Chapter 30

Chapter 30

There was no answer, but a figure lay nearby, one she knew even without seeing his face. Her legs buckled as she saw him- her father, Beta Roven, lying still on the ground, his body lifeless. Blood soaked his clothes, his chest torn, his face frozen in an expression of fierce determination.

“No… no!” Marissa fell to her knees beside him, her hands hovering over his body as if her touch might somehow bring him back. Her fingers brushed his skin, cold and unmoving, and she choked back a sob, her body wracked with grief.

“Dad…” Her voice was barely a whisper as she cupped his face, her tears falling freely onto his skin. “Please… no…

Her chest heaved, the weight of her grief suffocating her, her mind refusing to accept the reality before her. The memories flooded back–her father’s laughter, his protective embrace, his pride in her, his love for their family.

Idris knelt beside her, his presence a steady force as he placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch grounding her in the midst of her despair.

“Marissa,” he murmured, his voice gentle, understanding. “He fought for you. For your mother. He died protecting those he loved.”

Marissa’s gaze turned to Idris, her tear- streaked face filled with helpless sorrow.

“Why didn‘ the call me sooner? I… I should have been here. I could have helped him…”

Idris‘ s expression softened as he met her gaze, his hand moving to cup her cheek. “He wanted to protect you from this.”

Marissa looked down, her hands clenched in fists, her heart breaking with the finality of his words. Her father had sacrificed everything to give her a chance, and she hadn’t even been there to say goodbye.

The sound of footsteps drew her attention, and she looked up to see her mother, Isabel, stumbling toward them, her face pale, eyes red and swollen. Her steps were shaky, her body covered in bruises, but her gaze was unwavering as she looked at Marissa, her lips trembling.

“Mom…” Marissa‘ s voice broke as she rushed to her, wrapping her arms around. her mother, holding her as tightly as she could. Isabel clung to her, her hands gripping Marissa‘ s shoulders, as if afraid to let go.

“It’s my fault… he died because of me… he…,” Isabel stuttered, her voice filled. with grief. “He… he saved me.”

Marissa pulled back, her tear–filled gaze meeting her mother‘ s, and she saw the same grief and pain reflected in her eyes.

Isabel looked at Idris, her gaze sharp and unwavering. “They took everything they could. Weapons, luxuries… anything of value. But they also took something more precious–information. They came prepared.”

Idris‘ s jaw tightened, his eyes flashing with anger. “The Rogue King,” he said, his voice low and filled with fury. “He didn’t just want to destroy the Shadow Pack. He wanted to weaken it completely.”

Isabel nodded, her face filled with sorrow.

“He knew Roven was the strongest after Alpha Caleb. And he took his life to prove his dominance.”

Marissa looked between them, a fierce resolve settling over her grief. Her father‘ s sacrifice, his bravery, his love–it wasn’t something she would let fade. She would carry it with her, let it shape her as she rebuilt what the rogues had tried to destroy.

“We‘ 11 avenge him,” she said, her voice steady, filled with a strength she hadn’t felt before. “They will pay for this.

Idris placed a hand on her shoulder, his gaze meeting hers with fierce pride. “We will make sure of it, Marissa. Your father’s sacrifice won’t be in vain.”