Chapter 4 Lethia

Lethia's POV

She shouldn't have said that here.

'Don't just stay silent,' my wolf growled. It sounded terrifying. 'It's time you showed her you're not that stupid Lethia who let her heart be broken.'

My wolf was absolutely right.

All eyes were on me. I didn't want the rumors about Talitha to get worse. This was for Talitha's mental health.

I forced myself to gather my courage. This would be the first time I had ever looked Luna Laura straight in the eye, my expression firm and unflinching.

“Talitha is my daughter,” I said, my voice steady despite the anger surging in my chest. “I carried her for nine months. I gave birth to her.”

"My sister and I witnessed Lethia's struggles as a single mother," Hector said, his face angry and his gaze fixed on Luna Laura, without the slightest hint of fear.

“We were there for Lethia throughout her pregnancy and when she gave birth. We helped raise Talitha, too.” Hector smiled softly, reminiscing about the exhausting days of dealing with a frequently fussy baby, Talitha.

“I’m my mother’s daughter!” Talitha shouted, her eyes brimming with tears.

I rushed over to her, holding her immobile hand.

"Yes, you are my daughter." My lips trembled, struggling to hold back the tears that threatened to fall.

“Laura, that’s enough,” Alpha Castiel said sharply.

"Was I wrong to ask that?" Luna Laura said in a harsh tone. "When she was with you, she wasn't pregnant, but how come after you separated, we found out she had a daughter?"

I stroked the back of Talitha's hand as she looked at me questioningly.

“Who is your daughter’s father? Why did she contract this virus?” Luna Laura gave a clearer question than Alpha Castiel yesterday. “This virus attacks the children of the leaders of the rogue clans.”

“Laura, stop it,” Alpha Castiel snapped. “We shouldn’t be asking such personal questions.”

Hector stared at me intently and gripped the wheelchair’s handles tightly. He seemed eager to tell them, but he respected my decision.

“I need your attention,” Alpha Castiel said loudly.

The nurses panicked when Alpha Castiel realized they were eavesdropping.

“Lethia and I were mates. We broke up because we hurt each other,” he said. “And you all must forget what Laura said.”

I turned to him, our eyes meeting. My heart sank at that look again, letting me know that it still hurt him.

My mouth was having a hard time saying thank you to him. He said that to save my daughter and me from being the subject of gossip.

“Why do you say that? You didn’t hurt her.” Luna Laura disagreed with Alpha Castiel’s statement.

“Laura, Samantha, it's time for us to go home.” Alpha Castiel ushered the two women back to their group.

“What are you going to do?” Luna Laura asked.

I stood up as Alpha Castiel turned his heel toward me.

“I’m sorry,” Alpha Castiel said to me with a guilty and ashamed expression. “I’m truly sorry.”

“I forgive you.” I nodded stiffly. At least he wasn’t asking me to forgive Luna Laura.

They were gone.

I didn't want to wonder if we'd ever see each other again, but Talitha's question made me regret not telling them the truth.

"I don't know who my father is," Talitha said as she lay on her bed, and Hector had left her room. "Is he dead or alive?"

Her black eyes weren't looking at me; they were directed toward the window that overlooked the cloudscape.

She murmured as if I wasn't there to hear her.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

This was my fault.

Too many doubts haunt me.

Was it really best for Talitha to grow up not knowing who her father was?

I had only wanted to protect her, to spare her the pain of being rejected by a father who might never acknowledge her.

I focused on being professional, burying myself in my work. Amber was my only friend. She never pulled away and asked any questions.

My secret as Alpha Castiel's ex-mate has been revealed. So far, only members of the Blue Forest Group knew about it.

At the time, Alpha Castiel wasn't yet Alpha. He was made Alpha a few months after he rejected me.

It seemed people were afraid of Alpha Castiel. All day, I haven't heard any gossip about me.

“Dr. Lethia.” Lisa approached me as I was about to step out of the clinic. My shift was over. “Alpha Castiel is waiting for you in the forest. I know you like to sit there.”

I stared at her in horror. I didn’t know about that. I thought no one would notice my habit.

“Go see him,” Lisa whispered again. “He must want to discuss something important with you.” She smiled broadly, encouraging me not to miss this opportunity.

I don’t know what she was thinking, but I really needed to talk to Alpha Castiel.

The man was already sitting under the tree. Even Lisa knew my favorite tree.

Alpha Castiel turned to me when I was a few steps away from him.

“Alpha.”

“Hi, Dr. Lethia,” he said. “Sit down.”

I sat with my back straight. His aura as an Alpha was intimidating.

“I apologize again. I didn’t expect Laura to say something like that. She even brought up our past.” Alpha Castiel shook his head, annoyed.

“I’m not surprised,” I said nonchalantly.

Alpha Castiel smiled faintly. He seemed to have already seen through Laura's true colors.

“I’m proud of you,” Alpha Castiel said, the words completely unexpected. “You achieved your dream of becoming a doctor.”

I nodded with a shy smile.

“I regret not supporting you back then, when you wanted to go to college.” He shook his head, disappointment in himself evident on his face.

I didn't say anything because I didn't want to remember those times.

“You’re now a doctor beloved by your patients.” Alpha Castiel smiled broadly. My heart fluttered at his praise.

A strong wind blew through his slicked-back hair, the sky's silhouette turning orange behind him, making him look mysterious and enchanting.

“I should’ve gone to see a doctor myself,” he said, abruptly changing the subject. “You can have children. That means I’m the one who can’t.”

No. You're wrong. Those four words caught in my throat.

My breathing quickened as I bit down on my lower lip, glancing back and forth between him and my hands.

Talitha's face kept popping into my mind.

The words she spoke with a grim expression hit me.

"Alpha," I said hoarsely. My breath hitched as our eyes met. "Do you believe me that Talitha is your daughter?"