Four

Raven's POV

“I knew you were the one who put those words in her head, and this just proves it.”

Sienna went on to say, glaring with her arms folded in her chest.

Behind her, Marcus held Ethan up, his gaze indifferent as he stepped in.

I calmly looked at them, before shifting my gaze from them.

The three of them looked perfect, especially Sienna.

Compared to me, Sienna had a model-like body, her porcelain skin appearing spotless even after the long hours they spent under the sun.

Her long golden blonde hair shimmered, looking healthy. Even her green eyes seemed to glow compared to my barely passable face.

Truly, if Sienna and I were in a crowd, with my black hair and her blonde hair, I would be unnoticed.

I see why Marcus would go for her.

The realization made my wolf and I feel inferior, but nonetheless I didn't want it to bother me.

I had given up on Marcus, and all I wanted was for him to care for Lily and nothing more.

“What I teach my daughter has nothing to do with you.” I said, packing the last of the food I prepared into Lily's lunchbox.

“It concerns us very much.” Sienna motioned to Marcus. “Isn't he the father? That makes me her parent just as much as you, and telling a five year old they didn't need their father while he was still alive was a bitvhy move.”

Perhaps only Sienna could get a reaction from him, but this time around, Marcus frowned, looking from me to Lily.

I felt my heart tighten.

Despite being the Luna, Marcus was still the alpha. If he decided to take offense in this, I don't know what might happen to Lily's future.

“Don't twist my words.” I glared at Sienna, my body shaking in anger. “I only told her not to put too much hopes on Marcus since he doesn't seem to have her time.”

The frown on Marcus' face deepened. “Are you saying I neglect Lily?”

“Yes. She's accusing you.” Sienna interjected, folding her arms.

“It's not an accusation, it's the truth.” I glared openly at both of them. “When was the last time you asked about lily? Or genuinely cared about her? Or even played with her?”

I fired, watching his face darken with every word.

Lily released a little whimper, causing me to look at her.

Instantly I carried her, trying to comfort my little girl.

“You can't blame Marcus. He's an alpha, and he has a lot of duties to attend to in the pack.”

“And he's a father, so he has a responsibility to fulfill.” I rocked Lily in my arms, still glaring at both of them. “Being alpha doesn't give you the right to shrink those.”

For the first time, I saw a hint of guilt across Marcus' features, but they vanished the moment Sienna spoke.

“How do you expect him to be a father when all you do is hog Lily to yourself?”

Marcus nodded.

I knew he was ready to take the blame. Since Sienna was clearly leading him, he would do according to how she said.

The thought had me fuming.

“Who's the parent here? You or Marcus?” because to me he doesn't seem bothered about it, so why do you care?”

“I care because I love Marcus and want him to be happy.” She said, like it was the most natural thing. Something that I should have learned by now.

“You love him?” I repeated, an edge to my tone. “If you loved him, you wouldn't have spoiled a family by coming in-between us.”

“I did no such thing!” She slammed the counter, fiercely arguing back. “It wasn't my fault Marcus wasn't happy with you, and if the moon goddess wasn't so blind and paired him with you, Marcus and I should have been happily married with kids!”

I nodded.

In all her sentences, what I truly agreed with was the fact that the moon goddess had been truly blind.

“You snatched my husband and ruined my family and then blamed it on the moon goddess?” I chuckled, the sound jeering to my ears. “Whatever helps you sleep at night.”

“That's enough.” Marcus intervened, his eyes flashing a red hue typical to Alpha's. “Sienna only wants what's best for me, so stop antagonizing her.”

I pursed my lips.

Words stirred in my head, but my heart was so blocked it was as heavy as lead.

So in their love story, I was the villain?

What about me?

“From today onwards, Sienna and I will start participating in Lily's life, and you can't say anything about it.” Marcus declared, locking gaze with me.

I wanted to resist.

Why should I allow that witch into my daughter's life?

Just as the thought crossed, Lily trembled in my arms.

“Really daddy? You'll play with me?” Lily perked up, her brown eyes lighting with excitement that it made my heart stab in guilt.

Who was I kidding?

No matter what, Lily was still a five-year old kid, and like every kid they wanted their father in their life.

Just like me.

Just like how I always wanted my parents to notice me and not my sister Jade.

Sorrow swept through my heart, and my wolf howled pitifully at the memory.

“See?” Sienna smiled triumphantly at me. “Even the little kid holds no grudge against her father, it's only you who's poisoning her heart. I think it would be best if we just took her away from you.”

“Don't you dare cross the line Sienna.” I glared ready to fight.

“Sienna is only kidding. Learn to take a joke.” Marcus simply imputed, making it seem like I was unreasonable.

Was I?

No.

I knew Sienna well. It might seem like a joke now, but what about later?

I might seem soft in front of him, but for my child, I'd fight to the death.

“You take Lily to school. Sienna and I will come pick her up and together we will go to the park for some fun.”

“Yay!” Lily instantly jumped in my arms. “But Daddy can't mommy come with us?”

“No dear. Your mother has some work to do.” Marcus pressed his gaze on me. "In fact, she's already late as we speak.”

Feeling his gaze, I forced a smile for Lily. “Yes, but once I am done, I'll come pick you up.”

She held her pinky out for me. “Promise?”

The tightness in my chest softened a little. “Promise.” I answered, locking our fingers.

“Touching.” Sienna mocked, interrupting our moment.

I simply ignored her, deciding to take Lily to school for now.

“Don't forget to tell the teacher about me coming to pick her.” Marcus reminded, setting three year old Ethan to the counter gently.

I nodded, passing him without another word.

If it were only me, I wouldn't want him near Lily, but since Lily wanted it so badly, who was I to stop my daughter from being happy?

Marcus had ignored Lily these past few days, and I watched him practically shove her to the side just for Ethan, but still…

I felt uneasy with all this.

“Listen Lily. I know you want your father to take you out, but don't get too carried away you hear? Wait for me before you do anything dangerous.” I instructed, and watched Lily nod.

She waved at me, running off. “Bye mommy.”

I waved her back before heading to the pack house.

All day, my mind wasn't at rest.

I did as best as I could to finish the work at hand just so I could meet up.

I was about to round off, when the door suddenly burst open.

“Luna Raven! It's bad!” The pack secretary rushed in, her panicked and disheveled form causing my heart to skip a beat.

I held her, trying to calm her down. “Slow down. What's wrong?”

She took in two deep breaths. “Something happened to your daughter Lily!”

Instantly, I felt colour drain from my face.