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"But," she exclaimed. "What if the alpha king found out about the rumors and killed you? You're well aware of how strict he is."

"Actually, that's exactly what I've been looking for," I said with a witchy grin on my face. "I want him to confront me with anger so that I can confront him with the past."

"but…" She was perplexed and concerned about my well-being.

"No, but... please go ahead, do it, but be careful. I don't want anyone to find out that you were the one who started the rumor. Stay safe. I seek your support." I wrapped my arms around her and patted her on the back.

The first thing she said was, "I will do my best. We'll talk again later. I'm going to have to get started right now."

Then she excused herself and walked out of my room.

Rather than going to fight training that day, I chose to stay in my room and prepare for an unpleasant visit from my father later in the day. I was well aware that rumors could spread across the entire kingdom in less than a few hours.

And, as I had anticipated, my father barged into my room uninvited just before dinner time. I, on the other hand, was impatiently awaiting his arrival.

I'd been looking forward to this moment for ten years. And then it was time.

He barked at me from the doorway of my room, "what the hell have you done?" my father exclaimed. "How could you possibly have a secret affair before getting mated with someone? How could you allow a human to fuck you?' It was impossible not to hear every word he said because his voice was so loud that I'm sure all of the guards and servants in the castle could hear him clearly.

"I didn't do anything wrong," I asserted, as if nothing had happened, as I took my place in the room.

I looked my father straight in the eyes without any guile or remorse. He was on the verge of exploding with rage. He moved closer to me as if he were preparing to kill me in the same manner that he had killed my mother ten years before. I was about to punch him in the face when his hands went up in the air, and he said softly, "Why?" He put his hands next to his face and said, "Why? I tried my hardest to make you happy, didn't I? How could you so easily tarnish my and your reputations?" he questioned.

I'd never heard my father speak in such a manner before! It was as if he were someone else standing in front of me. He appeared to be weeping as if he was about to burst into tears.

"You hurt me a long time ago when you killed my mother," I said as I struggled to keep my emotions under control.

The look on his face indicated he had forgotten that I was there! "What are you talking about?" he asked, shaking his head.

What the hell is going on? Is it possible that he has lost his memory? He believed that it was simple to forget about my mother? He thought I'd forgotten what it was like to grow up without a mother?

As I caught my breath and turned to face him, I said, "I remember seeing you that day. I was able to witness your cruelty. I witnessed how you murdered my mother without even giving her the opportunity to say anything."

When he lost his cool, he screamed with all of his might, "the woman I killed is not your mother!"

"No-no," I said, widening my eyes in disbelief. "Don't try to fool me. She is my biological mother. How dare you say such a thing," I asked.

"Yes, that's the truth," he said as he sat on the edge of my bed and rubbed his cheeks together.

I swallowed nervously as his voice filled me with dread. "I tried to keep the truth hidden, but I'm not sure I can continue to do so," he continued. "You have a right to know the truth."

I'm not sure how this assumption came to my mind, but I was constantly asking, "Please don't tell me that I'm adopted! What makes you think I am not your daughter?"

"No, you're my daughter," he said as he pulled me to his chest and hugged me, saying, "no, you're my daughter." He stood up immediately and closed the distance between us. "However, she is not your biological mother."

I shivered in the presence of his kind words and fatherly embrace. He hasn't hugged me in a very long time.

"What do you mean?" I inquired, pulling my head back and asking him. " I'd appreciate it if you could explain. I was convinced she was my mother, and I was ready to hate you for the rest of my life for having taken her life. If she isn't my biological mother, then where is my biological mother?"

He dragged me to the bed and motioned for me to take a seat on the mattress. Before I could respond, he sat down in front of me and began speaking, "Your real mother died while giving birth to you. She was the only woman I had ever been in love with. She was a normal human, as well as being beautiful. I had vowed to myself that I would never marry again after her death, but I couldn't. I couldn't stand by and watch you grow up without a mother. So I chose a mate for myself and elevated her to the position of queen of the werewolves, all in the name of pretending to be your biological mother. But…" My father paused and took a few deep breaths.

His next words were: "I'm keeping her last letter, which I received before the day I murdered her. Allow me to go get it for you. You will be able to comprehend everything."