Page 38 of The Tracker's Mate: Sunderverse

I could feel my anger simmering as I prepared for her refusal to confess who my real father was. My hand slowly curled into a fist, resting on my thigh as the seconds ticked by without an answer. But, after a long minute, she spoke and surprised me with her words.

“You’re right, Antonietta. I kept you in the dark for too long, and I would have probably continued to do so if no obstacles had gotten in the way. I would have spared you what you must be going through.”

A few days ago, I would have agreed that the lies were the best option, but now, everything felt so right, so perfectly aligned, that I couldn’t imagine not knowing, not being who I’d become.

“And if I could,” she went on, “I would spare you the knowledge of your real father’s identity, but I know it wouldn’t be right, even if the knowledge might bring you more pain.” She paused, looking deep into my eyes as if trying to reach into my soul to make me understand I should leave this topic alone.

But I didn’t waver. I’d had enough surprises already, andthis, I wanted to learn on my own terms.

Mom sighed. “I would also like for you to tell me everything. How life has changed for you, how you’re dealing with... the changes. You seem to be doing all right, but you’ve always been proud and prefer dealing with things on your own.”

“It was rough for a bit, but Damien found someone to help me.”

“Damien?” she asked, surprised.

“I figured he owed me, so...” I shrugged. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’m fine, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know, but first...”

“First, you want to know your father’s name,” she finished for me, looking resigned.

“I do.”

“Are you going to try to see him?”

“I don’t know. All I know is that I’m ready to find out.” I paused. “Why did you lie? Why not tell Dad? I think he would’ve forgiven you.”

“I considered it long and hard, but in the end, I realized what an idiot I had been for cheating on him. He was the same amazing man I’d married. I was the one who’d failed him. He didn’t deserve the hurt the truth would have caused him. It wasn’t easy to keep up the lie, and the burden served as payment for my mistake. But I think it preserved our family. Our happiness was untouched by my mistakes.”

I wanted to say that I was the one paying for her mistakes now, that she had only delayed the hurt, but I wasn’t here to fight. Besides, I would take any amount of pain if Dad could be spared.

“I know I have no right to ask anything of you,” Mom continued, “but maybe it would be best if you stay away from him. He has changed a lot since we...” She lowered her head unable to finish. Her hands rested on her lap, fidgeting.

“How do you know that?”

“He’s an alpha, the leader of a prominent family. His name is often on the news, and not necessarily for good reasons.”

I felt the color drain from my face as a list of well-known werewolves flashed before my eyes. I winced as the name “Ulfen Erickson” rose to the very top. I swallowed thickly, waiting for her lips to shape the syllables that would give me all the reasons not to ever approach the man. Except, Mom surprised me with a different name.

“Your father is Travis Hillworth.”