Marissa watched as her father made his way into her room with a stormy expression on his face, and she swallowed nervously while playing with her fingers
The door creaked wider, and Alpha Kain stepped in, his sharp gaze immediately locking onto Bryce and Marissa.
Bryce instinctively stepped back from her, his jaw tightening. Marissa's eyes widened in panic, her hands clutching the hem of her dress. She knew her dad would show up, and he did, just as she had expected.
"Alpha Kain," Bryce greeted with a small bow, his confidence intact. Although he was the Alpha of the most powerful Pack, he still respected Alpha Kain since he was the father of his mate.
The Alpha's expression was unreadable, cold and calm in a way that was far more terrifying than if he had shouted, and this scared Marissa deeply.
"What are you doing in my daughter's room at this hour, Bryce?" Alpha Kain asked, voice low, controlled, but brimming with restrained fury.
"I just wanted to make sure she was okay," Bryce replied, meeting the older Alpha's gaze without flinching.
Alpha Kain shifted his gaze to Marissa. "And you allowed him in?"
"N-No… I didn't know he was here, he masked his scent," she answered honestly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bryce stepped forward, protectively placing himself slightly in front of her. "It's not her fault. I shouldn't have come in this late without permission."
The silence that followed was thick and tense. Marissa watched her father, fearing his next words.
"I see," Alpha Kain finally said. "We'll talk tomorrow—both of you. For now, Bryce, return to your room."
Alpha Kain eyed Bryce as he walked out, not after giving Marissa a look.
Once the door shut behind him, Alpha Kain turned to his daughter. His expression softened just slightly. "Rest, Marissa. We'll talk in the morning."
Then he, too, walked away, leaving Marissa frozen in place, heart still pounding.
Marissa let out a sigh of relief after her father had left. The entire day had been a rollercoaster for her.
From finding her mate, to being betrayed by her friend, and now, she and her mate were caught by her dad in the same room.
All Marissa wanted to do was to take a bath, and sleep. She would face what life has to give her tomorrow, but for now, she needs to rest.
______________
'You had the chance to mark her, why didn't you mark her?' Bryce was currently in the room prepared for him as he communicated with his wolf, Drex.
Well, Drex was angry because Bryce had missed the perfect time to mark Marissa.
'Do you think she would be happy with me if I forcefully mark her? That might ruin the bond between us, I would wait for her to be comfortable before marking her, only that way would we both enjoy it,' Bryce replied as a smile tugged at the side of his lips.
He recalled how flustered Marissa was just by being in contact with him.
'Hmmph, you had better do what you have to do, and quickly, I can't wait,' Drex demanded, falling silent at once.
Bryce had cut off the communicating link.
Bryce had a smile on his lips as he prepared to retire for the night.
_____________
The next morning>
Marissa, Bryce and Alpha Kain were seated at the dining table.
The entire atmosphere was silent, and tense at the same time.
Marissa pushed her food around the plate, unable to take a bite. The clinking of the men's spoon scraping the bowl was the only sound in the dining until she finally sighed.
This exhale got their attention as they turned to look at her, worry evident on their faces.
"What is wrong?" They both asked simultaneously, exchanging glances at once.
"I am fine, I am just a bit worried," Marissa confessed sadly.
"Why is that?" Alpha Kain asked with concern.
"You are not saying anything about Bryce and I, he is my mate, surely, you won't go against the moon goddess's wish," Marissa paused, allowing her dad to process her words.
She then turned to look at Bryce shyly, "besides, he is the only one who can directly look into my eyes without turning to stone," she completed her statement.
Alpha Kain breathed out through his nose, looking at his daughter who had never asked him for anything. But now, she was begging for him to accept her mate.
Alpha Kain turned to look at Bryce who had an eager look. Like Marissa, he was waiting for the Alpha's decision.
Alpha Kain was silent for a while which strengthened the tension in the room.
"Fine, I agree, besides, I cannot fight against fate, since you both are meant for each other, then so be it," Alpha Kain could only give in, seeing there was nothing he could do.
Marissa and Bryce let out a relieved smile seeing that Kain had agreed.
"But," this word brought a stop to their early celebration.
"My daughter is my pearl, I do not want her to be mistreated, if ever I get news that she is not getting the respect she deserves as your Luna," Kain stopped, allowing Bryce to process his words.
"I might be weaker in terms of pack size and powers, but I can do anything for my daughter, and an angry Father is capable of anything."
Kain threatened, staring straight into Bryce's eyes who got intimidated by someone for the first time. Perhaps, because this would be his father-in-law.
"I assure you Sir, I won't allow anyone to bully her, no, that's wrong, no one can dare to bully her under my watch," Bryce was confident in his words as he spoke to Alpha Kain.
Kain narrowed his eyes at Bryce who instinctively shrank back.
"I'll hold you to your words," Alpha Kain stated as he gestured for them to continue with breakfast.
_________
Rose was seated in the darkest part of the dungeon. Her hair was scattered. It had only been a night, yet she looked sickly.
"How did you turn to this?" Rose suddenly snapped her head when she heard this question. She was very familiar with the voice.
Even in the dark, she would recognise who the person was.
"Took you long enough to show up," Rose scoffed as she stood to her feet.
"I am sorry, I got caught with something, who would have expected that the best in the Pack would reduce herself to be friends with a cursed werewolf?" The man joked which annoyed Rose.
"You should know why I did this, besides, I wasn't able to get the information I needed, time to make use of plan B," Rose stated with a smirk on her face.
"What happened to the original Rose?" The man asked, and a knowing smile appeared on 'Rose' face.
"She was too soft for this world," 'Rose' smiled cryptically.
"She screamed at first, she was surprised to find someone who had the same face as hers, but then, she became silent ---- forever," Rose cackled loudly.