Why My Mate Cries
Chapter 58

ALIYAH’S POV

As I remembered the past, it only gave me a bittersweet feeling. The agony I had been through shattered my heart and soul into pieces, and even though months had passed since I escaped from my abusive family, whenever I thought about them, the vivid memories of how they tortured and hurt me could still tear me apart.

Feeling a sharp anxiety passing through my chest, my eyes looked around the four corners of the tent where we stayed. The tent felt a little bit hot and humid. The elders, including Klaus, Liana, and Sage, went out a few minutes ago as the other members of each pack were called by some people who organized activities for all of the shifters. It seemed to me that this event was not just about the treaties, alliances, and all the other stuff in between, but also served as a perfect time for different packs to have fun.

Fun. How I wished I could get to experience it, but all I could do right now was hide and hope that my brother, or even my father, would never know that I was here. Otherwise, it would be a big problem.

“Alice, I’m hung—”

I was not able to finish what I was about to say when I saw Alice sleeping peacefully on the couch. I bet she was so tired after that more than two-hour drive going here, not to mention that we woke up too early to prepare for this event.

Sighing, I decided not to bother her anymore and just walked to the mini-kitchen to look for something to eat. Luckily, Cecilia had brought so many foods for us to share with each other, though they were sure that there would be a feast later on.

I grabbed a chicken sandwich and a bottle of milk from the container filled with snacks, and then settled into the small bed not too far away from where Alice was sleeping. Even though my chest was still tightening because of the fear engulfing me, I could never let myself starve as my little one needed to be healthy.

While I was eating, I wondered what the Alphas were doing right now. I was worried about Reid. I knew he was enraged by the time I told him that my family was here, and I could not help but fear what he could do. As much as possible, I wanted us to stay low-key and let this event finish without a bloodbath.

However, that was wishful thinking because loud screams began to echo from outside even before I could taste the milk. It took me a few seconds to get a grasp of what was happening. I heard Alphas shouting, growling, and the sound of punching was so loud that it made me gasp for air.

My heart pounded aggressively inside my chest. I went into an instant panic, thinking that it might be Reid and Shawn that were beating each other up outside. The thought of it made my entire body tremble.

I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened to Reid!

“No… No… It can’t be…” I mumbled.

The loud screams continued. It was as if there was already a battlefield outside. I was afraid that Reid would be in serious trouble, so I did not hesitate to go out of the tent to check what was going on.

My eyes widened at the sight of two packs clashing. Some of the warriors shifted into their wolf forms, attacking each other like beasts craving to kill.

“Reid… Oh my god! Reid, where are you?”

I walked forward even though my feet were shaking so badly. My eyes started to become teary as I tried to look for Reid in the crowd, until I fell on the ground when someone bumped into me.

A whimper escaped my lips. I was trying to drag myself to stand up when a hand suddenly appeared in front of me. Swallowing hard, I looked up to see the owner of that hand, and my world stopped moving when I saw the familiar face of my father, smirking devilishly at me.

“D—Dad….”

“It’s really you,” he said.

His voice made me feel the all-too familiar terror that I have lived with in the past. My tears streamed down my face, my heart pounding violently, and I was panicking at the danger that awaited me now that our path had crossed.

“What the f**k are you doing here, mutt?” he asked.

I cried in agony when he forcibly dragged me to stand up. His hand was gripping my arm so tightly that I could feel his claws digging into my skin. I tried to shove his hand away, but he was stronger than that and he easily pulled me closer to him.

The familiar horror I used to feel whenever he beat me suddenly crawled back into my body, making me unable to move further and breathless.

“D—Dad, please, let me go. You’re hurting me!” I begged.

“Oh, I’m really going to hurt you, sweetheart.” He grinned devilishly as he glared at me darkly. “How could you run away from your family?” he screamed straight at my face. That made me cry louder. “You’re supposed to serve us until your death!”

“Dad, please, no!” I tried to push him, but he did not even flinch.

He laughed out loud. His eyes glowed red because of his rage. Knowing my father, he would really do whatever would please him, and part of it was torture me.

“You should’ve behaved well, Aliyah. You know your worth is nothing more than a slave’s. Running away only means that you defy your own father!”

He raised his hand in the air. My eyes widened as I knew what he was about to do. I covered my face with my other hand, but before his hand could land on my face, I breathed the familiar scent of my husband, who immediately intervened and pushed my father as hard as he could.

Reid instantly pulled me in and covered me with both of his arms. He snarled at my father. I shuddered and gasped at what he did, but when I glanced over at my father, I felt even more worried as his eyes were already smouldering.

“Who the f**k are you?!” Dad growled. He marched towards us and tried to get me back. However, he shoved his hand and pushed him harder. “That’s my daughter!”

“You never treated her as your daughter!” Reid countered angrily. “She’s no longer part of your pack! She’s with me!”

My emotions welled up when I heard the familiar laughter of my brother, Shawn. He stood right next to our father and glared at us.

“Hmm, now I know why I didn’t like you, Alpha Reid.” He clicked his tongue. Shaking his head, he continued, “That’s my sister you’re protecting. Would you be kind enough to return her to us? I’ve been looking forward to a family reunion.” Then he looked at me. “Do you feel the same thing, Aliyah?”

Crying, I shook my head. I could not even say a word as my entire body was on the verge of convulsing because of the dread that consumed me. Seeing them right now brought back the horrible memories that I wanted to forget, and it made me want to run away for the second time around; to go to the place where they could no longer replace me.

“Do not disrespect her in front of me!” Reid growled. His chest was moving up and down. At any moment, I knew that he’d lose his mind and shift to his wolf form.

That… That could not happen…

“Stay out of this, Alpha Reid,” Shawn warned him.

“No.” Reid shook his head. “I’m not letting you take my wife away.”