Restoring Dragon's Heart

The Alpha's Daughter

Back against the door, tear-stained cheeks and reddened eyes, Belle drew in a shaky breath.

How did it all come to this? She whimpered, her throat constricting as breathing seemed to be an uphill task.

A while back, she had been so focused on getting back home on time. Yes, she did have the mindset of telling her parents about the Prom. That was true but getting here...

How could she think of Prom when there was talk about death…

Her death!

Belle exhaled, shaking her head as she poked from her mother to her father. Lisa stayed put, her shoulders sagging as she looked down, hands over her face. Her shoulders quaked, revealing the poor attempts she made to conceal her sobbing.

And Mark.

The only one who knew how to tame the dictator in the house, he simply stood in front of Belle. He had his office shirt on, a red striped shirt and black trousers.

She had come to know it as an office shirt because it was what he wore whenever he had business to attend to. Or if he had been done with the business. Once he was done, he simply wore casual clothes. Vests and jackets. Shirts were only for office time.

Her mother was a sharp contrast. She worked as a virtual assistant to her father. More like an extended housewife position in the eyes of Belle. Except that she was being paid and well, under the cover of professionalism.

This and many other things were what made her family so amazing to her. Now, everything seemed so much of a lie to her.

Like there was something they had always been hiding from her.

“Dad. Mum.” Belle whimpered, tears welling up in her eyes as she clenched hard against her knees. The parents sighed, looking at her before looking to the ground, dejectedly. The air in the room is stale and full of tension.

“Can someone explain why there is a death threat with my name?” She gasped out, sucking in air while her frame was racked with fear.

“Honey…” Lisa said, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands.

“Don’t!” Belle fired out instantly. “Please… don’t. What are you hiding from me?”

“You really do… hmm.” Mark sighed, turning back to face his daughter and squatting in front of her. “All of this… is to protect you. Know this, we would rather be dead than let anyone have you.”

“W-what do you mean? You’re scaring me dad.” Belle sniffed, her grip on her knees tightening further.

“Hm! Let me tell you something.” Mark sighed, moving to Belle. Once he was over, he nudged her side with his body, pushing to sit beside her, his left hand on her right shoulder.

“You know the story of the Wolf pack?” He asked.

“T-the one about werewolves?” Belle frowned quizzically.

What did some folklore about werewolves have to do with this?

If this was some bedtime thingy, then. She would have totally been hyped about it. Her family was one with an odd interest in all things mythical.

Heck, there was even a library about mythic beings in the house. They were just that into it. And her father, Mark, never spared the time to tell her stories of myth. Stories about creatures who could shapeshift, creatures with large wingspans and the likes.

It was all mythology. Stories.

What did that have to do with this? With anything? Belle pondered, her look of query slowly morphing into a look of anger.

“Listen, it’s important. That’s the only way I can. Explain all of this.” Mark said, observing her with a tilted head.

Belle glowered at him, eyes dilating, her mind torn about what to do. It was a mythical thingy, yet he said it was his chance at explaining things?

It did not make sense to her. Yet, looking at her mother, Lisa, she knew she had not the slightest chance of getting any explanation from her. This was as best as she could get.

And so, with a deep sigh, she nodded affirmatively. “Okayyyyy?”

“The wolf pack grows in strength of numbers and strength of dominance. That’s why it’s essential that they always add to their numbers more than they reduce. You’d be surprised wolf packs only fight if they have no choice.” Mark said, shaking his head. “That or they have a really annoying Alpha.” He scoffed.

“When baby wolves come, new werewolves, I mean, “ Mark said, drawing his daughter closer to him.

Belle sighed, sucking in air at this. Her body, tense as it was earlier, immediately relaxed upon contact with him. Her father always knew how to put her at ease.

“So what happens next? Am I the baby wolf in this case?” Belle queried.

“Ha!” Mark scoffed. “We could say that. You’re smart. But you see, the New Wolf has to return to the pack. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he must find the pack.”

“Why?”

“Because that’s his home. And in his home, it can be protected until it learns how to protect itself. The new wolf must find the Alpha. And if there is no Alpha…” Mark drew a deep breath, locking eyes with Lisa, who promptly looked away. “Then the baby wolf must find the pack. Your pack is not here. It’s in Texas.”

“Ah. Hahah…” Belle shuddered, shaking her father's frame, laughing at the last words. “You always refer to me as a child of every mythological creature. This is the first time you refer to me as a Wolf. Nice try.”

“I’m serious, Baby.” Mark muttered.

“I know. Just as serious as you were when gargoyles stole me on my tenth birthday…” Belle said, tilting her head backwards to see the affirmative nods of Mark. “which never happened by the way.” She emphasized, giggling.

“Babyyy??” Mark groaned playfully, nudging her shoulder while shooting an exasperated look to Lisa.

“Dad, quit it. Whenever you tell me mythical stories, you always make them about me. You should write your own book. You’d do great as an author… you know, like J.K Rowling’s?” Belle giggled, wrapping her hands around the waist of Mark.

