Chapter 5 The Death of Parents Is Not an Accident

No... I quickly put that thought away. Raymond and I were still more like strangers living together, not yet at that stage.

"Thank you, Caitlyn," he said to me.

I looked at him.

Raymond is gentle, if he weren't injured, he'd be a very powerful Alpha.

We talked for a while, mostly about life, with me doing most of the talking. It wasn't until the sun was setting behind the mountains that we returned to the cabin, where the smell of food greeted us.

After seeing us, Grandma immediately brought out a large iron pot with dry bread on the side.

I was a little worried that Raymond wouldn't be used to it. After all, he probably eats things like salmon, lobster, and other expensive foods every day. 

I didn't ask, but the way he carried himself made it clear he was probably quite wealthy.

After all, he runs a company that makes money off humans.

But to my surprise, Raymond seemed to relax, picking up the bread and eating it with the stew, showing no discomfort.

I felt a sense of relief.

We had a relaxing dinner. Grandma asked Raymond about his pack, how he got injured, and other things.

I quickly cut in, saying, "Grandma, please eat. We're doing fine now."

Grandma pouted, looking a little annoyed, "What? Can't I ask a few more questions?"

Raymond smiled warmly, "We're doing just fine, Grandma. I'll take care of Caitlyn. You don't need to worry."

Grandma stopped asking questions and went back to enjoying her soup.

Caitlyn's POV

The sky was getting darker, and it was time for Raymond and me to leave. I took Grandma's hand and said, "We're leaving now, but we'll come visit you next time."

But Grandma's expression was hard to read. "Don't come back, Caitlyn."

I didn't quite understand. "I've already left the pack. Why can't I come back?"

Grandma looked at me, her face filled with deep sorrow. "These are some of your parents' belongings." She handed me a small box. "I know you're a good girl, but... don't come back."

I knew Grandma was afraid she might lose control and hurt me. She held me gently in her arms.

"Grandma, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be fine."

She didn't say anything, just gently patted my back. "Go back soon."

Reluctantly, I said my goodbyes to Grandma. When we finally got back to the car, I couldn't help but feel a heavy sadness.

She didn't say anything, just gently patted my back. "Go back soon," I said my goodbyes to Grandma, feeling reluctant. When we reached the car, a wave of sadness washed over me."

Raymond sat beside me, took my hand, and gave it a comforting squeeze.

I didn't want to burden him, so I forced a smile. "Thanks..., forget I said that. It's more than enough already."

I glanced down at the box of belongings in my lap, surprised that this was everything my parents had left.

As we drove, I didn't remember when I fell asleep. But when I woke up, I realized I was lying on Raymond's lap!

I quickly sat up, only to bump my head against the car window. "Sorry!" I blurted out.

"No need to apologize," Raymond chuckled, frowning as he asked, "Does it hurt?"

I rolled my eyes. "I'm not clumsy," I quickly shot back.

Maybe the moment of relief helped lift the heaviness weighing on me.

Raymond smiled, but then his expression grew more serious. "A year ago, I lost my pack. It was a setup... some accidents happened. A fire destroyed everything, and all my pack members died. I was the newly appointed alpha after that."

I remained silent as he shared his story. A knot formed in my stomach. He was sharing his past, his pain, and somehow trying to reassure me at the same time.

"My fiancée left me. She's a human... and also my first mate. We were supposed to get married back then."

"Why did she leave you?" I couldn't help asking. Raymond was kind and gentle, and I couldn't imagine any girl turning him away.

He hesitated before answering, his voice lower. "It's... for other reasons," he said, not wanting to delve into it.

"Was your injury from that time, too?" I asked, sensing the pain in his words.

"Yeah," Raymond replied shortly.

I didn't know how to comfort him, this former ALPHA heir who had been through so much. Without thinking, I gently wrapped my arms around him and said, "My mom always said that when someone's feeling down, a hug can make them feel better."

For a moment, I could feel an unexpected chill from him. He stiffened slightly, and I could tell how much his past was still weighing on him.

Maybe it was the pain of remembering those things.

"Get some rest," Raymond said quietly, his smile returning, though faint. He gently patted my head before going back to the bedroom.

The driver, who had been listening quietly, said, "Mr. Raymond is not very comfortable talking about those things, especially his fiancée."

I was about to ask more, but the driver smiled at me and politely turned away.

Could it be that Raymond still hadn't let go of his fiancée?

The thought hit me like a pang in my chest and ache I couldn't quite explain.

But I quickly pushed that thought aside and turned my attention back to the box of heirlooms. Inside, I found some letters my parents had written me over the years.

What struck me was that these letters were never sent.

They had been written for every birthday since I was a little kid. 

It was almost as if they had somehow known what was coming.

In each letter, my mother asked about my life, talked about her day, and always wanted to know how I was.

It didn't feel like letters, more like a diary.

A year had passed since I last felt my parents' presence. I missed them more than I wanted to admit, but I had buried that longing deep inside. 

Now, I couldn't hold my tears back anymore. It wasn't until I read the last letter that I finally broke down.

The last letter wasn't like the others—it didn't have the usual warmth or familiar questions. It was brief, almost haunting in its simplicity.

"Caitlyn, when you read this letter, I may no longer be here. Your father is an invincible alpha; he cannot lose. Someone must have framed him. Find a werewolf named Linda. She might be able to help you."

But there was no address for Linda, not even her last name. I had no clue where to start looking.

The clues seemed to be cut off.

I'd always suspected that my parents' deaths weren't what they seemed. My father was strong—many had tried to challenge him before, but they'd all failed.

Was that why my father had agreed to the engagement with Raymond of the Silver Moon Pack?

Yet, within just one year, everything had crumbled. The Silver Moon Pack was wiped out, and only Raymond remained, expelled from the pack.

And I... I have become the lowest-ranked omega.

I couldn't afford to grieve. I had to uncover the truth—fast.

The next morning, with swollen eyes, I walked into the dining room.

Raymond noticed me and looked surprised. He immediately said, "This is your favorite seafood soup. Try it."

I glanced at the mask he wore and asked, "Does wearing that all the time make you uncomfortable? You could take it off."

"Aren't you afraid?" Raymond asked with a hint of amusement.

I shook my head. "No, you're not scary."

"Really? You want to see?" he teased.

I shrugged. "I'm more concerned that you're uncomfortable wearing it all the time. It's not that I want to see. Well, maybe just a little curious."

I didn't expect him to take the mask off because he always kept his distance from me, even though we were married.

"Alright," Raymond said, and then slowly, he removed the mask.