Valen POV
Dad’s place was like a shrine of my childhood; even today, he still had my artwork framed on his walls, photos hung on the walls, and on all the furniture. Growing up, his entire life revolved around raising me, and his house showed that clearly.
Despite having done some horrid things in the past; he loved me, and that much showed.
One thing I loved, though, was seeing that some of Valarian’s artwork and school stuff was also displayed like treasured possessions alongside mine. It was embarrassing that he kept some of this crap, yet I knew it meant something to him despite how crappy my art skills were. Dad cooked dinner for us and we watched movies, trying to keep the TV off after the media displayed everything from the challenge. Valarian didn’t need to see that or become involved in adults issues, so after the fourth headline, dad put a movie on.
Later that night, Valarian wouldn’t sleep without talking to his mother, so I let him call her. Still, he was restless, tossing and turning on the couch as I rested my head. My father had muted the TV, and we were watching it with captions.
“Everly alright?” He asks, and I nod.
“I have Tatum staying with her. He is outside the door,” I tell him, and he nods
Our argument was broadcasted across every TV station. Luckily, no one knew what it was about, and John and Claire were tight–lipped and said no comment when interviewed. John even slapped one of the reporters for coming too near.
It was all on display, and assumptions were made, so it would only be a matter of time before they figured it out.
Dad had been quiet most of the night and let me be, though I could tell he was itching to say something. Turning my head, I looked over at him to find him watching Valarian, whose head was in my lap. “Just say it. I can see it is eating you up, so out with it,” I tell him. Dad sighs and I turn my attention to him.
“Don‘t make my mistakes,” he says, and I roll my eyes.
you did, mum,” I tell him, and he takes a deep breath. He shakes his
for an Alpha. That her status was as low as
funny?” I ask him, shocked he would laugh over
not standing up to him, but what she did next is what made me
“What did she do?”
the
didn’t take that well,” I tell him, remembering the old prick. He was nasty right up until he died. Dad looked after him in his old age. He only lasted a year after my grandmother died. “No, of course not. Yet I kept sneaking off to see
good enough for her. Your mother was tougher than I was. It wasn’t about titles with her. She didn’t care I was Alpha, she didn’t care who my father was, and she sure as shit didn’t care that she pissed him off. She and her pack of
Once my father stood down and handed the title over,
idiot. I was scared of my father. Scared he would do something to her or her parents, and he
it was him?” I
she suspected it was. I never told her, but I don‘t think I had to, so when my father found out, she was pregnant. He asked her to get rid of you. He
you at that hotel. She didn‘t even tell me. I snuck over to see her and found you. Dad had me on a tight leash, even froze all my trust funds, and I hadn’t seen her in months. I assumed she got rid of you, but there you were
you and her when he found us. He said no rogue would marry his son and taint his reputation. I convinced him to let me take you and say she died,” he said, and I never saw him cry, but reliving
get you’re upset, but never keep your son from her. Nothing killed me more than prying you from her arms and seeing that look on her face, hearing her beg for you back.” He shakes his head
you. I should have protected you both, and I failed her, and after that, she wouldn’t
asking for her, I knew I had to stop, and even she said it was too risky. If the media found out,
Everly, dad. I would
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