Emily’s POV
“Emily, is that you?” A familiar female’s voice brought me to a standstill, and I hesitated to turn around.
I wasn’t in the mood for socializing-not after I had just witnessed a brutal execution.
It all happened so fast. One second later, Alex was still processing what I was saying, and the next, he stood panting out of breath with Michael’s throat in his claws.
Choking sounds came from Michael, trying to breathe, but less than ten seconds later he collapsed against the pole.
Alex threw the flesh he had in his claws at Michael in disgust and turned to address his pack.
I could feel Alex expanding his ice-cold aura and traveling toward the pack members.
One by one, the pack members dropped their heads, shivering and unable to look at him.
“Let this serve as a warning,” he said, his gaze moving among his pack members. “I will not tolerate such behavior, am I clear?”
“Yes, Alpha.” It came as one man from the pack, sending an unnerving shiver down my spine.
Alex turned to face the warriors, standing frozen and waiting for their orders.
“Get this cleaned up,” Alex spat. “And have his body buried outside the pack. Mark it as a warning!”
“Yes, Alpha,” they said in unison, and they moved to untie Michael from the pole.
“I’ll see you in a bit,” Alex said, coming closer to me. “Luke will come find you in a minute.”
Alex didn’t wait for my reply, and he turned on his heels and disappeared toward the main building, leaving me standing alone in the center of the arena.
He was splattered with Michael’s blood. I assumed that he had gone to get himself cleaned up.
“It is you!” The woman called out again, and this time she sounded excited and happy to have found me.
I rolled my eyes with a sigh, balled my hands into fists, and slowly turned to face the person.
I took a bewildered step back, my face draining from blood. It was my mother standing behind me, and my father stood just a couple of feet further down, talking to someone.
My bewildered gaze ran over my mother; she looked older with white winter streaks in her long hair. Her once-cleared skin was now replaced with soft wrinkles under her eyes, and her beautiful big eyes carried worry, yet she still looked as fit and beautiful as the day I left.
My heart scrunched painfully in my chest. I have missed her the most! She has been my rock and comfort throughout the years.
Now I felt like a stranger standing before her.
“Oh Goddess, John!” my mother called out. “Look, it is our baby girl!”
My father heard the commotion; his head snapped toward our direction, and he came rushing closer.
Fear sprouted through me as he rushed closer, while every last word he said to me raced painfully through my mind. He was the reason I left in the first place.
“It was all just a small misunderstanding!” Willow tried to calm me down.
“My heart has made peace with that,” I said to her. “But my mind is still struggling to accept it.”
“Just let it go!” She said.
“I-I-”
I suddenly panicked, and I wasn’t sure what to do. My hands became damp, and my heart pounded in my throat. I have never been scared like this before. I was terrified to talk to my parents.
How would my father react when he saw me?
Will he be angry at me for running off?
“They are your parents, for goddess’ sake!” Willow yapped. “Both will be happy to see you!”
“I wouldn’t be so sure!” I argued. “My father looks kind of pissed.”
Goddess, help me now!
A warm smile rose from my father’s lips, and his blue eyes became lively and excited to see me, adding to my anxiety.
My father came to stand next to my mom, his arm snaking protectively around her.
He looked older too; the years had turned his hair to salt and pepper, yet he stood tall and strong in front of me.
My gaze shifted between my parents, unable to utter a word, and people started to stare our way.
“Say hi to them!” Willow urged.
I opened my mouth to say something, but no sound left my lips.
“What the hell is wrong with you!” Willow growled. “Did you swallow your tongue?”
“I don’t know what I should say to them!” I stuttered nervously.
“Start by just saying hi first!” Willow said.
“H-hi Mom, Dad,” I stuttered, lifting my hands in the air and waving at them anxiously.
I tried to form a smile, but I gave up, knowing everyone could see that it was forced and unnatural on my lips.
“F*ck!” I internally growled. “What the f*ck is wrong with me? Why was I acting so scared?”
“I am sorry, Em.” My father’s rich voice rang in my ears.
My gaze snapped at him, seeing unshed tears forming in his eyes. “I should have listened to you.”
Things slowed around me as I watched my father’s lips move.
Was he apologizing?
That thought caught me off guard. My father wasn’t one who would apologize for his mistakes.
How did this happen?
Was he not angry at me for running away?
“Did you hear what your father just said?” Willow snapped.
Why was she so short-tempered?
“No,” I said. “I wasn’t listening. I was processing the first few words my father said.”
Willow huffed, annoyed.
“Just accept his apology, and say you forgive him,” Willow pushed.
“Why should I?” I asked. “He is the reason I left in the first place.”
“Is he?” Willow asked. “If you had stayed and not listened to Mila…”
“Just shop already!” I snapped, cutting her off. “Mila helped me! She’s been by my side-”
“Emily, is everything okay?” My mother asked, her voice laced with concern, and my attention snapped back to her.
“I am fine,” I said, finding my voice.
“Are you sure?” My father asked. “You look a bit distracted.”
“My wolf-”
“Isn’t it wonderful?” My mother’s eyes lit up as she cooed, looking up at my father. “Willow made it back to Em.”
“What do you mean by her getting back to me?” I asked, angry.
“You lost her,” my father said.
“What?” I gasped. “How did I lose my wolf?”
“The night of the storm!” My father said, “She went with you to save the boy, but she never came back with you.”
“You were so out of it,” my mother continued. “I didn’t have the heart to ask you what happened to Willow.”
Before I could ask anything else, Luke waved and rushed closer.
“Ah, Beta John, Beta Sarah,” Luke said, “it’s good to see you.”
“Beta Luke,” my father greeted him and extended his hand for Luke to take.
Luke didn’t hesitate and grabbed my father’s hand and shook it.
“Seems like you have found Emily!” Luke said, looking back at me.
“Yeah, we did,” he said, his eyes resting on me. “I’m assuming you are here to gather my daughter.”
“I sure am,” Luke said.
“You had better bring her back,” my father warned. “I have lost 5 years…”
I couldn’t help but notice the pain and sorrow reflected in my father’s eyes. Was he regretting what he had done?
Luke chuckled and gestured for me to follow him.
“I’ll bring Emily around the coffee shop soon,” Luke said.
“Coffee shop?” I asked, confused.
“Your parents own a small coffee shop on the territory,” Luke said. “They might be expanding to the city soon.”
My eyes grew wide. Was Luke kidding me right now?
“It was your father’s idea,” my mom chirped.
My fathers? Hell, that is unexpected. I would never have thought he would be the one to settle for a normal life.
“Tell Alpha Black to bring our lovely daughter around for breakfast tomorrow morning,” my father said.
“I will certainly convey the message,” Luke called over his shoulder.
I followed Luke back to the pack house, unconcerned about all the gossip happening around me.
Luke opened the front door and let me in.
“Luna,” he addressed me.
“Luke, I’m not…”
“You are,” he said, cutting me off. “And you will always be my Alpha’s Luna.”
I sighed.
“Any case,” he said, changing the subject. “Alpha has instructed me to bring you down for dinner.”
“Where is he?” I asked.
“Freshening up,” Luke said. “So should you.”
I looked down at my clothes, seeing blood spatter all over me. I hadn’t even taken notice of it before.
“Sh*t!” I internally growled, feeling embarrassed.
“Come on,” Luke said, looking at my flustered face. “Let’s go get you all dolled up.”
I chuckled, finding Luke funny, yet I couldn’t help but wonder if Luke was up to something.
****