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{ Grace }

The sudden ring of his cell phone broke the stillness in the room and his gaze slowly pulled away from me.

“ I will be there.” His voice was cold, deep, and filled with authority.

Anyone would sense the power that radiates from him. Our eyes met once again as he pulled out of his seat and started towards the huge black door, his broad back disappearing at every step he took.

I bit my bottom lip, not hard enough to make me wince.

“ Come and eat before your food gets cold.” Zoe's gentle voice pulled me out of my thoughts. With a warm smile on her face, I hesitantly strode over to the long table and took a seat.“ I'm glad you finally decided to eat something.” I picked the fork and the knife on each side of the plate.” I hope you enjoy your breakfast, call me if you need anything.” She packed his plate and was about to leave when I spoke.

“ Grace.”

“ You have such a beautiful name.” Her gentle gaze lingered on me for a few seconds before she disappeared into the kitchen.

After eating my breakfast, I went back into my room and curled up on the huge bed.

I had to convince myself to live on, but I didn't know how to make that happen. My father was everything to me and I couldn't imagine myself forgetting him.

I didn't realize when sleep took over my sad eyes, but the minute my eyes shut, all I saw was my father's dead body.

I felt myself back to that horrible night, the night everything changed, the night I lost everything including my home.

In one night, everything was gone and I was left all alone.

Sitting amid the dead pack members beside my father with his blood-stained hand holding mine and with tears streaming down my face.

I suddenly flipped my eyes open.” Grace, are you okay?” I turned my head to the side hearing the familiar gentle voice.

“ Did you have a nightmare?” With a concerned look on her face, I nodded. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest and my face drenched with sweat and rear tears.

Why was it so hard to sleep without having a nightmare?

I suddenly felt empty inside, tears gathering in my eyes.

“ I'm sorry about everything you have been through.” I looked up at her and swallowed hard.

“ I want to visit my pack.” Zoe froze as if I had just said the most forbidden words ever. Her expression suddenly turned indescribable. Her eyes widened in shock but it only lingered for a few seconds.

“ You mean your father?” I nodded slightly.

“ Come have lunch first and…”

“ I want to go now,” I cut her off, and she shut the door behind her and walked over to me. “ I don't think now is the right time.” She sat at the edge of my bed and grabbed my hand.

“ Why?”

“ Because I'm not sure if Alpha Cronus won't allow it.” I frowned as I stared back into her eyes.

“ Am I a prisoner?”

“ No dear, you are not a prisoner but you just have to forget…..” I pulled my hand from her grip as I tried not to share a tear. “ He is my father, and I can't forget him." My voice was clear and backed by determination.

Zoe stared back into my eyes for a while before letting out a sigh.

“ If you insist, I suggest you talk to him yourself.”

∆∆∆

I swallowed a knot in my throat as I halted before the black door, the same door Zoe told me led to Alpha Cronus’ office.

I raised my hand to knock only for it to push open.

A man with short black hair stepped out; he seemed to be the same age as Alpha Cronus but a bit smaller in size compared to him.” You are?” He asked, and my eyes went into the room; he was seated in his chair while looking at us or maybe me.......

“ Theo.” His deep voice rang in my ears and I felt my stomach twist slightly.

“ I will see you around.” Theo grinned as he walked past me.

I saw him lean in his seat as I slowly shut the door behind me; my hand squeezed the edge of my dress as I walked up to him; feeling his intense gaze, I lowered my head.” I want to visit my father's grave.“

“ No.” His stern voice said almost immediately, and my head raised to look at him.

“ Why?” My father was buried without me, and he didn't want me to visit him.

“ I don't owe anyone an explanation for my actions.” He moved out of his seat and stepped towards me.

“ He is my father and I have the right to visit him.” I protested and backed away when he took a step forward.

“ This is my pack and everyone follows my rule.” His cold yet disdainful gaze made my eyes water. Why did I feel as if he hated my father?

“ If you hate my father this much then why did you bring me here?”

“ Your bastard father doesn't deserve my hatred.” He spat out disdainfully, and I stopped myself from shedding a tear.” If what you are saying is true, then why can't I visit him?” I was eighteen and I had the right to do whatever I wanted.

“ I can see your scumbag father didn't teach you manners, but as long as you live under my fucking roof, you do exactly as I say.” I bit my bottom lip to stop my tears. “ What if I don't want to live under your roof?”

“ You don't have a fucking choice.”

“ You can't keep me here against my will, I'm eighteen.”

“ Get out of my office!” He let out a growl that shook the building. But I remained standing in my spot, my hand clenching onto my dress and my tears threatening to fall.

“ Alpha?” The door pushed open and Zoe walked in.” Take her out of my sight and make sure she never appears before me ever again.” He warned and Zoe immediately grabbed my hand and walked me out of his office.

The moment the door to his office shut, my tears started streaming down uncontrollably. He hated my father, so why did he save me?

Why did he bring me here if what I saw in his eyes was true?

I was wrong about him, I was blinded by his good looks.

“ Calm down, Grace. I'm sure everything will be okay.” Zoe helped me into my room. As much as I wanted to believe her, I couldn't. “ He hates me.” I sobbed loud enough to reach the four corners of the room. “ No, I don't think he does.” Zoe said but I knew she was only trying to make me feel good.” You weren't there; he didn't want to hear anything about my father.” I choked on my sob.

Zoe grabbed the glass of water at the bedside and tried to hand it to me.” Have a sip, it will help you calm down.” I shook my head instantly and dived under the bed sheet.” I want to be alone.”

When I opened my eyes, it was dark outside, and everywhere was dead quiet. An instant thought came into my mind as my eyes settled on the open window.

Maybe it was best I leave, it was obvious I wasn't wanted here.

I didn't know why he hated my father so much but I wasn't going to accept help from someone who hated my father so much.

I slipped down from the bed and walked over to the balcony; the distance between the forest and the mansion was a bit large, but I could get in without being noticed, especially at this time of the night.

I stared back at the clock on the wall, and it said seventy minutes to midnight.

I have been here for days, what if someone in the pack survived? What if not everyone died that night?

Everyone couldn't have died that night, right?

I hurried to the door and slowly pushed it open. I walked my way silently from the stairs and out of the mansion, barefoot.

My feet took me as fast as they could into the dark forest. The moonlight wasn't reflected, and everywhere was darker than it was supposed to be.

I didn't let my fear get the best of me and resumed running.