Caitlyn's POV
The news of my fair fight for Talon with Kaisa is spreading around the palace, and a number of people pretending to pass by are slowly gathering in front of my residence.
"Hey, did you hear? The human woman that Alpha Kaisa rescued last time is going to publicly declare competition with Alpha Kaisa for Alpha Talon."
"It's just ridiculous. She's just a human."
"Don't say that; there are rumors that she can also turn into a wolf. Maybe she has the legendary bloodline."
"How can that be? Shh... she's coming over."
These days, whenever I go out, the gazes of the people around me always unconsciously converge on me.
My sense of hearing is more powerful than ever, allowing me to effortlessly hear their whispers hidden beneath their kind expressions.
Initially, I was occasionally affected by what they were saying, but as I heard more and more, my heart grew stronger. After all, their mouths were long, and all I could decide was what I was going to do next to leave them breathless.
"Caitlyn, it's not like you have to make the rounds every day as if you're declaring your sovereignty."
My father couldn't help but shake his head when he saw me still looking radiant.
"No, I'll show those who questioned me that I am the human weak in their eyes, trying to steal a man from their Alpha."
My eyes were filled with indignation, the words Kaisa had said to me that day still fresh in my mind.
"What do you know about that Kaisa?"
I noticed that my father has been busy with my affairs in the last few days. What surprises me is that even in his position, he can come and go as he pleases to the palace. I think my father and Talon must have kept something from me earlier.
"Well, wait a moment."
My father seemed to have anticipated that I would ask this question. A hint of amusement flashed across his face before he stood up and pulled out a folder from the bookcase behind him.
"Look at this first."
My father unfolded the folder, revealing a slightly blurry photo at the top. It appeared to be a family gathering, with seven or eight men standing side by side. In the center, a man with gold-rimmed glasses held a crying little girl in his arms. My father pointed directly at that little girl.
"Interestingly enough, she should be considered part of the royal family. Her father, Alpha Kassadin, used to be very good friends with the old king. He was very different to the other werewolves," my father explained, slowly lifting his head as if a realization had crossed his mind.
As I stared at the photo, I noticed it was taken in the exact same location as the palace. The man who picked up Kaisa looked refined and easy-going. If I hadn't been told he was a werewolf, I might have assumed he was a university professor studying literature.
"He seems gentle."
"Yes. He has no interest in power or pack expansion. He's enamored with architecture. The grand hall of the palace was also designed by him," my father added, and I obediently looked out through the window. The golden hall's arches and gilt material exuded richness and extravagance.
"But, it also ruined him."
My father sighed softly as he rubbed the picture.
"What do you mean?" I couldn't help but follow up.
"In the world of werewolves, the only thing you need is great strength. Kassadin was on good terms with the old king, so no ungrateful forces targeted him during conquests. However, when the king died, his pack immediately became the focus of everyone's attention. After all, the Alpha of their pack was a scholar with little power."
"And then?" I frowned softly, as if I could already guess the ending.
"Kassadin was killed, and his pack has been divided ever since, with everyone wanting to come over and carve up the pie. However, his daughter, Kaisa, rose to prominence with the king's support. With her own strength, she consolidated all the forces and eventually achieved unification."
My father spoke casually, but from his few words, I could vividly imagine Kaisa's agile movements. Perhaps that was why she had such unwavering faith in her power.
"Actually, Kaisa is just a poor child too."
My father closed the folder and sighed softly, only for a smile to return to his face as his eyes shifted to me.
"I've heard about you guys, and it's always been a concern of mine. As a werewolf, I'm well aware that Talon is under a lot of pressure at the moment. A pack without a luna is doomed, and that's the same pitfall that arose from my bonding with your mother in the first place."
My father gently patted my shoulder, and his words made me slightly uncomfortable.
"Why do you even think that? Did you also think that I would lose against Kaisa? Then why did you choose to be with my mother in the first place?"
My barrage of questions caused my father to freeze for a moment. Seemingly realizing that he had said too much, he smiled at me.
"If I had been against it in the first place, you'd still be happily living in that little town. What I'm trying to tell you is that no matter what happens, and no matter what you end up choosing, I will stand behind you without a second thought because I am your father."
My father said as he slowly stood up, his wide palm clutching my arm, the warmth from his hand extraordinarily reassuring.
"As for why I chose to stay with your mother, it's because I love her."
My father finished by gently rubbing my head, doting on me as he had when I was a child.
"But right now, Talon has his struggles with accepting it. Currently, he's shouldering more responsibility than you can imagine. If I could, I'd rather be selfish myself than put you in a dangerous situation again like I did last time."
My father said in a hushed voice, his grip on my hand unconsciously getting a little stronger.
"No, I'll trust Talon to protect me. Just like I trust you."
I nodded solemnly toward my father, but I honestly didn't know why I trusted Talon so much. Perhaps it was the bond between the two of us.
"Let's hope so. Let's go to him now and talk it out."
My father nodded and then craned his head to look out the window. I followed my father's gaze outward and vaguely saw Talon's back. The direction he was heading at the moment seemed to be none other than Kaisa's room.