Dina stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, as the reality of the situation began to sink in. Debra, the she-wolf she had just met, claimed to be her grandmother. Her mind whirled with a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from shock to anger and a sense of betrayal.
The Ash Dawn pack celebrated around her, oblivious to the storm inside her.
"Our Princess has returned!"
"Our pack's future is secured!"
"Give her space," Trixie roared as she leaped over a few wolves to stand beside Lily. She swiped at the wolves to get them to back up as they were crowding Lily. Trixie nuzzled her, sensing Dina's stress.
Debra nodded, realizing that Dina was whining in discomfort. She ordered her pack to give them space. "I am sorry. I got so excited that I forgot how you would feel. This is a lot to take in. I will give you space. We have all the time to discuss it later. Enjoy the night."
"I am sorry. But, yes, we will definitely talk later," Dina responded, nodding. Debra left to continue celebrating with her pack while Dina slumped into the snow covering her eyes with her paws as she attempted to control her breathing.
"Breathe, Dina. You're not breathing. You have to shake this off. Everyone is watching you," Trixie purred.
"I don't care if everyone is watching. This is too much. I don't know if I want to lie here or bite something," Dina whined.
"I know, I know, but you have been through worst. You should be happy despite the circumstances. Come. The clearing is just ahead. We can shift and let Lily and Tiffany handle this," Trixie explained, nudging Dina to her feet. Dina followed behind her as she led the way.
Again, Dina felt out of control. She felt hot even though they were walking through snow. Was she having a panic attack?
Feeling overwhelmed, Dina sought comfort. She reached out to one of the only people that had been by her side. She closed her eyes and focused her thoughts, reaching out to him telepathically. His husky voice responded, a lifeline in the chaos of her emotions. "Dina, are you okay?" Berric asked with genuine concern.
"I don't know. I just met my grandmother, and it is so messed up. My father has been hiding us from her and..."
Berric's voice was reassuring as he interrupted her, "I'm on my way to you, my she-wolf. We'll figure this out together." Dina nodded, even though Berric couldn't see her, grateful for his support.
After making it to the clearing, Dina immediately gave Lily back control. The shift back to her human form was just as easy. Staff were stationed in the clearing to provide clothes to wear. Lily quickly dressed as she felt eyes roaming her body, causing her to blush.
'It is normal for them to look,' Dina reassured.
'Yes, but it is creepy.' Lily complained as she couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
'You're only saying this because this is our first shift in front of so many people,' Dina said.
Tiffany had shifted already and went to get Lily something to drink. As she returned, she noticed Lily staring at an older woman. She assumed it must have been Debra. The more she looked at her, the more she noticed the similarities. Debra was just an older, more mature version of Lily. "Oh my Goddess, you look just like her," Tiffany said in shock.
"Why would he lie to me about me this? Why would he hide this?" Lily questioned, her mind racing with a million questions.
This was why he forbad his Omega from coming to the Winter Moon celebration.
He knew that if anyone saw her, they would learn the truth. Kenneth knew that, eventually, it would happen, but what he hadn't expected was that Lily was a red wolf. He had never taken the time to see or even allow her to go on runs with them.
It was apparent that he spoiled the wrong daughter. 'She's gullible. I can fix this,' Kenneth thought as he approached Lily talking with Tiffany. When she saw him, her happy expression became one of confusion and anger.
"Lily, we need to talk," he said.
"Are you going to tell me more lies?" Lily asked snarkily. Kenneth resisted the urge to slap her for her insolence.
"I'm serious," Kenneth responded.
"So am I," Lily answered, not backing down.
Debra approached, stepping in between them. Her expression was stern as she growled, "You have no business talking with her. You have done enough to that poor girl. You will speak to me. You will answer for your lies."
Kenneth scoffed. "Am I supposed to be frightened of old Luna well out of her prime and no Alpha? You're not worth my time. Now get out of my way." He shoved Debra out of the way, and she fell to the ground.
Frustration and anger bubbled inside Lily. "What is wrong with you?"
Lily helped Debra up as she pondered how she had ever looked up to this man. She had always felt distant from her father, and now she understood why. The secrets he had kept from her made her question everything she thought she knew about herself and her family.
"Tell me the truth!" Lily's voice was sharp, her emotions spilling over.
"I will in private," Kenneth said, grabbing her wrist to lead her away.
Lily snatched her arm free. "No. If you can't talk about this in front of everyone, we have nothing to talk about."
"You're causing a scene. Act your age, Lily. Now, let's go," Kenneth growled at her.
"No,"
"No?"
"No! You don't get to ridicule me anymore. You will answer my question," Lily snapped.
Kenneth looked taken aback by her demand, but his expression quickly hardened. "I have been lenient with your outbursts, but my patience is limited. I am still your Alpha, and you will respect me."
"What am I supposed to respect? Am I supposed to respect an Alpha that would treat his flesh and blood so terribly because his daughter is an Omega? Or he would sell her to the highest bidder to hide his failures!" Lily retorted. Kenneth backhanded Lily: the strike was as loud as thunder, silencing everyone in the clearing. "That's right. Show everyone what type of Alpha you are," Lily continued, holding her face.
Kenneth raised her hand to hit her again, but the blow never came. Garrett arrived, slamming into him, snarling in anger. The hit sent Kenneth sprawling. He quickly recovered snarling back at Garrett.
Garrett cupped Lily's face to inspect her bruised cheek. He kissed her bruise earning a blush from Lily and a sharp inhale at the sudden affection. "I am sorry I didn't get here sooner."
'Rip his throat out!' Berric growled within him as Garrett focused his attention on Kenneth.
"How dare you hit her!" Garrett snarled in anger.
Debra pulled Lily and Tiffany away, allowing Garrett to handle the situation, as she knew this situation was going to escalate. Two Alphas anger meant bloodshed if one didn't back down and Kenneth would not back down easily.
"This is none of your business, Garrett. Step aside!" Kenneth snapped.
Garrett's jaw clenched, his patience wearing thin. "Lily is under my protection. You have no right to strike her. I should rip your hand off for your disrespect."
The tension in the air was thick as the two powerful Alphas locked eyes. Lily felt relief and anxiety at having Garrett by her side. Was he going to fight for her? The idea of it was making her weak in the knees.
"Stand out of my way, you freak!" Kenneth growled, flexing his Alpha aura.
"Make me, you miserable bastard," Garrett snarled, accepting Kenneth's ch