Three Lies He Told Me

4 Let's Not Pretend

Seraphina POV

It's been two days since the meeting with my parents, where they basically told me that if I didn't sacrifice myself they would sacrifice my son.

I look down at him still fast asleep next to me in my bed. His face peaceful despite the world around him not completely understanding him. The moment I learned I was pregnant, despite the backlash, I have never regretted bringing him into the world. Even now, I can't imagine my life without him, but I hate that he is nothing more than a pawn for the people around me.

I hate Dominick, Claire, and Lydia. I wish they had never adopted me, but wishing won't change what's happening now. I grab the phone from my nightstand and look at the time, just after seven. I dial Dominick's number. He picks up on the fifth ring. "Sera," he says curtly.

"Dominick, I will do what you have commanded to protect my son as any good parent would."

"What did you call me? I am still your father, Seraphina. Do not be disrespectful just because I expect you to do your part as my daughter," he says.

I chuckle but there is no humor in it.

"No, you are Lydia's father. I am just a mistake you made when you thought she wouldn't exist. A father doesn't treat his daughter the way you treat me. I am nothing more than a tool. A tool you used in the beginning for your image, then as a maid, and now to solidify a business deal. So let's not continue to pretend I am your daughter."

There is a moment of silence and I wonder if he hung up faced with my disrespect, as he calls it.

"You are wrong Sera, you are my daughter," he starts to say, but I cut him off.

"If that helps you sleep at night, by all means hold onto that sentiment, but we both know the truth. I want everything we discussed in writing. I want a signed document that says you will provide Eli with whatever he needs regarding treatment and schooling. You will also include that you will not interfere with my job if you expect me to be forced into this marriage."

"Fine, the document will be ready before the wedding. You will wear your sister's dress. There is no reason it should go to waste. She has changed her mind and wants something grander for her wedding to Thomas. You will also attend your sister's wedding when the date is set to show support for their union. I will not have the world thinking you are at odds with this family," he says.

I hang up letting my agreement with the devil and all that means settle in my chest.

Kael POV

The incessant beeping has me trying to force my eyes open.

What the hell happened?

Everything comes back to me at warp speed. The discussion with my father about the need to protect the peace between the humans who know of our existence and werewolves.

The call from my office to tell me that there was an emergency cyberattack on my company, and I was needed immediately. The car losing power steering and the brakes not responding, making the driver lose control. I force my eyes open and, based on the white ceiling and disinfectant smell, I know I'm in the human hospital.

"Kael, you scared the sh*t out of me. You have been out for a f**king week. What the hell happened," Orion asks before I can even attempt to sit up.

Orion is my Beta and best friend. We are closer than brothers. I'm quite shocked that my actual brother Ronan isn't here. I try to clear my throat, wondering why the hell my mouth is so dry when I realize there is oxygen in my nose and there must have been a tube down my throat. I can sense Atlas, my wolf, but he is exhausted. I quickly pull the oxygen off and point to the cup. Orion quickly grabs it and I take a long pull of the cold water, soothing the ache.

"Where are my father and brother?"

"Your father went back to inform the elders of your accident and to deal with the fall-out, since your ceremony is supposed to be in a few days and your brother has gone to get something to eat," he says.

A sharp knock on the door of the room has both of us looking just in time to see what I assume is the doctor stepping into the room.

"Mr. Draven, I'm glad to see you are awake. Honestly, I am shocked you are doing so well after the amount of injuries you sustained. A week ago, your initial scan showed extensive damage to your lower spine. You had a punctured lung. A laceration to your spleen. Multiple broken ribs and a hairline fracture in your femur. Based on my many years as a doctor, I would have given you a very low chance of surviving, but here you are awake and breathing on your own. If I was you, I would thank whatever god you believe in because it's nothing short of a miracle you are alive," he says.

"Thank you for the update doctor. Please keep everything you just told me to yourself. Not even my father or brother are to be updated by anyone but me."

"Of course, Mr. Draven. I would never violate your privacy. I will be back to check on you later," he says, before turning to leave.

"Kael, why the hell don't you want your father and brother to know your condition? We were all told if you survived you probably wouldn't be able to walk again. Your father was devastated when he got the call about the accident. By the sounds of it, Atlas is going to make sure that isn't the case. You're lucky your wolf is so strong, otherwise the outcome would have been very different," Orion says.

"I don't believe what happened was truly an accident. What are the chances that both the breaks and steering go on a barely used SUV? I want it secured immediately. Whoever did this needs to believe that even if I'm not dead, I'm not whole. They need to think I'm weak. I know that many are angry about my stance on the peace between us and the humans especially knowing that it ultimately resulted in my mother's death. They don't want to see me takeover because I refuse to follow their agendas about human. Many of them think humans should be rejected immediately by their mates, but I refuse to believe that we know better than the goddess."

A low growl tears from his throat. His eyes darken, his wolf at the surface.

"Calm down, Orion. We have no idea who did this, but I have every intention of figuring it out. Goddess bless the wolf when I do."

"I agree, but I still don't understand why you wouldn't want your father and brother to know that you will recover completely. You can't believe they had anything to do with this. They both love you. Hell Ronan cried like a baby when he heard you were hurt," he says.

"Of course, I don't think they had anything to do with it, but I know my father. He will insist I take his title as scheduled because he will want whoever did this to know they didn't win. I love my brother, but he can't keep his mouth shut to save his life. Besides, I know damn well he is still angry at the humans for our mother's death. He has friends who feel the same. If he lets it slip that I'm not paralyzed, then whoever did it will try to finish the job before I can flush them out."

Orion goes to open his mouth but closes it just as quickly when the door to the room opens, effectively halting our conversation.

"Kael, thank the goddess you're awake. We were so worried we were going to lose you. You still look like sh*t. Why the hell isn't Atlas healing you? What did the doctor say? Will you be able to walk," he asks.

"Ronan, for goddess sake, relax. Your questions have my head spinning. Unfortunately, Atlas needed to heal my life-threatening injuries first, so the damage to my spine looks like it will be permanent."

"What about you becoming alpha in a few days?"

"I will discuss what has to happen next with father. For now, I just need to rest."

"Of course, I'm sorry, brother. I just know how much it means to you to take your rightful place as the pack leader. No matter what happens, I am here for you," he says.

"Where is Lydia? I expected she would be here needing reassurances about my condition. I know she can't feel the mate bond like we do, but I know she loves me. Our wedding is coming quickly. I think it's time to share with her what I truly am. I'm sure she is freaking out if she was told about any of my injuries. Letting her know about how strong our wolves are and our accelerated healing will put her mind at ease."

Something flashes in Orion's eyes and a pit forms in my stomach.

Where is my mate?