Chapter 8

Gilbert was seething with anger as he witnessed the pain in his daughter's eyes. His paternal instincts flared, protective fury fueling his emotions. He couldn't fathom the pain Zelda had endured at the hands of Miguel, and his heart filled with an overwhelming sense of disappointment.

Approaching his daughter with a mix of concern and determination, Gilbert gently took her hand and led her to a quiet corner of their home. He wanted to understand what had transpired and how best to support his daughter.

"My dear you haven't eaten ever since you came back. I can see that something is wrong, what has happened? Did Miguel do this to you?"

Zelda, her voice shaky, recounted the events that had unfolded, her pain and vulnerability laid bare before her father. Tears welled up in Gilbert's eyes as he listened, his anger simmering beneath the surface.

"A slap is offensive but it shouldn't be the reason you have to now separate with your mate." 

"Father, that slap just shows how much Miguel and his mother underestimate me and our family. I can't take that lightly!" 

Gilbert sighed. 

"I understand your frustration. I will talk to Miguel."

"What! no why?" 

"Because he has offensed you and must come and apologize for his actions." 

Zelda rolled her eyes. 

"I don't want him anymore." She mumbled. 

"But you love him and he loves you too. All werewolf mates fight in their relationship. But not forever. Your mother and I also fight sometimes."

"This wasn't what I expected." 

"I know darling." 

Gilbert offered his daughter a hug. With determination in his heart, he immediately drove his car to Miguel's mansion. Cecilia welcomed him to the premises. 

"Where's Miguel?" Gilbert asked, aggressively. 

"Mr Torres will be with you shortly.." 

Miguel suddenly rushed to the room. The housemaid walked away that moment. 

"We need to talk. What you've done to my daughter is unacceptable. As her father, I demand an explanation."

Miguel, remorse etched on his face, spoke with a mix of guilt and remorse. 

"I'm truly sorry for the pain I've caused Zelda. My actions were thoughtless and impulsive, and I regret them deeply. I never meant to hurt her."

"Your little slap didnt hurt her, but it did offend her. She feels like you look down on us." 

"Sir, I don't underestimate your family or Zelda. As I said before, that slap was a stupid move. Something I shouldn't have done. It was stupid." 

Gilbert's anger remained palpable, but he recognized the sincerity in Miguel's apology. It was evident that he carried the weight of his actions, and he believed in the power of redemption and growth.

"Your remorse is a step in the right direction, but it will take more than words to make amends. Zelda's well-being is my utmost priority, and I expect you to prove that you can change, that you can treat her with the respect and love she deserves."

"I will do everything in my power to make it right. Zelda deserves nothing less than my unwavering love and respect. I will change my behaviour from now on and be willing to listen before acting out my frustration." 

Gilbert's expression softened slightly, sensing Miguel's genuine remorse and commitment to change. 

"That is good to hear. I know that my daughter's happiness and safety are non-negotiable. I'll be watching closely, and if I see any sign of harm or mistreatment, I won't hesitate to step in and protect her."

Part 6

The following day, Miguel went to his mother's house, to get her support. 

Sasha's face brightened as she saw her son. 

"What a pleasant surprise." She said. 

"I need your help in getting Zelda back." 

"What do you mean by that?" 

"She left yesterday without telling me. That slap offended her." 

"Is that what she said?" 

"That's what her father told me." 

"He came to help her pack?" 

"No, he came after she had long left. He wants us to get back together." 

"But why do we have to take her back. She left you because of one slap, what about when we try to harden her. She's too weak to be a part of our family. Find a new mate." 

"I can't do that. I love Zelda. And I want her back." 

Sasha rolled her eyes.

"So what does that have to do with me?" She asked I'm annoyance. 

"I need you to accompany me to her parents house so that I can apologize for my actions." 

Sasha sighed. 

"Fine! But I'll only do this because I don't like seeing you this weak. You make a bad name for our family."

Meanwhile Zelda was in her room, continuously brushing her hair but with no smile on her face. She heard a knock suddenly. 

"Enter." She said

Monica made her way in. 

"Sorry to bother you but I have a message for you." 

"A message from who?" 

"Chris. He wants to see you." 

Zelda placed the comb on the table and gazed at her sister. 

"Chris is in town?" She asked excitedly. 

"Yes." 

"Well where is he?" 

"He asked me to walk with you to the High End hotel, that wat no one will know you and him are talking. You know how mother feels about him, everybody does." 

Zelda nodded in agreement. 

"But wait, does he know I'm matched?" 

"Yes, I told him. He said he only wants to see you before he returns to Bellini." 

"Oh. Okay then. Help me choose something to wear." 

"I think a denim trouser and a T-shirt will do. I'll tell mom and dad, were going to the theatre." 

"Thanks." 

"You're welcome, but I need my 100 dollars note from Chris, please remind him." 

Zelda chuckled. 

The two left for the High End hotel. Monica left as soon as Chris and Zelda met. 

"Pick me up at the library." She said. 

"Of course." 

Meanwhile, Sasha and Miguel, resolute in their intentions, made their way to Zelda's parents' home to extend their heartfelt apologies. They understood the gravity of their actions and the pain they had caused, and they were determined to make amends.

As they arrived at the front door, Miguel took a deep breath, her palms slightly sweaty with nervousness. Sasha stood by her son's side, her face reflecting a mixture of disappointment and irritation. Louise and Gilbert, greeted them with surprised expressions, the weight of recent events still evident in their eyes.

 "What brings you here?" Louise asked. With a wide smile on her face. "Where are my manners, come in." 

Gilbert watched in silence as Miguel and his mother stepped into his house, slowly. 

"We've come to offer our deepest apologies for the pain and distress we have caused your daughter. Our actions were unforgivable, and we take full responsibility for the hurt we inflicted upon her." Said Miguel.

"Zelda hasn't spoken to me, but I hear you and her fought?" Louise asked. 

"It was a mistake, a very stupid one. I will never repeat it ever again. Hence I came here to offer my sincerest apology." 

"What caused such a fight?" 

"I overreacted when I saw Zelda at my mothers house. I hadn't introduced her yet and felt disrespected." 

"A slap across the face is not enough to hurt my daughter, is there something else you night have done to make her so upset that she'd actually decide to leave you like that?" Gilbert asked. 

"I think the slap was offensive to her. I know that Zelda has her own pride. I should have thought about her feelings before acting out." 

Louise sighed. 

"Well I am glad that both of you are here, unfortunately my daughter is out for now. I think she went to cool herself down." She said. 

"Oh,I was hoping to see her." Said Miguel in a disappointed tone. 

Because of her pride and unwillingness to admit that her son was feeling pain. Sasha stepped in trying to cover the sad talk.

"We deeply regret the harm we've caused Zelda. She deserves better, and we failed her. Please know that we are committed to changing and becoming the family she deserves." She said. 

Louise and Gilbert exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of skepticism and cautious hope. They had witnessed Zelda's pain, and their parental instincts were protective and wary.

"Your apologies are a start, but words alone won't heal the wounds. Zelda is our daughter, and her well-being is paramount to us. How can we be sure that you won't repeat your mistakes?"

"Because if I do, then you are allowed to kill me I won't fight back." 

Sasha was shocked to hear such words from her son. She felt defeated. 

Gilbert however felt relieved. 

"That won't be necessary. Because I will be keeping an eye on my son. I will ensure that no one gets hurt or killed." Sasha pressed.