Page 70 of Alpha's Exiled Mate
Perock’s eyes glistened with unshed tears. He dropped to one knee, pulling Anna into his arms with a tenderness that belied his strength. “Yes, Anna, I’m your father. I’m so sorry I missedthe first five years of your life, but I promise, from now on, I’ll be by your side. I’ll protect you and love you always.”
Anna clung to Perock’s neck, her little face pressed against his shoulder. “I finally have a daddy, just like the other kids.”
Watching them, the last barrier in my heart crumbled completely. Years of resentment and fear dissolved in that moment, replaced by a long-lost sense of peace and fulfillment.
Perock looked up at me, his gaze filled with gratitude and love. “Thank you, Lilia. Thank you for giving me this chance.”
I smiled and nodded, but a sudden wave of dizziness washed over me. Perock noticed immediately, gently setting Anna down before steadying me with a firm hand. “You need to rest, Lilia. You’ve only just woken up, and your body is still weak.”
Perock carefully guided me back toward the bed. “Anna, can you help out a little?”
Anna nodded eagerly, taking on the task with the seriousness of a little adult as she helped fluff the pillows and straighten the sheets. Perock supported me as I sat back down on the bed, while Anna bustled around, tucking the blanket around me and handing me a cup of water.
For the first time, the three of us were together as a complete family. Anna perched on the edge of the bed, excitedly recounting everything that had happened over the past threedays—how Perock had told her stories of wolf lore, shown her around the palace grounds, and even taken her to see newborn wolf pups.
“Mommy, I drew lots of pictures for you,” Anna said, pulling a stack of papers from the bedside table. “While you were sleeping, I made them with Pe—Daddy.” She giggled shyly at the new title, her cheeks flushing pink.
Perock’s expression softened instantly, a glimmer of emotion in his eyes. Clearly, hearing her call him “Daddy” meant the world to him.
Anna eagerly showed off her artwork. There were drawings of the palace gardens, sketches of castles and dragons, and several portraits of the three of us together. Though her artistic skills were still childlike, the warmth and happiness in each picture shone through vividly.
“This is us,” Anna said, pointing to one drawing. “See, this is you, this is Daddy, and this is me. We’re having a picnic in the garden.”
I couldn’t help but smile, though a pang of guilt tugged at my heart. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, so afraid, Anna could have experienced this family warmth much sooner.
“They’re beautiful, sweetheart,” I said, kissing her forehead. “Mommy loves them.”
Anna pulled out more drawings, enthusiastically explaining the story behind each one. Perock sat nearby, watching us with a gentle gaze, occasionally chiming in to add details Anna forgot.
Gradually, Anna’s voice grew drowsy, her excitement giving way to exhaustion. Before long, she curled up beside me, drifting off to sleep. Perock carefully lifted her, carrying her to a small cot beside the healing den’s main bed, his movements so tender it tugged at my heart.
“These past three days, she barely left your side,” Perock said quietly, brushing a strand of hair from Anna’s forehead before sitting beside me. “Every day, she asked if you’d wake up soon, if you might never open your eyes again.”
Imagining my daughter’s worry and fear over those days sent a sharp ache through my chest.
“Perock,” I said, staring into his face, “how did you save me?”
“Don’t lie to me, Perock,” I added, gripping his hand tightly. “Please.”
He pressed his lips together, offering a reassuring smile as he patted the back of my hand.
“I transferred the dark magic from you into myself, but in doing so, it also broke a curse that had been on me.”
“Really?”
It seemed almost too convenient.
I wanted to press further, but Perock’s expression turned serious. “Lilia, there’s a lot you need to know about the rogue werewolf’s attack.”
Over the next hour, Perock explained the findings of his investigation in detail.
Jackson hadn’t died as he’d believed—he’d been hiding in a secret stronghold at the northern border, plotting to overthrow Perock’s rule. Even more shocking, Orin, the lieutenant who had once shown me such care, was revealed to be Jackson’s mole. Five years ago, he had falsified Jackson’s execution records.
“The Thornfield family is involved as well,” Perock said, his voice as cold as ice. “They’ve been providing Jackson with substantial funds and manpower.”
I couldn’t help but recall the encounter with Viossi in the garden that day—her madness, her resentment. Now, it seemed clear that it wasn’t just personal jealousy or anger. It was part of a much larger conspiracy.
“What are they planning now?” I asked, a surge of worry for Anna’s safety rising within me.