Heirs, 34

(POV: Deniel)

I take a deep breath as I watch Scarlett hastily leave my house. So many years have passed, and she still harbors feelings for me. Deep down, I always knew she was in love, but I thought that after all this time, she would have moved on. However, I realized that I caused her deep pain when I fell in love with Lina. Although today I know it was never love or passion, in fact, I was just captivated by her beauty, innocence, charisma, and conviction in her ideals. These things reminded me of my late wife.

My marriage wasn't built on love; it was arranged from the start. I know we weren't soulmates. In fact, I never found mine. But over time, I learned to love my late wife. She made me happy, even though I didn't feel complete. Deep in my heart, I didn't feel fulfilled, but the fact that she accepted that she would never meet her soulmate, just like me, because our parents had other plans for us, made me admire her even more for her strength. I tried my best to be a good husband.

We worked hard to be happy. Over time, admiration turned into affection, and we became great friends. We built a beautiful family. I loved them, my children more than anything. However, the wolf race destroyed my family, destroyed my clan. I saw my entire life being ruined before my eyes, and I couldn't do anything about it. I was utterly useless. To some extent, that still hurts a lot.

For decades, I held onto resentment, bitterness, and a lot of hatred in my heart. The only thing that drove me was revenge. I wanted to repay them in kind for what they did to me, even though the wolves from that time no longer existed. I felt disgusted by the entire lupine race.

But thanks to Lina, I managed to leave those negative feelings behind and start my life again. Once again, I overcame everything. Scarlett has always been a great friend. I've always cared for her, but I could never see her as more than a friend. I even thought about getting involved with her, but in my heart, I felt how wrong that was and decided to listen to it. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't see her with desire in my eyes.

In search of a fresh start, I left everything behind, went away, and left Scarlett in the abandoned castle. I didn't say goodbye, I didn't seek her out, I just moved on, trying to erase that dark part of my past.

I sit on the couch and take a deep breath, relieved to know that she's alive, but sad that she still feels something for me, and even worse, she wants revenge. I, more than anyone, know how much those negative feelings can disrupt our lives. I shouldn't have abandoned her. Maybe everything would be different now if I hadn't been such a complete coward. I remember her hurtful look when she undressed in front of me but couldn't get the desired reaction. I know she must have felt humiliated, but I couldn't be a jerk and take advantage of her vulnerability and use her body.

I sigh heavily. I would love to find my soulmate, I would give anything to have the privilege of finding her, but I know how impossible that is. No one from my kind survived that cruel massacre, except me. If she ever existed, she died on that dark day in my history.

I close my eyes for a few seconds, trying to hold back the tears that insist on appearing. I can't cry over something that happened years ago. I wasn't born to be happy; I'm a wretch who should have been erased from existence, just like everyone in my clan.

A memory flashes through my mind: the little girl who used to climb this mountain keeps disturbing my thoughts. I don't understand why, but I feel something good in my chest when I remember her delicate features and curvaceous body. Where could she be?

I hope she's doing well. I'm sure I won't see her again, so I try to push her face out of my mind. I need to focus now on finding Lina; I have to warn her about Scarlett. She needs to protect herself, and I won't let my mistakes harm her again. I hope she listens to me and believes me.

(POV: Renata)

"Nicollas, aren't you coming to lunch?" I ask as I sit at the table.

"He went to town with Albert," Lina replies as she finishes setting the table.

Her expression is filled with sadness, she's not smiling as usual, and I don't know why, but it makes me... uneasy? What I feared the most is happening; I'm getting attached to these people, and it shouldn't be happening. I need to call my mother as soon as possible.

If Lina looks so sad, she must have had a fight with her mate. I can't imagine what could have caused this disagreement, but I prefer not to interfere; they'll make up soon. I decide to call my mother when Nicollas returns; he'll probably be tired, and we can take advantage of that.

"After lunch, it's training, right?" Luan asks as he sits in front of me and starts serving himself.

"Yes," I reply simply.

"Don't talk about training now," Lina adds another bowl of salad to the table. "You guys only talk about training. I'm glad you're getting so close, but let's eat." She sits down next to me.

"Mom, did something happen?" Lucca asks, and everyone at the table looks at Lina.

"Nothing happened, dear," she replies. "Let's eat." She starts serving herself.

No one says anything else, and I think the boys can feel the strange atmosphere. For the first time, we eat in complete silence. After I'm done, I get up from the table, and the boys follow suit.

"Good training, kids," Lina says, kissing her children on the forehead.

She looks at me, and I feel like she wants to do the same with me. I wish she... No! She's the enemy, Renata, don't be weak. I smile at her, and she smiles back, then I head for the exit with the boys following me.

"Ready?" Luan says, opening the door.

"Ready for what?" I ask, confused.

"Ready to have the privilege of getting beaten by me," he says, boasting, and I roll my eyes.

I don't say anything and stare at the cloudy sky. The sun's rays are barely visible, the day is gray, and it couldn't be more perfect. The damp wind hits my face, and I close my eyes, savoring the cool breeze rustling my hair. It's definitely going to rain soon. I love the smell of wet earth.

"Want to race?" Luan invites, full of energy as always.

"Sorry, but my belly's still too full. I'd rather walk," I say, shrugging. "Besides, we shouldn't tire ourselves out before training. We can stretch when we get there."

"I prefer to walk too. Sorry, Rapha," Lucca says, shrugging.

"Okay, I didn't really want to race anyway," Raph

a says, teasing, and walks ahead of us.

Lucca and I exchange smiles. I'm sure he wanted to race, so I decide to fulfill his wish. If I end up throwing up all my food, it'll be entirely his fault.

"Last one there's a wimp!" I shout as I pass him, running, and laugh as I see them trying to catch up.

"Get back here, you cheater!" Luan yells.

"I'm going to end up puking," Lucca says loudly, almost catching up with his brother.

"Come on, you guys are wolves, not scaredy-cats," I taunt, and I see them pick up the pace even more. I decide to concentrate on running as far away from them as possible. I may be small, but I'm agile, and they won't catch me easily.