Lady Yuwen gave a light laugh, dismissing it with motherly grace. "You two and your wolfish noses. Let your sister eat in peace."
"Yes, Mother," Yuwen Lin said softly, but his gaze didn't leave Yueshuang.
Under the table, her fingers curled tightly around the fabric of her robe. The food before her blurred, untouched. Every breath she took felt like walking on thin ice; one wrong move, and everything she was hiding would crack open.
Her world couldn't crumble so soon right? She needed this family.
"Shuang'er," her father said suddenly, breaking her spiraling thoughts. His voice carried the quiet weight of authority, one that allowed no resistance. "The emissaries from the Crimson Howl Clan will arrive in two or three days. You'll meet them with your mother, understand? Make sure the engagement is annulled."
Yueshuang's fingers froze around her teacup. The porcelain trembled faintly against the saucer as her heart skipped a beat.
"Annul?" she repeated, her voice hoarse and low, "Why do we have to annul it? Didn't I say I want to marry the Alpha?"
The firmness in her tone surprised even her, even though it was trembling, she was firm and decided on this. She had to go to the Crimson Howl Clan, be it one way or another. Be it through marriage… or something far more dangerous.
But marriage was the easiest one as she could easily get close to the Alpha's inner circle. To determine the cause of the moonbeast's death, she had to start with the elders; to understand how her child was sacrificed to the gods, she had to begin with that inner circle.
So, marriage was the best way for her, a form of revenge? Yes, she has to get her revenge! Even though she takes over such a weak body, she will fight through it.
Duke Yuwen's brows knit together, his expression turning stern. "Look at your condition," he said sharply his voice laced with sadness, "Your body has barely recovered, your spirit is still unstable. Do you think that place, that den of wolves, would be favorable to you?"
His voice softened, but only slightly. "Why must you insist on this stubbornness? Marriage isn't all about liking and having a crush, it's more than that... I don't want you binding yourself to that cold unfeeling man for the rest of your life! Don't forget, he has concubines and kids! How are you going to fight through all that? Why should my daughter fight with other women for a man's love..."
"Has concubines and kids?" Yueshuang's eyes suddenly widened. Why would the Alpha have concubines and not choose a Luna from there since they gave him kids?
He had a harem? Since when had he decided to do that? He had promised her that she would be the only woman in his life and now he has concubines?
"Yes! And tell me... You are my dear princess. I have pampered you since birth. How are you going to survive such a cruel place? Tell me, how can I let you get married to such a man?" Duke Yuwen was sad and looking at his sad wife, he felt like they needed to lock Yueshuang up.
"And don't forget, he has been cheating on his death Luna before she was even dead, because tell me, why could he have kids older, just almost her age, before death?"
Yueshuang couldn't believe it! So, he already had another family while giving her false promises? Why was he this cruel? She had given him her teenagehood and all her life, but for what?
Yueyao swallowed hard deep down probably heartbroken that she hadn't expected Alpha Huo to forget all the promises he had made to her, her gaze dropped to her lap before she forced herself to meet his eyes again, they were now cold and calculating, "Father, I'm a grown woman," she said quietly, but with a trace of defiance. "I can handle myself. And if things… get tricky, I can always come back. Right? This is my home, I can always return!"
No matter how strong she acted, deep down she was feeling heartache and hatred heavily blooming.
The Duke's jaw tightened seeing those eyes already decided, silence stretched across the table, heavy and disapproving.
From beside him, Lady Yuwen reached out to touch her husband's arm lightly, her voice calm and conciliatory. "Let her speak, my lord. Perhaps she only wishes to prove herself, to show that she's not as frail as we've all feared. She has promised to come back if things get tough. Let go, she will gain enough experience, you will always be our daughter.."