Chapter twenty

"I don't understand," Alina said, her voice trembling slightly. "What are you talking about?"

Paul stepped closer, his expression softening. "Honey, Dana just called. I'm aware," he said gently.

"Of what, Dad?" she asked, her confusion deepening.

"Of the wolves, Alina. Are you alright?" he inquired, with genuine concern.

Immediately, Alina felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from her shoulders. She ran to her father, who enveloped her in a tight, warm embrace again. The security of his arms around her allowed her to finally release the pent-up emotions. She cried, her tears soaking into his shirt, as he held her close and let her cry to her satisfaction.

After Alina's tears subsided, Paul guided her to her room and spoke softly, "Why don't you take a bath, sweetheart? You'll feel better."

She nodded, grateful for the suggestion. She took a long, soothing bath, feeling the tension and confusion slowly wash away. When she emerged, she felt lighter, her mind clearer. She headed downstairs, following the delicious aroma that filled the house.

In the kitchen, she saw that her dad had prepared dinner. They sat down to eat, the silence between them comfortable. The quiet clinking of cutlery and the hum of the fridge were the only sounds as they ate in silence.

After dinner, they worked together to wash the dishes. As they finished up, Alina turned to her dad, her curiosity and concern bubbling to the surface.

"Dad, what is it that you need to tell me?" she asked, her voice steady but insistent.

Paul paused, his hands still in the soapy water. He turned to face her, and she could see the fear in his eyes. He sighed deeply, the weight of his thoughts evident. "Okay, I will tell you. Go to your room, I'm coming," he said.

Alina obeyed without a word. In her room, she paced, trying to piece together the puzzle. Why had Dana told her dad after asking her to keep it a secret? What really happened in the woods with Marcus and the wolves? Her thoughts were everywhere.

Suddenly, a knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. "Dad, come in, the door is open," she called out.

Paul entered his daughter Alina's room, his steps slow and deliberate. He sat beside her, his heart heavy with the weight of unspoken truths. He took her hands gently and spoke.

"Alina, what I'm going to tell you will upset you," he began, his voice tender but firm. "Please, don't be too mad. I didn't tell you before because I wanted to protect you. But now, I think it's time you know the real truth."

Alina looked up, her eyes wide with worry. "What is it, Dad? Tell me."

Paul took a deep breath, his mind drifting back to a past filled with pain and unresolved conflicts. "It's about your mom, about what actually happened to your mom," he said softly, preparing to unearth memories that had long been buried.

Flashback to the Past

The scene shifts to a big, brightly lit house, where the tension in the air is high. Susan, young and fiery, stands in the living room, facing her father, Jerald. His face is flushed with anger, while her eyes burn with determination.

"Over my dead body, I will never marry him," Susan declares defiantly.

"You don't have a say in this. The decision has already been made by the pack," Jerald replies, his tone cold and unyielding.

"You are lying. It was your decision; the pack had nothing to do with it. You want me to marry Knife, that wicked, cruel, despicable man. I caught him last time with two women, not one, but two, and he had no remorse whatsoever. I will never marry such a man, even if he is my mate I already rejected him."

"You did, but he didn't accept the rejection. Why are you so immature? Can't you see that this marriage is not just for you but for the benefit of the pack? He even threatened that if you don't marry him, our pack will be attacked. You know ours is a small pack. How are we supposed to compete with Knife and his pack? You must make this sacrifice for your family, Susan," he said desperately, his voice growing louder with each word.

Susan's anger flared hotter. "Never! I won't because I know the real reason you want me to marry that beast. You only want me to marry him because of your selfish desire to save your company. How much did he promise to invest? He would never give you that investment; he is just using it as bait to get what he really wants, which is me."

Jerald's face turned red with rage. "If you don't do as I say, you are disowned. I don't want to see you again, not just at home, but even at the pack," he threatened, his voice a harsh bark.

Susan stood her ground, "Well, if that's what it takes for you to leave me alone, I gladly accept. I will go. But I hope you realize the mistake you are making before it's too late," she retorted.

"Get out!" Jerald screamed, his voice echoing through the house.

Susan stormed off to her room, her heart pounding. She threw open her closet and began to pack her bags. She left the house without looking back, the door slamming shut behind her.

Two Years Later, on Campus

Susan, now older and wiser, meets Paul, and their connection is instant. They fall in love, and their relationship blossoms into something beautiful and profound.

Paul proposes to her, and she agrees to marry him. As they plan their wedding, Paul suggests inviting her father. Susan hesitates, explaining that she was disowned and her father would not want anything to do with her.

Paul convinces her to try. "Let's go see him. Maybe he'll have a change of heart."

