His Daddy’s Fated Mate

11: The lies

Hannah’s POV

My mom wiped away a tear that slipped from her chocolate-brown eyes and added, "She was a beacon of kindness and warmth. We'll miss her terribly."

Jane wasn’t just kind she was the kind of person who made you feel seen, safe, and valued, even on your worst days. Her generosity wasn’t performative; it came from a genuine place, wrapping everyone around her in a comforting glow.

She was more than a beacon of warmth; she was a home. A mother to everyone. The kind of Luna you’d dream of leading a pack. The kind I could never be.

Wait where did that thought come from? I am not Luna material.

I haven’t even shifted into my wolf yet, let alone developed any powers. I have no alpha blood, no extraordinary lineage, and nothing that would make me special in the eyes of someone like Liam.

And honestly, even if I did, it wouldn’t matter. Liam doesn’t see me as anything more than a nuisance. A tool to humiliate and control. The guy barely sees me as a person now let alone someone capable of leading.

Sometimes, I wonder what he even gains from tormenting me. Does he find joy in it? Is this some sick game to him? Or am I just an outlet for his anger, his disappointment, or whatever twisted emotions he’s bottling up inside?

I scoff internally, shaking off the thought before it takes root. It doesn’t matter. I’m not a leader, and I never will be. I could barely manage the two staff at the tattoo shop back in the human world.

And even that small semblance of authority felt fragile, like it could crumble under the weight of one wrong decision. Here? In this pack? I’m less than nothing. A stray dog at best going to be tolerated only because I have Beta father.

And maybe that’s what stings the most. Not that Liam doesn’t see me as a leader but that deep down, I’ve started to believe it too. Luna? Yeah, righr.

"Thank you, James, Juliet. Your words mean a lot. Jane’s absence will be felt deeply, and I appreciate your support during this difficult time," Liam said in his usual smooth voice. It made me want to gag.

The guy could charm the venom out of a snake if he wanted to. Too bad I know it’s all an act. Jane probably took off his humanity with her when she died leaving us with this reptile.

"You called us here?" my dad asked hesitantly, tilting his head to the side. He still hadn’t noticed me, sitting stiff as a board just a few feet away.

I could tell he thought this was about Jane’s death. He was trying to choose his words carefully, probably afraid of upsetting Liam. If only he knew what was about to hit him, he’d realize Liam doesn’t have feelings left to hurt. The man’s a monster.

Liam let out a sigh, glanced briefly at me, and then back at my parents. "Yes. It’s about Hannah."

"Hannah? Where is she? What happened? Have you seen her?" my mom asked, her voice thick with concern. That ache in my chest returned full force. I missed her dramatics so much.

"Yeah, yeah, she’s fine. She’s right there." Liam gestured toward me with a dismissive nod. Both their heads whipped in my direction so fast I almost laughed.

I braced myself, expecting them to rush toward me, smothering me with kisses and hugs. But they just… stared. Confused. Like I wasn’t real. Like I wasn’t their daughter.

I mean, we’d FaceTimed a hundred times, and I’d sent plenty of pictures. What was so shocking? Then it hit me they weren’t staring at me. They were staring at the tattoos.

Was that disapproval on their faces? Perfect. Just what I needed after today.

"Hannah?" my dad said, his tone almost questioning.

I forced a smile and gave a small wave, my movements stiff and awkward. Shouldn’t I be running into their arms, tears streaming, telling them Liam’s accusations were total crap? Instead, I sat frozen, unsure of what to do.

Have they changed, or have I? The eighteen-year-old me would’ve been swept into hugs by now. What is going on with this pack? Why does everything feel *wrong?*

"Dad. Mom," I said sheepishly, blinking away tears when they didn’t react immediately.

Finally, my mom snapped out of it. She rushed toward me, pulling me into one of her trademark bone-crushing hugs. I sagged against her, comforted by her familiar scent. For a moment, I let myself relax. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.

"Hanny, my not-so-little girl! You’ve grown so beautiful," she said, her hands gripping my shoulders tightly. Then her gaze fell to my tattoos. "But these… I don’t like them, darling."

"I needed something to distract me in the human world," I croaked, my voice breaking. "The tattoos helped."

"But I didn’t see them in the photos or calls."

"I hid them. Knew you’d react like this." I shrugged, wiping my tears with trembling hands.

While my mom fussed, my dad stayed seated, his expression unreadable but heavy with disapproval. The warmth I’d hoped for didn’t come. Instead, there was tension thick, suffocating tension.

Liam, of course, took this moment to drum his fingers on the desk, pulling their attention. I didn’t need to look up to know he was watching me with those cold, calculating eyes.

"I didn’t call you here to discuss Hannah’s tattoos," he said, his tone sharp. "This is about something else entirely."

I gripped my chair, trying to steady my nerves. My mom turned to me, her eyes full of questions, but I couldn’t meet her gaze.

"Hannah returned yesterday," Liam began, his voice calm but edged with a subtle cruelty that made my stomach twist. "She came to pay her respects, or so she claimed. During our conversation, our wolves recognized each other as mates. I, of course, had the discipline to remain composed, to resist the pull. But it seems Hannah…" He paused, letting the silence drag out, his gaze flickering to me with a faint smirk that made my blood boil. "…lacked that same self-control. She gave in, unable to resist and, well, here we are."

What? My head snapped up, my stomach dropping. He’s lying. Does he believe what he is actually saying? What the f**k? How could someone be so ignorant and cruel?

Liam continued, his voice smooth but laced with fake regret. "When I woke up this morning, I found us both naked. My mark was already on her neck."

The room fell silent. My mom’s eyes darted to my neck, and my dad bolted to his feet, knocking over his chair.

"What?!" my dad roared, his face pale with shock.

"Sit down, James," Liam ordered. My father obeyed instantly, his fury deflated under the weight of an Alpha’s command.

My mom’s voice cracked. "Mates? Liam, she’s two decades younger than you!" Her wide eyes flicked between us, desperate for someone to call this a joke.

I wished it was. But the throbbing mark on my neck said otherwise.