9. Daddy's girl

"Hey, guys," I greet as I walk out of my room with my holdall and suitcase in tow.

Both men stand immediately when they see me.

"Hey!"

"Babe!"

They reply with smiles that are somewhat pitiful.

I place the holdall on top of my suitcase and move into my boyfriend's outstretched arms.

"Are you okay?" he asks as we hug tightly.

I thought I was okay before leaving the bedroom. I'm not so sure now that he's holding me this closely.

"Hm-mm," I reply, shutting my eyes tightly to push back the tears burning behind my eyelids.

I don't know how long I hold on to him. I only let go when I'm sure I've gotten my emotions under control.

He looks deeply into my eyes as though trying to make sure I'm truly okay.

"I'm so sorry about your dad, babe. So sorry!" He looks grief-stricken.

I suddenly feel cold all over and look from him to Colton.

It's one thing to imagine all the different scenarios that could have happened to my daddy. It's another thing entirely to face reality.

"Wh-what did you find out?" I ask, even though the looks in their eyes already tell me something is terribly wrong.

"Is my daddy–really?..." My voice shakes so badly that I can't finish the question.

"That is what we heard."

"Oh, my God! Oh, Moon Goddess..."

I cry, breaking away from his embrace.

"It's only a rumor," Colton hurriedly adds, moving closer to calm me down. "Just a rumor."

"A rumor?! What rumor?! Tell me exactly what you found out!" I demand.

He sighs.

"We heard they were murdered."

The floor seems to tilt beneath me, and I stagger backward.

"Babe!"

"Victoria!"

"Vic!"

They all exclaim, rushing toward me, but I refuse their touch.

Although I'd thought about that possibility, hearing it still hits me like a sucker punch.

My stomach churns. I rush back into my room and barely make it to the toilet before the contents of my stomach come rushing out.

I retch and puke until I'm spent. Until there's nothing left in my stomach but bile.

I flush the toilet before collapsing weakly onto the floor, feeling disoriented.

I hear someone knock softly on the bathroom door, but I ignore it. I smell Camila before she calls out.

"Vic! Are you okay in there?"

I don't reply.

"I'm coming in."

"No!" I immediately say to stop her. My voice comes out sharper than I intend.

"Okay. I'll sit right here and wait for you."

I don't care. I want to be left alone. The only person I want to see right now is my daddy. The only person who loves and understands me the most in this life. But he's no more. I'll never see him again.

I hug my knees to my chest and let out a heart-wrenching sob.

"Daddy!" Another sob tears through me. "Oh, Daddy!" I cry.

And cry.

And cry.

"Remember always to stay centered!" His crisp voice suddenly rings through my mind as if answering my silent calls.

I stop crying.

Slowly, I raise my head from where it is buried between my knees, wondering why that particular statement of his suddenly came to mind.

Three weeks ago, he was upset with me when he called and caught me crying over Jamie's betrayal.

Unlike my mom, I could never hide anything from my daddy. I was an open book to him. He missed nothing. A twitch of an eye. A slight hesitation. The slightest catch in my voice. That was usually all it took to betray me to him, even over the phone.

"Ice?" he had asked, using the nickname only he called me.

"Have you been crying?"

Even though I'd answered his call with nothing more than, ‘Hi, Daddy’. It was pointless to deny it, so I told him everything.

"Why are you surprised that he cheated on you?!" he asked in annoyance after I finished telling him what happened.

I was shocked by not only his question but his tone. I couldn't remember when he'd ever been angry with me. He had always pampered me and supported my decisions, even when some of them caused disagreements between him and my mom.

"Daddy, I—"

"Why are you crying over him when he's not even your mate?!" he sternly cut me off.

‘Because I'm still in love with him! I'm hurt by what he did! Isn't it natural for me to react this way?! Why can't you understand that?!’

I didn't say any of that aloud, though. I kept silent.

Judging by how angry he was, something told me he wouldn't want to hear it, and I wonder why. Despite Jamie not being my mate, he didn't object when we started dating. When I informed him, he simply told me he trusted my judgement and that I should do whatever made me happy.

He sighed, and I could hear the frustration in the heaviness of it.

"Although it's hard to be prepared for the unknown, I taught you to always be ready for anything."

