Becoming Alpha’s Personal Caretaker
Chapter 197

Lauren's POV

From afar, I saw gate of the Blanco Estate.

It was almost a year since I set foot in the Full Moon Tribe.

The day that I told my father that I have nothing to do with him anymore, I no longer visit the territory. I have my own apartment that I have no reason to be in the same house with him.

I live independently that I did not have to ask anything from him except the truth of my mother's death. The truth that he refused to disclose. Due to recent events, I knew why he dodged the topic of his mate's death.

I got tired of the unfair treatment from him. I am pissed of the phony attitude from Lola and Janice back then that I had to cut the relationship between us for my peace of mind. My musing halted when a hand touched mine.

I turned to the man sitting beside me at the backseat of the car.

An understanding smile greeted me. I smiled back at Victor.

About a week ago, my mate was lying in bed. He was in coma for three days. It was an agonizing three days.

Although I knew that he was healing, I was deeply worried. The possibility of losing his wolf was very high since the Dark Witch ingested her poisoned blood on in his bloodstream. "Everything will be alright, my love."

I took a deep breath and squeezed his hand. I am thankful that Victor is with me today.

A day after Victor woke up from coma, he asked about what happened to our mission regarding the Dark Witch. I told him about the rogues that I put in prison awaiting for his verdict.

We both decided to pay my father a visit after he finished with the issues in Midnight Claws Tribe.

After a thorough check up from me and Mila, he was given a clean bill of health. Kent also gave me an assurance that he and his human are both in their perfect condition. Somehow, it eased my worries.

When we reached the gates, I slid the window down on my side. The guard immediately recognized me that he motioned the other guard to open the gates for us to enter.

The manicured lawn was still a sight to behold as we made our short journey towards the main house.

At the absence of Lola, the gardener must have continue working in those beautiful bushes. Besides, father has a reputation to uphold. He still is the president of the Blanco Group. Everything around him should be in perfection.

When he thought that he could use me to be in the good side of the Lunarko Tribe, he allowed the engagement between me and Michael to happened. However, when Janice seduced the incoming alpha, to save his favorite daughter's virtue, he swapped the bride. Whoever the bride was, she was still a Blanco. However, when Janice messed up and tarnished his name, he withdrew his support to her and Lola.

An unfamiliar house help opened the main door. She still bowed her head to Victor and I. She must have recognized us since she was also a shifter.

"Where is Alpha Manuel?" I asked.

"He is in the study, Miss Lauren."

"Thank you."

Walking hand and hand, we head in the direction of my father's private office. It was the place in the manor where Alpha Manuel and I had a lot of confrontation in the past. It was either about my mother or how I was treated by his new family. Standing by the door, I exhaled as I tried to muster my composure. I should be ready when this door opens.

When I was about to raise my hand to knock, a hand touched my shoulder. When I turned, Victor stared into my eyes. Before I could ask, he pulled me for a hug.

"I will be waiting for you here. No one will enter that door without my permission." He whispered in my ear.

"I love you."

"I know. I love you, too, my Luna."

A kiss on top of my head, Victor let go of me.

With a renewed certainty, I knocked on the wooden door. I turned the knob when I heard the word "ENTER' from the other side.

I was startled when I saw the office.

It was covered in darkness. The curtains were down. If I did not know where the table was, I will not be able to notice my father sitting behind it.

"What brings you here, Lauren?" Alpha Manuel's voice rumbled in the silence of the small confinement.

I pressed the switch on the wall. The brightness illuminated the whole area.

The first thing that greeted me was the huge picture of my father and Lola. It was hoisted above the wall behind my father.

My eyes did not have to wander to spot the small frames on top of the table. I already had the glimpse of the family pictures composed of him, Lola, and Janice.

I was confused though when I noticed that the frames were upside down.

"Are you here to rub on my face on how mistaken I am to side with Janice all this time?"

I looked at father's face intently.

He seemed to have age a few years from the last time that I saw him. He seemed exhausted, too. But his attitude did not change though. He still carried himself proudly. Like the alpha male that he is. "Yes. Among other things." I admitted.

"Janice is gone. I didn't know where she is and I don't care. Lola left the territory. She wanted me to replace our daughter. She disappeared when I refused to send warriors to replace Janice." Alpha Manuel disclosed. There was no remorse in his voice nor a hint of concern.

