Chapter 80: Chapter 80

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#Menu As I made my way back to the party, I searched for my parents. I’d lost my appetite and wanted to head back to the pack house.

Kane’s mother had called me a few months ago, after his father recovered. She’d told me they were considering Ruby as a match for Kane. I understood their thinking – he was their only child, someone they couldn’t bear to lose. That’s why they were trying to support his potential relationship with Ruby.

I spotted my parents talking to someone – Ruby, as it turned out.

“Your pack is beautiful, and everyone’s so kind,” Ruby was saying.

“Yeah, thanks. Too bad Nightfall Pack’s members aren’t as nice,” I said, moving to stand by my mom.

My parents looked confused – Ruby hadn’t introduced herself yet.

“Mom, Dad, this is Ruby from Nightfall Pack. Remember her?” I prompted.

Their friendly expressions hardened as recognition hit. They turned to Ruby.

“So you’re Alpha Kane’s girlfriend?” my father asked.

Ruby glanced at me before answering, “Yes, Alpha Malcolm. Thank you for inviting us.”

“We didn’t invite you,” my mother said bluntly.

Ruby’s eyes widened at the insult. I smirked inwardly – did she really think my parents didn’t know what she’d done?

“K–Kane asked me to come with him,” she stammered, trying to look innocent.

I rolled my eyes at her act. “Of course he did.”

“It was her wish to come here.”

Kane’s voice cut through the tension. We turned to see him approaching.

I looked away, ignoring him. My mother squeezed my hand, worried about how his presence might affect me. I patted her hand reassuringly.

“It’s okay, Mom. Your daughter’s stronger now.”

She nodded, composing herself.

When Kane took his place next to Ruby, my father fixed him with an angry stare.

Beta Finn joined us then, greeting my father first.

“Alpha Malcolm, it’s been a while.”

Finn shook my father’s hand. He’d been Beta for as long as I could remember.

“How’s Alpha Garrett?” my father asked.

“He’s doing well now, thanks to your daughter.”

Finn nodded at me, and I returned the gesture. I had no reason to be unkind to him.

“Nice to meet you, Alpha Malcolm,” Kane said, extending his hand.

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Menu My father ignored it. The temperature in the room seemed to drop.

Kane looked at me as he lowered his hand.

“I used to think Alpha Garrett’s son would be a powerful leader who’d rule many packs one day,” my father said coldly. “Never thought you’d turn out to be such a fool.”

Ruby’s eyes went wide as she stared between my father and Kane.

Kane frowned, and I tensed up. This was the guy who’d disrespected his own father – would he show any respect to mine?

“Dad, let’s not-”

“You ignored a diamond to chase after glass. Haven’t you heard ‘all that glitters isn’t gold‘?”

My father’s words stopped me in my tracks. I lowered my head, not wanting to rehash all this. But I got it – my parents had every right to be bitter toward the man who’d hurt their daughter.

Ruby started coughing like she was choking on air. She hurried off to grab some water from a passing waiter and didn’t come back. Clearly, she was just looking for an escape from the awkward situation.

Kane just stood there, staring at my father without saying a word.

I wondered what was going through his head.

“I know what you’re referring to, but that’s all in the past,” Finn tried to smooth things over.

My father nodded. “Yes, it is the past. And I’m still here to protect my daughter’s future.”

That’s when Kane finally spoke up, his voice ice–cold. “Don’t worry. I’m not after your daughter. You can look after her future without any concern.”

With that, he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed straight for the exit.

Finn looked stunned. He gave my father a quick nod before following his Alpha.

When Ruby realized Kane was leaving, she rushed after them. Everyone in the hall watched as Alpha Kane left without having dinner with the head Alphas – a clear sign that something had offended the mighty Alpha.

My father pulled me into a hug. “I wanted to make sure he stayed away from you for good. He’ll leave our pack tonight, and your lives will go separate ways forever.”

My mother rubbed my shoulder, smiling gently. “Sweetie, life is like a book. When one chapter ends, another begins.”