Chapter 5

Winny.

"You're lying," I said to Mark, but my heart pounded in my chest.

He smirked. "I'll be waiting for you to come back to me when you find out. I'll be more than happy to help, honey."

I didn't know how I managed to run through the crowd, find the door, and get out as soon as I could. I couldn't think, I couldn't process anything, and everything in me hoped Mark was lying.

I went straight to Grace, panicking. Sweat beads rolled down my face, mixing with tears.

"What is it?" Grace asked for the tenth time.

I picked up my phone again, wondering if I should call Becky or Mom, but the phone slipped from my trembling hands.

Grace grabbed my hands, tears in her eyes, and worry written all over her face. She sat me down. "Tell me, did he hurt you?"

"Mark said…he said my dad is dead."

"What? Mark or Alpha Sean?"

"Mark. I bumped into him while being escorted out on Alpha Sean's orders. He wasn't lying, Grace, he would never lie about something so sensitive. I should have been there. I should have gone home!"

Grace pulled me in for a hug. "Oh dear. Just be calm. We should confirm this before you do anything."

Grace left to make some phone calls while I picked up my phone and fumbled with it. If I call, they would probably tell me it's my fault.

I couldn't shake the eerie feeling that something was just not right. Someone would have called me.

Grace returned with an even sadder look and slowly shook her head. She sprinted to hug me while my whole world shattered. He is the only one I have left.

"Don't call them," Grace said as if she had read my mind. "You know what's going to happen if you call them."

My heart tightened into a knot as I scrolled to my dad's contact.

A notification popped up as I was about to dial the number. An email with a "His last wishes" title.

My heart skipped a beat as I opened the mail. Grace sat beside me, also surprised about the mail.

His last wishes.

Hey Win,

A long time ago, your father came to me. He knew a day like this would come and asked me to help him fulfil his last wishes, things he couldn't do himself.

I'm sorry about the death of your father, and I want you to know he loved you till his last breath. Here is an attachment for you.

(The truth we kept from you)

Grace left and gave me space to be with myself as I opened the attachment. It was a video my father had recorded prior to this time.

He apologised for everything and the turns of events. Then he proceeded to reveal that my adoption wasn't a random event; he said it was more complicated than I could imagine.

Becky had been intentionally taken away, and he had to adopt me to keep Becky safe. If he hadn't adopted me, Becky would have died.

"Who? Who would have killed her?" I said out loud.

"I know you are wondering who they are, but you will find out on your own," he said in the video.

Then he went on to explain that I wasn't from this pack at all, I was linked to the WhiteWolves of Serenile, an ancient, powerful lineage that could destroy and violate every order.

"You have their Royal Mark on your body. That little mark underneath your shoulder. You always thought it was a tribal mark," he laughed.

I had always thought everyone had that mark somewhere on their body.

A tear escaped my eyes as I watched how alive he was, how we could have had this discussion in person.

"You became part of my life when I adopted you, Winny. You are my daughter. I don't know why they want to keep you very far away from your real life, but I have done my part; I didn't have a choice. But you are a strong lady, and you have no idea what you are capable of. Find yourself and your lineage, find who you truly are, but be careful. Do not trust anyone. Your identity puts you at risk. I am sorry I am no longer with you, but you know I'm just chilling with the Moon goddess. No pressure. I love you ten thousand."

The video ends with him making a heart with his hands. Tears rolled down my face as I wailed and stared at him. "I love you ten thousand too."

If he loved me ten thousand then he would have done everything not to leave me. I watched the video three more times and sank into the couch thinking about everything he said.

I exited the video, then tried to watch it again one last time, but it deleted itself.

I just wanted to live a simple life, have a family, find a mate, and live happily ever after. But why is everything getting so much worse?

The rage and sadness occupying my heart made my wild whimper.

My tribal Mark, once insignificant, now means everything. It changed everything. My whole existence.

With no family, no mate, no friends, how am I supposed to find who I truly am?

Perhaps I should remain a nobody.

"It's your father's last wish," my wolf whispered.

I smirked. I wonder what my real father looks like. Whether he is alive or not.

"Are you okay?" Grace said and plopped on the couch beside me.

I nodded and wrapped myself around her. "I have you." I sipped my tears. There is no reason to remain sad; he had given me a job to do, a new kind of hope, something to look forward to.

"You know what, I'm actually—"

The door exploded, scattering wood around the house. "Stay behind me," I said to Grace.

"You are still recovering. You stay behind me."

She tried to walk past me, but I pushed her back onto the couch.

Guards walked in, grabbed me, and pushed me out of the building while restraining Grace in the house.

"Where are you taking me?" I struggled.

"You are being arrested for your father's debts."

"What!"