Chapter 255: 255-The Broken Hopes And Wishes
Oriana:
"And my pride is back home again," my father said, pointing at me as a tear formed in his eyes. I knew why. He had to send me away because there was a call for me, specifically for me. I knew that if it were up to him, he would have chosen my stepbrother instead.
Ronin was the son of my father’s elder brother and his mate. When his father passed away, my father married his mate, having felt a mate bond with her.
He adopted Ronin and took him under his wing. We grew up together, and I soon realized Ronin was just a mischievous piece of shit. We had so many disagreements, and I honestly hated him.
There wasn’t a single day Ronin didn’t make my life miserable. That’s how I started making mistakes, one after another. My anger knew no limits. Even when my father warned me not to mess up or do anything that would cost me everything, I didn’t listen, until the orders came that the council wanted me at the academy.
I realized that had been Ronin and his mother’s plan all along. But it was too late. I was sent away, stripped of the love, appreciation, and royal titles I’d always had when living in my pack.
"Thank you, Father," I said with a smile. But my smile faded quickly because I knew this dinner in the prestigious suite would only last a few days. Then I’d be back in the North, and who knew if I’d ever return.
It wasn’t like I had good friends there, no one who’d ride or die for me except Clementine. I tried to be worthy of her friendship, but she always looked at me with judgment, always trying to prove me wrong, even about Valerie’s situation.
I was scared of being left behind if I didn’t have a baby, so I took one and left her there. She should have waited. She was a crusader. When the bus came back, she should’ve been able to save herself. But no. She died and got me in trouble.
Although I lied about the bullying and everything, I only did it because I wanted someone to love me, to care for me. Even when I didn’t show it, I was terrified deep down.
Then I saw what happened to Suki. It was horrifying. I wondered why. She had two people with her, Joshua and Jack. The point was to stay with Clementine’s group. None of their squadmates had died yet, so maybe they were the strongest. But for how long? How long could we survive? Others had died before us.
"Oriana, you aren’t eating," my father said softly, placing his hand on mine. I started to sniffle.
"It’s nothing," I said, trying to hold back my tears. I took a bite of pasta, forcing a small smile. But my father kept smiling at me, watching my face. Everyone noticed.
So I stopped eating and looked back at him, wondering why he was staring at me with so much love in his eyes.
"I know my daughter is worried about going back there," he began. "But don’t you worry. You’re not going back."
The moment he said that, the sadness, grief, pain, and fear started to fade. But then I noticed Ronin quickly turning to his mother, Lady Amelia, the most toxic, poisonous woman ever.
"I’m not?" I asked in confusion. Suddenly, I stopped thinking about the North. If my father could keep me home, I’d be so happy. My worries wouldn’t be about monsters, the North, or weapons but about what to wear next, which brand was trending.
I kept watching my father’s face with excitement.
"Yeah, although they asked me to pay a heavy price, I’m ready to do it. I won’t let my daughter go there and die in the North," my father said firmly.
My eyes widened, and a huge smile spread across my face. I couldn’t wait to go one last time, to fetch my stuff, meet the crusaders, and remind them that whenever I said my father loved me and they laughed, I was never wrong. My father did love me—a lot.
"What are you saying, Victor? What did you offer them?" Lady Amelia looked so upset that she began questioning my father–her mate, though they barely got along.
I guessed my father married her just so he could have a mate and give his brother’s wife a place to stay. Usually, fallen Beta, Gamma, or omega mates didn’t get much respect or a proper home.
"It doesn’t concern you, and it doesn’t matter what I offered them. No amount of money, jewels, diamonds, property, or titles is worth sending my daughter back to that hell," my father declared, slamming his hand on the table to silence everyone.
I knew my father loved me, but I didn’t know he loved me that much. I instantly stood up and rushed to hug him, wrapping my arms tightly around his neck. He hugged me back.
"Oh, my child, I had great dreams for you. I want you to get married, to have children. I can’t tolerate you going back to the North to suffer," my father said, breaking the hug so he could cup my face and kiss my forehead before pulling me close again.
Honestly, my life was nothing without my dad, and once again, he had proven he could do anything he wanted. I wondered what he had given them in exchange for my freedom.
"I don’t think it’s the right decision. She’s been to the North. Her mind and heart must have been corrupted," Lady Amelia said, still having the nerve to try and convince my father to stop me.
My smile began to fade, and I turned to look at my father, wondering if he would listen to her. However, he raised his hand to silence her.
"Nobody will fucking talk about my daughter again. And no, nothing will make me send my daughter back to the North," my father snapped.
I said nothing. My father had decided, and my smile returned. I was never going back to the North. Never.
Present time.
I was being dragged mercilessly by the lurkers back to the academy.