For the Taking ✅

24 • Private

Seraphina POV

I steered clear of my father finding any proximity to him barely bareable. I still struggle to wrap my mind around his claims; they were all preposterous.

He came all this way just to tell me I'm living a delusion. I may not have lived on my own until now and haven't been in a relationship since I was in high school but I want to think that I'd know if someone was lying to me. I would know if someone were lying to me about something as big as being my mate plus everyone seeing mates as sacride.

For me to be played this long and not find out that would mean there were more people that knew about the lie and actively participated. It was doubtful, werewolves didn't dare tarnish the connection between mate let along lie.

Shaking my head I locked eyes with Ivy who held the door out for me to take. Everyone else had filed in already. I was so consumed by my own wandering mind that the bitter cold felt like nothing against my human skin.

"He'll get over it." She muttered closing the door behind us.

I looked over at my parents that spoke to Andy as he picked up a practice staff from the wall. "I don't know I've never seen my father that upset before. At least not that upset with me."

"Oh-" Her voice dropped. "I meant Osiris."

I chuckled. "Why would I care if that Oopma Loopma got over his hissy fit? I mean I am surprised how quickly he came outside to my defense."

"He cares deeply about everyone in his pack regardless how much he may or may not like them. You are no exception I hope you saw that."

I nodded my head as we approached my family; they grew silence when we got closer.

"This facility is much larger than I thought Alpha Osiris would have for his pack." My father chimed gazing about the room.

"Alpha Osiris strives for all his pack members to be able to defend themselves, their family, and the pack. No one is left defensiveless." The statement was stoic as Ivy spoke matter-of-factly.

My father's face sunk at her words. He pinched his lips together clearly put off with her blunt response. I was thankful my mother was here to ease him as I stood watching unwilling say or come any closer.

"He meant that your gym is impressive. You all must be well equip for just about anything up in these mountains." My mother complimented.

"The Reign Mountain range offers a lot of protection from rogues and ruthless packs alike. Osiris picked the location for the fact that there is only way up to this exact spot." She explained picking up dumbbells that were left out away. "We are practically a fortress up here."

"Working with the terrain and using it to your advantage, smart." My father commented.

"Indeed."

"And what about the hidden caves in Reign?" Andy's voice captured everyone's attention. "Aren't there rumors of deep caves that lead up to the highest peaks of the mountains down the valleys?"

I furrowed my brows finding his questions rather random but didn't think much of it. Andy had always been interested in geography and history. I guess it wasn't totally random.