Hilary remained silent, as did Addy. Both were silent when not a word came out of The Past Vione’s lips, only tears. They exchanged glances, signaling each other, and then Hilary allowed The Past Vione to continue embracing her.
Time passed oppressively for The Past Vione. Sadness had overwhelmed her heart, but her tongue couldn’t move, unable if she had to tell Hilary and Addy everything.
The Past Vione knew that Hilary and Addy were the happiest when she became a Luna. They were the ones most grateful because they realized that no other man could promise her happiness and security but Usher. However, it seemed that they had been misplacing their hopes all along.
Disappointment arose and finally made the Past Vione choose to remain silent. Thus, silence replaced words between them, creating an increasingly heavy silence.
The Past Vione tightened her embrace around Hilary. She tried to find some peace in Hilary’s warm embrace. Her body seemed to be enveloped in peace, which strangely brought guilt to her heart.
“Vione,” Hilary finally whispered. She took a deep breath as she strengthened her resolve to speak. “Tell us. It’s okay. We will listen to you.”
The past Vione felt guilty. She couldn’t grant Hilary’s wish. She knew that honesty would only hurt them. She couldn’t bear to see her two parents saddened when they found out that their beloved daughter had been hurt by the man she loved.
Hilary and Addy were really just ordinary werewolves. Their positions within the pack were not too important. However, The Past Vione was sure that they would not hesitate to confront Usher and demand an explanation.
The Past Vione didn’t want the problem between her and Usher to affect Hilary and Addy. She also didn’t want their parents to be affected by the problem.
In the end, all The Past Vione could do was close her eyes as tightly as she could. She curled up in Hilary’s embrace and shook her head. “No, Mom. I don’t have any problems. I just miss you both. I thought being your daughter was the best destiny I could have.”
Hilary and Addy exchanged another look. The Past Vione’s answer clearly raised another concern for them. Even though The Past Vione said there was no problem, their instincts told them otherwise.
“Vione, it’s okay. Be honest with us. You know, right? We will definitely listen to you,” Hilary continued gently. Along with her words, her caresses continued to soothe The Past Vione. “Is it related to the rumors that have been circulating lately?”
The Past Vione’s body immediately tensed. She waited for Hilary to continue, holding her breath in her chest.
“The rumors about Alpha and Mireya?”
The Past Vione immediately felt weak. Even her parents knew. Now she was confused about how to behave towards Hilary and Addy.
“Isn’t that why you came back, Vione?” Hilary asked cautiously. Ironically, her voice trembled as she couldn’t bear to imagine the sadness that was consuming the past Vione. “Is that true?”
The Past Vione bit her tongue. She tried to create another pain to suppress the turmoil in her heart. Then she took a deep breath before pulling away from Hilary’s embrace.
A faint smile spread across The Past Vione’s face, a semblance of a forced grin. She shook her head with a deliberately amused expression. “Rumors about Alpha and Mireya? Oh, Mom. That’s just gossip. The news is completely untrue.”
Hilary fell silent. She just stared into The Past Vione’s eyes to realize something: there was a lie being covered up by The Past Vione. It squeezed her heart. For how could a mother not know the lie of her child, her daughter?
In fact, there was no blood bond between Hilary and The Past Vione. They were not biological mother and daughter, but their companionship had created a bond of its own. There was an inexplicable connection between them, a very strong emotional connection.
Hilary cupped The Past Vione’s face, now wet with tears, and said, “You don’t have to lie to us, Vione. We are your parents. You can tell us anything.”
Past Vione held Hilary’s hands and shook her head. “I’m not lying, Mom,” she said, guilt immediately filling her heart. For she had never lied to Hilary and Addy. “I’m fine, and you don’t have to worry about me. Like I said, it’s just gossip. It’s not the truth. Besides, don’t you know how much Usher loves me?”
Hilary fell silent. Addy couldn’t argue. The Past Vione’s defense sounded reasonable.
“Usher has always loved me. You both know better than anyone how much Usher cares for me. You haven’t forgotten, have you? Even Usher walked me home on the night of my coming-of-age ceremony.”
Hilary and Addy certainly wouldn’t forget that event. It was completely unexpected. They were worried about The Past Vione’s condition and had planned to pick her up at the Palace. However, they unexpectedly found Usher escorting Vione home.
The Past Vione smiled. The sweet memory filled her mind and brought her own happiness. “So, you needn’t doubt Usher’s sincerity. He will always love me.”
“All right, Vione,” Hilary breathed a long sigh as she nodded. “If that’s really the truth, we will be relieved.” She smiled. “We always pray for your happiness.”
“Thank you, Mom.”
The conversation between The Past Vione and her parents was interrupted by Garth’s arrival. Strangely, although The Past Vione had not expected Garth’s arrival, it brought her relief. At least she could get a perfect reason to leave her parents’ house before her defenses collapsed. She didn’t want to take any chances.
“Luna,” Garth greeted her politely. Before that, he took the time to greet Hilary and Addy as well. “Alpha has asked me to bring you home.”
The Past Vione smiled and nodded. Then she turned to her parents. “You see, right? Even Usher still cares enough to send Garth to fetch me. So, you don’t have to worry at all.”
Hilary and Addy could only nod, reluctantly letting The Past Vione go even though their hearts were heavy. They did not seem to want The Past Vione to return to the Palace.
Unfortunately, the Palace was where The Past Vione belonged now. That was her home and that’s where she should be.
The Past Vione closed her eyes as Garth’s car drove away, leaving her parents’ home. Her body tensed, her mind rebelled, as if she wasn’t ready to return to the Palace, which had been her place of happiness all this time.
In the past, The Palace had been like a paradise, offering various sweet things to The Past Vione. She always felt peaceful and sad when she had to leave. But now it was different. The Palace was the place she wanted to avoid the most.
“Luna.”
Garth’s voice snapped The Past Vione out of the emotional turmoil that kept swallowing her up. She opened her eyes and noticed that the car had stopped for several minutes.
Garth stopped the car. With respect and concern he asked The Past Vione, “Are you all right?”
*