Susan reluctantly agrees. But before they can make the journey to her father, she bumps into an old friend from school, Dana. Dana was her childhood best friend; they were from the same wolf pack. Dana's father was the Beta to Jerald, who was the Alpha of the pack. Dana and Susan lost contact after Susan left home to go to college in the city when she was disowned by her father.

They exchange pleasantries, and Susan tells Dana she is getting married. It is then that she informs Dana that she and Paul have decided to go see her dad.

Dana takes a deep breath, trying to steady her trembling voice. "Susan, you need to know what happened after you left. Knife was furious when you disappeared. He swore revenge on our pack if they didn't bring you back to him."

Susan's face pales. "What? What did he do?"

Dana's tears flow freely as she recounts the harrowing events. "My dad and some of the pack wanted to fight, but your father insisted on negotiating with Knife. We all knew he was doing it to secure a loan for his company, but before he could act, Knife attacked us. He ambushed the pack one night, killing almost everyone, including your parents."

Susan's hand flies to her mouth in shock. "No... not my parents."

Dana nods, her voice choked with emotion. "The pack tried to fight back, but we were outnumbered. My parents were also killed, and I barely escaped. Susan, you must never go back there. Knife controls everything now."

Susan, deeply saddened by the news, reveals to Paul that she is a werewolf. Afraid he would leave her, she explains everything to Paul, telling him about Knife and says she would understand if he left her.

Paul's face remains calm as he takes her hands in his. "Susan, I love you no matter what. We'll get through this together."

Susan's relief is evident. She clings to Paul, grateful for his unwavering support. They decide not to return to her hometown and instead focus on building a life together in the city.

A Year Later

Susan is lured back to her hometown by a spell cast by Knife and a powerful witch. Under the influence of the spell, she unknowingly seeks out Knife herself. Meanwhile, Paul searches everywhere for her but can't find any trace. He confides in Dana, who reassures him that Susan will eventually return.

In Knife's mansion, Susan is held captive, manipulated to believe that Knife is her husband. One of Knife's servants, Mandy, who belonged to Jerald's pack, recognizes Susan and risks her life to break the spell. She helps Susan plot her escape..

Susan manages to escape and reunite with Paul. A week later, she discovers she is pregnant with Alina. Mandy informs Susan that Knife is aware of her location and tracking her.

Desperate to protect the child, Susan and Paul seek help from a witch. They request a spell to cloak the unborn child, preventing Knife from finding them. Susan also asks for the child's wolf side to be bound until she turns 18, ensuring Knife wouldn't recognize her.

The spell protects Susan and the unborn child, but once Alina is born, Knife locates Susan. Knowing he is close, Susan makes Paul promise to protect Alina and keep her hidden. She stays behind to confront Knife while Paul flees with the baby. Paul never hears from her again, but he keeps his promise to protect Alina.

Alina's tears streamed down her face as Paul finished recounting the story. "I don't understand. Are you saying I'm not your daughter? What do you mean by werewolf? Do I have a wolf inside me?"

Paul nodded softly. "Yes, Alina. You have a wolf side. It's part of who you are."

Alina shook her head. "No, I can't be a wolf. This can't be true."

Paul pulled her into a tight embrace. "Honey, you are my daughter, and I promise I won't let anyone harm or take you away from me."

Alina looked at her dad with pain-stricken eyes. "But is she still alive? My mom?"

Paul sighed heavily. "I don't know, honey. I really don't know," he said, his voice breaking as tears began to fall.

After a few moments, Paul gently turned Alina's face toward him. "Now listen, Alina. When you turn 18, the cloaking spell will lift, and Knife will begin to sense your presence."

Alina's eyes widened in horror. "What do you mean? What am I supposed to do?"

"Calm down, honey," Paul said, trying to reassure her. "Not only that, but your wolf side will also start to emerge."

Alina's voice trembled. "What am I supposed to do? I don't know anything about wolves. Please, Dad, find someone who can lock it up again. I don't want to be a wolf. I'm scared."

Paul held her close. "Don't be scared. You won't be alone. Dana and her pack will help you. They will teach you everything you need to know."

Alina shook her head. "But Marcus lives there! I can't go there."

"Alina, this is serious. Dana's pack can protect you. As a human, I can't help you understand or control your wolf side," Paul explained.

"Dad, I'm a human too! Please stop calling me a wolf," Alina pleaded.

Paul held her tighter. "I'm sorry, baby. You're not alone. I won't let anyone hurt you."

Tears continued to stream down Alina's face. "Dad, I can't do this. I don't want any of this to be true."

Paul gently stroked her hair. "Alina, when you turn 18, Knife will come for you. Dana and her pack have promised to protect you. You need to be strong. A new chapter is about to begin in your life, but you won't face it alone. I'll always be here for you."