CHAPTER 128

CHAPTER 128
ANASTASIA

"You're looking beautiful today," Father complimented, his lips spreading into a smile.

But I wasn't smiling back. I was stunned!

I turned over to look for my Alpha and found him standing a few steps away from our table, giving me the thumbs up.

"How did he get father to come?" I questioned inwardly, still marvelled by this surprise.

Before I knew it, Diego waved at me and left the room, giving my father and I some privacy.

"No, don't leave me!" I screamed in my head, almost getting off my seat to run after him. But that stubborn man was gone.

"He's a nice gentleman," I heard father comment, making me turn to face him.

"He is the one who organized this meeting when I ran out of ideas. You can say I'm getting really old by the day," He chuckled.

But his laughter died down when he saw my face expression.

I wasn't laughing.

"Oh, um..." He stuttered, looking down on his table, with his finger playing with the napkin set down before him.

A waiter came over to serve us a drink, before leaving us alone in the quiet room.

"Crescent pack is a very beautiful land. I mean... Just look at this place," Father spoke, hovering his gaze around the fancy hall we where in.

"Spacious, well decorated...This is a lovely restaurant. I kinda wished I attended the party Alpha Diego held. The scene must have been wonderful," He said, dropping his gaze on me, with a wider grin.

Still, I didn't say a word but stared at him.

That left father feeling down. He couldn't bear the silent treatment.

"You aren't saying anything, my child. I thought you wanted to see me?"

"First of all, Mr De Great... I am not your child," I corrected, raising my brow at him.

"As far as I remember, my father is dead. So, it'll be nice if you don't use that phrase on me," I said, making it clear to him.

My words left him shut. His expression drifted into sadness, which he immediately hid from me by dropping his gaze back on the napkin, touching it with his trembling fingers.

I saw this and felt a sting in my chest. Yet, I stubbornly suppressed my emotions, leaving no room for weakness.

"And secondly, that desire to see you, died a long time ago," I claimed, crossing my arms.

Father hummed and said, lifting his head to gaze at me, "You wish to take me as a stranger, but the moment you laid your eyes on me... You didn't hesitate to call me your father."

A lump grew in my throat, stopping me from saying something I'll regret.

All I could do was scoff at him and utter, "Cut the fatherly treatment, Mr De Great. Why are you here?"

"Could it be that you came to Crescent to partner with my Alpha now that you know he's nothing like you described him to be? That award ceremony showed you a lot, didn't it, Mr De Great?" I smirked, trying hard not to look weak in his eyes.

But father just kept staring at me, like he could see right pass my pride.

That got me breaking eye locks with him, sending my gaze in different directions, avoiding him.

"If anyone had told me that a well-known business wolf like yourself would turn your direction into the one pack you called forbidden, I'd have deemed that person a fucking liar," I chuckled, leaning back.

Father's eyes came wide when I uttered that inappropriate word.

He's astonished, but who cares?

"Don't look surprised, now. You must have said a thousand curse words before. Oh, I forgot that the De Great family are people of morals. My bad, sir," I laughed mockingly, tucking my hair to the back properly.

"So, tell me sir. What exactly do you want from my Alpha? I know for a fact that a man of your caliber don't like to be seen around a rotten lady like myself, nor mingle with a dangerous man like Diego. Surely you are here on a different mission. Come on, you can tell me," I smirked, looking right at him.

"Is your reputation at stake because of Alpha Damian's actions? Your wonderful son in-law really messed up big time," I hissed, swaying my head.

Despite my effort to expose my father's so called visit as nothing but a scam to boost his ego, my old man proved me wrong.

He gave out a sigh and said, "I have three reasons for coming here."

I rolled my eyes, waiting to hear his tale.

"The first is to... Is to express my regret in letting you go."

That statement made my body shiver.

"I allowed reputation to stop me from saving my daughter when she needed me the most."

My arms slowly fell off my chest, down on my laps.

"He doesn't mean it. It's all an act," I doubted within, staring.

"As a father, it is my duty to protect your image from the outside world and Donny best to solve the problem. You have been my pride and joy, Anna. You've never gone against me nor tried to hurt my reputation in anyway. But when that incident occurred, I allowed the hateful words of people to cloud my senses, turning me into a complete failure. I... I am sorry," He apologized, piercing my heart with the glittering tears welling in his eyes.

This became hard for me to endure. I had to look away, guiding my heart from crumbling.

"And secondly... I came to share in your joy as Alpha Diego's soon-to-be bride. I know he hasn't told you yet, but he wants me to help make this marriage a success with me, standing in as both your father and his. What an honor, right?" He laughed, expressing his delight over this.

I was confused by his behavior.

He's really happy with my relationship with Diego? What's going on?

"And also, you remember your birthday is next month, right? I told Alpha Diego about my plans to organize a birthday to celebrate both yours and Casey's birthday at home. He agreed to it," He smiled, looking jovial, nothing like the harsh father I knew.

"Has he really changed?" I stared on, my hands gripping the side of my chair.

"He suggested that I tell you about it, so...that's what I'm doing," He said, his grin shrinking at the sight of my expression.

That left him sighing out sadly, saying to me, "It's okay if you don't want to have anything to do with me, Anna. You have every right to be mad. I have failed you as a father."

My heart sank deeply with emotions, making my body shiver.

"If I had the power to turn back time, I'd have stopped myself from hurting you the way I did. I wished I didn't kick you out of your own home."