"You replace no use for Janice. That was the reason why you never made an effort to look for her."

"Is that worry I sense from you, Lauren? You hated Janice since day one."

"I don't like her attitude but I did not hate her."

"Did not?" A frown marred the older man's face.

I met his eyes. I nodded before speaking again.

"Janice is dead. She entangled herself with the wrong people. She used them and thought that she had them wrapped around her fingers."

"You did not kill her, I see."

My jaw tightened at my father's words. He said it without an ounce of hesitation.

This man is not the father I thought I knew! I am grateful that I grew up under the wings of Grandma Anna.

"Lola's dead, too."

"Oh?"

He turned his attention away from me. A trace of sadness passed his eyes but it was gone in second.

"She joined forces with the Dark Witch. She attacked Sabado Tribe and abduct*ed me. She was eventually killed by the witch."

"I see." He muttered after a while. "Where is she buried?"

"I did not know."

"Thank you for informing me. I will hold a memorial service for them. After all, they were part of the Full Moon Tribe." He cleared his throat. "You can leave now."

I remained on my feet as I watched my father. I can see that the death of the two important people in his life somehow place a toll on him. This blasted man has a heart after all. "Leave now, Lauren. Your job here is done."

"Not yet."

Alpha Manuel lifted his face to look at me. He glared at me.

"What is it this time? Your sister is dead. Lola is gone. Do you want anything else?"

A huffed exited my mouth at the audacity of my father.

"I want justice. I want justice for my mother, Alpha Manuel."

The older man stood up. He pressed his hands on the table and turned his attention towards me.

"Your mother is dead. She committed suicide, Lauren. You should have accepted the truth a long time ago."

"Not when I know the truth." I gazed into his eyes. "My mother did not take her own life. She will not because she knew that she has a daughter who depends on her. She did not kill herself because she loved her daughter!" "Dammit, Lauren! When you lost your mother, I also lost my mate!"

Veins were protruding on the forehead of Alpha Manuel. His eyes were bulging from anger.

"The mate the you murdered!" I yelled on his face.

He paused. His eyes widened as he ogled me.

"W-what?" He murmured. He shook his head. "What is it this time, Lauren?"

I chuckled at his reaction. This man is a great actor.

"Look, honey. Allow your mother's soul to rest."

"My mother is screaming for justice. You killed her!"

"Stop this instance, Lauren! How dare you accused me this crime? This is old news. The investigation is done. Your mother killed herself!"

"Father, the only witness of your crime already spilled the beans. She told me everything so that I will spare her life."

"W-what?"

If I am not watching my father's face I will not able to notice the change in his demeanor.

"Lola told me what happened that night."

I placed my hands on the pocket of the sweater I am wearing. I am shaking in anger.

Alpha Manuel smacked the table with both of his hands. He regarded me with fury. He tried to dominate me with his alpha supremacy.

However, I am his daughter. Alpha blood also runs in my veins. I am also mated to a powerful alpha.

He was startled that I did not submit to him. His jaw tightened. He hit the table again. The sound resonated in the small office.

"The only witness of the crime is already dead, Lauren. Your accusation has no value." He sneered.

"Indeed." I agreed.

He scoffed. He straightened.

"You want the truth, my daughter?" His brow lifted. "When your mother learned of Janice, she wanted to leave me. She finally found a reason to leave. She wanted to bring you with her. I will not allow that. I will not be the laughing stock in the society. Not when being the head of the Blanco Group is about to be given to me. I forbid your mother to destroy my reputation by leaving me. A divorce, rejected mate is not a good status."

He shook his head. Madness was written in his eyes. This man has no ounce of shame of what he has done.

"A widowed, grieving alpha is more acceptable." He added.

"You are going down." I said with conviction.

He laughed at my statement. "No witness, no crime."

It was my turn to laugh when he said that.

I pulled my hands from my pocket. I placed the mobile phone in front of me and pressed the screen.

The familiar voice of my father echoed in the small room.

"You want the truth, my daughter? When your mother learned of Janice, she wanted to leave me. She finally found a reason to leave..."

"Gocha." I pronounced as the recording continued.