A VOW MEANT FOR ANOTHER

ANNIVERSARY

It’s been three years.

Three years since I lost my father… and still, it feels like yesterday. The pain hasn’t dulled, not really. I’ve just learned to carry it. Since he left, I’ve taken the mantle caring for my mother and little sister, Paula. It hasn’t been easy. Some days, it feels like I’m barely holding everything together. But I have to. There’s no one else.

Today marks the third anniversary of his death.

We went to the cemetery just the three of us. As we stood there, park members passed by, offering condolences. My sister was quiet at first, then she turned to me and said, “Say something to Daddy.”

So I did.

I knelt beside the grave and whispered, “Daddy… I miss you. I miss your laugh, your hugs, your promises. I know you’re gone, but I haven’t forgotten what you said to me that morning. You promised me a surprise when you got back. I guess the surprise was… that you never came home. But I promise you, I’ll keep this family together. I’ll work hard, and I’ll protect Mom and Paula. I won’t let you down.”

After the cemetery, we headed home, quiet and heavy-hearted. But then, there was a knock at the door. It was the pack messenger with a sealed note addressed to me.

I opened it… and everything changed.

The note said the Alpha wanted to honor my father’s years of service as the chief driver. He was granting our family a token of appreciation money to help us sustain ourselves, a full scholarship for my sister till she is done with university and an admission to The Titian training center.

I couldn’t believe it. Just like that, the burden I had been carrying for years lightened. My sister jumped into my arms with excitement. My mother, who had been silent for most of the day, whispered, “This is the doing of the Moon Goddess. I am so grateful.”

I was so excited I have always wanted to be part of the Titians and this calls for a celebration I said .

My mum and sis congratulated me .

“ congratulations “ Anne they said and gave me hug I gave them a broad smile and replied “ thank you.

I asked the messenger to please extend my gratitude to the Alpha. “Tell him I’ll come by in the evening to thank him personally,” I said.

We were all so happy, even our neighbor Miss Margaret, my mom’s best friend, came over and joined in our celebration. The house felt warm for the first time in a long while.

That evening, I told my mom to rest. She was on her medication and needed it. I’d go alone.

I headed into the Pack house with a thankful heart…

As I approached the building, a scent hit me. It was like honey mixed with sunflower strange, powerful, intoxicating. I was drawn to it, almost like I didn’t have control. I followed it, step by step, until I found myself standing outside a slightly open door.

And then I saw them.

A man. A woman. Entwined. The sounds… the sight. My heart dropped. I was frozen.

The man… he looked familiar, powerful. And the moment my gasp escaped my lips, they both turned. His eyes landed on me, and I’ll never forget the fury in them.

“What are you doing here?!” he shouted. “Who let you in?”

I couldn’t speak. He told me I’d be punished for barging into the Alpha Prince’s quarters. I didn’t wait to hear more.

I turned and ran. Down the hall, past the guards, into the night. The wind stung my face, but it couldn’t compare to the sting in my chest.

By the time I reached home, my tears had dried, but the pain hadn’t.

I didn’t want my mother or sister to see me like that. So I quietly slipped in. Mom was asleep. I went straight to my room and locked the door.

A few minutes later, I heard Paula knocking, “Annie? Are you okay? Annie, please open the door.”

But I couldn’t. I curled up in bed, hugged my pillow tight, and let the tears fall.

This day was supposed to remind me of what I lost.

Instead, it reminded me how broken I still am.