Book 2 Chapter 98
The next day
father Beta Pover
com
er’s office, the f d up from his
sence that
cent of leather and pine bringing a wave of comfort she hadn’t felt in arm, amber eyes softening as he saw her. His strength was evident ept Shadow Pack safe for years. He gestured to the chair across from him, a
“Manssa, you look well,” he greeted, his voice steady, soothing. But she didn’t miss the concern in his gaze, the way his eyes lingered on
face as if searching for mething only a father would notice
She nodded, taking a
He chuckled, sem
- ad. I think I needed some fresh air“.
break from all the chaos?”
“A little of both.”
like home.
shoulders easing as she spoke. There was something about his presence that still felt yone in her life had chosen to look elsewhere. Here, she didn’t need to keep her guard up smile faded slightly, his expression growing serious. The Mateship Ceremony is only a few weeks away now. check in. ehow you’re holding up This arrangement I know it’s not ideal.
I wanted
Marissa locked down, her fingers tracing invisible pattems along the arm of the chair. “I’m fine. Dad. Really,” she replied, though she could sense the question that lingered in his mind. He wasn’t the type to press her, but she knew he wored.
He leaned forward, resting his hands on his desk. “It’s natural to feel uncertain, especially with all this secrecy,” he said, his tone gentle. “1 know it must feel strange, marrying someone you don’t know. But this Alpha_ He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. “He’s the strongest choice, Marissa Hell give you the stability you need.
Manssa met his gaze, feeling a flicker of cunosity and unesse. “You keep saying he’s strong. But who is he, Dad? You’ve told me almost nothing.”
Her father sighed, his expression softening. “I can’t tell you everything yet. It was agreed that you’d meet him at the ceremony. It’s… it’s complicated” He looked away, fingers drumming lightly on the desk. “But know this–he’s powerful. More powerful than anyone you’ve met in Shadow Pack
“Powerful enough to balance my blood?” she asked quietly, unable to hide the doubt that seeped into her voice. She had spent her life learning to hamess her volatile Lycan blood, to keep it from overtaking her, and yet there was always the threat of losing control, of succumbing to the strength she couldn’t tame.
“Yes,” her father replied firmly, his gaze holding hers with an intensity that left no room for argument. “He will. This Alpha… he’s one of the few who understands the ancient bloodlines, Marissa. He’ll be able to steady yours.”
She let his words settle, studying his face, the lines of worry etched into his features.
“What if I’m not ready?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “What if… I can’t handle it?“%
Her father reached across the deck, his hand firm yet gentle as it enveloped hers. “You’re ready, Marissa. You’ve faced more in a few years than most will in a lifetime. And this. this will give you the strength you need to be whole.
The certainty in his voice steadied her, but a part of her still felt the weight of the unknown, the idea of binding herself to someone she’d
never met
“I trust you, Dad” she said finally. “If you believe this Alpha is night for me, then I go through with it.“%
Her father’s smile was one of relief, but there was something else, a flicker of sadness. “You don’t know how proud I am, Marissa,” he said softly, his voice thick with emotion. “You’ll be free from pain soon “%
many things
She managed a faint smile, though her heart was heavy with unspoken questions. There was so much she wanted to ask, so she wished she could understand about her own blood, her own nature. And yet, all she had were fragments of a story she could only piece together in time
-So,” he continued, his voice lightening, “have you thought about what you’ll wear? We’ll have a few seamstresses come by to measurements, make sure everything’s perfect. This is an important day, after all
She laughed, a sound that surprised even her. “You’re making it sound like some grand event,” she teased, raising a brow.S
His eyes sparkled with a warmth she hadn’t seen in a while. “It is, Marissa. It’s your Mateship Ceremony!“)
get your
She smiled, appreciating the enthusiasm of her father Growing up, she had always known she was different, that her blood was something to guard closely. And her father, ever the strong and silent protector, had camed that burden alone.
“Why didn’t you ever tell me more?” she asked softly. “About our blood, about why it has to be hidden.”
Her father’s gaze grew distant, his expression tinged with sorrow. “Because knowing the truth would have brought you more pain than comfort Our lineage. It’s ancient powerful. But without stability, it’s dangerous. Look at what it’s done to you“2
She looked down, feeling the familiar sting of frustration and longing, the desire to understand the strength that surged within her but always seemed just beyond her reach
He sighed, his gaze softening “When Alpha Nathan asked me to be Beta, he promised to help conceal our lineage, to give us a life where we wouldn’t be hunted or feared. But in return. he asked me to stay in the shadows. I couldn’t become Alpha myself,“1
Her breath caught a pang of guilt surfacing as she realized just how much he had sacrificed for her. He had given up his own right to lead, his own dreams, all for her protection “You gave up everything for me
He shook his head, his expression gentle “I would give up a thousand lifetimes for you, Marissa. For our family”
