The Royal Alpha, & Loyal Luna

41. They Tried To Break Me .

Luna Nova's POV

It was the first time since I'd seen Minette alive and well and then with Grey when I was brought home to him, that I'd felt this way. Self-conscious enough to vomit.

"Da.. Dad?" Tears filled my eyes immediately, I couldn't blink them away. "You're.. you're okay?" Why was I shaking so much?

"Oh, princess.." He hugged me into an embrace only my father could manage to make feel like heaven, home, and hell with his bear-like grip. "Oh, my sweet girl." He kissed the crown of my head, pressing his cheek hard against the top of it. I could feel his tears running through my scalp.

"Don't cry, Dad. I'm.. I'm so sorry." I couldn't let him go, I would never let him go again. No matter how bitchy he got or how stupid I was. I loved him through it all and I missed him like hell. "I'm sorry, Dad." I said again.

"Don't you dare apologize." He held both of my arms, slightly gasping as he looked back and forth between both of my eyes. "Those aren't.. they're not contacts, are they?" And in that moment, I had never felt more relieved to see not pity, but pure rage across my father's face. "Your mother.. Minnie has gone too far."

"You know what I plan to do, Dad.. don't you?" My question came out as a whisper.

He looked down for a moment, closing his eyes as he went from clasping my arms to my sides to touching my shoulder gently.

"I came because like your.. guy friend," He glanced over to Grey, "I don't plan to stop you, but I do plan to be there for you. You won't be alone when it happens, what kind of father would that make me?" He chuckled softly, and I could hear what could've been sadness. If it was for Minette, it would be in vain. "But I do have a few choice words for my wife, I hope you do plug your ears, princess, because they won't be pleasant."

I couldn't help the small laugh that escaped me and in that same instant he was hugging me again.

"I should've told you about her sooner. I knew there was something different about her, I knew that she was lying to me. And instead of forgetting my feelings to protect you, I loved her more than I could protect you from her. I could never make it up to you."

A part of me felt a sensation of unburdening and relief wash all over me. In that moment, I felt more like my father than I ever did. Because I could relate to him on a level I knew where he was the only other person that could understand. He loved her more than anyone, than anything.. and so did I.

"You being with me, not looking at me with sympathy right now, it's all I need to forgive you. I love you, Dad, and I'll do whatever it takes to make sure Minette won't hurt anyone else."

"She's hurt a lot of people, hasn't she? Not just.. you and me.."

"I think, Dad, that it's my responsibility to stop her. I believe I'm the only one who can."

"I know this situation is unique to say the least, so the 'as your father, I can't let you do this' speech seems pointless."

"I just need you to trust me." I nodded.

"And I just need you to come home in one piece. Your.." He looked over to Grey again. "Guy friend and I have made arrangements for me to stay at.."

"You're.. staying at the packhouse? Like, from now on?" I was baffled, but glad.

Grey took a seat. "It wouldn't be safe for him to go back home. I'm sure the Princess Luna has already sent bounties to his house. She already has the girls, she won't be getting your father too."