Chapter 76
Chapter 76
“Can you hear me, Yileyna?” The king asked, taking a seat on the bed, placing his hands on his knees as he turned towards us both. “I asked you; how are you feeling?” “I’m fine.” Yileyna replied, sounding hostile. Although she was trying to control her emotions, it was obvious that she was angry with Dad. I looked between them, realising their eye colour was so similar… How was this possible? Who was Yileyna’s mother? “I heard you had Gamma Grayson locked away. What are his crimes?” Yileyna asked. Gamma Grayson… He was my father… I swallowed hard, thinking what would happen from here on out? What would happen to me? “Betraying his king and having an illicit relationship with his Luna. It is an insult to me, the Alpha!” Dad growled, his eyes blazing. Yileyna nodded. “Will you too serve prison time for your own illicit affair, which is an insult to your Luna?” She asked, blinking innocently. Dad’s face almost turned purple at that blatant insult. I almost smiled. There was a time I had to hold Yileyna back, knowing Dad would get angry, but now I could tell he was trying to keep his temper in check. He had to tolerate her now. Go Yileyna. “I am Alpha! I don’t need to prove anything to anyone!” He thundered. Yileyna shook her head. “No, as Alpha, you are the one who should set an example… Gamma Grayson is a good person, and with the current times, you need all the support you can get. Gamma Grayson and Zoe were not fated mates… but you and the Luna were. Yet you both betrayed one another. If Gamma Grayson is in prison for cheating, then all three of you need to be there together.” She said, crossing her arms. 3 An alpha female. How had I not seen it before? Confident, proud, and just. Dad glared at her, yet said nothing for a moment, before exhaling deeply. He then shook his head, before grinning and slapping her on the back so hard she almost fell off the bed. I winced, Dad often forgot his own strength. “Answered like a true Alpha!” He chortled. I had never seen this side of him. I knew at that moment why Dad was acting the way he was. He was going to make Yileyna his
successor, Her powers… She was the heart. I was happy for her, I truly was. I think I am a little disappointed that we aren’t blood-related, but it’s ok, we are still sisters. We always have been, and we always will be. 7 I don’t know what Dad wanted to do with me… Would he cast me aside? Would he order me to leave, as he did Yileyna when her parents were branded traitors? Dad had always treated me well, although I never did as good as he wanted. It had always been Mom who looked down at me, to think she’s the one who was my biological parent… Yes, Dad didn’t seem to have much faith in me but I wondered what would happen from here. It was frustrating to know Mom had treated me harshly when I was doing fine. For a werewolf, I’m sure I was doing well. How could she be like that? I blinked when I realised Yileyna had taken my hand and pulled me up from my seat. She scooted aside, pulling me to sit between her and Dad. I felt out of place… until she wrapped her arms around me, giving me a warm embrace. I often thought her embrace felt like how Mom’s would feel if she had been caring and loving…
I wrapped my arms around her waist, resting my head on her shoulder. This was where I felt happy. I pursed my lips, fighting the tears that were threatening to fall. “Charl…” She whispered, her voice full of concern. Dad sighed heavily “Right, I think we need to have this conversation now.” He said. I slowly sat up, before scooting back so I could see Dad properly. Yileyna smiled gently as she pulled the duvet over us as we sat there, side by side. I smiled back, things were confusing right now, but no matter what, we’d always have one another… “First of all, save a select few who know the truth about your parentage, no one else will be told. As far as the pack and kingdom know, you are my daughter.” Dad said, and although I felt happy that he at least was still calling me his daughter, I wondered if that rule applied to Gamma Grayson too… “What of Gamma Grayson?” I asked quietly. Dad’s eyes flashed, his face darkening with anger. “He will never know.” He spat. “That should be Charlene’s choice.” Yileyna said quietly, making Dad glare at her in irritation.
