Chapter 21

The long game

****************Blake POV***********

This house has been so much hell for me that walking back in it makes the hair on my neck stand and my heart double its beat.

When Jason and I arrived inside the ballroom, I felt awkward being here. In the past, I was our family's shame and they weren't proud to show me off, so I didn't get to attend the fancy party.

That's why I went crazy using Nero's card to purchase this dress that had a lot of zero on the price tag, and I kind of am hoping that he never asked me about the price or the large sum of money that is missing from the card because I can not pay him back.

Tonight, I didn't want to look or be pathetic because my childhood was, my love life is, and that's how I felt for most of my life. So, this party was my comeback to rewrite my story.

My presence in the room caused a sudden silence, and I squeezed Jason's arm, giving in to the feeling of nervousness that instantly hit my heart.

"I got you," Jason whispered, his voice sounding reassuring.

Looking up at him, I gave a smile when he stared down at me, and then I focused ahead of me, keeping my head high.

"Blake!" Loki heartily shouted the moment his eyes locked with mine. "I'm glad you came, my child!"

The entire pack was here, and Loki was acknowledging me in their midst! It felt surreal and a bit shocking.

Looking at the alphas around him, Loki had this prideful look in his eyes as he said, "You each owe me a million bucks. I told you that she was going to show up."

They gave a shaky laugh, and then elder Clinton put his arm around Loki's shoulder and said, "Forgive our big mouth. We were stubborn and decided to only believe when we see it happen. Now that Blake is here, we know that our leader is not a liar."

"You can't blame us though. Who would have thought that Blake would be bold enough to show up here after every..." Elder Hall laughed, pausing suddenly without staring at Loki.

It wasn't strange that they bet on me attending the party or not. After all, I didn't have the finest history of about house, and it was just yesterday when Loki changed his mind about killing me.

Also, some of the wolves in here listened to Loretta instead of Loki, and it would be stupid of me to come, knowing that she wasn't the slightest bit happy about Loki's decision. But here I was, among the midst of those that wouldn't hesitate to rip me apart.

"Luna is here with her mate!" Loretta cheerily announced as the bloodthirsty look in her eyes faded.

Leave it to Loretta to take the spotlight off me and on to her daughter. But I didn't mind because the only reason I came here was to learn about my mother since Loki looked a bit welcoming to me again.

As Nero and Luna passed me, I squeezed Jason's arm a bit tighter, holding in my breath to calm myself and still my pounding heart when I noticed his coat around her shoulder.

"Nero, it's nice to see you!" Loki said as they shook hands.

The look on his face showed that he was proud of the alpha Luna had, and just for a second, I pictured that it was me and not Luna by Nero's side. Then I brushed the thought aside and faintly smiled.

"Blake, come over here!" Loki shouted, looking at me.

The hate I have for this man just keeps growing as he continues to pretend to be a father rather than the abuser that he is.

Keeping my chin up, I walked over to Loki with Jason by my side, stopping a foot away from him, and said, "Loki, I came as you begged. Now can we talk somewhere quiet?"

The look of embarrassment that flashed crossed on his face, and the nervous look in the expression of the elder's faces gave me a satisfying feeling.

"How about we talked after the announcement?" Loki said with a straight face which only pissed me off, even though it was meant to scare me.

"I didn't come to party, Loki. I came to get answers. How about you deal with me first, so I can be on my way, and you guys can have your little celebration." I calmly uttered, not caring for the wrinkles between his brows.

"How can you abandon a party meant to welcome you back in the pack?!" Elder Lurker abruptly announced a bit sharply.

Firstly, his tone had me clenching my jaw as I screwed my face into a frown and glared at him. I didn't earn my freedom just to get yelled at by a bunch of fakes, self-absorbed, and cold-hearted old men.

When I looked at Loki and saw the look of hesitation in his eyes, I gave a half-smile, and boldly stated, "Did Loki not tell you guys that I am a rogue and plan to stay that way!?"

"What!" All the elders shouted in unison, stretching their timeworn eyes wild open.

"I will take that as a 'yes.' Well, since he withheld such information from you all, I will clarify things. I have no intention of joining the pack again!"

