Chapter 67 - A New Beginning

"Are you sure you don't want to stay? There's plenty of room, and you'd be much closer to me in case anything happens—"

The reality was hitting me too quickly: my father, Mason, was officially moving out of the mansion. Standing in front of his modest yet modern new home, I held onto his worn-out navy suitcase, refusing to let go until he reassured me for the tenth time that this was truly what he wanted. The sun seemed to shine more intensely, as if to add pressure on him. Maria was already inside, waiting for my father to walk in at any moment. Bullet tapped his shoes impatiently behind me, eager to take me back to what had become home.

"Yes, yes, I'm sure. I'll be just fine. Besides, there are too many dark memories for Maria at the mansion, and I can't bear not knowing what she's thinking. Here, we have a chance to start fresh."

I still hadn't figured out exactly when Maria and my father started falling in love. One random morning, I was craving a cup of coffee. I walked into the kitchen and found them in an embrace, and that's when I realized what had been happening right under my nose.

After that, everything made sense. Mason had been there for Maria when we all thought Tessa was dead. I hadn't told her about the vampires that had held Tessa captive and turned her into one of them, nor about the message Tessa left for me on the bathroom window. I hadn't told anyone—not even Damon.
What would be the point? She must be dead by now.
I let Maria believe the easier tale which was that somewhere and somehow, Tessa had tumbled off during battle and gotten herself killed.

“Okay, well…” I stared into my fathers pitiful eyes,” I’m happy for you. I am, really…I’m just…I’ll be a little lonely.”

“You won’t be so lonely. You’ll have little Damon to keep you company.”

We both peered down at my massive stomach. I hadn’t seen my own chest for months, my pregnant belly has extended beyond the sight of my own feet. I rubbed it adoringly,” I’ll come say bye to Maria then, before I take off.”

We headed down the hexagon-shaped pavement steps embedded in the grass. We entered the foyer and then through the living room towards the kitchen. The house was still empty apart from a rugged old couch that I could not tell if they were keeping or replacing. Maria was where she usually hung around which was by the oven, cooking something that smelled delicious. For the first time since Maria and my father had gotten married, I realized that she was now my step mother.

“Do you want some porridge? It will be ready in just a few minutes?” I missed her motherly voice. How could I live in the mansion without her?

“I’m going up to the bedroom to take the rest of the stuff, leave me a plate when it’s finished,” Mason kissed her cheek and nodded his goodbye to me. We weren’t so affectionate with each other, it was difficult to distinguish how to act around each other sometimes but we settled for casual comfort.

“What about you? Do you want a plate?” Maria steered her stern eyes towards me. I shook my head.

“I just came in to say hello. I should get going soon.”

She looked down at my belly,” I hope Damon’s hired someone competent enough to replace me. You’ll need all the help you can get this last month.”

"It would have been better if it had been you instead."

She pressed her lips together and grimaced. "I can't stay here—too many bad memories, and Tessa..."

She trailed off, but I understood what she meant. I felt guilty for even bringing it up.

"Have you heard anything about Damon?" I asked hesitantly. He'd been more absent than ever these past few months, and I was lucky if I got to spend a night with him. Sometimes I wondered if he found me less attractive now that I was carrying an extra 25 pounds in my stomach. Other times, I worried that he had found someone else to keep him company during his lonely nights. The thought alone made my stomach churn.

"You have to give him some time. This is new for everyone. I'm sure there are still a lot of issues to deal with, especially with the rebellion in the east."

"I know. I just thought it would be settled by now."

"Damon made a lot of enemies when he decided to let humans live equally among wolves. Those who opposed the vote will likely continue to rebel against him indefinitely."

I wondered for a moment if my child would inherit that same fate.

"I should go now; I heard it's supposed to rain, and I don't want Bullet to get caught in it."

“He never leaves your side now, huh?”"Nope, Bullet is very cautious."

Maria hugged me tightly and kissed my cheeks. "I know it feels a bit lonely now, but that's a small price to pay for saving humanity."

As if on cue, the rain began to fall as soon as I stepped outside. The drive home took just over half an hour. It was comforting to see how humans were now living peacefully alongside wolves, no longer confined to villages like Akbur Hills. They walked the streets freely and shopped at the same grocery stores.

Of course, it was always a reminder that the land was governed solely by the wolves. Humans were allowed to own small houses and live their lives—working, having families—so long as the wolves approved.

When we got home, Bullet, who had become much gentler and more caring towards me, helped me down from the van. I didn't recognize most of the new staff in the house. There were many more of them now, and every time one of them spoke to me, I was reminded that they were not Maria.

I spent most of my time in the library, but I grew tired more quickly these days. Around nine in the evening, I headed to bed and fell asleep quickly to the sound of the rain.

I sensed his presence before I felt him. I felt my joy rising, unable to keep from smiling even though my eyes were still closed. The bed beside me dipped, and I felt his warm hands on my stomach.

"Hi, I missed you," he whispered, kissing the skin of my belly.

I gazed at Damon with admiration. I had missed him so much it hurt.

"You're back," I said, my voice betraying more relief than I intended. I didn't want him to think I was desperate for his time, though lately, I was leaning in that direction.