30: Iris
His words ha me like a punch to the gut. I wanted to tell him that wasn’t true, that our father had loved us in his own way. But the truth was, our father’s actions had shown otherwise. I couldn’t be in Abel, not when he had already faced so much pain.
1 pulled him into a hug, feeling his small body trembling, Tm so sorry, Abel. I’m here now, and I promise I will never leave you.” I hoped that I would be able to keep my promise.
He buried his face in my shoulder, his solss muffled against my clothes. “I–II mi–miss Mo–mom,” he cried, his voice breaking my heart even more.. To think that this had been thum sand boy who had been enjoying his meal not a minute ago was deeply distressing. I was aware he was burying his padu. I was not sure how mucİL
“Imberto,” I whispered, stroking his hair. ”
we’ll get through this together, okay! We have to be strong, for her and for each other.”
After a while, his kahs quieted, and he pulled back, wiping his tears with the back of his hand. “O–okay,” he said softly. “T–11 t–try to be stro–strong, like y you.”
I smiled, though my heart ached. If only he knew how much the horrible days were weighing me down and how much of a facade I was wearing “You’re already stronger than you know, Abel. And we’ll find our way through this, I promise.”
Once he was sealed, I patted him back to sleep. His weeping had made in tired. I turned my attention to the letter. My father’s last words awaited me, and I couldn’t delay any longer. 1 broke the seal with trembling fingers and unfolded the paper, my eyes scanning the familiar handwriting, my grief blossoming until a viserral beartache.
“My Little Flower,
I am finally writing you a letter after all these years. It feels like yesterday when I carried you in my arms for the very first time. The happiest day of my life. My wretched soul will truly be grateful if you ever get this and when you do, it means I am no longer with you. I have many regrets, but the greatest of them all is the way I failed you and your brother and your lovely mother. I made choices that led to this downfall and, for that, I am deeply sorry.
I have no excuses for my actions. I was blinded by my own ambitions and greed, believing I could replace you all. I hope that one day you can forgive me, though 1 do not deserve it
that
Take care of Abel. He needs you now more than ever. Be the protector and the guide that I could not be. You have a strength within you th surpasses anything Lever possessed. Trust in that strength, and trust in your wolf
Remember that I loved you, even if my actions did not always show it
With all my love,
Your Father
Tears blurred my vision as I finished reading. Despite everything, despite the pain and betrayal, a part of me still longed for the father I remembered from my childhood, the one who had loved us before everything went wrong.
1 folded the letter carefully and placed it in a drawer. I didn’t know if I could ever forgive him, but I would honor his request. I would be strong for Abel, and I would ensure that we both found a way to heal and move forward.
“Iris,” a voice from behind jolted me. I hastily wiped my tears. I turned to the person.
Dark eyes regarded me and I got on my feed, suddenly unable to figure out what to say, “Tone… how are you… L‘
But she regarded me without any recognition in the eyes I had grown to see kindness in. “Tam here to tell you that his room is ready,” she said. referring to Abel.
1blinked. “His mom!”
“A personal room has been arranged for him.” She clarified. “He cannot continue to stay here.”
“But he is young, he cannot sleep alone.” I tried to say.
“This is the Alpha and Laust’s room,” she replied, in monotone. “It is only appropriate.”
Iswallowed the words I had to counter. I preferred not to give any more trouble.
“I see,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. Thank you for arranging it.”
lone gave a curt nod and turned to leave. It pained me to see the distance between us, the warmth that had once existed now replaced by cold formality. I couldn’t blame her. My actious lad hurt her badly. I had been so selfish
She turned to leave.
“Toor, wait..” I stopped her in her tracks.
She faced me squarely once again.
I took tentative steps closer to her, gauging her reaction to see if our proximity did not make her smcomfortable. But she revealed no change in expression, only continued to stare at me in a detached manner.
“I wanted to talk about what happened during the hunt,”
Nothing
21.01
- Iri
I went on after taking a deep breath. “I was a selfish fool to not have thought of the repercussions my actions would have on you. You showed me kindness and repaid you fairly. I ask for your forgiveness. I am sorry.”
She remained silem, her gaze unflinching as she listened to my words. There was no hint of emotion in her expression leaving me to wonder if she would even consider forgiving me for my selfishness
1 am well accustomed
After what felt like an eternity, she finally spoke, her voice calm but distant. “You need not apologize to the likes of me, Luna. I am to being used.” Was all she said before she turned to leave again.
I reached out without thinking, stopping her again. She did not turn to look at me, but I was sure I still had her attention.
“lone, I am trily sorry. You were a friend to me, more than just another member of a strange pack that I found myself. I never intended to use you or take your kindness for granted.” I pleaded, hoping that my sincerity would reach her, even in her current state of detachment.
She paused her shoulders tense as if considering my words. Slowly, she turned to face me, and for the first time, I saw a flicker of emotion in her eves- – not warmth, but something softer than the cold indifference she had shown before.
“You may
have considered me a friend, Luma, but I have learned the hard way that not all friendships are genuine,” she replied, her voice tinged with bitterness. Thave no doubt that you had your reasons, but when you say you see me as a friend your actions speak louder than words. You could have let me know. I would have tried to help you in your mission. But instead you tricked me, and I was caught unawares seeing your family get cut down without being able to help. But it is not your fault, not truly. Your kind have always seen us as monsters. Me including.”
Her words struck me like a blow, the weight of my betrayal heavy on my heart. The extent of the damage I had done to her was far clearer now. This time, when she walked away and closed the door behind her. I didn’t stop her. My actions had hurt her, but I vowed that my actions would be the one to prove that I truly saw her as a friend.
I took a long time in the bath, scrubbing myself clean of the day’s woes. I got out, wrapped in a robe. As I dried myself off, the weight of the day’s emotions still lingered heavily on my shoulders. Despite my efforts to push them aside, they clung to me like a stubborn shadow.
With a sigh, I reached for the drawer where I had placed my father’s letter, hoping to put it out of sight and out of mind. I could not bear to see it on a daily basis. I reached in, my still slightly wet hand brushed against the paper, causing the ink to smudge and blur.
I pulled back a sinking feeling settling in the pit of my stomach as I realized what had happened. Carefully, I picked up the letter. I hoped that I had not damaged it irreparably. I unfolded the paper, my heart skipped a beat at the sight before me.
The words on the page had shifted and transformed, revealing a different message underneath my father’s letter. My hands trembled as I read the new words, which were completely different from the first one. Its first words were “Kavriel must be stopped“.
