The Moonlit Desires: Bound by Blood

“What nonsense are you talking about?”

My dad snapped after a few minutes of dead silence. Everyone turned to look at me, their eyes fixated in my direction.

I could feel the tension in the room as I cleared my throat, mustering up the courage to speak. “This war, it’s been going on for centuries,” I began, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and frustration. “And that… that monster! He’s been alive for years, causing pain and chaos. And now you’re here, yelling at me, asking what the hell I was talking about.” I shook my head, disappointment etched on my face. The room fell silent once again, the weight of the situation hanging in the air.

“Vinc…”

My mom was about to speak, but I shot her a fierce glare, silencing her instantly. She swallowed hard and averted her gaze. I turned to face my father, noticing the intensity in his expression. “I see… Is that why you’re here? Because of what went down on your birthday, that very night?” he asked, his voice surprisingly calm.

Normally, my father could have latched out on me but he remained calm and quiet. “Yes, they barged in, invading our privacy, and ruining my celebration,” I sighed, pointing my finger outside, my back slightly hunched, trying to convey my frustration to my father.

“Come on, son,” Alpha Matteo replied, correcting me. “It wasn’t just your celebration, it was everyone’s celebration!” He said but I just shrugged my shoulders, not buying what he was saying.

Standing upright, I blurted out, “I don’t care how you put it, but the fact remains that it was my day… MY DAY!!” I roared but was quickly stopped by a huge growl.

“Behave yourself!”

Yes, that’s him. Seems like his fierce self is back again. Turning to look at the nervous rank members he muttered, “Please, excuse us,” he said, instantly dismissing them.

As they nodded and stood up to leave, I could feel their disappointment piercing through their stares. I couldn’t help but smirk, glaring right back at them. The first thing on my agenda, when I reclaim that alpha seat, is to wipe them all out and bring in a whole new team. They just can’t work for me, never!

“BAM”

The door was closed, leaving me alone with my mother and my angry-looking father. With a dirty smile on my face, I confidently stepped forward, pulled out a chair, and sat down.

My father’s narrowed gaze followed my every move till I was seated before he resumed speaking, “Son, I need you to listen. I know you’re angry about your party being interrupted.” He paused for a moment, but I leaned back, resting my head on the chair as I listened to him.

Watching my mother take the seat beside me, my father continued, “But you need to understand, it’s not just your birthday. It’s also the first day we’re celebrating the pack’s victory and liberation from slavery. What happened that night left a deep scar in the hearts of every single person and besides it was unexpected.”

“Some lost their loved ones, and some even lost their lives on that very day. There was so much bloodshed,” he said, trying to calm me down and see things in his own way.

But honestly, I ain’t doing that sh*t. He had all the time in the world to take down that beast, but hell no! His cowardice made it impossible. And now this… What the hell do we even call this? They managed to escape, and we had to go into hiding for our damn safety! And he has the audacity to tell me that nobody’s to blame. Screw that! He was to be blamed, he should’ve taken care of that asshole a long time ago. My damn party got ruined, and now we’re forced to run and hide. Like, seriously… What the hell?!

“And,” I raised a brow at him. “Are you trying to get me to sympathize with you for your fault?”

“Son,” my mother snapped at me. “That was harsh. He’s your father, so be mindful of how you talk.” She glared at me, but my father stayed silent. His expression was blank, making it damn hard to figure out what was going on in his mind.

However, I rolled my eyes and ignored her, turning to stare at my father. “You had the chance to take him out, but here we are, doing nothing!”

Closing his eyes, my father re-opened them again after a few minutes. “Can you calm down and let’s talk?”

“Son,” my mother said, rubbing my hand. “Please calm down.”

Looking at him, I cleared my throat and nodded at him. Still surprised at how calm my father still seemed despite everything, especially how I was talking to him. My father that I know could have sent me away or even growled at me but today he seemed oddly quiet.

“Alessandro Leonard is not someone to be easily seen, nobody knows how he looks underneath that mask, not even all his clans know his real face,” he explained, but I shot him a doubtful look.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“What are you saying? You two have fought countless times,” I asked, not believing what he was saying.

