Best friend and father.

Her breath hitched, heart racing as if she ran a marathon up against a hill for the last three hours. The worst thing was that no one would give her a precise timeline or an idea as to what she should do.

When Seth called Alyssa and explained what had happened - the woman signed and asked Seth if she knew what she wanted.

In all honesty - the puma shifter had no idea; all those men messed up her mind, each of them desired in their unique ways, and choosing one seemed wrong.

Alyssa suggested that Seth should take some time away from them - away from mere thought about the Alphas.

However, she couldn't miss the opportunity to point out that Luciano might have very strong feelings for Seth. The Alpha prowed that he'd go through Hell and back to have her by his side.

“I know, I know. It's just…” Seth let out a deep breath, closing her eyes and tilting her head to the right as if she had to face the door. “It does seem like he has feelings, but there is something more. I'm confused, alright? Four men at the same time and I'm attracted to all of them. Besides, we're talking about Luciano here. He is controlling, possessive, and more dominant than all of them combined. Gosh, I'm afraid that he would come here and mark me like a piece of property - believe me, he would do that. Just look at the situation, he's been going berserk because I left, yet all we did was have damn sex. Never did I promise him anything or mislead that man. Whatever is on his mind - it's all him because I didn't bother to give him mixed signals or false hope about the future. See, this is one reason I shouldn't have involved myself with him in the first place. Alpha men are fucking scary,” Seth opened her eyes and slowly walked towards the small bedroom.

Whatever clothing she had - it was packed up from the moment she decided to live in the guesthouse.

While Alyssa spoke, she carefully followed her words and changed the bedsheets simultaneously. Seth thought about having another shower a bit later - Luciano would lose his mind if only he got to scent another Alpha on Seth.

Then again, she wasn't sure if hiding was an option - perhaps, it was the right time to come clean with the Alpha. Maybe this was the one opportunity Seth would have to explain her feelings, desires, and make him listen to what she wanted.

And again, fear for Vlad's safety crept on her the next moment. Who knows what Luciano was capable of - some things she heard were terrifying enough to have nightmares.

“I'll think about it, but for now, I need to pack, so if he really arrives - I'll be ready to go voluntarily. Can't let anything bad happen to my family,” Seth smiled to herself.

Even while feeling as sad and defeated, there still was one thing that brought joy to her.

Alyssa, Henry, and their kids were the only real family she had since her mom died. Strangers that treated her as someone important rather than a piece of meat to sell-off.

When Seth finished changing the sheets, she opened the cabin windows, threw the laundry in the washing machine, and headed straight for the shower. Nothing around her could hold even a little scent of Vlad if she wanted to avoid getting him into danger.

While the water washed over her, the young puma thought of so many ways she had to escape the situation, yet she couldn't. No matter how brilliant the plan sounded at the back of her mind - one way or another, she would put everyone else in danger.

Seth was the one who started all of this mess, and she would be the one to face the consequences, no matter how scared she was.

The more time passed, the more worried she grew. Like many others, she had a wild imagination, a mind with no limits to stop at - those ended up to be her biggest enemies.

Seth thought that the shower and some rest might calm her down, but it didn't. Even sipping on herbal tea while sitting on the little cabin sofa didn't help her.

The phone rang again; this time the caller surprised her more than the ones before; heck- even a call from Luciano didn't surprise her as much as this did.

“Hello?” Seth quickly picked up the phone, still worried that the person might seek out help.

“Seth, I'm so glad you answered my call! If only you'd know how scared I was, how much time it took to build up courage for this conversation, and find a time to have one. Please, tell me you have time to listen; I have something important to say. Please, I'm begging you - even if you're mad for how I acted last time, I'll explain why, but you must listen to me before it's too late.” Anton sobbed.

Her best friend used to overreact, but he wasn't the type to cry or freak out without reason. If anything - he was a more calm and collected type of person, opposite to impulsive Seth.

“Why would I be angry? I understand that others have life, and it was about the time for you to build yours. Anton, as much as I love you, we can't stay living under one roof till the end of our days. Best friends are not supposed to grow old together and die, seeming like a couple for those watching. I'm happy that you found someone to love; please calm down.”

Even though he was more than severely distressed, Seth smiled as she spoke. They might lose many things, but even after years, their friendship will still be there.

No matter how close or far they would be - both have to support each other and their decisions. If the man made Anton happy, she was genuinely happy for them. If he didn't - Seth might commit a crime anytime soon.

“As much as I'd love to brag about how you are the most understanding, loving, and compassionate best friend - I can't. At least not now. Are you alone?” Anton spoke in a mere whisper, making sure that no one could hear the things he was about to reveal.

“Yeah, I'm alone. Listen, can you please explain what is going on? I'm getting kind of scared; you don't sound good. Anton, did you get your ass into another wave of shitty problems? Lord have mercy, do I always have to save your little stupid self?” Seth groaned.

It was wrong of her to assume such things, yet it was always the same with her best friend. It was as if the male had the talent to get himself into trouble wherever he went.

Funny how someone so intelligent and mature ended up, shoulders deep, into problems, same as Seth did.

“This is not about me, Seth! Stop assuming shit! Now, it doesn't matter where you are - look around, check if you're really alone. I have a feeling that they might try to spy on you. Close the windows, curtains, doors, whatever might reveal where you are. Make sure the door is locked and speak as quietly as possible.”

Now, it was the moment for her nerves to kick in.

Seth could feel how her hands started shaking, bolting for doors and windows without thinking. At the back of her mind - she feared the safety of others over hers; this wasn't her home; it was a home of a wonderful family that might suffer because of her irresponsibility.

