RHEA'S POV:

"Kronos... what do we do? I don't even know if I want to go to war over this. She's out for revenge because of her lost pup. Ouranos fucked up." I said, stressed out of my own mind.

My mate was silent, his face showing that he was lost in his own thoughts.

"Babe, are you listening?" I asked, frowning as I waved my hand in front of his handsome features.

He blinked, noticing that I used a new nickname for him. I could see a slight blush on his cheeks before he cleared his throat. "Ah... sorry. I just... my dad? Why would he do such a thing? I can't wrap my mind around it."

I sympathized with him, placing my hand on his shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze.

"Honestly, I don't know why. We overheard the story. I'm having a hard time believing this as well. Since he seemed so supportive of us and he seems to cherish you a lot as well." I mumbled.

A sigh left my mate, "Well, that's how it always starts. It always seems that way. But there's more that meets the eye." He paused. "I want to talk to him."

I cocked a brow, crossing my arms. "Are you sure you want to talk to him? He seemed pissed after Fortrista left."

"I don't care how he feels right now. If what she said is true, then he's no longer my father. He's just as bad as my mother." Kronos spat, eyes pitch black before he took a breath in.

Calming his wolf down.

Surprised, I could only nod. Lately, Kronos has come out of his shell more and was more outspoken. However, he did have his moments of shutting down and becoming frightened over certain things.

Specific things or topics still triggered him, as he's still healing.

After seeing me nod, Kronos turned towards the door and strived to his father's bedroom. I quickly followed behind him, making sure that everything would flow smoothly.

At least I hoped it did.

A loud knock echoed across the hall and I realized it came from my mate. Kronos knocked on his dad's door hard, and I could tell from his body language that he was not in the mood to play around.

'' Rain said, smirking.

'Hush it, it's not the time or place for that.' I replied, cutting the link.

Not a moment after, Ouranos opened the door. There was a faint annoyed expression before he smiled. "Kronos! My boy. Did you need something?"

Kronos pressed his hand on the door, forcing it open. He stepped inside with me trailing behind him. I closed the door swiftly as Ouranos took a few steps back, confused on the sudden intrusion.

"What's going on? You both seem to be upset." He asked, tilting his head to the side in wonder. Ouranos then started to laugh, "Oh wait, don't tell me. Kronos, you tried to ask Rhea for sex and she rejected you? I told you, you have to do foreplay fi-"

"We saw your meeting with Fortrista." Kronos bluntly said, crossing his arms as he confronted his father.

He had cut him off while he was talking, letting him know he wasn't here to joke around.

Ouranos quickly lost his smile, but quickly returned it back. "What meeting? You guys are silly. Is this a prank because I was in a hurry somewhere? I was on a date with this widowed pack female." He said, laughing.

It was almost too convincing, but we knew otherwise. Everything was an act.

All of it.

"Cut the crap, Ouranos. You can't lie. Kronos and I witnessed everything. From beginning to end." I said, stepping in.

He fell silent, before he morphed his expression into a dead stare. "Fine. You got me."

"But why? Why would you do something like that?" Kronos asked, his eyes swirling with black.

Ouranos shook his head, scratching the back of it. "Ah, geez. I didn't expect it to come to this. Look, it was all in the past. The past doesn't define someone. It shouldn't matter anymore and you guys shouldn't see me any differently."

"Yet, you spoke to her like it was nothing. You aren't sorry for anything. You killed an innocent pup."

"I didn't want the pup." He said, face blank.

I didn't understand how someone could be so heartless.

"So Fortrista didn't get to have a say in it?" I said, retaliating.

"She would have said no otherwise. Then if Gaia found out, she would have rejected me. Kronos wouldn't be here without me. You should be thankful, because you found your mate. Which is, my son."

I bit my inner cheek, frustrated. "Of course I'm thankful. Kronos is everything to me, but that doesn't excuse what you did."

"Then mind your business, Rhea. You're overstepping boundaries right now." He said, frowning.

"Damn those boundaries! Does Gaia even know? Does the pack know what you've done?" I asked, shaking my head.

"Fuck no. If they had known what I did, then they would have taken that crazy bitches side. If you heard the whole thing, you can tell Fortrista tried to tell her sob story. Lots of females tend to play victim when they chose to be in that situation. Doesn't matter if it's toxic or not. They're too much of a pussy to leave." Ouranos said, continuing to shrug.

