Chapter 144: Chapter 144

I thought of covering up the truth with something, but there was nothing my mind could conjure. Sid had

known me since I was wolfless, so he knew this level of strength would not be attained by drinking

some magical potion.

I let out a sigh.

“That is not the point,” I argued, trying to steer the conversation back to my father and the Rogue King.

“Zen, that is incredible,” Sid added, and I saw the way his face brightened. He looked….really happy for

me and my achievement.

However, my brain did not want to believe he was being authentic. His earlier betrayal had left a huge

scar on my heart.

And the fact that he was behaving like a brainless puppet of Celeste did not sit well with me.

“I am not here to hear your praises, Sid. If you want me to trust you, you have to work for it. And that

begins with telling me what exactly is going on in our home.”

Sid had a deer caught in the headlights look. He fumbled a little, opening and closing his mouth several

times before he could form a coherent

sentence.

“I…I…I don’t know where to begin, Zen. Our pack is all over the place. I only show Mom that I have it

under control, but I don’t. I also cannot ask your father about it because it will show him that I am not

capable. And Goddess knows, I have been trying hard to not let everything fall apart. The finances are

a mess. We have no way of tracking how many debts we own, how to keep administration effective,

nor do I know how to keep everybody from doing their own thing. It just feels like the pack is more of a

train running without a break. It is going to collapse and I don’t know what to do about it.”

He threw me a pleading look, and I recalled how they had everything easy because most of the work

was thrown at me. Right from doing the dishes, getting groceries and vegetables to doing laundry, I

was the one who did everything and ensured the servants and maids were not

overloaded with work. I had everything organized.

14:56 [

It was both saddening to see my pack’s condition worsen, but I felt proud of having kept everything

under control, though I had never been an

official Luna or someone of importance.

“Isn’t that the real reason you wanted to meet me?” I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.

That could explain the reason he hogged down on the food as if he had never tasted a good sandwich

in his life.

My foot was tapping restlessly on the floor and I had folded my hands on my chest so I would not

accidentally break something again.

The fact that the so-called mate of my father was toying with his health had me fuming. But I could not

run to the pack when I already had to return to Callahan’s mansion.

My gaze fell on the watch, and I realized that my time was running low. I had to leave in ten or fifteen

minutes.

But that did not seem plausible after hearing whatever Sid was telling me, So I quickly reached for my

phone and dropped Callahan a message.

-Don’t worry about me. I am doing fine. Might be a little late because I am confused what to buy-

I had barely kept the phone on the table when I heard a beep.

-Buy it all, no limits on the card-

I smiled faintly at the message. It was good that he had not given me a hundred calls since I left, nor a

single message to check if I reached a mall, if I needed something, etc.

I liked that he was not keeping a watch on me. Ignoring the slight guilt I felt for taking advantage of his

trust, I texted him a short message.

-Very funny. I will be home soon-

Thankfully, he sent a short -Okay, take care- and did not message me again. I would have to thank him

for being so nice.

Sid was observing the slight grin on my face when I placed the phone back in my pockets and I put on

my serious face again.

“You really like him, don’t you?”

14:56

Sid asked.

“Like who?” I faked confusion and Sid’s voice turned icy.

“I see the way you smile or grow worried only when there is a certain person involved. I don’t have to

guess who makes you smile like that. However, answer me one question.”

“What?”

“What do you even see in him? He is cursed and bound to go feral at some point, right? What makes

him so special?”

“Sid…” I warned.

I was not going to discuss my romantic life nor justify my love for Callahan to him.

Sid raised both his hands in surrender and replied, “Sorry, old habit. I will try not to mention it again.”

I schooled my features into composure again and steered the conversation back to the important topic.

Sid looked upset for a while but I was not interested in my feelings for Callahan nor share why the

Lycan King was so special to me.

“So let me get this straight. You wanted to provide me information about the Rogue King and in

exchange, ask for my help to run the pack without letting anybody know that you were taking help from

me. Despite all your false praise of me and how much you have grown to respect me, you cannot

fathom sharing the truth with the others of how the weak, horny and gullible girl that you and your

mother threw out of the pack and sold to the Lycan King was helping you retain your claim to the alpha

title.”

Sid shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“I did not lie about the respect part-”

He began but I was not willing to hear him. I was more worried about my father and his deteriorating

health. I would make him see Celeste’s true face and her own son would help me. But first, I had to

ensure Sid would not continue harming my father and would stick to his side and mine when I revealed

the truth to the entire pack. Celeste had everybody brainwashed and I had to carefully gather proof to

undo everything.

It would take time and meticulous planning,

14:56

My gaze flicked to Sid who was still looking at me with a bit of hurt in his expressions.

“Okay fine. I do need your help with a few things and I admit I have been an asshole to you all my life. I

have apologized to you over and over. And do you see me trying to push you in a corner and drug you?

I am keeping

word that I won’t harm you. Can you not see that?”

my

His voice sounded pained and the look on his face was one of pure desperation. But desperation was

known to make you things you otherwise would not. He would never acknowledge needing my help

unless I was the last resort.

I did not bother answering his question. I did not want him to think I was desperate for my father’s well

being as well.

Even though my father had called me names and thrown me out of the pack, I believe Celeste was evil

enough to have brainwashed him into thinking I was the problem.

Somehow, my heart still hoped I could get my father to love me and see her for what she was. And he

was the only family I had. I had lost my mother, I was not going to lose him too.

After thinking about it for a while, I suggested.

“Let us make a deal. I will offer you suggestions on how to get the pack in shape like earlier and in

return you promise to never do anything that would jeopardize father’s health.”

A sigh of relief escaped his lips.

“I would be more than happy to-”

But I cut him off and added, “I would also need you to fill me in on anything you find out about the

Rogue King and keep me updated on his plans and such.”

“It will be a little hard as I need-”

“Yes or no, Sid?” I asked sharply. I still had to find something to buy and show Callahan that I had really

been busy with shopping. There was no time for more chitchat.

“You have a deal.”