Stepdown Rhea

Rhea's POV

The car came to a halt, and without even looking out the window. I could tell we had arrived.

I wiped my tears with the back of my palm. I needed to be strong for my father's sake.

A warrior opened the door for me as I walked out. Taking a big whiff of the air.

It had only been months since I left this place, but it feels like years, almost like I was in a strange place.

My things were carried into the packhouse, as I followed suit.

"Dad," I called out to my father, walking around the house.

"Did he??" I murmured to myself, almost breaking down in disbelief.

"I am here Rhea, there is no need to be worried" I heard my father's voice behind me.

I turned around, jumping on him with my hands wrapped around him.

"I'm sorry dad, I'm sorry I couldn't be the daughter you have always wanted" I just felt the need to apologize for the mistakes I had made in the past.

"That's alright. We have to talk about something very important," my father insisted.

My heart pounded against my chest. I was so scared at that point. I didn't know why, but I was sure it was bad news.

"Come to my room" my father insisted.

And I followed him silently. Maybe, he just wanted to discuss the future of the pack after his death.

"Please sit on the bed" my father instructed, and my heart sank even more.

I can't even remember the last time my dad and I were in the same room, let alone me sitting on his bed.

"Dad.." I called out to him, not knowing what to think or say.

"You don't have to be scared Rhea. I have actually called you I here to tell you some good news. I just didn't want the packhouse workers to hear us" he said.

I felt relieved, but still disturbed. Why wouldn't he want the workers to hear if it was goodnews.

"Is it concerning your health? Did the doctors find a solution for you?" I asked him, and he shook his head.

"Oh my darling innocent Rhea. There is absolutely nothing wrong with me" he said, shaking his head.

"What!" I exclaimed, forcing myself up from the bed.

I looked at him with anger and disgust.

" I am perfectly fine, and I won't die anytime soon." He added.

"Then why did you call me here?" I was furious.

"Calm down. Just a while ago, you were apologising for not being a perfect daughter, just because you thought I was going to die. And now, you're raising your voice at me.

I think being Luna has given you some kind of confidence.  Because, you have never raised your voice at me before" he was calm, yet I could sense his anger.

"Because,  I have never been this angry at you before" I replied,  taking a deep breath .

"I'm sorry dad. You are right, I shouldn't just love you because you are about to die" I nodded my head..

Maybe, this was the universe's way of telling me that I needed to spend more time with my dad, now he was still alive.

"That's fine. Anyways, I did call you here for something important. It has something to do with the both of us, and the entire werewolf kingdom too'" he spoke.

At least, I didn't waste my time coming here, because he definitely had something important to say.

"What is it?" I asked him, and he made me sit back down, this time he sat beside me on the bed.

"Rhea, you know I want the best for you right?" He started off nicely, and I knew he was about to ask for the impossible.

This was the same statement he made when he wanted to inform me about my marriage to Kayden's father. I guess I was wrong, this man hadn't changed. He was still selfish.

"What do you want this time dad?" I asked him, throwing my face away.

"Something that will benefit us both" he said.

"Dad, if you don't go straight to the point and tell me exactly what you want, then I will have to leave this place" I told him.

I was already furious at him, and he was busy explaining nonsense. I don't know if sleeping with Kayden gave me his hot temper or something.

"Fine, I want you to help convince King Kayden to step down as the King" he blurted out.

My eyes widened, as I stood up, staring down at him with anger.

A huge part of me just wished he was really dying.

"So, you really called me here, to tell me this nonsense?" I asked him.

"It's not nonsense.  It's an order!" He yelled in my face.

"That doesn't work on me anymore dad. I have the upper hand now" I told him, and the look in his eyes changed

"Do you think I want to tell you to do this? I am just doing it for your best interest. The whole werewolf kingdom has heard of his crime, and they are after him already. And if they can't get to him, then they will surely come for you," he said.

"That's none of your business dad. I would really appreciate it, if you can stay out of my marriage as it does not concern you" I requested very politely.

"It concerns me right now. Not just me but the whole werewolf kingdom. How can you be so selfish? Since when did you become power hungry, that you can't even get justice for a little girl?" My father asked me.

"You don't have the right to lecture me about being power hungry, when you sold your own daughter off, to a man older than you" I hissed.

"You have always been selfish, and that is not going to change about you anytime soon, so…." I was talking, and then paused.

It dawned on me how selfish my father really is. I am sure he had an ulterior motive behind this.

"How will this benefit you?" I asked him.

"Huh?" He acted confused.

"How will Kayden stepping down as the King benefit you, tell me?" I questioned.

"It won't" he lied, avoiding eye contact with me.

He couldn't even lie to my face.

"If you don't tell me how this is going to benefit you and I, then I won't do it.

You don't really expect me to give up my position as Luna for a girl I know nothing about. Because, if Kayden steps down as King, I will no longer be Luna " I told my father.

I wasn't that selfish, but my dad didn't know that. He barely even knows my favorite colour, let alone the kind of person that I truly am.

"You won't lose a royal position, I promise you," he said.

"How?" I asked him, with a serious expression on my face.

He took a deep breath, having an inner battle as to whether to tell me or not.

"Common, you can tell me" I spoke softly.