Chapter 68
Gradel
I entered my father's room which stank badly and found Iris crouching on the floor, her eyes puffy with tears as she peered at me.
Her body was taut with fear and by merely reading her body language, I knew what she was scared about. The pack hadn't completely accepted her and if word went out that she was with my father at his dying point, it would spark rumors around.
Rumors strong enough to tarnish her image and I couldn't let that happen.
Murmurs of regrets and consolation resonated behind me, reminding me that the elders had followed me down here. Even though I appreciated their presence, I didn't need them now.
"You can leave now. Send word around the pack about the Alpha's death and you all should begin to plan his burial." I ordered and they bowed and exited the room.
I sank onto the cold floor with mixed feelings and the memories of the past that weren't dented by the evil deeds he committed surged into my head.
As his son, tears should be pouring out of my eyes in torrents, but I could only mope at him with several questions ringing in my mind.
I wanted to ask him why he was so heartless and unfeeling. I wanted to know if he ever felt remorse for all the evil things he did, but it wasn't possible anymore except I was capable of resurrecting the dead.
"How did it happen?" I finally asked, my voice husky and curt.
She dried her eyes and sniffed softly. I waited patiently for her to get a hold of her emotions before replying.
"After you left me, I felt bored and had the urge to come and visit your father since you didn't want to. And then I spoke to him for a while but he couldn't respond because his condition had deteriorated. Suddenly, I became pressed and rushed to the toilet in the next room after asking the guards to watch him carefully. Only to return and realize that he wasn't breathing anymore." She explained.
Her body shuddered and she burst into another round of tears. "If I'd known that my exit would cause his death, I wouldn't have left him or maybe I was wrong to have come here in the first place. I'm so sorry for not listening to you, but I just couldn't help it."
I snaked my arm around her neck and pulled her close so that her face was seated on the crook of my neck.
"Don't blame yourself, sweetheart. I was wrong to have not listened to you when you brought the matter this morning. Now I feel so horrible. There are several questions I want to ask him," I confessed.
We sat in silence, waiting for Silas to come over and run some health checks on my father before his burial.
"This is surprising, Gradel. His death doesn't sit well with me and I think we should look into it." She urged me, lifting her head away from me.
I peered down at her with a questioning look. "What do you mean?"
"He was breathing slowly before I left and all of a sudden, he wasn't anymore? Come on, Gradel, something might have happened to him," She persisted. "Or are you still angry at the dead man that you don't care about the circumstances around his death?" She spat.
I sprang to my feet, my chest burning with anger. Why was she taking my father's death so personally? It was me who lost a father but she was the one going overboard.
"No, Iris. We aren't going to fight over this issue, alright? I have the right to express my emotions anyhow I deem fit because you aren't the one whose mother was poisoned slowly. And why are you so concerned about him? Have you forgotten this man lying lifeless on this bed treated your mother?" I thundered.
"But he's still your father!" She shot back.
I snorted angrily. "Or he's just donated his sperm to my mother. If you don't have anything else to say to me then leave so that I can handle this issue by myself." I commanded.
Light was snuffed from her eyes as she huffed, nodding in mock agreement and turned away without uttering a word, heading to the door.
It opened simultaneously and Hegar bowed, waiting for me to let him in.
"My condolences, Prince Gradel." He said quietly.
I shook my head, training my gaze at my father whose skin was becoming ashy and dark. The smell was still evident and, truthfully, I didn't know why I punished myself by staying here.
"I don't know whether to be happy or sad. The old man really did a lot, you know," I snickered.
"I understand, but do you think you can forgive him even in death? This man is gone and there's nothing your resentment can do against him now. His soul is already being judged by the moon goddess, and your anger would only make things worse." He said playfully.
"You're right. My anger can't do anything but it seems impossible to let him go. That man wrecked a lot of havoc in our lives and I also suspect that he killed his brother. He was power drunk, that's why he didn't regard human life. How do you expect me to let go so easily, Hegar?" I voiced out my pain.
He squeezed my slumped shoulder and peered at me. "I'm going to drop the formality and speak to you as a friend. Gradel, you have gone through so much as a teenager and as an adult but it's time to leave the past behind you and focus on your future. The moon goddess has given you a mate that you love and once your father is buried, you'll be coronated as the next Alpha. Do you want to rule your people with the bitterness hanging on from the past? Do you think you'll be effective that way?"
I shut my eyes, realizing that he was right.
"No, I won't."
"Well, I won't tell you what to but just think about it."