Chapter 5

“...”

Silence filled the room once again as Ana stared at him, stepping back, putting another considerable distance between the two of them.

The movements were too small, but quite done naturally.

As if putting a distance between her and him has already become a habit that he cannot come and undo.

“Why?”

“Don’t you want to give them the rightful identity to have..?” Ana paused, lifting her eyes, “Don’t you want the pack to not ostracize them by being a homewrecker–?”

“Ana!”

Ana flinched, biting her lower lip, those dull eyes finally brightened, though were filled in hate towards him.

Lancer froze, his throat tightening.

“It’s getting late. You rest early.” He quietly turned his back, hurriedly leaving the room.

The wooden door once again shut close. 

Ana took a deep breath, slowly walking towards her baby seat, staring at the transparent moonlight outside.

Only after several moments did she quietly curl her whole body up, hugging her knees tightly.

“..I really hate him. Why is he, my dad..?” her voice was so soft as she muttered under her breath, that even she barely heard herself.

Lancer and Aliana both looked at each other quietly, though the corner of her lip lifted up quickly in mock, “Why are you so listless? Didn’t you already anticipate that this would happen?”

She didn’t wait for an answer, as without another word, she turned her back and went downstairs.

Jasper who almost finished cleaning up the table filled with untouched cake paused in confusion, hearing the doorbell ringing.

Ding.

“I get it Jasper.”

Aliana smiled at him, followed by Lancer with a sullen face making their way down from upstairs. She went and opened the door, only for her to freeze, seeing the two people standing outside.

“Hi auntie Aliana!” Aliana lips curled downwards, instinctively looking at Lancer who also froze, then looked upstairs.

Lena, seeing the unwelcome expression on her face, immediately deflated her happy expression, growing silent.

Melanie frowned slightly, then smiled apologetically, holding herself back seeing Lancer. “I hope we aren’t disturbing you. Lena heard that today was Ana’s birthday, so she wanted to bring her a gift.”

Aliana stared at her, then silently shook her head.

“Ana does not want to see you–”

“Come in.”

Aliana stopped, eyes widening as she looked at Lancer in shock, then slowly laughed, “You really did it.”

She turned her back, not bothering herself with the guest anymore, joining Lancer in cleaning up.

At the top of the staircase, Ana quietly stood, looking at Lena who ran towards Lancer happily without any hesitation, as Lancer bent down, hugging the little girl before she stumbled.

Lena giggled, wrapping her chubby arms around his neck, “I miss you!” 

Lancer unconsciously revealed a smile, though stopped herself in time seeing his daughter quietly staring at them at the stairs.

He coughed, as he stood up, raising his arm to beckon his daughter over.

Instead of going downstairs, Ana just blinked, then turned her back, once again entering her room without another word, completely ignoring him.

Pff.

Aliana laughed, along with Jasper who also laughed despite the confusion.

Lancer raised arm and froze mid-air, then hugged Lena back. “I miss you too,” he smiled, though his eyes flickered in unknown thoughts.

Jasper rolled his eyes at him, gazing towards Aliana bringing a glass of water upstairs.

Aliana stood outside her daughter room, knocking thrice.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

She continued to knock with lowered head, waiting until a sound was heard inside, then the door creaked open on its own, revealing Ana whose lips were pursed, both hands still wrapped around the knob of her own door.

Aliana slowly smiled, entering the room as she crouched down, lifting her fingers as she touched her daughter head.

“Are you thirsty?”

Ana lips thinned, nodding her head. She received the glass of water handed to her with both hands, taking a sip.

Aliana stared at her daughter quietly, changing from touching to patting her daughter head gently. Her eyes flickered at the wisp of small light coming from above. “Did you really..”

“Yes.”

Ana answered before her question could fully form. “I denied having my wolf.”

Aliana grew silent, her eyelids lowered, covering up the depth of emotions rising in between her dark eyes. “Do you.. hate your dad?” she asked softly, combing down her daughter hair.

Ana didn’t answer for a long time, once again remembering the scene from downstairs a while ago.

She fidgeted, looking at her mother who also stared back at her.

“If he is so capable of that warmth, that warm smile, that gentle and joyous affection..” Ana eyelashes moved down, suppressed tears coming out, her lips trembling.

“Why is it so hard for him to give it to us?”

She was confused, stepping closer towards Aliana whose lips thinned into a straight line, face taut.

“Aren’t we supposed.. to be his family?”

Ana head lowered as she asked, her vision blurring as she felt drops of water falling down, staining her dress.

“Why can he give it to others effortlessly?”

Her fingers loosened, glass slipping on the ground as she swayed and fell on Aliana who caught her in shock.

“I—cough!” she coughed hard, stream of blood coming out of her mouth, slowly closing her eyes. 

Aliana face immediately paled, but before she could shout for help, Ana took hold of her neck, whispering softly, “..hate him.”

“...”

Aliana bit her lower lip, hugging her daughter tightly, she stood up, stepping on the shards that laid on the ground without any emotions on her face, as she hurriedly went downstairs.

The people, whether on harmony or not a while ago, were collectively stunned the moment they saw Aliana seemed battered with blood, as Ana lay motionless on her arms.

Jasper took a step forward, taking charge of carrying Ana on his arms.

“What happened!?”

Aliana exhaled, running to get the door open wide, “Her episodes is acting up.”

“What episode?”

Lancer instinctively took a step forward towards them, but stopped, feeling a tug on his pant.

“U-uncle..”

Lena tugged at his pants, trembling.

“I– I am scared..”

Lancer steps, halted.

Aliana didn’t bother herself with him, as she made her way towards her own car.

Jasper followed closely behind, glancing at them for a second, before disappearing completely from their sight.

For only a heartbeat, Lancer somehow felt.. mocked.

And yet..

Lancer crouched down feeling another tug, hugging Lena to his arms.

He still chose someone else.