Dusk&Dawn

-3-

<Side's POV>

My father and I finished a greasy brunch at Salazar, having mostly grilled chicken kebabs with vegetables.

My dad was quite silent throughout, which was very unusual since he always talking during meals at home.

Once I down my drink to cleanse my mouth of oil, my dad propped his folded arms on the table, much like in the CSI movies and their cliche interrogating pose.

"Okay. Albi, I want you to answer this question completely honest here. And please take it seriously." He looked at me sternly.

"I'll try and answer to the best of my abilities." I reply genuinely.

"Alright." Dad's voice wavered to a whisper.

"Do you, at anytime or place, believe that werewolves exist?" He kept his stern gaze.

Is he really being serious? I was baffled by his question to say the least.

"I..I would like to think so..." I stutter.

My Dad's face scrunched up and you can see the concentration on his face.

"I don't know how to say this..but you're right. They do exist." My Dad lowered his gaze.

"Are you serious now?" I ask, in utter disbelief, that my Dad believes that werewolves exist.

"Yes. I do have proof, but my concern lies with your well being."

"My wellbeing?" I blink.

"Yes. Albi, this is not the time to be questioning things. I am your father and I need to watch out for you when your mom is not around."

My dad kept his arms crossed, with a hint of protectiveness in his voice.

"Is that why you came to LA?" I have no idea what to believe in now.

"No, I have other businesses to attend to. But I had to give you something in person." My Dad uncrossed his arms and held out a shiny metal keychain.

It was shaped like a wolf's head, with a shiny white gem in place of its eye.

"We are werewolves?" I stare at my Dad.

"No. We are a higher class of werewolf. Known as the Wolven. You're a royal werewolf." My Dad corrected me.

"Royal?" I tried it on my tongue.

"Yes. One of the few left." My Dad hasn't looked up from his hands.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" I ask.

"Your mom was human. We thought you would remain human and we could preserve and contain the Wolven powers so that you can't be exploited."

"You thought? What happened?" I narrow my eyes.

"There were some reports the other day, that there are rogue werewolves in LA. We cannot let them taint your blood. Our heritage." My Dad kept our eyes level.

"Then why did you say that we need to preserve it? If tainting it would stop the bloodline, wouldn't you be the one to preserve the bloodline? And not me?" I maintain the eye contact.

"You are a prince! You must retain the bloodline." My Dad said in an unnatural growl.

"If you taint your bloodline, dire consequences will arise." My Dad's knuckles were trembling and I can see a wolf in his eyes.

I lower my eyes and the table stops shaking.

"That's all son. You may leave." My Dad doesn't meet my gaze as I stand.