His voice had softened slightly.

"Many times, life will hit you hard. Hurt you badly. But do not let it knock you down, no matter what, because contrary to what some people believe, you might not be able to rise again."

He paused.

"If you want to be one of the greatest women our world has ever seen, then always stay centered, no matter what the situation may be. There's nothing in this life that should hit you so hard that it knocks you out."

His voice had grown fierce again.

"Not a lover's disappointment. Not the death of a loved one. Not me, your father, and not your mother. Do you understand?!"

"Yes! Yes, I understand," I'd replied firmly.

He had been angry that I'd allowed Jamie's betrayal to burden, depress, trouble, sadden, and overwhelm me. To stay centered means maintaining emotional and mental balance. To remain calm amidst life's challenges, stress, and chaos. To make decisions from a place of peace and clarity. To remain sensible and grounded rather than being swayed by external pressures or internal turmoil.

And now I finally understand why those words came back to me.

Ever since I was old enough to understand right from wrong, he'd always told me I was different. Special. Destined for greatness. His words were further confirmed when I got my wolf, and she turned out to be white. Although I don't know what path I'll have to walk to fulfill that destiny, I believe him. I have to.

I slowly get to my feet and walk over to the sink to wash my face. Taking several deep breaths as I stare at my reflection. My eyes are swollen. My face is streaked with tears. I still feel as though something inside me has been ripped apart. But I'm standing. I'm breathing. I'm thinking.

"Stay centered," I repeat the words silently.

I wash my face and pat dry with a towel. After I'm done, I open the bathroom door.

Camila immediately stands.

"Victoria! Are you okay?"

I nod.

"Yes. Yes, I'm fine now."

"Oh, my friend!"

She pulls me into her arms and hugs me tightly.

"I'm so sorry! So, so sorry."

"Thank you. It's okay. I'm good now. Yes, really. I'm fine. I'm good..." I continue reassuring her, even though my voice still trembles.

After a while, I gently pull away and force a smile to let her know I'm truly okay. Or at least, as okay as I can be.

She smiles back. Hand in hand, we return to the living room.

"I'm okay. I'm fine," I hurriedly say, putting on my fake smile as Jamie and Colton hurry toward me.

Colton hugs me anyway.

"Are you really? Your eyes are swollen from crying so much. Oh, Vic, I'm so sorry."

"It's okay. I'm good now."

I pull away a few seconds later and look from him to Jamie, who is also staring at me with concern.

"I'm fine, guys. Really."

They both nod, although neither looks convinced.

I smile reassuringly. Then I turn to Colton.

"So tell me. You said they were murdered. Who was with him when it happened? And what did you mean when you said it was just a rumor? When my mom called, she told me they were missing."

"It was him and your Alpha."

My eyes widened.

"The Alpha too?!"

No wonder the Luna was with my mother.

"Sadly, yes. I guess your mom told you they were missing because their bodies were missing from the scene of the incident. The search party only found their bullet-ridden car."

He pauses.

"There was blood inside, but no bodies anywhere."

Bullet-ridden car.

Blood.

My body trembles involuntarily as my emotions threaten to overwhelm me again.

I swallow hard.

‘Stay centered. Stay centered.’ I repeat the words over and over inside my head. ‘There's nothing in this life that should hit you so hard that it knocks you out.’

Moon Goddess, please give me the strength to bear this painful ordeal. To support my mother and be the daughter and strong woman my father hoped I would become.

My daddy was a good man. So was the Alpha. They were both compassionate leaders who were loved by their people. Who would want such men dead?

My blood boils with rage.

"The Alpha and Beta of the biggest pack in North America were attacked and murdered. What is the Council doing about it?! What about the Council Police?"

"There's a rumor circulating about who the Luna suspects is responsible, but I'm not sure if it has been reported yet, since no arrest has been made."

"The Luna has a suspect, but it hasn't been reported?! But that doesn't make sense! It's been two days! Why hasn't she reported it to the police?" I stare at him. "Do you know who the person is?!"

"It's Thor." He hesitates. "Your Alpha's son."

My eyes widen in shock.

"Wait, what?! The Alpha's illegitimate son is responsible for this?!"