Chapter Fifty Two
LUCY
The days without Chris had stretched into a relentless battle of emotions for me. My heart ached with longing, and the weight of uncertainty pressed upon me. I knew I couldn’t stay away from him forever but my search for the truth had consumed my thoughts and my every waking moment.
Each day, I would find myself at the edge of the path leading to Chris’ treehouse, the magnetic pull of his presence almost too much to resist. But something held me back, a relentless determination to uncover the truth before I could face him again.
Then came the pivotal conversation with Cade. His revelation of the secrets that had haunted me, the truth about my father’s innocence, and the suspicions that had shrouded Chris’ father’s death over the years. My heart raced with anger and determination as I rushed to find Chris, to share the revelations that had shaken my world.
I knew those were just mere words until we found proof, but I could tell that Cade meant every word he said. My urgency was palpable as I approached Chris’ territory, my steps quickening. I found Glen, Chris’ Beta, outside the pack, and without hesitation, I approached him.
“Glen,” I greeted.
“Lucy,” he responded, his gaze holding mine. “Where have you been? I’ve searched for you everywhere, but I couldn’t find you. Alpha Chris has been worried about you.”
“I know, I needed time on my own to think and sort things out. But right now, I need to speak with Chris, it’s very important,” I said, my voice tinged with determination.
Glen rushed off to convey my message to Chris. It didn’t take long for Chris to arrive, his eyes widening with surprise and relief as he saw me.
“Lucy?” he said.
“Chris, hi. I’m sorry for being away for too long, I had to sort-”
“I understand, love,” he cuts in. “I got your note and I understand your reason for being away.”
“I came because there’s something I need to let you know,” I said. I wasted no time in delving into the revelations Cade had shared with me. I spoke of my growing suspicion that Cade might be responsible for Chris’ father’s death.
As we spoke, Lothar joined us, his presence a testament to the gravity of our conversations. The weight of the secrets we had cast a shadow over, a shadow that seemed ready to engulf us.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
Lothar’s voice was solemn as he began to speak, giving testimony to my growing suspicion. But then, he revealed a truth that struck me to the core.
“Lucy, there’s more to this than you know. Cade is not only responsible for Chris’ father’s death; he is also responsible for your father’s death.”
“What?!!” Chris exclaimed.
“I’m sorry, I should have told you this all this time. I’m sorry for keeping this away from you.”
Their words faded into the air. My world seemed to spin out of control, the revelation hitting me like a tidal wave. The anger, the frustration, the pain- all unite into a powerful surge of emotion. I felt myself losing control, and the next thing I knew, I had blacked out.
When I opened my eyes, I found myself in Chris’ treehouse, her head resting on a makeshift bed of furs. Chris was by my side, his eyes filled with concern as he held my hands.
“Lucy,” he said, his voice gentle, soothing, “you’re safe. You had a shock.”
My awakening in the treehouse was met with a flood of tears that I couldn’t hold back. I had never imagined Cade to be responsible for my father’s untimely death. He was a lot of things but murdering my father was something I never imagined. My father’s passing had always been shrouded in mystery, a painful wound that refused to heal. He had gone out one day and never returned until his lifeless body was discovered in the depths of the woods.
Chris reached out to gently wipe away my tears, his voice a soothing whisper. “Lucy, I can’t even begin to imagine how you’re feeling right now. But I need you to know that you are not alone, I’m here with you and we’ll get through this together.”
My sobs continued to wrack my body, the pain and anger swirling within me like a tempest. “I once trusted him, Chris. I trusted him with everything. And he… he took my father away from me.”
Chris embraced me tightly, his own emotions turbulent as he whispered words of comfort. “We’ll make sure he pays for what he’s done, Lucy. Justice will be served.”
As I clung to him, my tears began to gradually subside, replaced by a sense of resolve. All I wanted now was revenge- revenge for what he had done to my family. My quest for revenge ignited a fire within me, a fire that would not be extinguished until I got what I wanted- his head.
Anger and despair swirled within me, and I gritted my teeth as I spoke. “Cade…. He’s responsible for both our father’s death. I swear, Chris, I’ll kill him myself.”
Chris’ grip on my hands tightened, his voice filled with determination. “You can’t do that, not yet. We have to bring him to justice, Lucy. We have to let everyone know his crimes, that will clear your father’s name and get you and your mother reinstated into the pack again. Together. But we must be careful, gather evidence, and expose his crimes.”
“I don’t care if I get reinstated or not, I’m going to have my revenge,” I snapped.
“I do care! I care, Lucy. I want you by my side and no one in this pack will accept you if they keep believing that your father committed the crimes he didn’t. Please, Lucy, do this for me,” he said, his eyes filled with emotions.
My anger simmered, knowing he was right. If we didn’t expose his crimes I would forever remain a rogue and no one would want a rogue as a mate to their dear Alpha. “You’re right, Chris.”
Now we shared a common enemy, I and Chris. Cade had bitten more than he could chew and I would make sure he choked on it. Violence for violence is the rule of the beasts, I had become a beast and would not stop until I got my revenge. Until then, I had to follow Chris’ suggestions, not because I wanted to but because he was right.