Chapter 73. Silence

Chapter 73. Empty Inside

Annabelle's POV 

“Look,” Mira pointed at the horse, a little smile snickering on her face. “ Alpha is here to see you. That's his horse over there”

A strange joy swelled in my chest. I hadn't realized how much I missed Alpha until this time. I realized also that his absence in my life took away the  anger that once settled In my heart.

All I wanted was a feel of his hands wrapped around me. My love for him would never know an end even in death.

A  joyful smile etched in my face as Mira and I rushed inside. 

However, my happiness faded away when my eyes collided with a different person sitting patiently besides my father in the living room. 

“Jared?” I mumbled to myself, my heart sinking in disappointment.

Alpha didn't come? My eyes darted around the living room, scanning every corner for Alpha. But he was nowhere to be found. 

“Oh, Anna. I'm glad you're here” dad said, pulling himself up from the sofa. “ Jared has been where for a while, waiting for your arrival” 

“Hello… hope you're fine, Luna Annabelle” Jared greeted me. 

“ S–sure” I stammered, disappointed.

Mira glanced at me with surprise etched in her eyes and then decided to excuse us.

“Where Is Alpha? He—”

“I’ll just speak privately to you outside” Jared interrupted, cutting me off.

My eyes narrowed at my dad, and he shot me a  sharp look as though he was silently demanding to know if everything was truly fine between Alpha and me.

Ignoring the blank expression on my dad's face, my shoulders sagged and I rushed outside to hear the message Jared had for me. 

Jared held a bag in his hands, his ambiance showing urgency.

As soon as he saw me coming, he began to put the things inside the bag in order. 

“How have you been faring, Luna?” He raised his face to me, his voice deep. 

I cleared my throat.
“I’m well…how is Alpha? Is he doing well?” I rushed my words, eager to hear  Jared's response—something positive.  

Jared took a deep breath and stretched the bag in his hands to me. “ Alpha Is well…he sent this” 

With shaky hands, I took the bag but I was more concerned about Alpha than every item in the bag. 

“Captain” That's how I called Jared. “ Is Alpha coming to visit me anything soon?”my lips quivered as I asked. 

Jared gave me a quick but blank look. I didn't think he knew anything that was happening between Alpha and me. He was only doing his job as always.

“I’m sorry about that, Luna. Alpha didn't disclose that information to me” Jared gave a slow nod, his words firm.

Broken, my fingers clenched tightly around the bag as I hugged it close to my heart. 

“Please tell Alpha…” My voice flattened. “ That I missed him so much.” 

“I will, “ Jared  gave a small nod. 

As he turned to leave, he suddenly halted, remembering something.

“Luna, “ he spun, his words laced with warning. 

I stopped at once, wishing Jared would say something…something hopeful…something sweet about Alpha.

“You must keep this information away from everyone”The context of Jared's message caused me to shiver. 

Deep down, that wasn’t the word I had hoped to hear, but regardless, I forced myself to listen intently to what he had to say. 

Jared took a step forward, his eyes flickering around to be sure no one was in sight.

“You mustn't reveal anything about Alpha to anyone… not even you family” his voice cut through me like a warning. 

Jared must be talking about Alpha's death. 

Alpha didn’t want anyone to discover that death was already stalking him. That was why he kept it a secret from me.

Nodding , I muttered. “ Give him my massage too. Tell him I'd die if he doesn't come to see me.” 

“I’d deliver your message. I need to be on my way. Do take good care of yourself” he said, his tone dismissive. 

“I’ll be fine…I promise” I managed to give a fake smile that didn't last. 

When I went back inside, my dad sat in the same position, waiting patiently for me to come back.

I guess Mira was in the kitchen because I could hear the clicking of glass from the kitchen.

“Alpha got me some gifts” I announced to my dad, trying to push his attention from the real matter but my plans didn't work out. 

“Tell me everything that's going on between you and Alpha” he said unexpectedly. 

Caught in my own web of deceit, I crashed on the sofa with the bag in my hands. I haven't unveiled the items inside but I could hear the sound of a wrapper each time I squeezed the bag.

“Dad, nothing is going on. It's just that Alpha left the pack house and I needed to be somewhere safe…” my voice lowered, eyes falling.

The fact that I have been keeping things away and lying to my dad about my relationships broke my heart. 

He doesn't deserve all of those deceit and lies from me.  

“I don't trust you and Alpha again. You keep lying about something I don't know about” Dad sighed deeply. “ For the last time, Annabelle , what is happening?”

“Uh,” my sharp fingers dug deep in my skin. “Actually, dad. Alpha and I have been having a little challenge. But we're cool now—very cool” I rushed the last line with a sly awkwardness in my face.

“That’s not true, Annabelle.” Dad objected, refusing to believe my lies. “Is this marriage by chance crashing? Because I can see the signs” 

“No, dad. It isn't” My heart raced seeing that everyone was already talking about my relationship with Alpha. 

“Then what is it like? “ Dad asked. “You have never kept secrets  away from me. I don't know who is influencing you to be this secretive” 

“It’s —”

“It’s fine dad. Let's just have lunch” Mira walked in,  interrupting me.   

She placed the tray in her hands on the table in the center of the living room.

“I'm starving. Let's just eat” I said, feeling relief about Mira's sudden interference in our conversation.

I was almost crashed, revealing what Alpha just warned be about. 

“ It's fine” Dad gave up, his countenance sad.

Relief washed over me. Then, I accidentally locked eyes with Mira and she smirked mischievously at me, a sign that she knows my secrets but just saved me from the explosion.