Chapter 98
Another Side
***
Content Warning: This chapter might contain violence, abuse, crime, or triggering factors that may be harmful, disturbing, or traumatizing to some. Reader’s discretion is advised. Thank you.
***
After visiting his parents, Hunter knew that he had to go to Tamika’s home. He received a letter from her saying that he had to go to her house.
Despite of his pure resolve and desire to go straight to the Triad base and talk to Leila, as soon as possible, he knew that he had to go and asked her the reason of her letter.
‘Maybe… Leila is there already?! Did she convince her?!’ His heart began to thump hard and fast as he immediately went to Tamika’s house.
However, he hadn’t found Leila there.
“Why do you ask me to come here? I have to talk to Leila. I have to go to the Triad base. I saw her there and I want to work things out between us again. If not, perhaps, I can try telling her the truth and-”
“She will come here.” Tammy cold voice cut his words.
His forehead creased but his lisp slightly parted apart.
“I can’t believe that Leila could be this impulsive.” Tamika stated coldly before she stood up and walked towards the door.
Hunter didn’t even say a word and followed her with his eyes.
“Stay here. I have to talk to her first.” Tamika stated seriously causing him to swallow hard.
Then, she looked at her.
No.
It was an intense and warning glare.
“Make sure to make her understand. Make sure to explain it profoundly to her. If not, you and her life might be in danger.” It was all Tammy’s word before she went out of the house.
‘What does she mean by that? Is… Is Leila… Outside?’ He mentally thought before taking a deep breath.
His heart was beating loudly like a drum.
‘But what does she mean by her last words?’ Hunter didn’t know.
It was as if those have discreet meanings that he couldn’t comprehend.
However, there was one thing that he was hoping for right now it is to see Leila.
He was just so happy that she had to go out of the Triad’s base. That means, she didn’t want to stay there. She wanted to get out and it seemed like that leader of the Triad must be caging her inside.
Hunter clenched his hands into balled fists.
He would make sure that Leila wouldn’t come back to that place again.
Hunter heard some yelling as he knew that voice very well.
It was Leila’s.
So, he decided to go out but stopped as he held the door opened.
“Perhaps, you have to discern the truth, Leila. I know that you are a smart lady. Don’t let anyone get you blinded with their own truths just to get away. And this time, I want you to open your heart with the possible truth that you are looking for.”
It was Tamika’s voice.
And it hit him so hard.
Maybe Tamika was giving him the opportunity to make sure that Leila believed him. Because he knew that it was the truth. His parents don’t have anything to kill Leila’s father. In fact, her father is their loyal servant. Their family treated him as part of the family.
And he remembered about him.
Lindon Mercado.
He couldn’t find him so much in his memory because he and Hector was attending their studies in the North. They have to make sure that they passed the academy and earn their points for the upskilling test for being a beta.
Hunter is always with Myrtle. He was a loner and an antisocial because he was labeled to be the ‘shadow’ of his father and brother.
He might be skilled and competent. In fact, he is one of the best. But he still couldn’t surpass his brother. He was always labeled the second best and it hurt him so deeply.
Until he remembered Lindon.
He couldn’t believe that he was Leila’s father.
Lindon, for the first time, talked to him.
***
“I know that you can do a lot, Hunter. That is if you stop comparing yourself to other people especially to your family.” Lindon stated smilingly.
His bright personality made him irritated.
In fact, he is not in the position to give him some advice.
He is just a lowly servant.
“Stop giving me some pointers. You don’t know what I have been through so-”
“I know, I know, Master Hunter.” He cut his words.
The young Hunter gave him a deadly glare, but the latter simply gave him another bright smile.
“But family is family. And you are a gem yourself. Just focus on comparing yourself… to yourself.”
***
It was ancient thing to remember.
After that, he learned that Lindon is dead.
He didn’t mourn. He simply sympathized with everyone who seemed to be lonely at that time. But he wasn’t that close to Lindon, so he had forgotten about him.
And it was one of the things that he was regretting now.
He stepped out of the house as he met those dark brown eyes.
Right there and then, he wanted to run to Leila and hugged her tightly. He wanted to tell her that everything would be alright. He wanted to tell her the truth.
But her eyes sharpened instantly as her face etched with cold demeanor.
Hunter discreetly let out a deep sigh.
He knew that Leila could have a bright personality like her father. But he knew very well how stubborn and impulsive she could also be.
And he must do his best to make her understand.
***
Hunter looked like he had been in chaos for the past few days. There were dark circles around his eyes as if he had not been sleeping well for the past few days.
There were also growing stubbles in his face.
However, those things didn’t even make him look ugly. To be honest, it only made him look manlier and dangerous. His roughness and seriousness were just so appealing.
