"You don't realize what this means, do you?" Kendrick asked, his tone carrying a weighty significance.I narrowed my eyes, wary of his intentions. "It doesn't change anything for me, Dad. I'm not interested in whatever power
LUCAS POVMy father's words hung in the air, a looming pressure that threatened to suffocate any semblance of reason.I struggled to calm myself down as my breathing grew deeper.The SUV sped down the road, and with each passing moment, the gravity of the situation tightened its grip on my conscious.He wanted Shana to be my family now? Just because she was the White Wolf?I could see the wheels turning in his eyes. He had some plan up his sleeve, like he aways did. He couldn't help but meddle where he didn't belong."I'll ignore all the stupid things the two of you have done before to defy me," Kendrick promised, his tone laced with a sinister charm. "None of that will matter anymore. We can forget it ever happened.""This changes nothing for me," I argued. "Just because you know she's the White Wolf, I'm not going to go crawling back to you.""Oh Lucas, you still aren't seeing the bigger picture here," my father said, crackling his knuckles. "Think for a second how perfect this is."
LUCAS POVThe revelation hung in the air, a horrible truth that bound Shana's destiny with the desires of a power-hungry father.The Alpha King—the highest authority in the werewolf hierarchy—now knew of Shana's existence, a secret that had been carefully guarded until my father's calculated interference."The Alpha King?" I blurted out, my mind racing to comprehend how this was even possible.It was incredibly difficult for alphas to get in touch with the Alpha King, and here my father claimed to have made contact with him. There was no way he was actually telling the truth."Yes, the Alpha King," my father repeated with an eye roll. "Why do you look so surprised?""How did you manage to get ahold of the Alpha King? Isn't he impossible to—""Lucas, don't ask me stupid questions." My father leaned back in his seat, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "I have my ways, and when I want something done, I get it done."I did an internal eye roll. It was annoying that he was telling the truth. My
The abrupt halt of the SUV left me disoriented, my surroundings blurred for a moment before snapping into focus. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks as I saw Kendrick sitting in the vehicle, his eyes locked onto mine with a sinister intensity.I pushed my hair out of my fair, going into a sitting position when I noticed movement from beside Kendrick. Lucas sat there, his blue eyes piercing and displaying a wide range of emotions. Anger, confusion, worry.I couldn't help but blurt out my thoughts."What the hell is going on?" I exclaimed, my voice edged with a mix of confusion and fear.As I turned, my gaze met Lucas's again, and the knot in my stomach tightened. Why was he in this SUV with his father, and why had they thrown me in here like this?I had just left my meeting with the relator. It had been difficult to go through the house, room by room and recounting all of the memories that I would be saying goodbye to.As hard as it was, I knew it had to be done. Once the house