A True Lifestory: Part 2 A Demon’s Obsession

Chapter 57 Family First

[Stella’s POV]

Just as Bella and Dagon started kissing, we all decided it would be best to give them some space, so all four of us headed out of the room.

In the hall, we saw not only Bella’s parents, but also mine.

Both my mom and dad rose from their seats, as they saw me, but I was still mad at them, so I took Armaros’ hand and started walking past them, as if I didn’t see them.

“Stella, please don’t ignore us,” my mom called, but I really wasn’t ready to have this conversation with them.

They had disappointed me a lot, and it was just too much at that point.

“Babygirl, I know you're mad at them, but..” Armaros started, the moment we had left the clinic and were alone, but I didn’t wanna hear it.

“No Armaros, I’m not gonna forgive them just like that. You know what happened yesterday, and I can’t just forgive them for that, at least not yet,” I sighed, as I buried my face in his chest, as he pulled me closer to him.

“I’m not asking you to forgive them, I’m just.. Maybe you need to hear their perspective?” He suggested.

“Why are you so eager to please them? Don’t you remember how my dad treated you, not only in the beginning, but yesterday too?” I asked with a frown.

“I do, but I’m just saying, that maybe he just has a hard time adjusting to all the changes,” he spoke, as I shook my head.

“All my dad cares about is his stupid reputation.If he is so embarrassed of me and my choices, then he can just throw us out, ‘cause I’m done excusing it.

I don’t want to hide you away, I’m proud to be your mate,” I spoke, as Armaros smiled.

“I know you don’t mean that, you’re only mad, ‘cause deep down you wish for his approval, and I understand that.

He is your dad, but regardless of what your dad thinks of me, it doesn’t matter, as long as you are by my side,” he replied, as he placed his hands on my cheeks.

“‘Cause you are my family, Stella, and nothing he says or does will ever change that,” he added, before pulling me in for a kiss.

[Flashback]

“Chase, do you really believe that was for the best, leaving Bella to that pack?” Cathrine asked, as she followed him into his office.

“What should I have done, Cathy? He has already marked her, which means she is no longer under this tribe. If I had förced them apart on no solid grounds, I could’ve risked punishment myself, and you didn’t seem to have anything to add.” He defended.

“‘Cause you asked me not to use my abilities on them, or did you forget?” Cathrine defended, as she crossed her arms.

“It doesn’t matter anymore, I might still be able to talk some sense into this Alpha, if I apologize on Stella’s behalf.

Maybe he’ll be kind enough to see through this, and Bella will still be able to visit her parents once in a while,” Chase sighed, annoyed.

“So you plan to beg for forgiveness? Stella just did what she believed was right, she just tried to defend Bella in her own way,” Cathrine spoke in disbelief.

“I know, but she is still too young to understand that sometimes we have to bend a little to make alliances that work, to preserve peace in the pack.. Tribe, I mean,” he replied. Cathrine walked up to him.

“Listen Chase, I support you, but perhaps she isn’t the problem here.

It might be time you start to reevaluate those rules, ‘cause this is more than a pack now, and it has been for quite a while,” Cathrine explained.

“That’s not the point, Cathy. These rules have worked for generations, they help secure peace between us and other packs.

We can’t just change everything overnight, some things take time for everyone to accept,” he defended, as he shook it off as he headed for the door.

“Are you sure it’s not you who has trouble accepting it?” Cathrine asked, which made him pause for a moment.

“Let’s just get over there while the tracks are still fresh,” he dismissed, before walking out. Cathrine sighed, but followed.

“Isn’t that Stella?” Charlie asked, when all of them had stepped out of the car.

Chase frowned at his question, before he looked in the direction and not only did he see Stella walking next to Armaros, as he was holding her close to him.

He also saw Shax and Baal, who were carrying an unconscious Dagon, and Kyan and Jaze, who were walking next to Bella and a girl he didn’t recognize.

“Stella!” Chase yelled in shock, as he got a closer look at Stella, who was walking towards him, covered in blood and had only a jacket around her.

But when he stood in front of her, she just looked at him coldly, and put a hand up.

“It’s not mine, so just.. Don’t,” she stated coldly, as she was about to walk past him, but he stopped her and turned her towards him.

“What in the Moon Goddess' name were you thinking? You could have been killed!” He scolded, but Stella just stared at him indifferently.

“You don’t get to lecture me, I just killed someone, to make sure that this girl and Bella were safe, something you could have reassured!” She hissed, as she pointed at Bella and Liana.

