The hall felt too quiet when I stepped into it. The silence wrapped around me like a cold blanket, and even though the mansion was huge, I felt strangely suffocated. I had been waiting in my room for hours, unable to sleep, unable to even sit still. My thoughts kept circling like hungry wolves, refusing to give me peace. So I stepped outside, hoping the air would clear my head.
My footsteps echoed slightly as I walked down the corridor. The air smelled of burning candles and old wood. I inhaled deeply, hoping the faint scent would calm me, but it didn't. My heart still beat too fast. My chest still felt tight.
As I walked deeper into the hallway, I passed a room with the door slightly open. A thin line of silver moonlight spilled out from inside. For some reason, I stopped. Something pulled me toward that light, like my body moved before my mind could stop it.
I pushed the door open slowly, careful not to make a sound. The hinges creaked quietly, but the room still felt untouched and still. I stepped inside, keeping close to the wall like a thief.
The room was dark. The only light came from the large window at the far end. The moon poured into the room like a narrow spotlight, covering everything in a pale glow. The air felt thick and sacred.
Then I saw him.
Leon knelt in front of a small crest made of polished wood. The crest had a carved wolf symbol on it, and beside it was a ceramic jar sealed tightly. Even from where I stood, I could feel the heavy emotion around him. He bowed his head slightly.
"Papa…" he whispered.
The word stabbed through my chest. His voice was soft, almost fragile. I had never heard him sound that way before.
"You were the best alpha I knew," he continued quietly. "And you were so good at it. I worked so hard to become the kind of alpha you were. And you always told me to protect the people I love."
He smiled… a small soft smile that carried both pain and pride.
"I will protect Brenda with everything. I want to make her happy, Papa. She has gone through so much pain and suffering. I want to take away her pain. I want her to only remember good things."
My breath caught.
I froze.
My throat tightened and tears blurred my vision immediately. His words felt like a punch. A painful punch. I pressed my back against the wall, trying to steady myself, but my legs shook.
Why now?
Why was he saying this now?
"Why…" my voice cracked silently inside me. "Why did you come into my life now? When I am filled with nothing but darkness… why did you have to be this way?"
Tears slid down my cheeks quietly. I covered my mouth with my hand, afraid the sound of my breathing would give me away.
Suddenly, from the shadows, Madam Clarita stepped into the moonlight. She walked toward Leon with slow gentle steps. Her back was toward me so she didn't notice me hiding in the dark.
She placed a hand softly on Leon's head. Her touch was warm and motherly.
"You are an even better person than your father," she said with a small smile. "I'm sure he would be so proud of you."
Leon lifted his head to look at her. His eyes softened with warmth.
Everything about the moment felt sacred… beautiful… painful.
"You know, everything I learned about my parents… I learned from outsiders," he said softly. "I barely have memories of them. But I know I loved them. And I know they loved me too."
His voice shook slightly.
"You took care of me since childhood. You are the only family I have, Nana."
Madam Clarita's eyes glistened. She patted his head gently.
"And you are more than a son to me, Leon. Your parents may have left too early, but they left a blessing behind. And that blessing is you."
As I watched them, something inside me cracked.
Even a stranger… a stranger… raised him with love. A stranger protected him. A stranger cared for him. Yet my own father… my own blood… abandoned me like I was a curse. Like I deserved nothing. Like I was nothing.
The tears fell harder.
Then Madam Clarita sighed and her expression shifted.
"About Brenda…" she said with worry in her voice. "I don't trust her. I feel she is nothing but trouble. Must you keep her around?"
My heart dropped. I clenched my fists tightly at my sides. The sting of her words burned me, but I stayed quiet, my body hidden in the dark.
Leon looked at her, his expression firm but gentle.
"Nana," he said softly. "Brenda has gone through a lot. That is why she has trust issues. That is why she behaves stubborn sometimes. But deep down… I know she's a good person."
My entire body froze.
Good person?
Me?
My heart sank like a stone. I felt something inside me twist painfully. I was anything but a good person. I had hurt people. I had lied. I had manipulated him. He didn't know who I truly was. He didn't know how dangerous I was.
He held Madam Clarita's hand tightly.
"You've always been patient with me. Please… all I ask is that you be patient with her too. I know she will come around. And maybe one day, she will see us as family."
Family.
The word felt like fire against my chest.
Madam Clarita sighed heavily. She was clearly not pleased, but she didn't push further. Instead, she cupped his cheeks and forced him to look at her.
"Do you love her that much?" she asked softly.
Leon's cheeks turned red. He smiled shyly and looked away. A small laugh escaped him.
Madam Clarita smiled. "Since you believe in her… and since you love her, I won't object anymore. But it does not mean I will stop watching her."
Leon laughed gently. "Okayyyy."
He hugged his nanny tightly. A deep warm hug.
I stepped back slowly. My legs felt weak. My heart felt even weaker. I slid down slightly against the wall and pressed my hand to my chest.
It hurt.
It hurt so much I could barely breathe.
"I shouldn't have done this," I whispered to myself. "I should never have used him for my gain."
Guilt washed over me like cold water. Heavy. Drowning. Crushing.
"I have to stop this. I have to—"
Before I could finish my thought, a sudden loud bang shook the entire mansion.
I froze.
Then another bang.
Then a scream.
A deep chilling scream that ripped through the night.
My heart jumped into my throat.
More screams followed. Then shouting. Then the sound of slashing. Claws. Blades. Flesh.
Chaos.
Pure chaos broke out in seconds.
"We are under attack!" A voice echoed from outside.
My breath shook. My chest tightened painfully.
No.
No no no.
This wasn't what I planned.
This wasn't supposed to happen.
I expected Aaron to be furious. I expected him to storm in. Maybe threaten Leon. Maybe challenge him. But a war? A full attack? An invasion?
That was never part of my plan.
My legs trembled as I staggered forward. The screams grew louder. Wolves howled from outside. The sound of bodies hitting the ground echoed like thunder. The walls felt like they were shaking.
I reached the main hall just in time to see guards rushing past with their weapons drawn. Blood stained one of them already. Panic filled the air. The smell of fear was thick. Too thick.
My heart pounded wildly.
This was not the chaos I imagined.
This was destruction.
I stood still in the middle of it all… frozen. Shocked. Terrified.
Because I knew…
Things would never be the same again.
Not after tonight.
Not after this.
And all of it…
Started with me.