"Therefore, it's not my fault. So what? She had a sob story of getting bullied. She had toxic boyfriends previously and was scared to leave. How is that supposed to be my problem? She said she was scared to leave. But she didn't have anything tying her down. I don't know what she thinking. Seriously. It's never going to get any better in the relationship. She should have known her worth."

"Like you know your worth? It's at the bottom of the fucking food chain. You scumbag." I hissed, losing all respect for this man. I continued, feeling bad for Fortrista.

"Love blinds you. If anything, it's the toxic persons fault. Did you forget you're also toxic? According to her, you love-bombed and manipulated her. You're just as bad as the rest of them." I said, glaring at the man I once knew.

"Pfff, are you serious?" He asked, scoffing.

"I'm done playing this act. I'm done trying to be nice..." he paused, massaging his temples. "She was just naive. That's what happens when she believes me easily. I got what I wanted in the end. And you know what? I don't care what you or Kronos have to say. Just leave my room. I need space and I honestly cannot believe you two are siding with a woman who has killed three of our pack members. Are you out of your mind?"

Ouranos made a point.

Fortrista had killed three of our pack members and have caused many families to grieve. Hell, Kronos and I felt the bonds breaking within us. It hurt... and it didn't excuse what she has done. Obviously not. She just vented out her anger and sorrow wrongly.

Still... everything made sense now.

"Enough, Ouranos. We've heard enough of your bullshit for today. You're coming with us for further interrogation." I said, taking steps forward to the old man.

Ouranos laughed, stepping away from me. "You're really pressed about this stupid pup? It wasn't even born yet. It was a bunch of cells. If it was born, it would have been considered a bastard. Why let a pup be born in the world where no one loves it? No one wanted it. I was giving it a chance to not suffer. Fortrista wasn't even my mate. The pup would have been bullied to death for being born from someone who wasn't my mate."

"That's not the point, Ouranos. You didn't ask for consent from Fortrista. She is suffering silently and needs help. You are at fault for this, not her." I said, flashing my fangs.

"You see, the fact that you talk like that, is probably one of the reasons why both your parents died. Good riddance, they didn't need to deal with a big mouthed daughter like you." He said, his tone in his voice meaning that he meant it.

Anger coursed through my veins.

How dare he say that, right in my face as if I everything was my fault?

Before I could say anything, a shadow passed by me. And just like that, a huge thud as well as a groan echoed in the room.

Ouranos was on the floor and Kronos was there, standing over him. He had his hand wrapped around his neck, strangling him.

"You may be my father, but that doesn't mean that you can disrespect my Luna." Kronos said, gritting his teeth before adding, "You will not disrespect my mate, especially in front of me. Are we clear?"

"Crystal." Ouranos said, wheezing. His hands tried to pray Kronos's hands off him but to no prevail.

His strength didn't match the alpha's strength.

With that, Kronos let the old man go. He fell with a thud as he continued to groan in pain.

He quickly got up, shakily standing.

"I saved your life, Kronos. And because of you, I fell into a coma. Don't you remember how much I've done for you? Is this really how you'll repay me?" He managed to gasp out, coughing.

My mate stood still, wide eyed.

"My fault? You think it's my fault?" He muttered, staring at his father in shock. His skin paled, as his fists clenched together.

Ouranos smirked, knowing that this got under Kronos's skin.

"Why do you think I tried to play a good father to you, Kronos? Because then... I could secure my position in being the alpha's father. People would still respect me. They still pity me for dating Fortrista. I get so many benefits from you treating me well. I've never really loved you, as I saw you as a tool for my own needs."

Just before anything else could happen next, I quickly slammed the old man into the wall, knocking him out cold.

' Rain snarled, flashing her canines.

I slowly turned over to Kronos, seeing my mate still stand there in disbelief. Attempting to console him, I quickly reach over to touch him.

Only to get my hand slapped away.

"Kronos?" I asked, my feelings hurt.

"Please... don't look at me. You're just the same... aren't you? I'm a monster." He said, a tear rolling down his cheek.

How could he just let a sentence get to him? Haven't I proved all along that I'm on his side?

Pain filled me, as my emotions skyrocketed.

"You're not-"

A broken sob left my mate as he turned away from me. My heart clenched in pain.

"Just... leave me alone." He said, cutting me off.

And just like that, Kronos left.

Taking my heart with him as well.