“I couldn’t just throw out allegations, Stella, what should I have done?” Chase asked, while frustration was covering his features.

“You should’ve believed me when I told you Parker was a bad person! But instead you ignored everything I said, like you did with Armaros, like you always do, ‘cause you never trust me!” She yelled.

“Please, Stella, your dad meant well..” Cathrine tried to defend, but she immediately cut her off.

“Even you mom! I always thought I at least had you on my side. But you still keep defending all his bad decisions, and you know what - I’m done!”

“Don’t say that, you know I’m always here for you, but this was..”

“It was what? Different? Shouldn’t family come before anything else? I realized today your reputation is your first priority, dad. ‘Cause the moment Bella wasn’t counted a part of the tribe anymore, you just ignored everything!” She snapped.

“The Green Oak Pack is fücked up. Bella deserves better. I deserve better!” She yelled, before she pulled away and headed back to the car, while Chase and Cathrine looked at each other baffled.

[End of flashback]

[..]

“How’s your arm feeling now?” Bella asked, as she lied next to Dagon on the bed.

They were still at the clinic, and though she knew they had to face her parents sooner or later, she wanted to be alone with him just a little bit longer.

“I’m all good now, don’t you worry, it’s all healed,” he replied with a smile, as he took a hold of her hand and let his thumb stroke the back of her hand.

“I’m glad to hear that.. But I want to ask you something. Don’t you smoke anymore? Usually, not an hour goes by without you needing one, but I don’t seem to detect any smell on you,” Bella pointed out, as he tilted his head a little.

“You’re right, I quit a few weeks ago, it took too much of my time, and I had other priorities,” he revealed, as she smiled.

“Well, you at least smell nicer now,” she spoke, as she put her arms around his neck, as he smirked.

“Then how about this,” he spoke as he kissed her, and slowly his tongue found its way into her mouth, where it soon danced with hers before he pulled away again.

“How was that?” He asked as he observed her lips pulled up in a small grin.

“You're right, you don’t taste like an ashtray anymore,” she teased as she started to giggle.

“Getting smart with me, are you, little wolf? He smirked, before he began to tickle her, so she started laughing, ridiculously laud.

After some time, they just lied there on the bed again in a half sitting position, as the front of the bed was elevated.

He gently stroked her cheek, and Bella couldn’t have been happier at that point.

“I haven’t been this happy for months,” Bella spoke as she pulled herself closer to Dagon, while she burried her face in his chest, and inhaled his scent.

But when he didn’t say anything, she looked at him, and observed his thoughtful expression.

“Did I say something wrong?” She asked, as he forced a smile and shook his head, before placing a kiss on her cheek.

“No, I just.. I should have fought harder for you, I just left you there, no questions asked,” he spoke as his expression turned pained.

“I know you did,” she answered bluntly, as he frowned.

“Aren’t you the least mad at me for doing that?”

“No, ‘cause I knew you would, that was the deal, remember?” She continued, as she looked at him seriously.

“I don’t understand,” he replied. She pulled herself up and sat on top of him.

“I gave you back the ring, ‘cause I knew you would leave, that’s why I did it. I wanted you to be safe,” Bella reminded him.

“But Bella I..” but before Dagon was able to say anymore, she put her hand over his mouth.

“No, Dagon. I’m not letting you blame yourself for the choice I made. Haven’t we both spent enough time suffering? Can’t we just be happy for once?” She asked, as he observed her, before she slowly removed her hand.

“Okay, you’re right, let’s just enjoy this moment,” he replied, as she smiled back at him, before she kissed him once again.

[Stella POV]

The next morning, I woke up to a strange feeling and I knew it was my dad summoning all the werewolves, which for some reason included me. I didn’t know why, but I quickly jumped out of bed.

“Where are you going?” Armaros asked me as he sat up, and watched me put on my clothes.

After everything, I decided to stay in his room, ‘cause I wasn’t ready to face my parents at home, and thankfully they had respected that.

“My dad is apparently summoning every werewolf in the tribe, so I have to go, but I’ll be back,” I reassured him as I gave him a quick kiss, before I ran out of there.

But what I saw, when I stepped out, was, surprisingly enough, what I expected would happen at some point.

The Green Oak Pack was standing there, and as soon as we all had shown up, my dad spoke.

“What are you doing here?” My father asked, as he stepped closer to Parker.

