Chapter 288

Chapter 288
Lira's POV

I yanked my consciousness back, gasping for air and nearly falling from my chair. Nathan caught me just in time, his eyes filled with concern.

"Lira! Are you okay?"

I breathed heavily, feeling dizzy and nauseous. "I saw it," I trembled. "I saw everything. Linda... she said Bruce is dead and can't give her the drug anymore. She's completely lost control! She's going to kill my father!"

I suddenly remembered a crucial detail from the vision. "I saw the time," I said urgently. "On my dad's phone screen when it fell—10 PM next Monday. We only have a week to stop this."

Nathan's expression turned gravely serious. "Sounds like Linda has been dependent on some kind of drug to control herself."

"What drug?" Sophie asked, confused.

"I can't be certain. But it must be something dangerous," Nathan explained, his voice low. "Something that temporarily suppresses a werewolf's killing urge, but creates severe dependency. Once withdrawn, she'd become even more uncontrolled and violent. If Linda has been controlling herself with drugs Bruce provided, and now Bruce is dead..."

"She'll completely lose it," I cried in horror. "We have to warn my father."

Sophie squeezed my hand tightly: "Promise me you'll be careful, Lira. Especially now..." her worried gaze fell to my abdomen.

I nodded, feeling a new determination rising within me. Not just for my father, but for the new life growing inside me. "We're going to stop this from happening."

After saying goodbye to Sophie, I turned to Nathan, determination flashing in my eyes. "Take me to my father, Nathan. I need to talk to him right now."

Nathan nodded solemnly. "Let's go."

---

The afternoon sun shone down on the gravel driveway as Nathan's car pulled up in front of my father's house. Seeing Dad's pickup truck there, but no sign of Linda's car, I felt relieved.

At least I won't have to deal with her fake face today.

"Ready?" Nathan squeezed my hand, his eyes full of concern.

I touched my still-flat stomach and nodded. "Half-ready, I guess. Last time we spoke on the phone, he yelled at me like I was the enemy."

"Remember, that wasn't really him speaking," Nathan squeezed my fingers.

"I know." I took a deep breath and got out of the car. "But it still hurts to see my father like this."

The scent of pine and sawdust hung in the air as we knocked on the door with no answer. After ringing the doorbell, a figure emerged from the lumber storage area. Dad was wiping his hands on a cloth, frowning when he saw us.

"Lira," he said coldly. "Wasn't expecting you today."

"Hi, Dad." I tried to maintain a smile.

Nathan extended his hand. "Mr. Anderson, good to see you again."

Dad glanced at Nathan's hand, reluctantly shook it, and quickly withdrew his fingers. "What brings you here? Something wrong?"

The hostility in his voice made my heart sink. This cold stranger was nothing like the father who used to beam with joy whenever he saw me.

"We need to talk," I said directly.

Dad's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Come in. I was just heating up some stew if you're hungry."

The living room looked the same as always—old leather sofa, field guides on the bookshelf, family photos on the walls. Linda's magazines and cosmetics were scattered across the coffee table like territorial markers.

"Here," Dad brought three bowls of stew. "What can I get you to drink? Beer?"

"Beer would be great, thanks," Nathan said.

"Just water for me," I said, already feeling nauseated just from the smell of the stew.

After a few minutes of awkward silence, Dad put down his spoon and looked me straight in the eye. "So, what's this about?"

I straightened my back and got right to the point. "It's about Linda."

Dad's face immediately darkened. "I told you—"

"I know what you told me, Dad," I interrupted, "but you need to hear us out. Linda isn't who she claims to be... she's dangerous, and if you continue to stay with her... you'll be in danger too."

Dad's expression hardened, and he spoke through gritted teeth, "I will not allow you to talk about my wife like that."

"Dad, please!" I leaned forward, my voice urgent, "Where do you think she is right now?"

"Visiting family," he answered immediately.

"She's lying to you!" I raised my voice, "She doesn't HAVE any family!"

"ENOUGH!" Dad slammed his fist on the table, causing stew to splash out of the bowls, the brown liquid spreading across the table. "You never liked her! From the first day she moved in—"

"Because something's WRONG with her!" I stood up too, my heart racing, "Dad, you've changed! You never used to talk to me like this!"

Nathan stood, his tone calm, "Mr. Anderson, there's something you need to know. Linda is a werewolf."

A deathly silence fell over the room, even breathing seemed loud.

Dad froze for a moment, then let out a cold laugh. "A werewolf? That's rich, coming from another werewolf."

"It's the truth, sir," Nathan continued, standing taller, "We have evidence that—"

"SHUT UP!" Dad suddenly roared, his face turning red, eyes bloodshot, "You think I don't know what you are? But at least you've never hurt anyone! Linda is different, she couldn't possibly be... that thing!"

"Dad, we're not making this up," I said desperately, reaching out to touch his arm, but he jerked away, "Sophie had a vision—Linda is going to kill you next Monday! She'll attack you after killing a horse!"

"RIDICULOUS!" Dad bellowed, throwing his glass to the floor where it shattered, "Now you're dragging Sophie into your crazy theories too?"

"This isn't a theory!" I almost screamed, tears welling in my eyes, "Dad, please, you have to believe us!"

"GET OUT OF MY HOUSE!" Dad pointed at the door, his finger trembling, veins bulging in his neck, "You and your werewolf boyfriend, GET OUT NOW!"

I stood there shocked, tears streaming down my face. This wasn't the gentle father I knew. What had Linda done to him?

Can't give up now. One last try.

"Dad," I softened my voice, placing my hand on my stomach and taking a small step forward, "I didn't just come to warn you. I have something else to tell you."

"What?" he was still fuming, but something flickered in his eyes.

I took a deep breath and looked straight into his eyes. "I'm pregnant. You're going to be a grandfather."