Chapter 7

*****Erika's POV***** The room was dimly lit, with the soft glow of the moonlight shining through the opened window. And there he was, my father, sitting with an air of elegance and stoicism that had always defined him. It had been three long years since I last saw him, and despite our differences, I couldn't deny the pang of missing him deep within my chest. My gaze lingered on his back as he sat facing the window, his broad shoulders framed by the fading light. I stood there, taking in the sight of him, admiring the way he carried himself with such grace and authority. My father was the epitome of a good leader. One with strength and as the name of our pack implied, he ruled with an Ironclaw. It was as if time had stood still, and at that moment, I saw him not just as a strict and domineering figure he always appeared to be, but as a father who had shaped me in more ways than I could ever fully comprehend. Suddenly, he broke the silence, his voice carrying a weight of authority that sent shivers down my spine. Without turning to look at me, he uttered a single, heavy word, "Erika." It was a simple yet powerful acknowledgment of my presence, a signal that our conversation was about to begin. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself as I stepped closer to him. He finally turned his head slightly, his eyes meeting mine in the reflection of the window. There was a flicker of warmth and understanding in his gaze, a silent recognition of the struggles I had faced during my failed marriage. I was right when I said my father spied on my marriage. He probably knew I would fail to mend it. Without a hint of judgment or reproach, he spoke again, his voice softer this time, "Welcome home, Erika." Those three simple words held a world of meaning. It was an acknowledgement of my journey, a recognition that sometimes we stumble and fall, but family is always there to catch us. I smiled at him softly and took a sit before him. He then turned fully to look at me. "Thank you, Alpha" I said, the smile still lingering on my face. "Your father is so scary" Cindy whined and I chuckled. "Took you long enough" My father suddenly said and shook his head slightly. "You said three years" I reminded. "And yesterday was marked three years complete, I know" he responded. I gave him a questioning look and he smiled, finally. "Don't give me that look, you're going to be Alpha" "What has my going to be Alpha got to do with you spying on my private life?" I asked and folded my hand beneath my chest. My father could be so annoying sometimes. Does he think giving me a smile would make me let bygones be bygones? He spied on me for three years, even after we signed a contract. "You could easily be killed there, you're the Alpha and we had to look out for you" he said shamelessly. "I am the Alpha and I can protect myself!" I protested. Seriously, I never pictured this reunion. "Erika, that Moonforest Alpha is a failure. I did try to let you know, but what did you say?" And here we go again. "Father, let's forget about that for now, I'm back now, right?" I asked with a smile. My father snorted in response and gave me a knowing look, probably sizing me up. "You sure took care of yourself there," he said sarcastically, directly mocking my thin body and I sighed. "Father I'll be fine" I still tried to assure him. "When are you going to dissolve the mate bond?" "Two days" I simply answered. I would return to the Moonforest in two days and break things off with Alex for good. "Very well then, in two days, I shall take you to break off the mate bond" Father said and I looked up at him immediately. "No, Father. You don't have to go with me" I even shook my head, standing firm on my decision to keep making the moonforest pack members still believe that I was an Omega. Father raised a brow at me and I smiled. "Don't worry about the reasons, I'll be safe" I reassured him and he sighed. "It's ok. Go and tell Jace about your plans and hear what he has to say" He added and I nodded, "Yes, Sir" I hurriedly stood up and made my way towards the door, but half way to the reaching for the door knob, Father called out to me and I turned to look at him. He switched on the light on his reading table and I could clearly see the smile on his never aging face. "Welcome home, once again" I smiled in return as well, "Thanks, Father" I walked out of the room afterwards to go find Jace. I was supposed to be resting, but i was impatient. I had always been impatient. Thankfully, I found Jace at the garden reading a paper and sipping whatever substance was in his mug. "Jace, I want to have a word with you" I said and sat on the chair close to him. He sighed and turned to look at me. A smile formed on his face. "What do you have to say? Make it snappy. I was reading when you came in, remember?" I glared at him as I snatched his substance from him. Taking a sip of it, I placed it back down on the table again and cleared my throat. "You really just came to take a sip?" He asked and I rolled my eyes. I mustered up the strength and agreed. I could feel the weight of the decision I had made, the determination burning within me. "I've made up my mind," I began, my voice steady. "In two days, I'm going to dissolve my mate bond with Alex, and I'm going alone."