“I came to claim amends for what was done to my pack yesterday!” Parker hissed, not looking anywhere near pleased.

“What are you talking about?” My dad asked, as he tried not to seem fazed by the situation, but I knew he was worried about what Parker was planning to say and do.

“Your daughter killed one of my pack members.

Even after he surrendered she still decided to do so, which clearly was against the kind of challenge they were having,” Parker growled, which made my father frown, probably because it didn’t sound like me.

“Is that true, Stella?” My dad asked, as my breathing became heavier, as I for the first time since yesterday, had to be reminded of what actually had happened.

[Flashback - Stella’s POV]

“Give up, and accept your defeat!” Harley growled through a mind link, as he knocked me to the ground.

“I’ll never accept defeat to you!” I hissed back, but as I was getting up again, he bit me in the neck, to both prevent me from getting up, but also to förce me into submission.

I could hear the others call my name, and for a second, I was sure it was over, that I actually had lost.

But then I saw several images playing through my head, and I immediately knew exactly what he did.

Not only to Liana, but Bella too. Those images suddenly awoke not only anger, but a strength I didn’t know I had in me.

So, I was back on my paws in no time, as I felt myself getting lost in anger, and before I knew it, I was the one pinning him to the ground, while I was growling at him.

“Okay, you win, I surrender!” He blurred out, but I wasn’t retreating.

“Do you even feel any remorse for what you’ve done?!” I snapped at him, as he stared at me, confused.

“Tell me how you possibly think it’s okay to förce yourself on someone or watch as someone is beating their mate does that make you feel superior?” I growled.

“I have done nothing wrong! How about you and your friends leave while you still can!” He snarled, as I lost all will to keep my wolf from ripping out his throat.

I believe I blacked out for a moment, ‘cause the next thing I remembered was when Armaros walked over and placed his jacket over me.

I was covered in bloòd from head to toe, while I was sitting naked next to Harley’s dead body.

“Are you alright?” Armaros asked me as he gently stroked his hands down my arms.

“Please, get me out of here,” I begged him, as I looked at him.

Not because I was scared of the pack’s reaction to this, but more because I was terrified of what I might do if I saw Parker at that point.

“I got you babygirl, let’s get you home,” he soothed, as he helped me up, and all of us started to walk back to the car.

[End of Flashback]

“Yeah, it’s true, I wasn’t able to control my anger after I found out what that guy did to Liana, and even how he watched you abuse Bella.

So, yeah, I killed him, and it took every last bit of my willpower not to do the same to you!” I snapped at him, as he just shook his head in disbelief.

“See, she admits to it, I'll kindly advise you to do the right thing.

Hand her over, and I might consider giving her a milder punishment, but none of the less, she needs to take responsibility for her actions. That’s how the rules of the packs work, or you will be making a declaration of war against us.” Parker warned him.

“You know what, Parker? I realized something yesterday. I have been hanging on to old accustomed ways and rules, that shouldn’t even be there anymore, ‘cause this place is not a pack. This is a tribe, designed for every kind, so I’m not gonna listen to those stupid rules of yours anymore. If you really want a fight, then we will give you one, ‘cause I’m not handing my daughter or anyone else over to you. But I will warn you, we don’t take lightly, to threats against our own, and we will gladly punish you for how you treated Bella, if you choose to go on with this so-called war you’re asking for!” My father growled back at him, as everyone else from the tribe slowly started to show up as well.

Somehow, it seemed like Parker realized he didn’t stand a chance against us, so he cautiously observed all of us, before he turned around with a huff.

“Let’s go!” He hissed, as they all left the area. Though I wasn’t confident that it would be the last we saw of the Green Oak Pack.

I was relieved to know it at least wasn’t going to be today, we would face them.

I was still stunned a great deal that my father actually defended me this time, even though I had broken the rules.

“Why did you defend my actions?” I asked him, as everything started to calm down.

“Because you were right. Though I still mean peace between the tribe and other packs is important, I now know you did the right thing, ‘cause protecting our own should be our first priority, and that’s why I think I should apologize. Not only to you, but Bella as well.” He sighed, as he looked at both of us.

“I’m genuinely sorry that I didn’t see your pain, Bella, what he did to you was not okay, and I should have known.. And Stella, I apologize for not trusting you the way I should, and I promise I’ll do my best to earn back your trust, and be worthy of it.. Both of yours,” He spoke, as I felt my eyes start to tear up, as both Bella and I hugged him.

“Thank you, dad!”