Lydia's POV
My father stares at me.
I stare back.
Five years of pain. Five years of rage. All locked in this one moment.
His face is white. Eyes wide with terror.
He knows. He recognizes me.
Say it, I think. Tell everyone who I am. Let's end this now.
But then something changes.
The terror disappears from his face. Like a mask sliding into place.
His expression goes blank. Professional. Cold.
Forgive me, Alpha, he says smoothly. I didn't mean to stare.
What?
He's not going to tell? Not going to expose me?
My father turns to Kade. I was simply surprised. A rogue as our Luna is... unexpected.
Kade's eyes narrow. Is that a problem, Beta?
Of course not, Alpha. My father's voice is respectful. Obedient. I only wish to ensure pack safety.
Lies. He's planning something.
Ash and her daughter are under my protection, Kade says firmly. Anyone who threatens them answers to me.
My father bows his head. Understood, Alpha.
Then he looks at me again. Just for a second.
The threat in his eyes is clear: This isn't over.
Kade addresses the pack. Ash is my fated mate. That makes her your future Luna. I expect all of you to treat her with respect.
Silence. Then murmurs of agreement.
But I see the looks. The disgust. The hatred.
Same looks they gave me five years ago.
Welcome her, Kade commands.
Welcome, Luna, the pack says together. But their voices are cold. Empty.
My father steps forward. Fake smile on his face.
Welcome to Silvermoon, Miss Ash, he says.
Miss Ash. Like I'm a stranger. Like he didn't raise me. Didn't destroy me.
Thank you, I force out. My voice sounds wrong. Too quiet.
He extends his hand. I'm Beta Thomas. I oversee pack security and operations.
I don't want to touch him. Don't want his filthy hand anywhere near me.
But everyone is watching.
Slowly, I take his hand.
His grip is cold. Strong. Threatening.
Then I feel it. Paper pressed against my palm. Small. Hidden.
He's passing me a note.
My father lets go. Steps back. Still smiling.
If you need anything, please let me know, he says. I'm here to help.
Liar. Liar. LIAR.
Kade puts his arm around me. Thank you, Thomas. That's all for today. Everyone back to your duties.
The pack disperses. But they keep staring. Keep whispering.
My father walks away without looking back.
I clutch the note in my hand. It burns like fire.
You did great, Kade says gently. I know that was hard.
He has no idea.
Can we go back now? I whisper.
Of course.
We walk back to his house. Kade carries Ember when she gets tired. So gentle with her.
The mate bond throbs between us. Warm. Safe.
But all I feel is the note in my hand.
What did he write? What threat? What plan?
We reach the house. Kade puts Ember down for a nap. She's exhausted from all the excitement.
You should rest too, Kade says to me.
I will. Just... need a moment alone.
Kade's face shows concern. Are you okay?
Fine. Just overwhelmed.
He cups my face. The mate bond flares at his touch.
I know this is a lot. New pack. New life. But you're safe here. I promise.
Another promise I can't believe.
Thank you, I whisper.
Kade kisses my forehead. Gentle. Sweet.
Then he leaves to give me privacy.
The second he's gone, I unfold the note.
My father's handwriting. Sharp. Precise. Hateful.
Lydia,
Leave by sunrise tomorrow. Take your bastard and disappear.
If you're still here when the sun comes up, I will tell Alpha Kade everything. Who you really are. What you did. The theft. The lies. The pregnancy.
He'll throw you out himself. Or worse—he'll kill you for deceiving him.
Your daughter will suffer most. I have connections. Hunters who owe me favors. Rogues who would love to get their hands on an alpha-blood child.
Run, Lydia. While you still can.
This is your only warning.
—Father
Father.
He signed it Father like he has any right to that word.
My hands shake so hard the paper tears.
He's threatening Ember. My baby. My everything.
Threatening to hurt her if I don't leave.
Rage floods through me. Hot. Violent. All-consuming.
Five years ago, I ran. Pregnant and terrified and broken.
I let him win.
Not this time.
I grab the lighter from Kade's kitchen drawer. Watch my father's note burn to ashes.
Let it all turn to dust.
I'm not running anymore. Not from him. Not from anyone.
He wants me gone? Too bad.
I'm staying. And I'm going to destroy him the same way he destroyed me.
The front door opens. Kade walks in.
Ash? You okay?
I turn to him. Force a smile. Fine. Just thinking.
He walks closer. Studies my face. You look angry.
Just tired.
Kade doesn't believe me. I can feel his suspicion through the mate bond.
But he doesn't push. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be easier, I promise.
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow my father expects me to be gone.
Tomorrow he'll discover I'm still here.
Tomorrow the real war begins.
Kade? I say quietly.
Yes?
If someone threatened me or Ember... what would you do?
His eyes flash gold. Pure alpha rage.
I'd rip them apart, he says simply. No one touches what's mine.
The mate bond pulses at his words. Possessive. Protective.
Maybe... maybe I can use this. Use him.
Kade doesn't know who my father really is. Doesn't know what he did.
But he will.
I'll make sure of it.
Good, I whisper.
Kade pulls me close. No one will hurt you here. I swear it.
He's wrong. The person who wants to hurt me is already inside his pack.
His trusted Beta.
My father.
But soon, Kade will know the truth.
And when he does, my father will pay for everything.
I lean into Kade's embrace. Let him think I'm accepting his comfort.
But inside, I'm planning.
Calculating.
Preparing for war.
My father thinks he won five years ago.
He has no idea what I've become.
What surviving in hell does to a person.
He threw away his soft, innocent daughter.
But I came back as something else.
Something dangerous.
And this time, I'm not the one who's going to lose.
The sun sets outside. Darkness falling.
Tomorrow morning, my father will check if I'm gone.
And he'll find me still here.
Still standing.
Still fighting.
Let the games begin.