Chapter 13 Part 1 Answer

CHAPTER 13 (Part 1)

SERENA POV

“When did this start, Serena?” my mother asked softly. “When did you begin questioning us and our decisions, my dear?”

She didn’t answer the question I had asked her. Instead, she turned it back on me, like she always did. Like she always had.

I swallowed, my throat suddenly dry.

“Mom, I just want to know,” I said quietly. “I’m not questioning you. I’ve always listened to everything you said. I just want an answer this time.”

I lifted my gaze to meet hers, forcing myself not to look away. 

“Did you ever think I would suffer here?” I asked. “Did you ever think Jayden would make my life a living hell?”

Her expression changed instantly. The softness in her eyes deepened, her lips trembling slightly as pain flickered across her face. She looked almost wounded.

“My child,” she said gently, reaching out and placing her hand against my cheek. 

“Of course we did. You are my daughter. How could I not think about your pain?”

Her touch was warm, familiar, and yet it did nothing to soothe the ache tightening in my chest.

“Then why didn’t you ever bring it up? Why act as if it never existed” I asked, my voice cracking despite my effort to stay composed. “Why did you only talk about responsibility? About duty?”

She sighed deeply, her thumb brushing my skin as if trying to comfort me.

“We care, Serena,” she said. “We are hurt too. But…. There is nothing we can do about it. That’s why we didn’t bring it up. We didn’t want to reopen wounds. My love, we love you.”

Her words sounded right. Perfect, even I almost believe it. But something about them felt hollow.

Artemis stirred inside me, her voice sharp and cold.

“She’s acting again. Pretending to care so you won’t question her.” I stiffened slightly.

Before I could speak again, my father’s voice cut in, firm and commanding.

“Serena, make today the first and last day you question us,” he said. “We don’t owe you explanations. You will obey and follow our instructions. Simple.”

I flinched internally but kept my face neutral.

“Don’t think that because you are now queen, or because we are leaving, that we no longer have authority over you,” he continued. “You will always be our daughter. And we will always have control over you. Understand?”

I nodded slowly, not trusting myself to speak.

“Don’t say that, Asher,” my mother said quickly, turning toward him. “You’re being too harsh.” Acting as a peace maker.

Then she looked back at me, her expression softening once more.

“She just wants reassurance,” she said. “She’s probably scared of being alone here after we leave. Am I right, dear?”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied, forcing a smile that felt like it might crack my face in two.

She smiled back, satisfied.

“I want you to know that we deeply love and care for you,” she said.

 “You are our only child. You mean everything to us.” My heart twisted painfully.

“But we also have to think about the future of the pack,” she continued. “That’s why we are strict with you. Everything we’ve done is for your own good. And for the pack.”

There it was. Always the pack. Always power. Always sacrifice, and I was the sacrifice.

“Since you are our daughter and the Alpha of our pack,” she added, “you have a responsibility and a duty to fulfill.”

“I understand, Mom,” I said quietly. “You don’t have to explain anymore.”

I lowered my head slightly. “I’m sorry for questioning you. Please forgive me.”

I didn’t mean the apology. I just wanted the conversation to end. I just wanted the pain to stop.

“It’s alright, dear,” she said warmly. “I know everything has overwhelmed you.” She glanced at my father. “We accept her apology, right, Asher?”

He didn’t respond.

“We’re leaving now,” my mother said instead. “Enjoy your time.”

“Alright,” I replied.

They both stood up, walking side by side toward the door. Their figures looked composed, united, untouched by the storm they had just left inside me.

The door closed softly behind them. The silence that followed was unbearable. My legs gave out.

I collapsed onto the floor, my back sliding down the bed as my breath came out in a broken gasp. My chest felt tight, like something heavy was crushing it from the inside.

Everything they did… everything they said… It was all for the pack.

Never for me.

And as the weight of it finally settled, I realized something with terrifying clarity.

I had never been their daughter first.

I had always been their duty. The one to bear a lot of responsibility. The one to achieve their goal. Their ambitions. 

Everything and how they always treated me started flooding in, and I broke into tears.

“Why”