“Don’t think you know everything.” Dad frowned. “I don’t, but I know that should be her choice.” Yileyna remained stubborn. “Yet you want me to free the man.” Dad glared at her. I looked at Yileyna, worried for her, but she was just looking at Dad calmly. “Yes, of course.” “It’s one or the other. I behead him for his crimes, but before that, he gets to learn the truth, or I consider pardoning him and we bury this secret.” Dad growled. “Which will it be?” My heart thumped, but Dad was right, it would just destroy one more family. Just the way mine had been torn apart today. I felt lost… empty and confused… “Dad’s right, we shouldn’t tell anyone. It’s fine, Gamma Grayson deserves to be out of prison more than him learning about this… Plus, I may not be Dad’s real daughter, but-” “You are his one and only daughter, my parents are dead. William and Andrea were my parents, and that won’t ever change.” Yileyna cut in. “Your dad will always be yours.” Dad wasn’t happy with her words, but he said nothing. “Sisters.” I said, quietly giving her hand a gentle squeeze. She nodded before turning to Dad. “I do think that if Charlene wants, Gamma Grayson should also be told. I’m sure he won’t tell everyone anyway.” “You are disobedient, girl.” He growled in response. Yileyna didn’t reply and I watched her lock eyes with Dad, a silent move of defiance… But I agreed with her… Even if I don’t think I ever wanted anyone to know right now, maybe in the future that would change… “You may not consider yourself my daughter, but it doesn’t change the fact. Tomorrow evening, I will make the announcement that you are my daughter and the future Alpha! I will have the fae to train you to learn control, you cannot keep losing control!” Dad stood up, frowning at Yileyna. “Don’t push my patience because, I assure you, I have a low fuse.” Yileyna frowned, but I squeezed her hand in warning. She didn’t respond, and Dad left, shutting the door behind him. We both sighed at the same time, before exchanging looks and smiling. The tension Dad had left behind lifting, and I giggled weakly.
“Well, that didn’t go well.” I stated, dropping back onto the pillows and staring at the ceiling, as Yileyna dropped back onto her pillows. She didn’t respond for a moment, becoming serious. “Hmm… Charlene, I’m sorry… I didn’t want to be Alpha, I don’t want to take what’s yours.” She said, turning her beautiful face towards me. The sadness, regret, and guilt were clear on her face. 1 “What’s mine is yours, that’s always how it is, and what’s yours is mine. I think I’m luckier in that aspect, Leyna… I still get to be the Alpha King’s daughter, without the burden of having to unlock my powers and the pressure to run a kingdom when the Obsidian Shadow pack and Sirens are out for us. We are in dire danger, and it scared me to think I was to handle it all… But … now you can, right? You’re stronger than I am. I’ll be here rooting for you, always… but you are better suited to lead.” I said smiling at her. She may be younger, but at times I felt like I was the younger one being protected by her. She smiled slightly, but I knew my words weren’t enough to reassure her. She would still feel guilty, but with time that would change. Because she was born to do this. “There’s something else too…” She said, now turning onto her side, encasing my hand between two of hers. I copied, turning onto my side to face her. “What is it?” “My mother… although the king wants to keep it a secret, you know there’s nothing I can keep from you. I’m part Siren, Charl.” She whispered. It took me a good few moments to process her words. Part Siren? What does that mean…. My eyes widened as it hit me like a hammer on the head. “Part siren!” I gasped, staring at the duvet as if she had a tail hidden under there. My heart was beating as I jolted upright. “Goddess, Yileyna! No wonder you have always loved the sea!” I exclaimed. It took me a few moments to comprehend what she had said, and all the pieces clicked into place. Dad’s alleged affair with a siren… Yileyna’s beauty that didn’t quite fit the standards of our pack. “How do you feel?” I asked her after a moment. She shrugged. “I had a feeling for a while now, but I didn’t want to acknowledge it.” She sighed.
I looked at her sympathetically. “You are still you.” I said, holding my arms out to her. She smiled before she pounced on me, hugging me. We laughed, and I realised that nothing had changed; we were still best friends, still sisters. We talked for a while longer, and I had just said I’d go get her food; she hadn’t eaten all day. “And some clothes too?” She suggested looking down at her tiny bodysuit from where she was standing. “Yes, I think you need some. If I squint, it’s almost like you’re naked.” I said, scrunching my eyes. “I know…” She nodded in agreement. “On it.” I smiled, pulling the door open to reveal none other than Theon, who had been about to knock My heart skipped a beat in fear, but his eyes were not on me, but on Yileyna. I stepped aside without realising and he walked over to her. “So, you’re awake?” He asked coldly. “No, I’m just standing here asleep.” She retorted, despite the way her heart was pounding.” What are you doing here?” “I’m your bodyguard, remember?” He asked mockingly, stepping a foot away from her. Yileyna rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not. I’m talking to the king about that.” “Fine, but I’m here for another reason.” “And what exactly might that be?” “Revenge.” Theon growled dangerously, before he grabbed her by the neck, making me scream. “Theon-” Yileyna was cut off when he wrapped his arm around her tiny waist, crushing her against his body before he claimed her lips in a very hot, passionate kiss…