Novel & Cerita Family Don't End In Blood

Deep down I knew the answer to my questions, it just hurt to admit it. "Because I still love them. Even though they aren't the best, they're still my parents and the only family I have", including Paige, I thought. Tears threatened to break out but I pushed them back. I didn't want to be weak. "You're wrong though.", I waited for him to continue, "Family isn't only about blood. It's about love and being there for each other. I haven't been the best brother to Arya but I love her and would never want to see her in danger. And I consider all the women in the camp as family even though we aren't related by blood because we care for each other. Your parents can never be your only family."

In reality, it was the public passing of the torch. From that night on, everyone would know that Zach was the new head of the family. Throughout the banquet, Ethan's gaze never left me. Zach, meanwhile, kept stirring up trouble, ensuring the night was far from boring. As expected, the next day's headlines were dominated by the three of us. The front-page exclusives were bold, eye-catching, and impossible to miss. Amber's accusatory call did not even have time to come through when another visitor arrived at my door.

Chloe tried to interject, but Annabelle’s voice had grown stronger. “You think I can’t see it? You only came because you have no one else! And you dare to stand there and call yourself my family? Did you hear what my father said earlier?” Annabelle’s small hands balled into fists at her sides. “He said family isn’t about blood, family is the people who love you, who stand by you, who protect you. That’s them,” she said, pointing back at me and Ethan, and to our parents. “They’re my family, not you, never you.”

I demanded, my voice rising in anger. “Weak blood,” my mother hissed, disgust in her voice. “It’s disgusting. So no.” I stared at her, stunned, and then turned to my father, who kept the same stone expression. I couldn’t tell if it was the traditions he had grown up with that made him so cold, or if he truly agreed with my mother. “Dad…” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Family first,” he repeated, like a mantra, his eyes hard. “Please…” I begged.

Benjamin had also said how she could not use his blood. She remembered that someone had once told her that family members could not share blood, as they were not compatible with each other.

I retorted, wincing at the painful strike in my back. She asked, “Do you have to be blood-related to consider a person family? Your attitude towards a serious situation like this baffles me.” Cursing inwardly, I sat up sniffling. “There is no need to keep crying over spilled milk. It is all over now.”

This was what family looked like. Not always blood. Not always shared DNA. Just a table full of people who chose each other. Every single day.

I leaned into him automatically. Together, we watched the pack. Our pack. And my chest tightened—not from fear this time, but from something that felt dangerously close to breaking. Love. Pure, overwhelming, terrifying love. Dad used to tell me that family wasn't always about blood. As a child, I hadn't understood. Not really. I'd nodded and smiled and thought I knew what he meant, but the truth had remained abstract. A nice sentiment without substance.

"If we’re siblings, if we share the same blood, why on earth does Leon want to 'possess' me? We’re siblings, Jace! It’s sickening! It’s disgusting!" Jace’s voice remained unnervingly calm, devoid of the horror I was feeling. "You’re thinking in conventional terms, Rhea. In our world, in families like ours, things are... different. Power is preserved through blood. It’s not uncommon in some circles for cousins to marry to keep the lineage pure. It's about legacy, not just affection."

“You’re going to fix it.” She almost laughed again. “Fix it? Damon, there is no fixing this. The Crosses are everywhere—media, law, finance. The only thing to do now is ride it out and pray they get bored.” But even as she said it, she didn’t believe it. The Cross family didn’t get bored. They got even.