Chapter 90

Lisa’s POV

The night had finally quieted. The laughter and music had faded into the wind, leaving only the distant sound of crickets in the background. Hunter’s arm was draped around my waist as we made our way inside. His presence was comforting, a shield against the overwhelming emotions of the day.

But just as we reached the steps of the packhouse, a voice called out from behind us.

"Lisa, wait."

I stiffened instantly. The warmth I felt just moments ago drained from my body. I knew that voice.

Mike.

Hunter’s grip on my waist tightened as he turned slightly, his eyes locking onto my brother’s approaching figure. Mike looked hesitant, his steps slow and deliberate, but there was something desperate in his expression.

I exhaled sharply, forcing myself to remain composed. "What do you want, Mike?"

He stopped a few feet away, his hands in his pockets. He looked like our father—same sharp jawline, same piercing eyes. It was almost unnerving.

"I need to talk to you," he said. "Privately."

Hunter let out a low growl, stepping slightly in front of me. "If you have something to say, you can say it here."

Mike’s gaze flickered between us before settling back on me. "It’s about Dad."

Something inside me twisted painfully. I clenched my jaw. "I don’t want to hear about him."

"He’s dying, Lisa."

The words hit me like a blow to the chest. I blinked, unsure if I had heard correctly. My heart pounded, my breath quickened, and for a second, I felt unsteady.

Mike took a step closer. "He wants to see you."

I let out a bitter laugh. "Now he wants to see me?" My voice dripped with disbelief. "After all these years? After banishing me, turning his back on me—now, when he’s on his deathbed, he suddenly remembers he has a daughter?"

"Lisa—"

I shook my head. "No. I don’t care. He made his choice, and I made mine. I have a new family now, one that actually loves me."

Mike sighed, rubbing a hand down his face. "I know he made mistakes. I know he hurt you. But he’s still our father, Lisa."

"Don’t," I snapped. "Don’t stand there and try to make me feel guilty. Where were you when he cast me out? Where were you when I had nowhere to go?"

Mike flinched. "I was young. I didn’t have a choice."

"There’s always a choice," I said coldly. "You just didn’t pick me."

Hunter shifted beside me, his presence grounding me. "You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, pumpkin." His voice was calm but firm. Protective.

Mike’s shoulders sagged slightly. "I’m not here to force you. I just thought you should know. If you want to see him... it’s now or never."

Silence stretched between us. My mind warred with itself—anger and resentment battled against something softer, something I didn’t want to acknowledge.

Did I want to see him?

Did I even care?

I inhaled deeply, my emotions tangled. Then, without another word, I turned and walked inside, Hunter right by my side.

I wasn’t ready to face my past. Not yet.

As the night breeze blew it was cool against my skin, but I felt none of it. My body was burning with frustration, my mind spinning with the weight of Mike’s words.

"I’m not going," I said firmly, crossing my arms over my chest.

Mike’s jaw clenched, his eyes pleading. "Lisa, please. He doesn’t have much time."

I scoffed. "And I should care why? The man you’re asking me to see made my life miserable. He threw me out like I was nothing, Mike. He was a monster."

Mike flinched but held his ground. "I know he was. I know what he did to you. But..." He hesitated, as if searching for the right words. "He’s still our father."

A bitter laugh escaped me. "No, he was your father. He stopped being mine the day he cast me out."

Hunter, who had been silent beside me, finally spoke. "Pumpkin." His voice was gentle, but firm. "Maybe you should hear him out."

I turned sharply, my eyes narrowing. "You’re taking his side now?"

Hunter sighed, reaching for my hand. "No, I’m taking yours. But I also know that carrying this anger won’t help you. You’re about to start a new life. Maybe it’s time for closure."

Closure.

The word echoed in my mind, scraping against old wounds. Did I need closure? Would seeing that man again heal anything? Or would it just rip open scars I had long buried?

I turned back to Mike, studying him. His face held exhaustion, sadness... and desperation. He wasn’t here just for our father. He was here for himself too.

I exhaled slowly. "Fine. I’ll go."

Mike’s eyes widened in surprise. "You will?"

"On one condition," I said, my voice leaving no room for argument. "Hunter comes with me."

Mike hesitated but eventually nodded. "Okay."

Hunter squeezed my hand reassuringly, his warmth grounding me. "Then we leave at dawn."

I lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling.

Hunter was beside me, his fingers tracing soft patterns against my arm. He hadn’t pushed me for answers, hadn’t forced me to talk. He simply stayed close, reminding me that I wasn’t alone.

But the war in my mind raged on.

Did I need this closure?

Would seeing him give me peace?

Or would it open wounds that had barely begun to heal?

I turned to Hunter, my voice quiet. "Getting closure is one thing but it will open up some wounds that has healed."

Hunter was silent for a moment, then he brushed a strand of hair from my face."I understand you pumpkin, but going for this closure is a good idea it will give you bit of peace."

I let out a shaky breath, pressing my forehead against his.

Tomorrow, I would face my past.

And no matter what happened, I wouldn’t do it alone.

**In the morning**

The morning was quiet, too quiet.

Hunter and I stood at the edge of the territory, where Mike was waiting with a black SUV. The tension between us was thick, but I didn’t acknowledge it. I wasn’t here for him.

I am going for closure. Nothing else.

As I climbed into the car, my heart pounded, each mile bringing me closer to the place I had sworn I would never return to.

The Red Moon Pack.

The place where I was unwanted by my father.

Where I was nothing nothing to him.

Hunter’s hand found mine, his warmth cutting through the numbness that had begun to creep in. "No matter what happens, I’m right here."

I nodded, gripping his fingers like a lifeline.

Mike kept glancing at me through the rearview mirror, but I ignored him.

The past was a dark shadow, looming closer with every second.

But this time, I wasn’t facing it alone.

And this time, I wouldn’t break.

I would never break again.