Chapter 13

Giselle's POV

I stood stunned as I watched the scene unfolding in front of me. My mind was still reeling from what Cole had said. Finally it felt like someone was finally on my side and willing to believe in me. Even now he was still standing up for me in front of James and all the people in the pack.

"James just leave him alone. There is no point in saying those things to him." I quickly rushed to Cole to stop him from harming James. The last thing I wanted was another scandal to erupt because of me. My life was already a mess to begin with.

Cole released James and he quickly ran away with the people he came with. The members of the pack seeing as the show was over all dispersed with shame and fear of what my father would do to them after what they had said.

Cole reached for this cheque book and wrote an amount that made both my jaw and that of my family drop and handed it over to me. Father greedy as always tried to reach for the cheque out of Cole's hands but Cole stopped him and pushed him away in anger.

My father fell down like a pile of rubble on the ground from the force of Cole's push and my mother quickly ran over to his side and tried to help him up.

"I clearly said I was investing this money in Giselle's proposal," Cole said threateningly, feelings of hatred burning deep in his eyes for my father. "I said I will never have anything to do with you. This is only for Giselle's benefit"

I smiled smugly as I took the cheque from him. I was also afraid my father would lay claim to the money and use it for his selfish reasons instead of for the proposal. Now I won't have to worry about that anymore.

"Thank you very much. This means a lot to me."

I turned to my father."From now on I'll be in charge of anything relating to this project and don't worry I'll make sure to transfer the debt you owe to James by the end of the day," I said commandingly.

Having Cole presence beside me made me feel reassured in ways I couldn't fathom. What he'd done today had made me see him in a new light and I held the brief that maybe I could try to work things out with him.

I reached for Cole's hand grateful for his presence as my father tried to embrace me. I recoiled in disgust as I watched my father try to act lovingly towards me in front of Cole. His behavior sickened me. Just minutes ago he was blaming me for not asking Cole to pay off our debt and now he's acting like he was a loving father.

I couldn't stand the sight of his face any longer and I pushed him away harshly and he fell to the floor with a thud.

"Giselle how could push your father down like that?,"my mother exclaimed rushing to his side.

"Are you now trying to act like you're better than us just because your fiance gave you some money?," Toby said rudely looking at me with jealousy.

"It wasn't your fault. He was just trying to help our family,"my mother uttered already sobbing.

"Help our family. By trying to force me into a marriage to a man that cheats on me on our engagement day and worse using his daughter as a bargaining chip to take money from the blue moon pack. How could he be trying to help our family?," I shouted furiously.

I couldn't take it anymore as I became filled with rage. She was doing it again. Always taking his side and overlooking all his flaws and then I'm left to clean up his mess. I was so tired of doing that. My grandfather had worked so hard to keep the pack affluent and powerful but it seems my father was hell bent on running it down to the ground.

Ever since I'd heard about the deal between my father and Jared, I'd half suspected my mother and brother were aware of it but had decided to keep it a secret from me. Now that I think about it they weren't all that surprised when I told them about the debt but I'd been too focused on resolving the debt issue I didn't even notice.
Why were they so selfish?. My family didn't care about me or about grandfather and it was high time I understood. All they wanted was to benefit from the luxury they would get from the marriage between the two packs and definitely not I felt about it all.

"You know what," I uttered sternly, facing my mother head-on. "I have tried to understand this family but now I'm so sick and tired of being the family's punching bag and trying to understand you and father. You have never made me feel loved and now I know you probably never will"

"If you have to stay here so much, why don't you just leave," my mother said harshly.

"And she's going to," Cole interjected quietly and reached out for me. I looked at him in surprise as I slowly understood his words.

"I'm taking you along with me to the palace. It's one of the reasons why I came here personally to see you. You don't have to stay here any longer of you don't want to"

I didn't know what to say so I simply nodded in gratitude. Finally I was going to move away from my father's clutches. The thought gladdened my heart but at the same time it also made me sad.

As much as I hated the thought of staying here any longer and I also felt sad that I would be leaving the pack. It was where I had spent the majority of my life and I was still attached to the place but it didn't matter now. I was going to a new home with Cole to start a new family and I was going to make sure I made things work.

A stab of emotions suddenly overtake me as I rushed upstairs to begin parking my things. I didn't want Cole or my family to see me cry so I locked the tears away deep inside.

After I finished packing, I glanced once more at the room where I had spent the better part of my early life and I knew in my heart I would never come back here. No matter what happens eventually between Cole and I, I couldn't see a future here for me in this place.

I thought once more of my grandfather. I hoped at least Cole would let him come visit me at the palace. It was something I had to discuss with him when we got married.

I turned away and headed straight outside not bothering you but my family goodbye. They didn't deserve it. Cole was still waiting for me outside and he helped me put the suitcase into his car and we drove off. I tried to keep my composure as I forced myself not to cry when I remembered Sonia.

I quickly sent her a text and wished I could stop over at her house and bid her a proper farewell but I doubt Cole would let me. I felt sad because I didn't know when I would be able to see her again.

An hour later the car was almost at the entrance of the silver moon gates that will lead us out the pack when I saw a gray wolf running towards us at full speed. I instantly recognized the wolf and told Cole to stop the car. It was Sonia running to see me.

"How you leave the pack and just send me a text telling me you're leaving. You didn't even say a proper goodbye," Sonia cried as soon as I reached her and she changed back to her human state.

"I'm sorry. I didn't plan it either," I said, also crying as I wiped her tears away.

"It's fine. Just be safe and take care of me. If you're facing any problem, don't hesitate to tell me and the royal family or not I'll burn them to the ground. Okay"

"Okay" I laughed heartily. I was going to miss her a lot. I walked back to the car and Cole drove off. As we passed the borders out of the silver moon pack I wondered what fate had in store for me.