I Didn't Think He Could...

My father knew?: Chapter 8

Zayne's POV

So many thoughts are running through my head, as we make our way to the clearing. The beautiful pond, where I made the biggest mistake of my life. Our wolves go to the pond for a drink, stretch, out on the grass for a few minutes, before they gave control back to us. We shifted back, and dressed in the clothes provided in the duffel, that was stuffed in the branches of a nearby tree.

My dad was deep in thought for a moment, before he sighed and turned around to face us.

"I brought you here, because this was Zara's sacred place. A place she found comfort, outside of her prison-like room. Of course that helped her prepare for a lot of bullshit dealt her way. You can hear danger coming up those stairs."

My dad sat down on the rock that I saw Zara sit on, the day I blew my life apart. I sat down on the grass, ignoring the déjà vu, and waited for my father to continue.

"The day trouble started for Zara, was the day Ivy fixed her eyes on Jason, Zara's long time best friend", my father began. I didn't like where this was going, and I got the familiar itch to fidget as he continued.

"As you know, Jason is a survivor of the war between Silver Crescent, and Shadow Crest. You two might not remember, but I do. I remember how none of you wanted to get to know the kid, because he was from a different pack. Not even a rival. Made no sense. Zara was the only one to say hi, get to know him, and inevitably became best friends. Ivy got jealous, because no matter what she did, Jason never showed any interest in her. He's one of the ones that wants his true mate. Just like Zara did", he paused to collect his thoughts, and drank from the Vitamin water he had stored in the backpack. I noticed the way he phrased that last sentence.

"The way Zara did"...

"Anyway, he told Ivy that very thing, but she didn't take it well. That vain vixen couldn't handle the rejection. If only she was raised with the same morals as most of us. She thinks she's goddess's gift to everyone, especially males. Still does. I see the way she still flirts with unmated males, to get something she wants. I don't know what else she could want, as she's a Betas mate. Nothing ever seems good enough for her. What I saw that day disgusted me. I saw Ivy eavesdropping on Zara and Jason. They were talking about mates, and wondering who they would be. What they would be like, if they'd be from here or not. Then they joked about what if they were mates", I growled at that, and my dad gave me a pointed look.

"None of that Zayne. A, they were around 13. B, you f****d up around her that entire time, not to mention how you handled it once it was confirmed you two were mates. So don't growl at me, because she joked about being mates with another as a young teen. You didn't pay attention to her then, and when you did, you were a menace to her. Her bully", he said giving me another look. I looked away with my jaw tight. His words may be true, but the guilt has already been eating me alive.

"Anyway, after that Ivy spread those rumours about Zara stealing Jason away. No matter what they said to shine light on the truth, they would not be listened to. I've tried understanding as well, why no one would listen to reason. Something hasn't added up there, and it just got worse from then on. Especially when you became mated with her, Damon. Her new rank as a mated beta female, installed a new sense of authority in her; which she used to create havoc, instead of maintaining peace. She's still using this rank to her advantage, for whatever selfish agenda she has. What broke my heart the most, was watching you turn on her Damon. I'm sure this is hard to hear, if you care about your sister at all", my father said looking at Damon. I looked at my beta myself, and he looked lost. But he also looks like he's about to lose it.

"Damon"? I asked him, putting my hand on his shoulder. He shook it off, looked at me, got up, and walked to the rock behind my dad. He sat there just staring at the pond. I can't mindlink him, as he has me blocked. "She tried telling me.", he whispered. "I didn't listen to her. I didn't believe her. I don't exactly know why I didn't trust her. I still don't. It was just that what Ivy told me, felt like it made sense. Every time Zara kept telling me her point of view, I had this feeling of deception, so I didn't believe her. I've never had a reason not to. We used to be very close, but it's so cloudy in my mind, when I'm trying to pin point how, and when that changed. Something just isn't adding up. Why isn't there any doubt now, but there was whenever she brought it up?", he asked out loud.

"I'm not sure how she's done it, but I'm sure Ivy has had help. I don't know why she made Zara's life as miserable as she could. I did enjoy seeing her angrily flustered, every time Zara fought back though. Zara isn't weak by any means, and I think that pissed her off more. I hated watching your family become distant. How your mom only left bread crumbs of emotional support for Zara. How your dad just completely abandoned her. Only your brother was her rock, and you", he said pointing at Damon. "You always believed your mate. Which to a point I can understand; but the signs were blazingly obvious, and then you didn't need signs. You just sat back, and let everything happen. You watched her being bullied for years, and did nothing about it. As a Beta, you need to help keep your Alpha in line. You're his right hand. You both are a team, and you both failed miserably. We don't have a proper Luna, and that's because the person who was literally born for the position, was aggressively chased away. Not just by anyone either, mind you. Years of torment. Years of abuse in and out of the home. There was nothing I could do to change their opinions of her, to change your opinions of her; but I at least stopped the physical abuse. I couldn't stop the chatter, and for the life of me, I could not stop either of you; or your 'mates'. I have no idea why you hated her so much, Zayne. Your mother and I love her dearly. We were the ones to help keep her sane, while all of you dealt her your bullshit.", my father paused from his passionate lecture, then took a breath. "We also helped her leave.", he stopped and looked at me.

"WHAT", I screamed, jumping to my feet. Although that's as far as I got. My father shoved me back to the ground, myself landing on my ass, and stared me down with a finger pointed at my face.

"Yes. We helped her leave. You can not blame us. Think back on everything you f*****g did to her, and tell me I was wrong Zayne. You can't.", He let me adjust comfortably on the ground after he made his point, then continued with the information, that started to shed light on where, and how Zara left. Not to mention what happened after.

"I firmly believe Cecilia would've tried to assassinate her. I have a suspicion she's the one behind the rogue attack, against Zara seven years ago. We made sure those woods were patrolled as efficiently as possible, to make sure her runs were smooth and stealthy. Especially after you started looking for her. She didn't want to see you, and after a very organized rogue attack, her safety was a priority. It still is. However, I'm telling you this now, because she's been spotted, and I fear what will happen once her sighting is fully confirmed. Right now it's speculation on their part; but knowing them, they will be following up."

"Who's they?", I cut him off. I was getting very nervous as to what he was getting at. Is Zara in danger? Is Cecilia involved? What is Ivy's involvement? As the two are thick as thieves. Why has Zara always been their target all these years. My father knew? I'm still processing that. Well; I'm processing a lot in this moment.

Wait. 'We'. That means my mom knew as well. My mom and dad helped my mate leave; because I am such a prick that didn't have my priorities straight. I honestly don't know what I ever saw in Cecilia. All I know is that I need to find my mate. I need to find Zara. My parents know where she is. I don't blame my parents at all, for helping her escape the misery here. They had her best interests at heart, and I failed her. I failed my mate, and I need to make it right.

My father cleared his throat, and answered my question. His answer sent chills down my spine, and a fire in my already boiling blood.

"The ones who attacked her seven years ago".