Jolie pov I walk past them toward my father who flinches as I approach."Are you hurt?" I ask."Physically? No." He swallows hard. "But watching you... seeing what you've become... I don't know you anymore.""You never did." I touch his arm gently, checking for injuries anyway. "You saw weakness where there was strength. Shame where there was resilience. A failure where there was a divine vessel waiting to emerge.""I should have seen it." His voice breaks. "I'm your father. I should have protected you, not...""Not tortured me?" I finish. "Not let the pack abuse me for years? Not tried to trade me to Thorne?"He flinches at each accusation. "I was wrong. About everything.""Yes. You were." I step back. "And now you get to live with that knowledge. I'm not going to judge you with moonfire, Father. You don't get the easy path of forced empathy. You have to find it yourself.""What about the Nightshade Pack?" He looks lost. "Without the Council's backing, without trade agreements...""
Last Updated : 2025-11-16 Read more