86. Jalen

My heart shattered when I saw Rissa standing outside the door with tears streaming down her face and anger in her eyes. She heard everything, and I was filled with regret for not telling her the truth earlier.

"Son, look at the bright side," my mother spoke up when Clarissa drove off. She tried to sound cheerful. "It's for the best. You'll have a child, and Malory is from our pack. You're now a complete male and fit to become the Lycan king."

But her words only made me angrier. "Listen to me, mother," I spat, unable to contain my fury. "I will not live the messed-up life that you and dad lived. Dad never loved you, he loved your sister. And because of heartbreak, your sister died. I'm never going to take that route and be in a loveless marriage. So you better take her away from my sight because I don't ever want to see her again."

My mother froze, and I could see a single tear escape her cheek. But I didn't care. I was done with her constant interference in my life.

"Jalen," she spoke