Chapter 498

The others in the room watched as my father processed the fact that the ideal dad was still alive. “My mom?”

My grandmother pursed her lips, shook her head, and looked down. “He didn’t want or need her anymore. She wasn’t his first victim, nor his last.” He nodded once.

“Why did he stick around so long if he didn’t want to be here?” Ronte questioned.

My grandmother sighed. “He was content to be the alpha of this pack as he searched. He was fine keeping your mother alive because he knew he would lose standing if he got rid of her. He was the outsider, and as it stood, he wasn’t very liked.” She paced. “Your mother was so much like Amy—strong, bright, loving, funny, and the darling girl of the pack.”

“What happened?” My dad asked.

She leveled him with a look that said he knew. “He did. He turned your mother from a bright, vibrant, loving woman into the cold, stiff creature you knew.”

“How?” Ronnie asked.

My grandmother opened her mouth, but my words stopped everyone. “When you love someone who doesn’t respect your words, your feelings, or your life, you allow yourself to become smaller so they give you a tiny shred of love. Men like Garith, men like Brandon, they toss you little bits of affection and warmth so you put up with everything they do to tear you down.” I looked at Ronnie. “They do it in such a way that you don’t even realize you are changing yourself—not until it’s too late, not until you are quiet and obedient, not until the beatings become your everyday and the love they once gave you freely becomes something you have to beg for.” My father made a choking noise. I smiled, baring my soul to a room full of men I barely knew.

“Ladybug,” Ronnie said, pulling me into a hug. “You never have to make yourself small.”

I pulled back, grinned, and cleared my throat. “I know that this time around. Anyway,” I turned to my grandmother, but she was gone. My eyes fell on Thoth.

His hands were clenched, as if he were mad. His face was turned to me, and I knew, without seeing his eyes, that he was watching, but I didn’t know why. I watched him for a second before my dad cleared his throat. “I guess she gave all the answers she could give us.” His voice was strong and clear, but I knew my father and heard the slight confusion in his words.

I nodded. “What do we do now?”

My dad blew out a breath. “I think we put the Garith issue aside for now.”

Someone scoffed, but Thoth stood. “Gavin is right. Knowing he’s alive doesn’t change our next step. We came here because Amy told us about the rogue encampment in the caves.”

“Have we confirmed if they’re still there?” I looked at Ronnie.

He nodded. “We had trackers from all the packs head to the caves and confirm rogue movements. Cass is there now, watching.”

I looked at the other alphas. “Do we agree that the rogues are the biggest threat at this time?” The alphas nodded. “Now, while I know you might be doubtful because of the relationship between me, my dad, and Garith, what I can tell you is that my father and I are devoted to the goddess and her will.”

“How do we know that?” Alpha Chris questioned. “No offense, Gav. I mean, you saved all of us, kept us alive, and fed us these past years. But he is your father.”

There was a pause, and my father nodded. “I understand.”

One second I was looking at everyone, trying not to be angry, and the next I was back in my mind with my wolves. I looked at Nix and Megan. What is going on?

You need proof that Amy is chosen by me? You need proof that Gavin is chosen by me?” I saw every man in the room freeze.

“Moon blessed,” Toya’s father whispered, staring at me.

My body turned to face my father. “You have been through so much,” she said, cupping his face. “But this is close to being over.” My father smiled. “You have endured, and I cannot express how well you have done. Amy has exceeded all expectations. You have been so devoted to my path.”

My father shook his head. “You saved me.”