My knee-jerk reaction was to sneer coldly. For a moment, I was angry, but I soon calmed down.
The truth was, I didn’t care who took over the throne. What I did care about was my father’s attitude. He always made plans for my life without bothering to consider how I felt.
“I know it’s unfair to you, but I’m old and my days are numbered. I can’t just stand by and watch my bloodline die off. So, Rufus, please understand me.”
Only then did I realize how white his hair was and how wrinkly his face had become. I suddenly didn’t know what to say.
My father suddenly stood up and walked up to me. Patting me on the shoulder, he said gruffly, “I know it’s unfair that I protect Richard this time, but the future king can’t have a convict for a father.”
The corners of my mouth twitched. I said stiffly, “Since you have made up your mind, I have nothing else to say.”
“Don’t worry. I won’t stop looking for a way to remove the curse.” His voice was heavy. He looked at me and his gaze softened, as though he was an ordinary father looking at his child dotingly. “I really hope that you’ll be the one to lead our empire in the future.”
Rufus’ POV
For a split second, my heart softened.
My father had gone through great lengths looking for a way to remove my curse. And I also knew that he was worried about me but felt guilty that he couldn’t find a way to help me, which eventually caused his own deteriorating condition.
I understood where his sadness and helplessness were coming from, and I knew he was telling me the truth.
But when all was said and done, I knew that I wasn’t as important to him as the throne and the continuation of his bloodline.
My father put our bloodline on a pedestal. I wondered how he would react if he found out that the baby Lucy was carrying might not be Richard’s…
For a moment, I wanted to tell him.
But the truth was just too cruel. Even I didn’t have the heart to break it to him, especially when I looked into his wrinkled, sunken eyes.
“Fine. I promise. If we don’t find a way to get rid of the curse, I’ll support Lucy’s child to inherit the throne.”
My father finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Then, he closed his eyes and winced. “Go and see your mother now. She is very dissatisfied with how you handled things earlier. You need to solve this matter by yourself. There is nothing I can do to help.”
His tone was sullen, as if something was weighing him down in his mind. An unnatural expression appeared on his old face.
I shrugged. I was under the impression that my mother had also given him a hard time because of Richard.
I excused myself and stood up to go find my mother.
But before leaving, I turned around to look at my father’s lonely figure. A trace of pity surged in my heart. “Dad, take care of yourself.”
It felt like the first time in years I had said something this sincere to him.
He looked up in surprise, as if he could not believe it. Even though he had experienced so many ups and downs in his years, at this moment, he couldn’t hold back his emotions anymore. Tears welled up in his eyes.
Unsure how to deal with it, I quickly turned around and left in a hurry.
With mixed feelings, I went to my mother’s room. As soon as I entered, a cup was smashed on the ground by my feet.
“How dare you show your face here!” My mother sat upright in her chair; her face contorted with anger.
“What’s the matter with you, Mother? Anger isn’t good for your health.” I walked over calmly, unfazed by her rage.
She snorted and turned her face away. “If you really cared about my health, you wouldn’t have announced your mate bond with Sylvia earlier.”
I shrugged helplessly. “Mother, just accept it. I’m not marrying anyone but Sylvia.”
“It’s easy for you to say that. Did you ever even think about the consequences? Even if Sylvia isn’t a slave anymore, I still don’t accept her. She’s just the daughter of a small pack’s Beta. She doesn’t even have parents. She has no one to rely on and is powerless. She is not a good match for you at all.” My mother was very dissatisfied and pursued her lips tightly.
I chuckled. “I will take full responsibility for everything. Sylvia might’ve had no one to rely on before, but now she has me.”
Hearing this, my mother grew even angrier. She pressed her fingers against her temple and winced, muttering, “Even my own sons against me. My life’s a mess!”
“Mother, you’re overreacting.” I didn’t know whether to burst into laughter or tears. “Look. I don’t know what you have against Sylvia, but maybe you just need to get to know each other more. Sylvia’s a good girl. Just give her a chance.”
My mother raised her head and looked at me wryly. “Can she help you with your career? Marriage won’t last on love alone. You need to complement each other and build a mutually beneficial relationship. Love won’t be a necessity as time goes by.”
“Mother, you’re wrong. A marriage without love is just a death sentence. I don’t need a powerful mate, for I am already capable enough to get whatever I want on my own,” I said, casting her a cold glance. “Without Sylvia, my life will be meaningless.”
Rufus’ POV
“Rufus, I’ve actually thought about what you’ve just said.” My mother’s anger suddenly dissipated, and she just sighed sadly.
I didn’t say anything. I just looked at her wrinkled, fragile face and couldn’t help but feel a hint of bitterness in my heart.
Once upon a time, my mother was a soft-hearted, kind woman. But time had hardened her into a sharp, heartless woman who pushed those closest to her away. Our relationship grew more and more strained as the years went by.
I had known that she was dissatisfied with Richard. In the past two years especially, she and Richard were like fire and water, unable to even be in the same room together.
As for her relationship with my father, they were on and off. As soon as they’d get close to each other, one way or another, they’d drift away. They always quarreled. I rarely saw them affectionate with each other, unlike before.
I knew this was taking a toll on her heart, but I also knew that there was no one who could solve this problem but herself.
“Mother, I know you just want what’s best for me, but I hope you’ll stop interfering. You want Alina to be my wife, but I’m telling you now that it’s never going to happen. Sylvia’s the one for me. I’ll only love her for the rest of my days.” I made myself clear once more.
While it would’ve been great if my mother accepted Sylvia, it didn’t matter if she didn’t. Worst case scenario, the two could just avoid each other in the future.
Something seemed to occur to my mother. She smiled bitterly and said, “Your father said the same thing when he proposed to me. But look at what happened. He still cheated on me and, not long after you were born, he brought a disgusting bastard child to me.”
After saying that, her energy seemed to drain, and she let out a long sigh. Her voice was weary and helpless, as if she had lost the thing, she held most dear. Her once fiery eyes now only had embers. “Rufus, you’re my pride and joy. Every mother wished the best for her child. Love did nothing for me in this life. I can’t allow the same thing to happen to you. You must understand that I’m doing this to secure your future.”
Her stubborn words made me sigh helplessly.
I didn’t know how to tell my mother that all her planning had been useless. Her lifetime of effort had become a mere joke since the moment I was cursed.
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply