9. Past

Avalyn

"When I was thirteen years old, Emmanuel killed my father to become the Alpha. He was Papa's Beta and my favourite uncle. He had been very close to us, but his desire for more power led him to do it. Initially, I didn't know he killed him. They made it seem like it was a rogue attack. Like his death was an accident. A casualty." Her eyes teared up. "But it was Emmanuel and a few of his loyal men. They were our pack members. They were all sworn to protect me and Papa, but they betrayed us. They killed him." A sob tore from her throat. "They killed Papa."

"Emmanuel, who had treated me like his own daughter all my life, told me that they were attacked and that Papa didn't make it. And I believed him," she said and her eyes focused on me again. "I believed him like a fool."

"You were young, Avalyn, not a fool. It is natural to trust adults, especially ones that were there for you throughout your life."

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. "I still should have known.