Chapter 235 Part 2 Chapter 61

Chapter 235 Part 2 Chapter 61
Marilyn

I lay motionless on the thin mattress, my body feeling frailer with every passing day. Just a few days in this place had turned me into a shadow of myself. The only human contact I got was when a guard brought food once a day. They never spoke. They simply dropped the tray and left.

I heard footsteps approaching again. Probably the guard with today’s meal, I thought dully. I didn’t bother moving or speaking. They would just leave the food and go, like always.

But then a voice broke the silence, a voice I never expected to hear here.

“I see you were caged in here.”

My eyes flew open. I sat up so fast that my head spun, my heart hammering wildly in my chest. I turned toward the door, hardly daring to believe it.

It was Jax.

How did he know I was here? Did he plan this with Idara? Was he in on my kidnapping all along? A storm of questions exploded in my mind.

“I thought he was lying,” Jax said quietly, looking at me with something close to pity. “But I see he wasn’t. Come here.”

He extended his hand toward me.

At the words “I am here to take you home,” something inside me snapped. I bolted off the bed and practically threw myself at him. Jax caught me by the arm and pulled me into a hug. Tears burned at the back of my eyes.

Is this a trick? Is he playing with me? Please don’t let this be another cruel joke.

He gently caressed my hair, but then I noticed the other man standing a few steps behind, the same intimidating man I had seen that day. He had his hands in his pockets, watching us with cold eyes.

“Take her away, Jax,” the man said flatly.

Jax turned to look at him.

“If she ever goes near my wife or her family again, I will kill her for real,” He continued. He didn’t wait for a response. He simply turned and walked away.

Wait… that was Idara’s husband? The realization hit me hard. What about the old man Calisto they kept talking about? But at this point, none of it mattered anymore.

I glanced up at Jax, tears finally spilling down my cheeks. “I want to leave now,” I whispered, my voice breaking.

He nodded and guided me out of the dark, suffocating room.

The moment we stepped outside and fresh air touched my skin, along with the warmth of the sun, all the emotions I had been holding back came rushing out. I broke down into heavy, uncontrollable sobs, crying like a little schoolgirl.

“There now,” Jax said softly, rubbing my back. “You will be just fine.”

Idara

A week had passed since the pack conference. The uproar was still lingering, but it had started to die down. Judgement had finally been passed. Both Eleanor and Calisto were found guilty of murdering not only the late Alpha Julio, but Helio’s father as well. They were put to death.

I also learned the full, shocking truth about Helio’s brother. Alpha Julio had been a notorious womanizer and had fathered several other children besides Julian. And the way he had died was shocking.

When I asked Helio about Eleanor’s son, he answered calmly, “That boy has nothing to do with this family. Although he will be cared for financially as my brother’s child, just like the rest of his children.”

I understood his reasoning, but something about it didn’t sit right with me. Still, it wasn’t only his decision. The elders had made it clear, they wanted no illegitimate son growing up to one day challenge Julian for the Alpha title.

As for Julian… I had no doubt he would become a fine Alpha someday. He was already such a sweet, kind-hearted boy.

“Why are you smiling to yourself?” Helio asked, breaking into my thoughts.

I chuckled softly. “Well, I realized I love that boy,” I said, pointing toward Julian who was laughing and playing with his mother nearby.

Helio followed my gaze, then turned back to me with a playful glint in his eyes. “Don’t make me get jealous of a kid, Idara,” he teased, pulling me closer into his arms.

I leaned into him, feeling safe and content while Julian and Violet played a short distance away.

But then a guard approached respectfully. “Alpha? Your mother-in-law is here.”

My heart fluttered with excitement. We made our way to the waiting room, and the moment I saw my mom, I ran straight into her open arms.

“Oh, look at you,” she said with a warm chuckle, hugging me tightly. “You look so well.”

“You too, Mom,” I replied, smiling sheepishly as she pulled back to look at me.

Her eyes then darted behind me to Helio. I swallowed nervously.

She walked over to him with confidence. Helio bowed slightly in respect. “Nice to finally meet you,” he said politely.

I couldn’t stop the quiet chuckle that escaped me. Seeing my big, powerful Alpha looking slightly nervous in front of my mother was oddly adorable.

But then my mom spoke, her voice loud and direct. “He is a fine one, but…”

My breath hitched.

“Why haven’t you married my daughter yet in the right way?” she asked, her tone firm and expectant.

Helio actually flinched.

Extra

Gabe

“Sir, the person you are expecting has arrived.”

One of my men delivered the message, and a small smile crossed my face. I nodded and made my way to welcome her. The moment she saw me, her face lit up. She stretched out her arms for a hug.

I wasn’t used to this kind of warmth, but I hugged her back anyway, a little awkwardly.

“So where is that crackhead?” she asked the moment we pulled apart, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

A playful smile tugged at my lips. “In his study. Let’s go meet him.”

She nodded her head, already looking impatient.

We walked together toward my father’s study. I knocked on the door politely. “Dad? May I come in?”

His harsh voice rang out immediately. “Come in, say whatever you want to say and get out.”

I turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow. “See?”

Before I could say anything else, she reached for the doorknob in anger and pushed the door open, fury radiating off her.

We both stepped inside.

“And why are you here?” my father asked sharply as soon as we entered. He turned toward me, but then froze the moment he saw who was standing beside me.

“Piper?” he called out, his voice suddenly quieter.

She responded coldly, “Derek,” and walked straight up to him.

The next thing I heard was a loud smack. She had slapped him across the face. My father’s eyes widened in shock.

“How can you tell your own son he killed his mother,” she demanded, her voice shaking with rage, “when you knew the consequences of getting a human pregnant?”

For the first time in my life, I saw a different expression on my father’s face, pain, regret, something raw.

“But she was my mate,” his voice broke. “And his mother. She gave her life for him… yet you despise the one thing she left behind for you, herself. Don’t you see how much he looks like her?”

She pointed at me.

My father bent his head in shame, unable to meet my eyes.

Oh, how I wish I had met her sooner, I thought, a quiet ache settling in my chest. Maybe my life would have been different. Maybe I would have grown up like other kids, loved, wanted, not blamed for existing.

Idara’s Mom’s words hung heavy in the room. For once, my father had no sharp comeback, no cold dismissal. He just stood there, silent, carrying the weight of years of bitterness and guilt.

And for the first time, someone stood up for me.