9. Daddy's girl

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

Both men stand immediately they see me,

"Hey!"

"Babe!"

They reply, smiling somewhat pitifully.

I put the holdall on the 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 so closely.

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

I don't know how long I hold onto him. I only let go when I'm sure I've gotten my emotions under control. He looks deeply into my eyes as if he wants to make sure that I'm indeed okay.

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

I suddenly feel cold all over and look from him to Colton. It's one thing to imagine different scenarios that could have happened to my daddy, and another to face reality.

"Wh-hat did you find out!?" I ask, even though the look in their eyes says it all. "Is my daddy– really?..." My voice shakes so badly that I couldn't finish my statement.

"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 sigh

"We heard they were murdered..."

The floor tilts under me and I find myself staggering back,

"Babe!"

"Victoria!"

"Vic!"

They all exclaim, rushing to me, but I refuse their touch. Although I'd thought about that possibility, the news still hit hard like I was sucker-punched. I begin to feel queasy and rush back into my room. I barely make it to the toilet bowl when the contents of my stomach come rushing out.

I retch and puke till I'm spent and nothing is left in my stomach but bile. I then hit the flush button before collapsing weakly on 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?" She says, but I don't reply to her.

"I'm coming in..."

"No!" I immediately say to stop her.

"Okay. I'll sit right here and wait for you." She says again but I don't care. I want to be left alone. The only person I want to see right now is my daddy. The only one 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!

Oh, daddy!

I cry, and cry, and cry...

'Remember always to stay centered!' His crisp voice suddenly rings out in my mind as if in response to my silent calls.

I stop crying and slowly raise my head from where it's buried in 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.

See, unlike my mom, I could never hide anything from my daddy. I was like an open book before him. He missed nothing. A twitch of an eye, a bit of hesitation, the slightest catch in my voice– that was all it usually took to betray myself to him, even through the phone.

"Ice?..." He questioningly said the nickname only him called me. "Have you been crying?" He asked, even when I answered his call with just '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 everything that happened.

I was shocked by not just his question, but also his tone of voice. I couldn't remember when he was ever angry with me. He had always pampered and supported every one of my decisions, which had many times caused disagreement 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 in such a manner!? Why can't you understand that!?'

I didn't say that out loud though. I kept silent. Judging by how angry he was, something told me he wouldn't want to hear that and I wonder why. Despite Jamie not being my mate, he didn't object when we started dating. When I informed him, he replied that he trusted my judgement, and I should do whatever makes me happy.

He sighed and I sensed his frustration through how heavy the sound was.

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

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.

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 that should knock you out! Not a lover's disappointment, not the death of a loved one, not me, your father, and not your mother! Do you understand!?" He asked fiercely

"Yes! Yes, I understand." I firmly replied to him.

He was angry that I allowed Jamie's betrayal to burden, depress, trouble, sadden, and overwhelm me. To stay centered means to maintain emotional and mental balance. To be 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.

Ever since I was old enough to understand right from wrong, my daddy had 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 the path I would tread that would lead me to greatness, I believe him.

I understood his lesson then and I understand why it came to mind now. I stand up from the floor and go to the sink to wash my face. Immediately I open the bathroom door, Camila stands up and hurries to me.

"Victoria! Are you okay?"

I nod

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

"Oh, my friend!" She says and pulls me into her arms, hugging me tightly.

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

"Thank you– It's okay– I'm good now– yes– really– I'm fine now– I'm good..." I continue to say in response to her words of comfort.

After a while, I gently pull away from her, forcing a smile to let her know I'm indeed okay. I now have my emotions under control.

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

"I'm okay. I'm fine." I hurriedly say with my fake smile in place as Jamie and Colton hurry to 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 say and pull away a few seconds later, looking from him to Jamie, who is also looking worried. "I'm fine guys. Really."

They both nod, looking unsure but I smile in assurance.

I turn my gaze to Colton,

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

"It was him and your Alpha..."

"Huh! The Alpha too!?" I shockingly exclaim. No wonder the Luna was with my mom.

"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. 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, forcing myself to calm down.

'Stay centered!... Stay centered!...' I continually say inside my head. 'There's nothing in this life that should hit you that should knock 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 that my father hoped I would be.

My daddy was a good man. So was the Alpha. They were both good and compassionate leaders who were loved by their citizens. Who would want such people 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 suspect 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 has she not reported to the police? Do you know who the person is!?

"Its Thor. Your Alpha's son..."

My eyes widen in shock

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

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Check out Fated To The Evil Viking for Thor and Ash's story