Suddenly, Loki's eyes glowed red as he shouted, "Blake!"

The force from his voice, the energy he was releasing, and the murderous look in his eyes vex me and my wolf instantly.

"Don't yell at me, Loki!" I shouted, surprised by my voice and the dominance in my tone.

The hall grew silent, and I could feel people's eyes on me. Even though I felt my wolf fully awake, I looked at Jason as he stared blankly at me and asked, "What?"

"Your eyes are glowing red," Jason whispered as he gave me a soft smile.

Coughing slightly, Loki cleared his throat and loudly said, "Let's be transparent here! We as a pack haven't given my daughter a reason to trust us, so until she does, tonight will only be about lifting the kill order on her!"

The faces of the elders told me that none of them was happy about such news, including Loretta, which wasn't strange to me. Even Luna looked a bit pissed when our eyes met. I guess she couldn't play pretend with such news when she wanted to hear the opposite.

Glaring at me, elder Arthritis frowned and stated, "Loki, you know we can not have a wolf with an extremely dominant force at such a young stage to be a rogue. Do you know the dang"

"Shut the fuck up, Arthritis!!" Loki coldly mumbled, swaying his cold gaze on him.

Then he looked back, took a long stare at me, and said, "Let's talk!"

Afterward, Loki walked away, and as I was about to follow him, I caught Nero staring at me, and I hesitated for a moment, holding back my breath before turning away and heading after Loki.

When we got to his study, he locked the door, and instead of feeling afraid since the room was soundproof for werewolves, my wolf became aggressive, and I gave her full control.

"Are you going to show yourself or going to keep hidden as you did for all these years!" Loki said, talking in a formal tone, and I knew he was talking to my wolf.

But why was he so casual to her? What did he know about me that he was so hellbent on going against Loretta and even the entire pack for me?

A growl suddenly escaped my lips, and I felt violence like nothing before, and the hate that I felt wasn't mine, it was my wolf. She was mad to the point of wanting him dead.

"Don't be stubborn. You know that you can not keep her safe alone at this stage. You need me to help you out." Loki said in a calm tone.

But I saw a spark of fear in his eyes when she snarled, and I couldn't help wondering if this had something to do with the way he treated me, or if there was something more going on because Loki sounded like he knew her.

Suddenly, I felt the rage subside, and my wolf gave control back to me which only left me with more questions.

"Care to explain?" I asked, frowning as I met Loki's eyes.

"You have to stop acting headstrong, Blake, and come back home where you belong. You deserve to lead this park after I'm gone." Loki casually uttered as though he just didn't drop a bomb on me.

Speechless, I took a long look at him and asked, "What nonsense are you talking about now, Loki?"

"Not nonsense. It's your birthright, Blake." Loki said with a deadass serious expression.

"Nah, now you are making no sense here!"

"Blake, I need you to get over your pride and see the bigger picture!"

"What bigger picture, Loki!"

Silence fell between us, and his expression didn't change as I glared at him, wishing he could just move his lips and spit out the truth.

"You are my first, and it's your right to lead after I'm gone." Loki finally said.

But I knew that there was more. I could see it in his eyes. Yet I understood if I wanted to find out the truth, I needed to play his game.

"Fine. I will think about it. Not promising anything though!" I mumbled, crossing my arm.

"That's all I asked," Loki said, smiling faintly.

Then he unlocked the door, and as he was about to head outside, I mumbled, "My mother!... What can you tell me about her?"

"Decide to return to the pack, and after you take over, I will tell you about Skylar," Loki said, staring back at me.

Looking directly into his eyes, I hesitated, holding in my breath, and then asked, "Answer me this, please Is she alive?"

"Yes," Loki said without the slightest bit of hesitation.

Finally, I softly exhale, wondering if I should smile, feel sad, or get mad that she has been alive all this time and choose not to see me. Now, I wanted to desperately look into her eyes and scream at her for leaving me in this shit hole.

It was annoying to know that if I wanted to do so, I had to play a long game with Loki until he is satisfied to tell me where she is.