"It's a good thing we don't have time travel, otherwise I wouldn't have met Diego, and you wouldn't be here telling me how nice Mr dangerous is," I pointed out.

Father nodded, chuckling at what I said. "True. We wouldn't be in Crescent pack planning your future with him."

I smiled, feeling my anger slowing fading into joy.

This is really happening. Father finally sees Diego for who he is.

"Did he wake up on the wrong side of the bed or what?" I wondered in amazement.

"Still, I am sorry, Anna," He apologized, reaching for my hand on the table.

I didn't know I placed it there, until I saw his fingers extending out to my hand.

"Forgive your father for hurting you. I am sorry for abandoning you my child."

His wet gaze got to me, but one thing was still bothering me, and that's my father's trust.

I needed to test him to see if truly his fatherly love has rekindled or not.

"Amazing how the man who didn't want to have anything to do with me, suddenly has an interest to share in my joy. I really wished you had given me this attention during your birthday party. But you were too busy with your loyal family."

"Anna, I really..."

"Tell me father, do you believe that I'm a nymphomaniac like Damian described? Those pictures he showed everyone... Do you believe that slut was me?" I questioned, set to test his fatherly love for me.

"I... I don't know how to... Those pictures," He stuttered, struggling to give me an answer.

"The lady in the picture... Anna my child, I don't want to flashback to that night. The image is..."

"That was me," I answered, feeling my father's hand tremble.

He knows, but feels ashamed to say it.

But I'm not.

"The picture wasn't fake. That was my innocence being taken from me and displayed to the world by those I called family. I never betrayed your teachings father. I remained the virgin you raised, even after you disowned me."

"What?" Father uttered, looking confused.

"But the dildo I found in your room..."

"It's mine. But It was used to ease the disease your beloved wife placed inside me," I revealed, watching how father's gaze grew large.

"What are you saying, Anna?"

"I never inserted that dildo into my body. I still kept myself in hopes of giving my body to my mate, even though my blood suddenly had this demonized cravings to be touched. An abnormal reaction inflicted on me by my own stepmother without my knowledge. Such a great wife, right?" I chuckled, while father gazed in shock.

"Linda?" He mentioned her name, as his face turned red, understanding what I meant.

"It took just a small drop to do the trick," I added, describing the quantity with my fingers.

He got the message.

"The substance that makes someone...." He paused, struggling to finish his words.

That showed he follows the news about the problems going on around the werewolf lands.

"She fed it to you?" He asked with a teary voice.

"Do you believe she can?" I asked, waiting to see which side he'll take.

To my surprise, father got to his feet and pulled me into his embrace, squeezing me tight with all of his heart!

"Oh Goddess, what have I done!" He cried, burying his face on me.

"I am so sorry, Anna. I believe you. I believe you!"

Hearing that from him broke my heart.

I thought he'd doubt my claim and stand by his wife's side like he does. But he actually believes me.

"What have I done, Goddess? This is all my fault. Please forgive me, Anna. Please forgive your father."

My emotions got the best of me. I couldn't stay mad at my father anymore, but broke down in tears, embracing him back.

"I'm a monster. It's all my fault."

"Don't blame yourself for someone else's action. You didn't know," I comforted, squeezing him close.

The good thing is that he trusts me. I finally got him on my side.

.

We continued our meeting at Diego's place, using that opportunity to show father were I live.

He was pleased with Diego's hospitality, but my old man's heart was still bruised from the truth.

Father shared his plans to deal with Linda, Casey, and Damian for their actions, but Diego immediately advised him not to do anything.

"I'm sure the goddess has something planned for them. Don't let them know that you're aware."

"But Alpha, those three ruined my daughter's life! I feel so terrible for supporting them when they did this to my only child."

"I know, but I don't want you doing anything. Just do as I say and stay low, okay?" Diego advised, patting father on the shoulder.

Father nodded, agreeing to listen to my Alpha's order.

Just then, his phone began ringing.

It was a call from Linda.

Father didn't want to answer the call, but he calmed his temper and picked the phone, answering his wife.

"Yes?"

"My love, were are you?" Linda asked, sounding worried.

"You said you were heading to the company but I came over to see you and was told you didn't come in today."

"You didn't have to go to the company. I went out to make an arrangement for the upcoming party. I'll be home soon."

"But Ray..."

He ended the call before she could call his name fully.

Taking in a deep breathe, father turned to me and asked—his eyes still filled with guilt—"I hope you'll still come, my dear?"

"Yes, I will Dad. It's my birthday after all," I answered, giving him a smile.

"Thank you," He appreciated, feeling happy.

But somehow, I could sense father was struggling to get himself. He feels guilty, and that makes me sad.

Diego and I escorted him to his vehicle and watched him leave the premises.

Once he was gone, my feelings took over again.

I was crying again.

"Anna," Diego called, cupping my face.

"It's okay. You finally told your father the truth. Everything will be fine," He comforted, pulling me into his arms for a big hug.

I kept myself buried in Diego's hold as I said, hanging onto him, "Thank you so much for this gift. It really means a lot to me."

"You know I want what's best for you, my Queen," He said, kissing me on the forehead.

"Now, give me a smile," He requested, lifting my head to gaze at my face.

"Smile for Daddy like he's giving it to you."

"You're crazy," I laughed, wrapping my arms around him.