Alpha William cackled. "Hellen... She was merely a nanny, a poor babysitter we hired to raise you. She wasn't your real mother. Asfara and I decided to let you stay there until you awaken your wolf. That was a safe place for you. I'm your father, son. You have to believe me. You are my only legitimate son, and you'll be the next alpha whether you like it or not."
Aaron didn't say anything. There's an unreadable expression on his face. I don't know how he felt right now after knowing his true identity and finding out I'm the one who killed his real mother.
"Now you have to obey what I say," Alpha William said. "There's nothing good about getting close to a rogue wolf who ran away from her punishment. You two should separate, or else I'll have to kill her."
"Who told you you can do that?" Ethan interrupted. I didn't know when he arrived. But he and his three friends were already standing beside me, fully armed.
"Seems like we have other guests tonight," Alpha William said, turning his attention towards Ethan and his friends. "Ethan Mismonger, it's been a while. I thought you'd already left the world of werewolves and abandoned your duty to your pack. Your father must be very disappointed in you for abandoning the White Wolves. We were good friends before."
Ethan remained calm, composed and silent, letting Alpha William finish whatever he wanted to say while being aware of the surroundings, just in case one of his minions suddenly attacked them.
"Mind sharing with me why you came back?" Alpha William asked.
"We're here to take someone, but after hearing the truth, it seems like we don't need to do that. Your father-and-son relationship has nothing to do with us, but if you hurt Tricia, I'm warning you, you'll face the wrath of the White Wolves," Ethan said.
"So brave as always. Why won't you look around you first before telling me that?" Alpha William said. "You came here with your three friends. I decide your fate."
"And we'll bring you to hell with us," Ethan replied without a hint of fear in his voice.
Alpha William laughed as if this situation were not serious. "Alright, alright. I'll let you and your friends go, but not Tricia. She has her punishment to face."
"Her parents already paid the price," Ethan argued. "What else do you want from her?"
"We have already warned her not to show her face again, but she did. Now she has to face the consequences," Alpha William said.
"She came here to save her fiance, but it seems like there's no need for that. No matter what you say, you can't kill her. She's pregnant," Ethan said.
"Pregnant? Who's the father?" Alpha William asked.
"Who do you think?" Ethan asked. "You can't kill your own grandchild."
This situation is only getting worse. Perhaps this is all the payback for my mistake. If only I didn't tell anyone that I'm pregnant, this would not happen, but it's too late now. Everyone knows I'm bearing the child of the soon-to-be alpha of the Bone-Reavers pack. I could see the surprise and disbelief on their faces. How they mock and reject me silently.
Alpha William remained calm. "Is she really pregnant with Aaron's child?" he asked.
"You're the alpha of the pack. You should know that just by looking at her," Ethan said.
Alpha William looked at me, that kind of gaze that tells how much he wants me to disappear from his sight and how lowly I appear in his eyes. "Foolish excuse!" He said. "Even if she's pregnant, I can't accept her. She killed her supposed-to-be mother-in-law."
"Father, please, let Tricia go. She has nothing to do with this," Aaron finally spoke. "For the sake of my child, I'll do anything you tell me to. I'll take the responsibility to be the next alpha of the pack; just let Tricia leave and don't bother her again."
"No. She has to kill that child. I can't accept both her and that child," Alpha William affirmed.
"But that child is mine, Father. It's innocent, so please, I'm begging you, just let her go. Let them live their lives." Aaron fell down on his knees, begging.
"No. Stand up, son. The next alpha shouldn't kneel before me. It's humiliating." Alpha William helped him stand. Then he glared at me. "I'll give you this one last chance. Go and never come back again. You and your child shouldn't show your face again or I won't be merciful next time."
"Let's go, Tricia." Ethan helped me stand up, and we left the place together with his friends.
I felt like everything had been ruined as we left the place. Once again, the Moon Goddess played a trick on me, depriving me of the life I've ever wanted. I know Aaron hates me for killing his mother, but he chose to let me go for the sake of this child in my womb.
"Don't worry, Tricia, everything will be alright," Ethan said, trying to comfort me. "I'm always here for you even if the world goes against you. I'll be your most loyal ally."
I haven't prevented the tears from falling from my eyes. I wonder why life is so unfair to me. But despite the fact that I'm losing everyone, I still got Ethan by my side. Now I know he's not just an ordinary werewolf. He must be the heir alpha of the White Wolves pack—rival of the Bone Revears. I've heard about them many times before.
"I know it's not a good time to tell you this, but I want to help you, Tricia. I can help you seek revenge on those who hurt you," Ethan said.
"Do I really have the right to seek revenge when we both know that it was my fault in the first place? I'm the one who killed Aaron's mother," I said.
"But you didn't mean it. It was an accident, yet Aaron's father took your parents' lives intentionally. I knew them; I met them when I was young. I know how strong your parents are—they must have been threats to that old man's sovereignty," Ethan said. "Why not join me? I'll make you my Luna. Let's rebuild my empire, the White Wolves, together."
Maybe Ethan is right, but I'm not someone who likes to seek revenge. I'd rather let karma handle everything, but even fate is against me. I don't know why I'm the one being punished instead of them.
"Thanks for your help," I said, getting out of the car. "I'll think about it. For now, we should distance ourselves from each other. I don't want to involve you in my own mess."
Ethan stopped me. He made me turn around and look at his eyes. His hands on my shoulders. "Just remember I'm your friend. Sometimes asking for help is the best choice. Your troubles are my troubles."
"I'm really grateful for everything you do for me, Ethan. You've done enough already, and I'm feeling guilty. But my troubles are still my troubles alone," I said.
Ethan took his hands off me. "You're really stubborn," he whispered and watched me walk away.