Chapter 109: Erika
Astrid's POV
Everyone stopped and bowed their heads with respect when Alpha Theron entered the room.
Alpha Theron's piercing gaze scanned the room. His eyebrows furrowed in confusion when he saw the amount of Pack guards crowding inside the room.
But then, Alpha Theron's stern expression softened when his eyes fell upon me, kneeling weakly on the ground.
Without hesitation, he strode towards me, concern etched on his features. Reaching down, Alpha Theron gently took my arm, helping me to my feet with a tenderness that belied his imposing stature.
I was surprised at how much he cared. I felt uncomfortable receiving such treatment from a man like him.
"Are you alright?" Theron's deep voice was laced with unmistakable worry as he steadied me and carefully brought me back to bed.
"Thank you, Alpha. I'm alright," I replied, as I felt uneasy at the attention that he was giving me.
It felt awkward when I saw everyone staring at us in surprise. Asha has the most interesting reaction from them all. Her expression is filled with different emotions that it is hardly readable. Alpha Theron stood up straight before slowly facing the others. The softness in his gaze hardened into a steely, unwavering glare as he turned to them.
"What happened here?" His deep voice rumbled like distant thunder, brooking no argument or evasion.
His brows furrowed, his expression morphing into one of undisguised fury. Gone was the protectiveness he had shown me in its place, an aura of raw, unyielding authority radiated from him. The Pack guards shifted uncomfortably, sensing the Alpha's wrath as he demanded answers, his posture rigid and unyielding.
Everyone present knew better than to meet that piercing gaze or offer anything less than the full truth.
"Father!" Asha was the first one to speak. "Take a look at this. I found it in her possession."
I lowered my head in fear when Asha handed my bracelet to Alpha Theron.
Drystan, who had arrived at the same time that Alpha Theron did, went beside me and placed a hand around my shoulders in comfort.
Alpha Theron's grip on the bracelet tightened after he took a look at it. I thought he was going to get angry with me. However, I was surprised when he turned his fiery gaze towards his daughter. "Why do you have this?" he questioned her.
Asha's eyes widened, and she did not expect that reaction from her own father. "Isn't this our family heirloom?" Asha asked him back. "I saw her wearing it, so I took it from her. This bracelet was stolen from us, and she had it." Asha explained.
"Then it's you who called these Pack guards in and ordered them to manhandle Astrid," Alpha Theron replied as his eyes narrowed on his daughter.
Asha's eyes widened. "Manhandle?" she repeated. "She stole the bracelet from us, father. I just did things according to our law."
"I told you to take care of her, didn't
I?!" Alpha Theron yelled at his daughter angrily. "I entrusted her to you. If hadn't come to check on her, I wouldn't have known that you've done something like this.
Asha's mouth fell open in disbelief, not expecting that her father would react this way.
"What am I supposed to do then?" Asha retorted.
"You should have done it the way I told you to," Alpha Theron answered.
"But she's a thief, father -"
"She's not a thief, Asha!" Alpha Theron thundered, cutting his daughter short. "This bracelet was given to her.
Asha scowled deeply. "Then it was stolen by her parents," she hissed as she glared at me.
"That's not what happened," Alpha Theron spoke in a low voice. "I gave this bracelet to her mother."
Asha's eyes went wide, including mine. I lifted my chin up and gazed at Alpha Theron in surprise. How did he know my mother?
"Why would you do that?" Asha asked in disbelief. "She's just an omega," she spoke in distaste.
Alpha Theron pinched the bridge of his nose before he sighed. "I guess it's time for me to tell the truth."
My heart pounded inside my chest. What truth is he going to tell us?
I was little when my mother died, and because of that, I only have small memories of her. To say the least, I really know nothing about both of my parents.
Hearing that Alpha Theron actually knew who my mother was really surprised me.
"Years ago," Alpha Theron began in a strained voice. "I was involved with another woman."
Asha fell silent as she locked gazes with her father. A betrayed look flashed in her eyes, but she remained silent.
"She was the woman I wanted to marry. I proposed to her using this bracelet instead of an engagement ring," Alpha Theron spoke as he showed the bracelet to us.
"I told her that nothing will separate
us, not even our differences, so le gave her, this bracelet to show how serious I was with her." Alpha Theron's gaze turned deep as he thought of those memories.
"However, my brother died, and I was forced to take the Alpha position. I had no choice but to leave her. She left, and I don't know where she went. I never had any news from her ever since."
"What's that woman's name?" Asha asked with a tone of hatred laced in her voice. "Erika," Alpha Theron answered. "That was her name."