Chapter 5 Chapter FIVE

Eileen's POV

"Eileen. You can make your own choice," Arthur said, his eyes bloodshot, his Adam's apple bobbing as he swallowed hard. His voice was strained, filled with an emotion I couldn't quite place.

My shoulders slumped. "I'll see him, but that doesn't mean I forgive you for what you've done to me," I finally replied, my voice steady but laced with bitterness.

Growing up, Alpha Joseph had been like a father to me and Alex. In my younger years, he was the embodiment of warmth and safety, though everything changed after that incident.

"Irene, leave. Don’t set foot in the Blackwood pack again," Alpha Joseph had coldly declared when I lay wounded at the pack's border, my heart shattered along with my trust.

I shook off the painful memory. Hearing about his deteriorating health, my concern had outweighed my anger. I remembered the days when his strong, fatherly embrace had comforted me.

When I arrived at the hospital, I didn’t see Brett or Kyle, the other two of the triplets. I was relieved they weren’t there—they were the ones who had truly hurt me. I feared that if I saw them, I’d leave, no matter Alpha Joseph’s condition.

"You came, Irene," Alpha Joseph’s voice broke through my thoughts. He called out, and I bit my lip, nodding. My eyes darted nervously to the door, flanked by two guards who bowed at the sight of Arthur. My heart raced. After all these years, I was finally going to see Alpha Joseph.

I swallowed hard and stepped inside. Alex led us into a spacious room dominated by a massive golden canopy bed in the center. Machines and IV stands surrounded it.

My eyes widened as I saw Alpha Joseph lying there. He looked so small on that enormous bed, as if it might swallow him whole. I gasped. The once-mighty Alpha, feared and respected by the pack, now lay there frail and weak. I couldn’t believe it. Was this really Alpha Joseph?

I stopped, feeling as though my feet were glued to the floor. Everyone turned to look at me, but I ignored them, my eyes fixed on the man in the bed. He looked even smaller, thinner, barely able to move, as if he were hanging on by a thread. A wave of sorrow washed over me, and tears welled up in my eyes.

"I... Irene? Is that you?" I heard him say. His voice was unrecognizable—once firm and full of life, now just a trembling whisper. No, this couldn’t be.

Arthur rushed to Alpha Joseph’s side as he struggled to sit up. I swallowed hard, clutching Amber tighter, and boldly walked to the bed. He looked up at me, a single tear rolling down his face, and my heart shattered.

"Dad," Arthur called, but Alpha Joseph ignored his son, his frail hand trembling as it reached for me. He grasped me tightly, and it broke me.

"I... Irene, I’m... so glad to see you," he choked out. I fought back tears.

"Alpha Joseph," I whispered, pulling him back. This man had been my guardian, my father figure. Despite the pain they had caused me years ago, seeing him like this tore me apart.

"I failed them... I... I failed your parents—" He started coughing, and Arthur rushed to get him a glass of water, but Alpha Joseph stubbornly shook his head, refusing it.

"I’m sorry... I want... to apologize before I die," he said, and I felt tears streaming down my cheeks. I couldn’t stop crying.

"Dad, you’re not going to die! We’ll find a way to make you better. Please, don’t say that!" Arthur shouted. "Brett’s on his way back, and Kyle... he can’t come home yet. Dad, you have to stay strong..."

But Alpha Joseph just let out a dry laugh. I noticed Brett had returned, and my unease grew.

"Son, there’s no need to be so tense. It’s time to face reality. I know my health is failing, but I want to set things right before I go." He coughed again, and I held him tighter. I didn’t want him to go. Not like this.

"Alpha Joseph, save your strength. You don’t need to apologize to me," I said, shaking my head as tears fell. Seeing the old man so fragile, I forgot the pain of the past.

"I... always knew you were innocent," he said.

My eyes widened in shock. Why? My body trembled.

Everyone stared at Alpha Joseph in disbelief, especially Arthur.

"Dad... what are you saying?"

"Alpha Joseph!"

Arthur and Alex’s voices rang out simultaneously, filled with shock.

"No! Please tell me this isn’t true! Dad!" Arthur demanded, his voice breaking.

"Alpha Joseph! Why? You knew I was innocent! Why didn’t you clear my name? Why? Why were you so cruel to me? What did I do wrong?!" I broke down, trembling uncontrollably.

"You don’t know what I’ve been through!" I shouted at him, and Alpha Joseph began coughing violently.

Alex immediately rushed over and held me, trying to calm me down. "Irene, shh... we need to hear why Alpha Joseph did this."

Yes, why? He had always been so kind to me and Alex. I couldn’t think of any reason he would hurt me like this.

"Dad. Please tell us why you did this," Arthur said, swallowing hard as he looked at Alpha Joseph.

Alpha Joseph’s gaze finally settled on me, and he spoke, "Irene, I did it because... there was a prophecy about you." He coughed again, and I saw confusion spread across everyone’s faces.

Alpha Joseph continued, "I exiled you because I knew about the prophecy tied to you. Your power would bring both blessings and curses to the pack. I... as the Alpha, chose to protect the pack. But... even after you left, the pack continued to face attacks from dark forces. Your exile didn’t bring peace. So when Arthur and the others uncovered the truth of your innocence, they wanted you back, and I agreed. I’m glad I could make amends before I died. Irene, I’m sorry! Promise me you’ll stay and help the pack, okay?"

A prophecy? Dark forces?!

I was as confused as everyone else. "Dad... what are you talking about?" Arthur rushed to Joseph, but he just stared wide-eyed, coughing up more blood, his hand freezing mid-air.

"Dad!" Arthur’s anguished cry echoed through the room. I watched as Amber clung to me, tears streaming down her face.

Amber seemed to sense something was wrong.

"Alpha Joseph," I croaked, but this time, he didn’t respond. We watched as his breathing stopped, his chest no longer rising.

Alpha Joseph was gone. The once-mighty Alpha now lay lifeless in the bed.

My emotions were a tangled mess—pain, anger. Yet, I couldn’t blame him. The safety of the pack had always come first. I closed my eyes, trying to calm myself.

"Mom?" I heard Amber’s small voice and looked down to see her wide eyes staring up at me.

Suddenly, the hospital door burst open, and a familiar scent filled the air. I looked up to see a tall figure—more mature, more handsome, his racing suit perfectly outlining his muscular frame.

Brett! My heart skipped a beat.

"Dad!" Brett rushed to Alpha Joseph’s side, grabbing his arm as if the pain was tearing his heart apart. He fell to his knees.

"Let’s get you two out of here," Alex said, pulling me away. I turned to see the triplets gathered around their late father. Their faces were stoic, but I knew they were holding back tears. My heart ached for them, and I hesitated as Alex led me away.

I caught Brett’s gaze, and it felt like he was pleading for me to stay. But I had to leave now. The bond between us made it impossible to hold onto the pain of the past. Seeing them hurt was like a dagger to my heart.

Alex offered to take Amber and me back to the packaging plant—the place where I had grown up with the triplets and Alex.

I had to compromise. I had to attend Alpha Joseph’s funeral and unravel the mystery surrounding me.