“Alessandro hardly appeared in a fight except it was intense and yes I have fought with him but I can clearly remember how many times he had appeared or even had a fight with me precisely …… but all throughout that fight he always had a red mask with a black attire so his face remains hidden for years now,”

“What are you talking about, father? You could have taken him down right then and there when you saw him. This is not an excuse,” I groaned, already feeling frustrated.

“I am trying to let you know something, he’s not someone you can just easily take down, that man is a beast! His presence only means one thing… death!” My father emphasized the last word, making sure we understood. But as I looked at him, I shook my head in disapproval.

“You were known as the greatest man, your father’s strength was passed down to you. You were mighty enough to kill him, so tell me, how are you still here doing nothing?” I shook my head. “You have to do something, whether he is bloody or not. We need to take action, and we need to do it fast before they strike again. We can’t keep hiding every damn time.”

“You’re right, son. We can’t keep hiding, and that’s exactly what I’ve been pondering over.”

I leaned forward, mirroring his curiosity. “Thinking about what…?” I asked eagerly.

He let out a sigh and leaned back in his chair. “You’re still a child, but I’ll let you know when the time is right,” he said, his tone filled with a mix of frustration and dissatisfaction.

“I am not a damn child! I already had a mate and will soon be the next Alpha of this pack,” I snapped, but my father’s angry growl quickly silenced me. “You can’t rule my people in this manner,” he thundered, matching my tone.

I suddenly fell silent, my anger still simmering beneath the surface. But the furious expression on my father’s face sent a wave of nervousness through me. And after what felt like an eternity, I finally mustered the courage to ask, in a calmer tone, “When should that be?”

“Soon, but currently I have to discuss with my rank members before disclosing anything to you,” he glanced at me and my mother before returning his gaze to me. “I am not getting any younger, so I need to make a better decision before I leave this earth.”

I understand what he was doing. It was clear that he wanted to ensure the pack’s future was in capable hands before he gave in his position though the truth remains that he doesn’t see me worthy to be the one to rule his pack after him.

And that really pisses me off every damn time, I was so consumed by anger that I couldn’t even hear his final words. “You better get your act together and make a move, because I won’t wait around forever. If you take too long, I’ll have no choice but to retaliate on my own.” The word immediately slipped out of my mouth without me even realizing it. But I didn’t regret it, not even for a second, despite the murderous look he was giving me.

“WHAT!!” They both snapped their heads at me, completely caught off guard by my unexpected last word. They gasped, looking at me with disbelief written all over their faces.”

“You do no such thing….. That man,” his left hand stretched out, pointing to nothing in particular. “That man is ruthless and a monster! I won’t have you, Vincenzo, battle with him,”

“Oh, I’m definitely not a kid like you think, Dad. And trust me, I’m no coward like you and your gang.” I smirked, my words dripping with sarcasm.

“Vincenzo,” my mom slapped my shoulder so hard, completely shocked by what I had just said. But I stood my ground unmoved, and my father, Alpha Matteo, seemed surprised by my words.

I could feel the tension building in the room, not a word was uttered as the seconds ticked by. The silence hung heavy, until I suddenly rose from my seat, causing the chair to crash to the ground. I shook off my mother’s grip and looked directly at my father. “We can’t waste any more time, Dad. We need to act fast,” I pressed urgently.

They both gradually looked up, their eyes meeting mine. I could see the disappointment flickering in my father’s eyes as they locked with mine. “If you don’t take action now, I’ll have no choice but to show you how it’s done… in just two days!” I emphasized my words by slamming my hand onto the desk.

My father’s eyes were filled with anger, dilating as he stared at the hand I had slammed on his desk. But I didn’t care. “You have two days to figure out how to eliminate them, or I’ll take matters into my own hands,” I snarled, pounding my fist on the desk. My mother flinched, taken aback by my sudden outburst, her expression filled with confusion.

“Mind your tone,” my father growled loudly, clearly fed up with my attitude.

However, looking at them, I sighed and gave them my dangerous grin before walking away from the office. “You dare not walk away from your father, Vincenzo!”

Ignoring my mother’s voice, I walked away without giving her a second glance. I think I have to do things my own way from now on. However, the truth is that this sudden restlessness within me is driving me crazy. It’s confusing and overwhelming, and I can’t help but admit one thing. I think I miss her presence. It feels like there’s a void in my life that’s hard to fill. Why does it feel like she is not yet dead?