Chapter 41 - Lies after Lies

Lucille sat trembling in front of Alpha Shane's desk, her hands clutching each other tightly as tears streamed down her face. Trixie stood beside her, her own tears mingling with her mother's. Alpha Shane's office was silent except for the occasional shuffle of papers and the faint hum of the air conditioning.
Alpha Shane's expression was stern, his eyes piercing as he looked at Lucille. His voice, when he finally spoke, was measured but filled with an underlying anger. "Lucille, I don't care if you love Delta Marlon or not. What matters right now is the truth. Did you cheat on Delta Marlon? And who is the real father of Trixie?"
Lucille's entire body trembled, and she glanced at Trixie before lowering her gaze to the floor. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice as she spoke through her tears. "Alpha Shane, please... I never cheated on Delta Marlon. I swear to you, I never meant to deceive anyone. I... I was raped before I met Delta Marlon."
Alpha Shane's brows furrowed deeply. "Raped?" he repeated, his voice softer but still incredulous.
Lucille nodded, her voice barely above a whisper. "Yes. It was... before I joined the Silver Stone Moon Pack. I was young and foolish, and one night... someone attacked me. I was unconscious, and when I woke up, I was alone. I didn't know I was pregnant until later... until it was too late."
Trixie tightened her grip around her mother, her own tears falling freely now. "Alpha Shane, we kept it a secret because we were afraid," she said, her voice shaking with emotion. "We were scared of what people would think, of how they would treat us if they knew."
Alpha Shane's expression softened slightly as he listened to their words. He understood the weight of their confession, the pain and fear they had carried for so long. But he also knew the implications for the pack, for the trust and integrity they had all sworn to uphold.
"Lucille," Alpha Shane began, his voice grave, "this changes things. You should have come to me sooner."
Lucille bowed her head even lower, her body shaking with sobs. "I know, Alpha Shane. I'm so sorry. I was... ashamed. I didn't want anyone to know..."
Alpha Shane sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he processed everything. "And you never found out who... who did this to you?" he asked, his voice filled with empathy despite his anger.
Lucille shook her head, her voice barely audible. "No. It was dark, and... and I was unconscious. I tried to forget... to move on."
Trixie spoke up, her voice filled with desperation. "Alpha Shane, please. We've suffered enough. We never wanted to hurt anyone. Can't you see... Can't you forgive us?"
Alpha Shane stood abruptly, his frustration evident in the way he clenched his fists. He walked to the window, staring out at the moonlit night as he struggled to contain his emotions. After a long moment of silence, he turned back to Lucille and Trixie, his expression softer yet resolute.
"I understand your fear and your pain, Lucille, Trixie," Alpha Shane said, his voice calm but firm. "But you both kept a secret that has put our pack in jeopardy. This deception, however unintentional, has consequences."
Trixie looked up at Alpha Shane, her eyes pleading. "What... What will happen now?"
Alpha Shane took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering. "First, we need to verify your story. I will order a discreet investigation to confirm what you've told me. If everything checks out, we will have to take action. Your status within the pack will have to be lowered, and you will be separated from Delta Marlon."
Lucille gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "Separate? But Alpha Shane..."
Alpha Shane held up a hand, his tone gentle but firm. "It's not a punishment, Lucille. It's to maintain the integrity of the pack. We cannot have uncertainties and secrets undermining our unity. Trust and honesty are the foundation of our community."
Trixie nodded slowly, tears still streaming down her face. "I... I understand."
Alpha Shane nodded once, his decision made. "I will arrange for the investigation to begin immediately. In the meantime, both of you should prepare yourselves for what lies ahead."
Lucille and Trixie exchanged a look filled with sorrow and acceptance. They knew this day would come, the day when their past would catch up with them. But they were also relieved that the truth was finally out, even if it meant facing the consequences.
As Lucille and Trixie stepped out of Alpha Shane's office, the weight of their conversation still hung heavy in the air. Lucille's hands trembled slightly as she locked the door behind them, her mind racing with thoughts of what would come next. Trixie walked beside her, her brow furrowed with worry.
Once they were outside the mansion, Lucille led the way to her car, a sleek black sedan parked nearby. Trixie hesitated before getting into the passenger seat, her mind buzzing with questions and fears. She watched her mother slide into the driver's seat with determination, her grip tight on the steering wheel.
As Lucille started the car, the engine hummed to life, filling the tense silence between them. Trixie finally voiced her anxieties, her voice tight with concern. "Mom, what are we going to do now? What if Alpha Shane finds out the truth about my father, about Jack?"
Lucille's jaw clenched, her knuckles white against the wheel. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself before responding. "We cannot let Alpha Shane separate us from Delta Marlon," she said firmly, her voice tinged with anger. "And you... You need to be Alpha Shane's wife, his Luna. No matter what happens, we cannot let anyone take that away from us."
Trixie bit her lip, torn between fear and determination. She knew the risks of hiding the truth, especially from Alpha Shane, but she also understood her mother's desperation to protect their place in the pack. "But what if he finds out?" Trixie asked, her voice trembling slightly. "What if he discovers that Jack is my real father?"
Lucille glanced at Trixie briefly before returning her gaze to the road ahead, her expression pained. "We'll deal with that if it happens," she replied, her voice strained. "Right now, we need to focus on keeping our family together, on keeping you safe."