“I know, right? But as a business man, I leave the story telling to you. You know as much as I do about these mythical beings. You’d do great as one.” Mark said, scratching Belle’s fluffy hair.

“Dad…” Belle called out in a whisper.

Silence reigned in the room, the father looking at his daughter with a concerned look, while the mother shook her head. Obviously displeased but unwilling to do anything about it.

“I know we act out myth scenes and all. I don’t know what myth story this scene was from, but please, you and mum, don’t scare me like that.

“Ugh…” Lisa scoffed, looking to the side, her eyebrows knitting now. “I can’t believe this. This is your idea of handling things, Mark?”

“Hey, at least I didn’t frighten her.” Mark shot out defensively.

“Wait, what’s happening?” Belle asked, rising with concerned arched eyebrows.

“You! Listen to me!” Lisa reached over, dragging Belle up from the ground by the wrists. “This is real life, okay! It is not a story or make-believe. They are coming for you and, unless we get out of here to Texas, to the birthplace of the pack. My pack, then I can’t protect you.”

“You’re hurting me.” Belle winced, her heart racing once more against her chest.

“Lisaaa…” Mark growled, shooting up instantly.

“What? Want to tell me another make-believe story?” Lisa taunted, baring her teeth at Mark.

Seeing this, Mark spread his hands into the air, a sign of surrender as he exhaled.

“Let’s not make this worse than it is already.”

“Belle…” Lisa softly called, letting go of her hand. Immediately she did, Belle dashed to her father’s side, smudging against the door to hide behind him.

“I’m sorry but you need to know. Brazil is not safe for you anymore. We have to relocate to the US. So, like the good daughter you are,” Lisa said, putting her right hand in the air as if to calm the situation. “You go in, get your things packed and ready for a new life in the US.”

“What? We’re relocating? Really?” Belle gasped, looking at Mark for confirmation.

“Your mum is right. It’s the only way to keep a special angel safe.”

“Safe from what exactly?” Belle asked, her eyebrows knitting furiously as she stepped out from behind Mark.

“Safe from the Werewolves.”

“This is not the time for your usual jokes, Dad.” She fired out abruptly.

“I wish I was. Your mum is right. The werewolves are real. Every mythical story about them is true. We must relocate.

“What?” Belle's whole world shattered instantly.

She shook her head, trying to seek some rationalization from this all.

The stories were true?

She tried hard to believe it was a joke, but knowing her father, the seriousness in his face, it felt true.

Her mind argued about it. It was not true. Myths made the books and TV. It was not real. Maybe Mark had had too much of a drink. Yes, that would have to be it.

What about her mum? Belle reasoned. Lisa had clearly said ‘her pack’. Lisa rarely joked. Certainly not when she was all charged up as this.

“B-but…” Belle shook her head still, slowly. “But if this were even to be true, I can’t. I have Prom in some days.”

“GROW UP, Belle,” Lisa roared out. “We are talking life and death and you’re mentioning Prom? I forbid you from it. Not now, not ever!”

“What?” Belle gasped. “I’ve lived my life for you. You and Dad and one thing that’s important to every high schooler, you want to deny me from it?”

“You’re not a child, Belle. Like I said, grow up!” Lisa thundered.

Belle’s eyes widened in shock once more, her heart missing a series of beats. Once more, her eyes watered, her entire form looking for some cover from her mom.

There was Mark beside her. She ached to hide behind him. However, a realization struck her. If she did, she would never get another chance to broker this.

Also, her mind churned with rage now. How long could she afford to cower behind her parents' decision?

Tomorrow, she'll turn 18. Legally, she would be an adult. Even if it was only some hours soon, would she stand by and watch her mum dictate her life once more?

Belle’s frame shook with anger, her teeth gritted. Staring daggers at Lisa, she clenched her fist. No matter what, this was her life’s choice.

She laughed, bitterly. Her eyes darted about the ground before finally settling on Lisa.

“I figured you’d say that. But I didn’t expect you not to say anything.” She yelled, facing Mark. “I’ve lived my life for you people, since I recall. You’re not my parents.”

“Belle…” Mark winced while Lisa simply folded both hands across her chest.

“If you were, for once, you’d see things my way and not box me in every time.” Lisa continued, her eyes revealing the fierce rage within. “I hate you both. I wish you could die.”

Belle blasted out, sobbing. Exclaimed gasps from Mark and even Lisa shook the room now.

Her baleful looks wavered for a second. The next second, she touched the door handle, clicking it, the pained expressions of her parents hurting as she sobbed.

It was all too late now, Belle sobbed, as she opened the door and bolted into the street.

“Belle…” Lisa cried, running after her only to be stopped by Mark. “Give her time. With time, she’ll understand her connection to the Alectra. It’s why the Lycans would hunt our baby.”

Mark winced, uttering the last word.