A Spy

Seraphina’s Pov

Lycan Fabian grinned at my father. “I just had your daughter,” he boasted. “Did you hear it?”

My father kept his face straight, not giving away anything but I knew he didn’t care. Was he just trying to play along? He really wanted Lycan Fabian to believe I was his precious daughter.

I almost laughed out loud. If that was what he was doing, then he needed to play the loving father act better. That was not how a man reacted when he was told that his daughter’s v-card was just taken away.

But then, I reminded myself that he hadn’t done anything when the same man took his son’s life before his very eyes.

“She did protest a little,” he continued. “You should teach her better.”

With a frown on his face, he slipped away from the room. I watched his back go, fear and anxiety replacing the tiredness I felt, suddenly, didn’t want to be left alone with these people.

Although Lycan Fabian was a heartless monster, I would rather have left with him than remain here and be the item of their hatred. At least, I knew not to expect kindness from him. This was my father and he felt nothing but hatred for me.

As soon as Lycan Fabian’s back disappeared, I felt a thunderous slap on my cheek.

“You stupid child!” my father snapped, his eyes glowing all shades of fury and disgust. My boy shook violently and my weak legs stumbled back. A sob escaped my throat.

“Did I not tell you to give him anything he wants?” he hissed, his voice dripping with venomous anger and hate. For a minute, I saw the loss of losing his only son in his eyes and he wanted to vent than anger on me.

“But father –” I began but was cut short by a glare that rumbled from his chest.

“Do not –” he fired. “Never refer to me as father. I did not father an invalid like you!” he pushed me back into the room. “You should have died instead of my son. That monster should have taken your life first, then I wouldn’t have to live with the shame of knowing I fathered something like you!”

I flinched at his words.

All my life, my father never cared whether I existed. This was the first time he said so much to me in a sentence and this is what he had to say? My heart pounded like a war drum, each beat echoing the sting of his cruelty. His words pierced through me, sharp and deliberate, leaving invisible wounds that bled with disbelief. What exactly did I accomplish? what could I have probably done, to deserve this kind of torment from the man who once held me like I was his world? The same man who said promises of forever now looked at me like I was nothing. How did love turn into something so degenerated ?

I gripped my fist, crunched my teeth as anger rose fluidly inside me. “He rape me,” I almost screamed. “That monster raped me!” I tried to keep the tears from falling but I couldn’t. my bottom lip trembled and my body shook with the unfairness of everything.

“You ungrateful bitch!” my step-mother cried, her red eyes glaring daggers at me. “Would you rather it was my daughter? After everything we’ve done for you, the least you could do is do as you’re told without complaining!”

My mouth hung open. How – how could she say something like that?

“He took you by force! And so fucking what?” she demanded, her voice rising with every word she uttered. “You should have simply laid there and be grateful you get to act as my daughter.”

I understood she was upset she just lost her son but did she have to pour her anger on me like this? I wanted to pretend that she didn’t mean a word she said and she was only upset aout the death of her son, but I knew better.

For the past eighteen years, she never showed me any kindness and I wasn’t expecting any from her now, but for her to be so dismissive about something as aggravating as… I couldn’t even bring myself to think the words.

“Whatever he ants to do with you, you will do it without complaining,” she advised. “Do you understand? And never tell him about my daughter. The day you do will be the end of you.”

I stare at my father who was looking at me like he wanted to strangle life out of me. he stepped closer to me, closing the space between us with his intimidating physique that made me feel like I was about to choke.

“Now, listen to me child…” he began, his eyes darting to the door suspiciously. He dropped his voice to a whisper, making the hair on my nek rise. “You will spy on Lycan Fabian for us.”

“W-what?” I stuttered, different emotions rose inside me, but anger and disbelief stood out the most.

“Have you also become hard of hearing?” My step-mother hissed.

My eyes darted for her face to my father’s. did I really hear him correctly? He wanted me to spy on a man like Lycan Fabian? Did they stop to think what he was going to do to me once he caught me?

Oh, wait. They didn’t care.

“Fabian will take you to his pack which is in a different country,” my father continued. “Your job is to tell me whatever he does. I want to know what all his plans are before the amnesty expires.”

Did he realize that spying was an offense in every werewolf territory and was punishable by death?

“What if I et caught?” I blurted out before I could stop myself.

My father stared at me like I ‘m stupid. “If you’re smart, you won’t get caught. And if you do get caught, make sure he doesn’t link you to me. I don’t care who you set up to take the fall.”

I swallowed uncomfortably. Was this the kind of man my father was? I was slowly losing every bit of respect I had for him and the day hadn’t even ended.

“Don’t even think about ignoring my command girl,” my father said. “or are you already thinking about betraying me? Don’t forget that Lycan Fabian can barely tolerate you. My blood runs in your veins and he hates that.”

The door creaked open and while I ws expecting Lycan Fabian, I saw an elderly woman instead. Her eyes were trained on my father and they looked like they were communicating through a mind link.

She came straight to me, going straight to the point without wasting a minute.

“Turn around,” she demanded.

My eyes flickered to my father’s face and I did s I was told, clenching my fist as I did it. The woman lowered the strap of my dress and began cutting my skin with a blade. I gritted my teeth as pain radiated trough my shoulder.

“Since you’re an invalid with no wolf, this will enable us communicate without relying on technology which could be traced.” My father explained. “The tattoo she’s drawing on your skin will connect you to a bird. You can always send it information.”

He held his hand out, showing me the tattoo on his arm. “I have the same one as well. This means the bird is reserved for just you and me. once our use of it is over, the tattoo will naturally fade away”

The woman stepped back as she finished.

“If you wish to convene it, all you have to do is speak its name, it will answer.” Her voice was gentle, yet carried an air of worship. She turned to my father, eyes searching for confirmation. He gave a slow, solemn nod, the weight of unexpressed memories shadowing his expression. A strange cold ran down my spine, the solemnity of their words sinking into my bones.

The name is Jarpy.”