Caelum POV
"I heard your wife is barren," I paused, trying not to burst into laughter at his words.
It isn't funny!
"So you now know you have a son? What happened to me being a bastard who you never asked for?" I asked loudly, trying hard to control my wolf. To control the urge to charge at him and fight.
It might have been ten years since he abandoned me, but it still felt like yesterday to me.
The words he said to me. How he turned his back on me… everything still sticks.
"Caelum—"
"If this is all you came here for, Zand, leave!" I shouted, not caring about the fact that he is my father.
To me, he died ten years ago!
"Caelum, I am your Alpha. And your father," his voice echoed. "I want you back home for the Moonfest festival, and that is not up for debate, Caelum."
"I have no home!" I barked, about to leave the house.
Just his presence brings out the young boy I once was. The boy who was abandoned by his father when he needed him the most.
"You would be living in my penthouse before I come back from my trip," before I could speak, he added, "This is a royal command from your father!"
He stood up then walked out of my small apartment.
I ruffled my hair as I watched him walk out. I can't believe he is coming back now. I can't believe he now sees me as his son after all those years.
I have lived not knowing what it feels like to have a father, but that faithful cold night when I went on my knees, begging him, and shedding tears in front of him just to save my mother, what did he do?
He had me thrown out of the house and shut the door in my face.
A loud knock on my door snapped me out of my thoughts. Since there are only two people who knew of this place; Liora and my aunt, I hurried to the door.
I would be so excited to see my aunt who raised me when I was abandoned by the same person meant to be my father, but not as much as I would be seeing Liora.
Even though it's been three years, I couldn't get her out of my head— I still hope she would walk through this door and say 'I am back for you, Caelum.'
"Are you okay?"
My aunt's voice brought me out of the chaos in my head the moment I opened the door.
"Mmm." I nodded at her question before walking down to the couch. "What should I get you, aunt? Or should I take—"
"I am too old to go see a movie with a young man who is supposed to be spending time with his girlfriend," she teased, making me want to burst into laughter.
Before I could begin talking, she signaled me to sit down. "Caelum, I know he hurt you beyond words, but don't you think it is time you let the past be the past?"
My aunt's words made me inhale deeply, trying not to have a replay of that night in my head.
"Aunt, if you are here to talk about Zand—"
"He is Alpha Zand, Caelum," she quickly corrected. "I want you to—"
"Aunt, did he visit you too?" I asked curiously, knowing my aunt isn't the kind of person to poke her nose into my business or go on with a topic I am uncomfortable with.
She hesitated before replying, her dark brown eyes full of worries. The same look she had on her face the day she took me in.
"He did not just visit me. He threatened me. That was the reason I gave him your house address."
Just hearing my aunt's words made anger rush through me, my head about to crack from the will to grab him and tear him apart.
Into pieces.
"He said he would kill me and brand you a traitor of the pack if you don't follow his royal command," she added. "I know you have everything and don't need a dime from him, but Caelum, you have to go back ho—"
"This is my home!" I shouted, interrupting her.
"I know," she held my hand tightly. "All you have to do is stick it out until the Moonfest festival. Believe me."
*****
I stared at my apartment one more time before leaving. Even though I know very well that Liora has moved on with her life, I can't help hoping.
Though I wish her a miserable married life just like how miserable I have been for the past three years without her.
With one more look, I left for the car.
After I got into the car, the driver drove down the road I have seemed to forget.
Throughout the ride, I had my gaze fixed on my phone, scrolling through the photos of me and Liora.
I hate her. I hate that I can't get her out of my mind. I hate that I kept wishing to see a glimpse of her even though she just cut me off when I did nothing to her.
When all I have wanted is to keep being loved by her. Keep feeling her warmth. Keep seeing her smile. Keep hearing her voice—
"Sir, we are here," the driver's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I got out of the car, staring at the house which I once walked into desperately, in tears and broken but got thrown out like I was nothing but a piece of trash.
I hesitated before entering the house which didn't change much except for the noticeable renovation.
"Are…"
My voice suddenly trailed off the moment the young lady sitting down in the living room raised her gaze to look at me.
She looked exactly like Liora.
Even with closed eyes, I could tell what Liora looks like. Her chestnut eyes, brunette hair, small body frame… they were exactly as the lady staring right at me.
"You are my husband's son, right?" She asked, her voice totally similar to Liora.
There is no way Liora is my father's wife. My stepmother!
The moon goddess might just be playing a stupid game with me!