Caitlyn's POV
"What do you mean?"
My father questioned Talon, his eyes narrowing as he diffused the earlier tension.
"Pantheon, do you think it's all over if you let go of what happened? Can you protect Caitlyn by burying your head in the sand like an ostrich?"
Talon met my father's gaze without fear. My father's hands gripped the railing, his body trembling with anger.
"Go on, what else do you know?"
I had never seen my father adopt such an intimidating demeanor before, and it struck me as rather peculiar.
"When you brought Gwen to this remote place, when Alpha Shaco took you in his pack, you believed your wanderings had finally ended. That's why you were so dedicated to helping him become an Alpha."
As Talon continued to speak, I became increasingly surprised. I had always thought my father was part of the Purple Moon Pack, but I hadn't realized there was another story.
"Anyone with a bit of research could find that out; it's not a secret to anyone. It's only because Alpha Shaco took me in at that time that my wife and I had a place to stay instead of becoming rogues, so it's only right that I repay him."
My father said, gazing out the window as if he, too, reminisced about that time.
"What about Gwen?" Talon brought up my mother's name once again, causing my heart to constrict. After all, my father had mentioned that her poor health after giving birth to me had led to her passing. At one point, I had resented myself for that.
My father's eyes widened, and I could tell he was extremely agitated. If Talon crossed a line, I had no doubt my father would pounce on him without hesitation.
"Do you genuinely believe Gwen's passing was just an accident, and that Shaco is truly that kind-hearted?"
"Don't you ever mention her name again!" Father huffed, and his eyes immediately glazed over.
"Well, I'll keep it brief. After my investigation, it turns out that the current Alpha Shaco is actually a master of deception. He was involved in the plot back then!"
Boom!
Just as Talon's words landed, the railing in front of my father collapsed with a resounding crash. My father swiftly lunged forward, grabbing Talon by the neck.
"You should take responsibility for what you said," my father gasped, clearly suppressing his anger.
"Pantheon, you've known the truth in your heart for a long time. You've just been too afraid to admit it."
Talon maintained a confident expression.
"I won't be a pawn in your revenge, no matter what Caitlyn believes. I've made up my mind. Please leave my room right now."
A sneer crossed my father's face as he gently pushed Talon once more. "Until now, have you trusted your imagination over the truth?" Talon challenged.
"And how can you prove that what you say is the truth?"
My father grew slightly impatient and furrowed his brow. If what Talon said next didn't satisfy him, I had no doubt my father would immediately kick Talon out.
"At that time, Tryndamere staged a coup and launched an attack on the Lycan Palace while you were away. Upon hearing the news, you chose to return, but on your way, you encountered a masked man who held your mate hostage, forcing you to leave the area and never return..."
"Enough!" My father rudely interrupted him.
My father braced his hands on the table, his broad shoulders trembling slightly.
As I stood behind him, I could faintly hear the sound of his quiet sobs. It might have been just an illusion, but I thought I heard the wolf inside his father's body howling sorrowfully, its cry exceptionally mournful, tugging at one's heartstrings.
I was able to infer from Talon's words what my father ultimately decided to do. He chose to flee with his mate, and the death of the old former Lycan King Aatrox left my father feeling like a deserter. He had carried this guilt with him for many years, living with the weight of his choices.
Furthermore, my presence exacerbated my mother's loss, intensifying my father's self-blame over the years.
"I believe you now," my father said. "But what I'm curious about is how you have all this information. No one else was present at that time, and I suspect you weren't even born yet."
My father slowly raised his head and wiped his tears away with the back of his hand. His pupils transformed into vertical stripes, and a low growl escaped his throat as a warning.
"I do have my sources," he replied. "I'll share everything with you when the time is right."
Talon paused briefly and then continued, "The masked man at the time was the current Alpha Shaco, who was also involved in the Tryndamere plot. He knew what you were capable of and had plans that involved you when you chose to run away. Unfortunately, I fear that what happened to Gwen was expected."
"So, if he caused my mother's accident, wouldn't my father be the first to seek revenge?" I interjected.
"That's the cunning part about Alpha Shaco," Talon responded. "If he had intervened to save Gwen during her accident, he would have gained Pantheon's favor. However, he seemed uncertain about successfully pulling it off by the end. After all, you can betrayed the former Lycan King for your wife, he, of course, would believe that you would do the same thing again. And Shaco won’t let it happen."
Talon's eyes sparkled, and a confident smile crept across his face as he glanced at my father. My father furrowed his brow, deep in thought.
My father totally froze at once.
"What Shaco wanted was just a tool that could help him to manage and train his pack, and he didn’t hope that his tool would have any chance to not be used by him one day. So, he put wolfsbane in the food of your wife had..."
"Enough!" My father cried out in pain.
"What should I do?" My father's voice erupted with anger after a long while.