“Alright, I'm sorry. It's locked - everything. I'll go to the bathroom, there are no windows, and the walls appear to be not as thin as elsewhere around the cabin. Don't scare me, just tell me what is going on,” Seth felt a lump forming in her throat, threatening to break her voice along with streams of tears that might escape any moment now.

“I've been distant because of your father. I had to quit the job because whenever I leave the apartment - I'm under his radar. Seth, he has his people all over the damn town; the old man is crazy, I tell you. That boyfriend of mine - he is very much real, but the whole moving in together bullshit isn't something I want. However, I have to do it because there's a possibility that our apartment is bugged. I'm on tour right now, hiding in the bathroom while Nicholas is talking to that nosey woman who's selling the place. There's a whole lot of things happening back here, pretty sure you're unaware of them,” Anton didn't have the talent of a liar.

If he tried to tell anything but the truth, he would hiccup like a newborn baby.

“I don't have much time, obviously, so I'll try to cut it short. Technically, I'm not allowed to be your friend, talk to you or come near you unless I want my family to find out that I am gay. Your dad made it very clear the last time we ran into each other - he would tell them, bring some kind of proof and announce an official hunt on me. The psycho was smiling while he spoke about me becoming the official enemy of our own damn pack, Seth he would make everyone believe that I was a traitor. Besides that, he was more than happy to speak about destroying every other person I'm close to - including you.”

For a moment, he stayed silent, waiting for any reaction Seth might have. She was speechless, staring into the distance, wondering how her own father could be so sick and twisted.

“Is there more?” She finally choked out, feeling brave enough to listen.

Before this day, she never thought of bravery she would need to listen to someone. It seemed as something surreal, beyond everything she had known, but lately, her fate has shown no mercy.

“Yes, here comes the messy part. In the pack meeting, he announced that you are going to get married - he didn't tell me this himself, but my mom still calls me sometimes. Trust me; I was shocked to hear her speak about such nonsense and have the nerve to ask if I could congratulate you. Honestly, I thought it was a joke after your father found me and demanded to talk. When I asked about it - he grinned, praising the Lion you were about to marry and his financial state. However, he changed the song just a few days ago. He isn't trying to arrange a marriage to gain allies, Seth - he sold you off. That even isn't the fucking worst part. The Lion he mentioned, it's not him. The sicko is selling you off to a fucking wolf.”

Anton grew distressed, the tone of his voice rising until Seth overheard a sound of knocking.

“Babe, are you alright there?” An unknown voice spoke up; Seth instantly assumed that might be the said boyfriend.

“Yes, give me a minute, love.” Anton coughed out, turning on the water in the sink for the background sound.

“Shit, I have to go. Listen, whatever you do - please, be safe. I'll deal with that asshole and probably will come out to my family before he has the chance to ruin something. I do have secret recordings of his threats, so I could escape the stupid hunt or whatever he planned. You, however, be fucking careful. Don't trust anyone new or suspicious. Do not let them get you - this is your life, not theirs. Be your own master, as you always have been.” Anton let out a deep breath, debating if he would need to say anything else.

His mind was a mess - all those things happening because of a crazy, power-hungry old man, and that exhausted him. If anything, he wanted to live in peace himself and see his best friend doing the same - she had to be happy.

“Thank you; you're truly the best friend I could ever dream of. I love you,” Seth quickly added, fighting emotions she felt.

“Damn it, before I go, I almost forgot - whoever bought you is said to be wealthy and powerful. Even if you disagree with marrying that man, they will force you since that bastard already took the money. Be careful; this is not the life you deserve, and definitely, not one you want to live. If possible, lay low or leave the district for a while. You could visit other puma packs or even hyenas since they're kind of ugly but loyal. Take care of yourself; I love you.”

Seth didn't move from her spot even after an hour passed. At first, she listened to the sound of the line cutting off. Then, she placed the phone next to herself and stared into the distance.

It was weird to think of a father who sold their children to marry someone.

Even more bizarre when the said child was fully adult, capable of making their own decisions. Seth didn't feel surprised at one point - the father she knew was a man who did everything to please himself.

It didn't matter if people surrounding him had food on their plates for as long as he had his full. It didn't matter if others had enough income to cover the essential bills for as long as he could swim in money.

And then, it didn't matter if his pack was safe for as long as he was untouchable and a single soul couldn't hurt him.

“Fucking asshole, I hate you,” Seth forced words through gritted teeth.

Even though those words were laced in hatred, dripping venom - she still managed to stay quiet. Taking a glance at her phone, Seth noticed that it was nearly 4 pm, so she had time to come up with a plan.

There was no way she could find out who the said buyer was, but that person has to be equally as sick and twisted as her father. Buying a damn bride - that's pathetic.

The phone buzzed next to her, the screen lighting up with a text message notification from Anton. The man remembered a vital detail that might help out his best friend.

Seth took the phone with a gentle smile on her lips and unlocked it, tapping right on the message.

“I forgot to tell you that he mentioned a name, but I can't quite remember which one exactly it was. I did tell that bit to my boyfriend since his memory is way better. I'll ask real quick, don't move.”

Waiting for the text message, Seth lifted her body from the floor and faced the mirror, silently hating her reflection. She grew anxious, wondering if she knew whoever involved themselves in her father's dirty business.

Before she could put more thought into the topic, someone knocked on the cabin door, startling her as never before.

Slowly and cautiously, Seth left the room. She tried to check around the corner and listen if anyone would speak - to know if it was safe to open the door. Her heart raced, instincts skyrocketed, and her palms nearly dripped with sweat.

When she was about to take another step, her phone vibrated in her hand - another text message from Anton. This time, it was only the name, one word that made Seth's eyes grow wide. If she didn't have to stay aware, hiding from whoever decided to arrive at her doorstep - she might faint.

*“Luciano.”*