I went home feeling very vexed by what Tony had told me. I was also not happy with Tony as I could not understand why he kept quiet all this while. What I wanted to know is why they were all afraid of a man that they wanted as their Alpha.

I saw my father with a young chap and I greeted both of them. My face was still gloomy, so the young man who was with my father felt uncomfortable.

“I hope I am not the cause of your problem,” he said.

“Do you think you are?” I asked.

“I didn’t know you came in looking like my presence offended you,” he said.

It was then it occurred to me that. I had been annoyed and it was showing in my facial expressions and how I relate with people. I thought about how many people I must have ignored on my way home due to this anger.

“I am so sorry, my name is Mandaline,” I said.

“My name is Kent and I am pleased to meet you,” he said.

“Kent, here is an Alpha,” my father said.

“He looks too young to lead a family not to talk of a pack,” I said.

“Everyone has a way of underrating me,” he said.

“So you are an alpha?” I asked.

“Yes, I am an Alpha, so you can call me Alpha Kent,” he said.

I laughed and he took no offense as he laughed with me.  I asked him about his pack and where he resides. Without any form of hesitation, he gave them to me and begged me to call him from time to time.

I promised to visit and to call from time to time. He took his stuff and left. I had to ask my father if he was certain that Kent was an Alpha and he said yes. I told my father that I would love to be in his pack.

“Why would you want to be in his pack?” my father asked.

“Because I am sure I can handle him,” I said.

“So why have you been gloomy and moody since you came back from the town square? My father asked.

I could not hold back my concerns any longer. What I learned from Tony was very worrisome and I  cannot keep quiet while my father is being attacked by someone he trained.

“I am not happy Dad, and I think I need to discuss it with you,” I said. He deserves to know what I have discovered and tell me his side of the story.

“You want to tell me what is going on in that mind of yours, my angel,” my dad asked me, as he offered me a chair by his side. I could see that he was very anxious to find out what I wanted to discuss with him, but his calm demeanor would never let one know.

"Dad," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "I've learned something... something about the past, about Alpha Cosmos," I said, as I hesitated, the words were heavy on my tongue. I had to tread carefully, unsure of how he would react.

My father, ever the patient and understanding man, gazed at me with a look of curiosity mixed with concern. "What is it, Mandaline? You can tell me anything."

With each passing moment, I felt my heart pounding, and my emotions swirling. "I've heard that Alpha Cosmos and you... you used to be close. That he was your apprentice." I said, not knowing what he would say next or the extent he thought I knew.

A flicker of sadness passed through my father's eyes. He nodded slowly, confirming the truth I had suspected. "Yes, Mandaline, that's true. Cosmos and I were inseparable once. We shared dreams, hopes, and aspirations," he said.

“So what happened? Why were you two at loggerheads? Why can’t there be peace? What’s the rancor about?” I asked with so much disturbance in my mind.

My father looked at me and I knew he did not want to talk about the issue. “ Mandaline, you don’t need to bother yourself about such issues. I have lived my life, try and live your life,” he said.

I took a deep breath, realizing that I needed to be direct, even if it meant causing my father pain. "I was told that Alpha Cosmos gave you an ultimatum. He wanted you to choose between being the Alpha and marrying Mom.

The weight of my words hung heavily in the air. My father's eyes, once warm and welcoming, clouded with a mix of sorrow and regret. He spoke with a heavy heart, "That is true, Mandaline. Cosmos demanded that I choose, and I made a choice,” He said.

I continued, "I was also told how Cosmos poisoned you, how he took your position as Alpha." I said.

“Mandaline! Where are you getting all these from? Who have you been talking to? My father asked me.

“Dad, I just want to hear from you. I want the truth,” I said.

My father's gaze dropped to the floor, and he nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mandaline. Cosmos's ambition led him down a dark path, and I paid the price for it." He said.

The truth was out in the open, and a profound silence fell between us. I knew my father must be feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions, and I couldn't begin to imagine the pain he carried with him all these years. I leaned forward, taking his hand gently.

"Dad," I whispered, "I think it's time to seek peace with Alpha Cosmos. He wants your land, and I believe we should consider selling it to Tony. It would bring some stability back into our lives," I said.

“Selling it to Tony would not make any difference. Alpha Cosmos would still seize it from Tony. What should happen to my factory and the shop on part of the land?” he said.

“Sell everything to Tony. It will be his fight, not yours. Make peace with the Alpha. You know he is mated to me,” I said.

My father sighed, his eyes searching mine. "Mandaline, you are wise beyond your years. I've thought about it, too, and it might be the right choice. But there's more to this story, my dear, he said.

I furrowed my brow, confused by my father's words. "What do you mean, Dad? Isn't the land what Alpha Cosmos wants? He came here and asked you specifically about the land, or am I missing something?” I said.

He hesitated before continuing. "It's not just the land, Mandaline. Cosmos wanted more than that. He wanted your mother," he said.

I couldn't hide my shock. "But Dad, you're mated to Mom. Cosmos can't have her!"

"Mandaline, there was a time when your mother and I were not mated. Cosmos thought that he could take her from me, that she would choose him over me and the pack." My father said as his eyes bore into mine with a mixture of sadness and frustration.

The revelation left me stunned, and I struggled to comprehend the depth of Alpha Cosmos's desires. My mother had kept this part of her history hidden from me, and my father had carried this secret all these years.

And after all these years, he had carefully manipulated every situation to ensure it played out in his favour. How can the moon goddess bless me with the monster who wants my father dead so that he can marry my mother when everyone knows he is fated to me?

"Dad, you need to talk to Mom about this," I urged. "She needs to know the truth," I said.

“I think she does, we were all friends,” My father said.

“But have you spoken to her about it? If not Dad, please don’t assume she knows,” I said.

My father nodded, his expression pensive. "You're right, Mandaline. It's time for us to have an open and honest conversation with your mother."

“Better! Thank you, Dad!” I said.

“I think we have a way out of this situation. I hope it works.” My father said.