The morning sun cast a soft glow through the tall windows as I stepped into my father’s office, the familiar scent of leather and pine wrapping around me like a comforting hug. The memories that lingered in this room always made me feel at ease, even if they were only fragments of a simpler time, a time before the weight of duty and bloodlines pressed down on me.
My father, Beta Roven, looked up from the papers scattered on his desk. His amber eyes softened as he took me in, his gaze warm but tinged with a quiet worry that only a parent could feel. Even in stillness, he radiated strength, the kind of strength that had kept the Shadow Pack safe and secure for years.
“Malinda,” he said, his voice carrying the same deep, calming tone I’d known all my life. “You look well.” He gestured to the chair across from him, his usual faint
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smile appearing briefly.
I tried to mirror his smile, feeling some of the tension in my shoulders ease as I took a seat. “Thanks, Dad. I think I just needed a bit of fresh air,” I replied, keeping my tone light, though I sensed he saw right through it.
He chuckled softly, a sound that brought back flashes of my childhood, of simpler conversations, easier days. “Fresh air or a break from everything happening?” he asked, his knowing gaze never leaving me.
“A little of both,” I admitted, feeling a
wave of relief. Here, in his presence, I could let my guard down. I didn’t have to carry the weight of expectation or the unease of strangers‘ eyes watching my every move. In this room, it was just us, and for a brief moment, I felt like the girl I
used to be.
His smile faded slightly, replaced by an expression that grew more serious. “The Mateship Ceremony is coming up soon,”
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he said, his voice steady but laced with concern. “I wanted to see how you‘ re holding up, make sure… this is what you want.”
I knew he wasn’t asking because he doubted me; he was asking because he cared. He was the one who always shielded me, always understood the battles I fought within myself. I looked down, tracing invisible patterns on the arm of my chair. “I’m… managing,” I replied, my voice quiet. “I just keep reminding myself that this is what’s best for the pack. For… for
all of us.‘
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His gaze lingered on me, seeing the parts of me that I often tried to hide. “I won’t pretend this is ideal,” he said softly.
“Marrying someone you haven’t even met… it’s a lot to take on. But Malinda, this Alpha–he‘ s powerful. Strong enough to give you what you need.”
I couldn’t ignore the flicker of doubt in my chest. “You‘ ve mentioned his
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strength before, but who is he, Dad?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“You’ve told me almost nothing about him. About why it has to be him.”
He sighed, leaning back in his chair, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk, as if searching for the right words.
“It’s complicated,” he began, choosing his words carefully. “This alliance… it was decided to ensure stability. He’s one of the few Alphas who understands the power in our bloodlines, who can actually help you control what‘ s inside you. He’s someone… powerful.”
I looked up, meeting his steady gaze. “So
he knows what it’s like? The constant
pull, the feeling of being on the edge… that I might lose control at any moment?”
He nodded, his expression softening with empathy. “He knows, Malinda. He understands. His bloodline has power that rivals ours, power that can balance yours, anchor you when you need it most.
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A part of me wanted to believe him, to trust that this stranger could somehow
understand the chaos that simmered
beneath my calm exterior. But doubt
gnawed at me. “What if… what if I’m not ready?” I asked, my voice wavering.
“What if I can’t handle this?”
He leaned forward, reaching across the desk to clasp my hand in his, his grip firm yet gentle. “You‘ re ready,” he replied with a conviction that left no room for argument. “You’ve been through so much already, Malinda. You’ve fought battles others can’t even imagine. This is just another step forward.”
I let his words sink in, feeling a sense of steadiness settle over me, though uncertainty lingered at the edges. “I trust you, Dad,” I whispered. “If you think this Alpha can help me… then I’ll go through
with it.
The relief in his eyes was palpable, but there was something else too, a shadow of
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sadness that he quickly masked. “You don’t know how proud I am of you,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “You‘ re doing what most would never have the strength to do. And soon, you‘ 11 be free from the constant battle within yourself.”
I managed a small smile, though inside, questions swirled like a storm. There was so much I wanted to understand, so many pieces of myself that I felt I was still putting together. The ceremony, the bond… it all felt like another layer of mystery, another
secret to uncover.
“So,” he said, his voice lightening as he shifted the conversation. “Have you thought about what you’ll wear? We’ll have the seamstresses come by to take your measurements soon. It should be
perfect.”
I laughed, a sound that surprised even me.
“You‘ re really making this sound like some grand event, Dad.”
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His eyes sparkled with warmth, and for a moment, he looked like a younger version of himself, a version that carried fewer burdens. “It is a grand event, Malinda. It’s your Mateship Ceremony. This is the beginning of something big, and I want it to be special for you.”
I smiled back, appreciating the rare lightness in his voice. He’d always been the protector, the one who sacrificed for our family. The depth of his love for me ran through every decision he’d made, every choice that shaped my life. He’d given up so much–things I was only just beginning to understand.
“Dad,” I asked softly, glancing down before meeting his gaze. “Why didn’t you ever tell me more about our bloodline? About what it means? I feel like… like I’ve only been given pieces, and I don’t know what they add up to.”
His expression grew distant, a look of regret darkening his features. “Because
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some truths bring only pain,” he said quietly. “Our blood… it’s powerful, yes, but without control, it can destroy. I wanted to shield you from that.”
I nodded, feeling the familiar weight of longing settle in my chest. For so long, I had felt like I was searching for answers in the dark, fumbling through pieces of myself I didn’t fully understand. “Was it hard for you?” I asked, the question slipping out before I could stop it. “To keep all of this from me?”
He gave a slow nod, his gaze softening.
“When Alpha Nathan asked me to become his Beta, he promised to help us hide our lineage, to give us a life without fear or judgment. But there was a price. I had to stay in the shadows, to give up my own right to lead.”
A pang of guilt twisted inside me, and I felt the weight of his sacrifice in a way I hadn’t before. He‘ d surrendered his
dreams, his aspirations, all to keep me safe.
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“You gave up so much… for me,” I whispered.
His hand squeezed mine, his gaze full of love and reassurance. “I would give up everything, Malinda. I’d give up a thousand lifetimes if it meant you could live freely, without fear.”
