Chapter 32: Chapter 32

Liviana’s POV

My last class for the day ended and I came out of the campus immediately knowing Dante would be waiting outside again.

As expected, he was already outside and being swarmed by human girls and I just rolled my eyes.

I was in an awfully cranky mood.

Luan was absent.

Again.

Not that it’s my business but it’s very irresponsible of him.

Not that I care.

Dante saw me and immediately smiled my way as the girls stepped aside for him.

“Hey, princess. Let’s go?” Dante said taking my bag as the girls looked at me enviously.

“You’re attracting awfully alot of attention, UNCLE” I said slightly glaring at the girls. Dante chuckled and opened the car door for me.

“Freaking weirdos” I muttered annoyed and Dante laughed.

Dante is a few years younger than my dad and he’s in his mid 30s.

Although he does look younger than his age because it’s normal for werewolves even with half b***d I guess to not age as quickly.

Still, to be drooling over a random guy outside of the campus?

It’s just not it.

We drove off.

“How was school?” he asked me.

“This is the last time that you’re going to my school” I said and he looked at me and pouted.

“Whyyy?” he whined.

“You attract too much attention” I said and he chuckled.

“You’re saying I’m attractive?” he said cheekily. I raised a brow at him.

“You’re really my dad’s brother. You’re both very brazen” I said and he only chuckled.

“Well, we are very good looking. Although I’m definitely much more handsome than your dad” he shrugged and we both laughed.

If I’m being honest, it’s true.

My dad has always been an eye magnet to both she-wolves and humans.

I don’t even know if he’s found his mate as some point.

I had believed he did since I existed.

I used to believe that she died giving birth to me because we had never talked about it.

Now, I know.

My mother did die for giving birth to me though.

Atleast that part was real.

But I pity my dad.

He never got a chance to find his mate.

He was so focused on taking care of me.

On protecting me.

That he never got to be with his other half.

He had to raise me when I wasn’t even his own.

He needed to take responsibility for me.

And it all happened because I existed.

Because he had to take me in.

It was my fault.

“Liviana! Liviana!”

I gasped and turned to look at Dante with a worried look all over his face.

I didn’t even realize that we had pulled over to the side of the road.

“What’s wrong, Liviana?” he asked worried. I gulped.

“Why did we stop?” I asked him.

“I think you just had a panic attack for a moment. At first I thought you just spaced out but your breathing started to quicken and I tried calling your name multiple times to get your attention but that didn’t seem to work” he explained.

I closed my eyes for a moment and took a deep breath to relax.

A panic attack.

It had been a while since I experienced one.

All these things really are getting to me now.

“Hey” Dante called out softly.

I looked at him straight in his eyes.

“What’s going on?” he asked carefully.

“I just…I suddenly thought of my dad” I told him.

I hadn’t always been open.

I was to my dad when he was still around.

I could voice out everything to him.

But now that he hasn’t been around, I had kept it all in.

Having Dante here, I somehow felt like I can trust him the way I trusted my dad.

The way he cares for me.

The way he radiates the warmth of home.

How much he feels like family.

He reminded me so much of him.

Now that I’m trying to get to know him, I’m sure he really is my dad’s brother.

No doubt.

“What is it?” he asked again.

I looked down.

“He never had the chance to enjoy his life because of me. He had to take me in as his responsibility and protect me” I started as I kept my voice from breaking.

“He never even got to meet his mate” I said and my voice broke. Dante sighed and removed my seat belt before pulling me in for a hug.

“It’s all my fault” I said and start to sob. Dante caressed my back.

“It’s because I was born” I sobbed.

“No, Liviana. You being born was one of the best things that could ever happen to your dad” he told me.

“You weren’t just his responsibility because he was the king’s knight. You were his responsibility because to him, you were his daughter too” he continued.

“He loves you the way he would’ve loved his own b***d” he said as I continued crying.

“He protected you because he wanted you. He took you in and raised you because his responsibility grew to become love” he explained.

“You were never just Princess Liviana Alaric. You were also Liviana Crest” he stated and my hugged tightened around him.

“Don’t ever think of yourself as a burden to him. He never saw you like that ever” he said caressing my hair.

My breathing started to go back to normal.

I slowly pulled away from Dante and wiped my tears.

“I’m sorry for being an emotional mess” I said and he gave me a reassuring smile.

“I don’t mind at all. You can cry to me and tell me everything you want to tell me. I’ll gladly listen. I know all of this is taking a toll on you and as your family, I’m here to help you” he said and I gave him a small smile.

“Thank you. For listening and being here with me” I said. He ruffled my hair.

“Anything for my precious niece” he said with a smile.

He started the engine again and we continued to drive back to the pack house.

I had to quickly get ready because there will be an assembly of different Alphas from the neighboring packs.

We had agreed to do it as soo was possible to address the problem and come up with a solution to it.

We arrived at the pack house and I was already informed that there were already some Alphas present in the meeting room.

I rushed into my room and changed before spraying some more of my personal perfume to mask my scent.

But then my phone rang and I quickly answered it.

“Hey”

“Oh Blake. Hi. What’s up?” I asked in a hurry.

“I wanted to check up on you since I didn’t see you before you went home”

“Sorry about that. I was actually in a rush to be somewhere” I told him.

“Really? Where?”

“In the pack house. I’m holding a gathering with other Alphas regarding some pack matters” I explained.

“Ohhhh. That’s dope”

“Not when you’re dealing with rogue problems” I sighed.

“Oh I’ve heard about rogues from dad before. They’re like the outcasts right?”

“Something like that, yes” I answered.

“Why? What’s happening?”

“There’s just been some recent rogue attacks here and there. We have to get to the bottom of it soon” I said.

“Oooh okay. Goodluck!”

“Thanks, Blake. I really need to get going now” I told him.

“Okay, miss Alpha. I’ll call you again later”

“Okay. Bye!” I said.

“Bye! You can do this!”

I smiled and we ended the call.

I went down immediately and was informed that everyone was already there and I’d be just in time.

I walked to the meeting room with Edmond, Dante and Alex behind me.

Dante had changed into my father’s clothes and I had him put on some of my perfume.

I didn’t want anyone to lash out again because of him.

I took a deep breath and prepared myself.

I put on my Alpha face on and held my head high.

This would be the first Alpha meeting held on my pack territory since my dad’s absence.

Some of the Alphas here were present during the ceremony held for the fallen warriors wherein I had won against 5 Alphas challenge on my own.

Some aren’t and I know they will be the ones who would highly doubt my leadership because of my age and gender.

I had prepared myself for that.

I wasn’t one to let anyone question my authority.

I wasn’t taught like that.

And although others lack the knowledge of it, I am still in fact the one and only Princess Liviana Alaric.

I haven’t yet fully accepted the title but it is still part of my identity that I’m starting to acknowledge.

“We’ll be by your side” Dante whispered behind me. I nodded then they opened the door.

It’s time.