chapter one hundred and eighty-five

Pov Hope.

Upon arriving at the pack house, Jade found me drenched and curious. She mentioned that my father was calling for me and questioned why I was all wet. We headed to the room, where I took a quick shower and changed clothes before heading to my father's office.

Upon opening the door, my father looked at me with a serious expression and asked where I had been. I opted for a half-truth, mentioning that I had gone for a walk in the forest and run with my wolf. His reaction was immediate.

"Hope, you know you can't leave the palace. No one can see you before the end of the competition. I'm trying to protect you from potential threats. Many people have come from afar, and we can't risk anything happening."

Indignation grew within me, and I couldn't help but respond angrily. "If my mother were here, she would never allow you to keep me locked up like this!"

My father sighed, trying to explain the reasons behind his actions. However, frustration persisted, creating tension between us.