‘Watch out your words, lady… You must not show anything… Not even admiration, you damn fool!’ A part of her mind instantly warned her so she maintained a straight face.
Besides, what is he doing inside Tammy’s house?
“Don’t even think of getting jealous. You know I hate petty dramas, Leila.” Tammy immediately commented as if she could see right through her.
She rolled her eyes at her.
Then, Tammy looked at her seriously.
“This time, listen to him. I just can’t believe that you didn’t hear him.” She said and shook her head as if it was the dumbest thing to do.
Her eyes sharpened as she looked at Hunter, who was now looking intently at her.
It was as if the longingness in his eyes was just too hard to ignore but she managed to maintain a cold demeanor.
The cold wind blew as Tamika decided to give them some privacy.
Leila didn’t know how to start asking him. It was as if the silence between them was enough to tame her. However, she wanted to know the truth.
And she had finally decided to hear him now.
“Tell me everything. About your parents’ truth… But I am not telling you that I will believe it. I… I just want to hear it.” Leila finally told Hunter causing the latter to let out a deep sigh.
Hunter was about to walk towards her when she raised her right hand in the air stopping him.
“You can stay there. I… I don’t want you coming near me.” She said coldly.
‘Or else, I might lose my control and hug you tightly.’ Her mind continued.
She wanted to curse herself at that.
‘Stop it, Leila… You are here to clear your mind and hear his side of the story.’ She castigated herself and simply calmed her nerves.
Hunter’s shoulders slightly sagged and she wanted to feel guilty about it. But then she stopped herself from doing so. She needed all the rational thoughts that she had right now to comprehend all that Hunter would tell her.
“Just spill…” Leila said impatiently.
Hunter stared at her for a couple of seconds before he swallowed hard and looked away.
There was like a million of needles that were prickling her heart seeing the pain that reflected in his eyes. But Leila knew that she couldn’t cross whatever bridge that she had gone herself into already.
“Your father is one of our most loyal servant omegas.” Hunter started seriously.
Leila pursed her lips tightly.
“Yeah… And your parents killed him.” She couldn’t stop herself from commenting.
Her voice was laced with bitterness and she couldn’t even hide it.
Hunter let out a deep sigh.
“My parents… They might be strict but they won’t do that to your father.” He said it seriously.
Leila scoffed.
Bitterness and pain were dripping into her system.
“Stop sugarcoating. How will you know that-”
“He is like a family, Leila. I know because I already met him.” Hunter cut her off causing her to look at him.
She was shocked, alright.
Her eyes widened as she watched him in total confusion.
“H-How?” She managed to utter.
Hunter let out a deep sigh and looked away. It was as if he was trying to recollect the memories in his mind.
“I am busy with my studies. You know that I am not that sociable. I grew up being alone and I prefer that way. But your father…” He looked up watching the moon solemnly.
Leila bit her lower lip.
“He had a bright personality like yours. He would talk to me but I won’t listen to him. It is the last memory I had with him. I don’t really know him, but he would stick his nose to my business.” Hunter continued his voice was laced with melancholy.
Leila’s vision blurred as she swallowed the lump in her throat.
It is true.
Her father is so much just like her like her mother would always tell her.
He had this bright personality and would always look at the positive side.
“That night… The rebels attack the pack’s community…” Hunter added painfully.
Leila’s breathing hitched as if even that was just so hard for her to do.
“Your father went back to the community that night… But you followed… My parents told him that you are more important. So, he looked for you and encountered the rebels… My parents… They tried to save your father… But it is too late.” Hunter explained patiently.
Even amidst her blurred vision, Leila glared at Hunter.
She couldn’t believe it.
And more she couldn’t accept the fact that if he was telling the truth, she was the one who caused his father’s death. If she didn’t… If she didn’t follow him that night…
Her tears began to fall.
“N-No… That’s not t-true… I saw it… I saw e-everything. I know…” Leila uttered in pure disdain.
Hunter stared at her.
Understanding was written in his eyes.
“I know that it is hard to accept, Leila… But it is the truth.” Hunter stated seriously.
But all that she could do was to shake her head unable to process anything.
She knew that something was up. She knew that it was, perhaps, part of the things that the masked man has told him.
But why would Hunter lie to her?
To clean his parents’ name?
Leila shook her head harshly.
“N-No… That is n-not true… You are l-lying… I know… Y-You are just trying to c-clean their names. S-Stop lying!” Leila shouted with so much resolve.
She was hysterical. She didn’t want to believe anything he said. Hearing all of these was just too much and it was not true.
This time, she didn’t know what to believe anymore.
“L-Leila…” Hunter tried to walk near her, but she shook her head and stepped backwards.
Hunter stopped his tracks as pain reflected his eyes.