Sky’s POV
“What do you want?” I asked Riff before he could knock on my bedroom door.
“I am coming in,” he said and then opened the door.
“I don’t want to talk to you,” I warned.
“I know,” he answered as he walked in, closing the door behind him.
“Have I ever told you how my father used to beat me up?” he asked as I widened my eyes in shock.
“Those few times you saw my healing bruises, it was all his doing, and that time Vanessa fainted, it was his doing too,” he said as I slowly moved from the bed to stand up.
“You are telling the truth,” I whispered because I could tell he really was.
“He was an amazing father back then when our mother was alive. It was obvious he was never in love with her, yet there was never a day he abused her. When she died, we struggled to cope as a family, and I did my very best to be there for both him and Vanessa,” he said, then moved closer.
“But after a few years, something changed in him, and he became violent. Although whenever he raised his hand, he felt guilty; later on, he would show care and love. He is still a good father to us, just not the best there is,” he said as I felt terrible.
“All this time, why did you not tell me?” I asked seriously.
“I also don’t know why. Maybe I didn’t want to burden you, Sky. As much as I love my father, there is a part of me that fears him a lot,” he answered.
“Riff, you are my only friend whom I treat like a brother. If you were going through hell, you could have told me. I can’t believe that Vanessa kept me in the dark as well,” I said sadly.
“There it is, that’s one of my secrets. Won’t you tell me one of yours?” he asked seriously.
I moved back and sat at the edge of the bed, thinking about a few things I had kept to myself.
“The night your father and mine argued and stopped being seen together, I was there,” I said as he raised a brow.
“What was the argument all about?” he asked loudly.
“According to the elderly omega, it wasn’t the first argument they had. The first one was when I was born and my mother was thought to have died. The second argument, which I overheard, was about my mother; by then, I had no idea that Berta was her name,” I answered and then swallowed hard.
“Your father wanted to go in search of her and make sure she was dead. He said she was still a part of the pack and her bones were meant to be buried on this territory’s soil. My father got so upset that he threatened to kill him if he did that,” I said seriously.
“I thought they were arguing over some pack member, and it didn’t mean much to me, so I kept it to myself even when I noticed that your father stopped coming to the pack house as he used to,” I said honestly.
“Alpha,” he called softly.
“Sky is fine, Riff; we are alone,” I insisted.
“Sky, don’t get upset with what I’m about to say, please,” he said as I frowned deeply.
“Okay,” I answered.
“I think my father was in love with your mother,” he said as I looked at him coldly.
“I mean no disrespect to you, my friend. It’s just that in all my years, I have never heard my father talk about my late mother in the way he does about our Luna. There was never a day he praised his own mate or spoke words of love, but when it comes to your mother, he speaks like a man in love,” he said.
“Fuck,” I whispered.
What I hated was the truth I picked up in his voice. Not only that, if that was true, then perhaps that was one of the reasons that made my father and the former Beta argue to the point of not talking as they used to.
I needed answers, and answers weren’t going to be found in my pack.
Already, my father refused to talk about it, and by now, Riff would have told me something if his father had told him anything.
“Prepare my car and ask one of the Omegas to pack my suitcase. I will go to human territory for a week,” I said.
“What?” he asked with a surprised expression on his face.
“I am going to meet my mother and hear her side of the story,” I said.
“You can’t be serious, Alpha! You are going to leave the pack!” he exclaimed.
“You heard my father, didn’t you? He said I should leave if I wanted to. He may be old, but he still has his strength, and he looks nothing like his age. He will take good care of the pack in our absence,” I said.
“Our absence?” he asked in a low tone.
“Yes, our absence. You are coming with me because I don’t know what I might encounter on that side,” I answered.
“Then I will make a call to someone who might help us,” he said as I moved to grab my cell phone, which was on the bed.
“What are you talking about, and who do you need to call? You can use my phone if yours is in your office,” I said.
“I’m sorry; I was thinking out loud, and no, I don’t need your phone,” he answered.
“Okay,” I said.
“I will go and prepare the car, and while I’m at it, you should talk to our Luna and decide if she will be coming with us and her friend,” he said and then walked out of the room.
I stood up and walked out of my room as well, going to Harley’s. When I reached there, I looked at the Omega, who stood a few meters away with her gaze lowered to the floor, then knocked on the door and waited patiently for Harley to answer.
When a few minutes went by in silence, I opened the door and walked in.
She was asleep on her bed, looking so peaceful and beautiful.
I slowly walked to her, minding my footsteps.
When I reached her side, I leaned in and kissed her head gently.
I was about to pull back when she opened her eyes and smiled.
“Sky,” she whispered softly.
I smiled back and got on the bed, lying next to her, facing her.
“Did I wake you up?” I asked.
“Yes,” she answered and then laughed softly.
“I’m sorry,” I apologized.
She moved her hand and pressed it against my cheek.
“How are you feeling?” she asked seriously.
“I feel much better,” I answered and then moved my hand, placing it on top of hers.
“I am so sorry for losing my cool and leaving you like that,” I said seriously.
“Don’t worry, I understand,” she answered and then moved closer to rest on my arm.
“Thank you,” I replied as I wrapped my arms around her.
When a few minutes went by in silence, I took a deep breath.
She smelled divine, and the beautiful tingles felt good.
“I have decided to go to human territory and meet my mother,” I said.
When she didn’t respond, I continued to talk.
“I will be leaving with Riff, and I was wondering if you would like to come with us. Your friend is also welcome to join us if that’s okay,” I said.
She raised her head and looked at me with a wide smile.
“I would love that,” she answered.
I pulled her back into my embrace with a smile. I was happy that she was willing to go with me to that side.
“I will ask Molly if she would like to go with us, and if it’s not too much to ask, can you talk to Vanessa to check up on her again?” she asked.
“She will check on her even if I don’t ask her to because it’s her duty,” I answered simply.