Chapter 45:
My subconscious scolded me, and I frowned, feeling guilty.
It was selfish of me to wish the bullet had hit someone else instead of my father.
The sudden movement of my father pulled me from my thoughts as he began murmuring inaudible words.
“Dad!” I called, gently squeezing his shoulder to keep him steady.
“Run, Aurora, they’re coming for you!”
I felt my heart leap out of my chest as I processed my dad’s words.
I swallowed the burning taste of fear, confusion crashing over me like a ton of bricks. The cold breeze found its way to my bare skin, making me tremble from the shock of the news.
Frozen, I stood motionless, eyes wide, struggling to think of what to do. I hated that my reaction to danger was to freeze in place. Despite my desperate urge to flee, my body refused to obey.
Finally gaining some composure, my shaking hands reached for my father’s body, caressing him tenderly. I focused on breathing slowly, and soon, I felt him mirroring my steady breaths.
Calmness began to wash over him, and he let out a deep sigh. His large gray eyes fluttered open to meet mine, and I forced a smile.
“It’s okay, daddy. You’re fine,” I reassured, holding his gaze with my own, trying to offer comfort.
His brows furrowed as he studied me.
“I thought you were supposed to be in your room. What are you doing here?” he asked, his voice weak as he coughed.
I struggled to find the words, fighting to keep the truth from slipping out.
L∆Ŧ€$† Ç♄₳þŧëяŞ ¡η g𝓪l𝗇ovєl𝑆.𝒸оm
I had to be careful to protect Eve. “I sensed… that you might be… in trouble,” I stammered, attempting to fabricate a plausible excuse.
His gaze turned sharp, suspicion flickering in his eyes.
He caught me.
“I’m no Alpha if I can’t spot a lie,” he said weakly, his eyes narrowing. “But I’ll let that pass.”
I exhaled a breath of relief, silently muttering a prayer of gratitude.
“How did you know where I was?” he asked.
“I figured you hated the pack hospital,” I replied, offering him a small smile.
A proud grin tugged at my lips as I realized—just like me, my father despised hospitals.
Even if he was dying, he preferred to be treated at home. “Smart,” he whispered, looking away as sadness enveloped his face.
“You have to leave, Rory,” he began.
“Why?” I asked, feigning ignorance. I wasn’t going to let it slip. I’d coax the words out of him.
“Just listen to me on this one. You don’t need to know why I’m telling you to leave. It’s for your good,” he swallowed hard, clenching his jaws.
Why wouldn’t he just tell me?
“But this whole thing of locking me up doesn’t make sense. I’m not okay with the warriors guarding my door day and night when they’ve never done this before. I’m sick of being stuck in my room. I’m tired of being a prisoner. I want out!”
