Chapter 0132
Colin’s POV
I see Alaric nod slowly and say, “Yes.”
“I will start pursuing Cara again,” Alaric says firmly, his gaze locked on me. His eyes convey his resolve.
“I know I was a jerk in the past… Cara has always loved me, given so much for me. And I’ve let her down, made her vulnerable and sad. The way our relationship is now, the way Cara is now, it’s all my fault. I’m a hopeless jerk, and I know that.”
“But from now on, from this moment, no matter what I owe her from the past, I will repay it tenfold. I will apologize to her, as many times as it takes, begging for her forgiveness.”
He takes a deep breath, his expression wavering when he speaks of the past, but his words are unwavering.
“I will pursue her, treat her well. I will win her heart, and marry her as my one and only luna,” Alaric says.
“-Everything I’ve said comes from the heart. I swear to the goddess, not a single word is a lie.”
“So please, allow me to pursue Cara.”
When those words leave his lips, a red light flickers around him. It’s the goddess acknowledging his vow. His promise now holds an extraordinary weight. If Alaric breaks it, the goddess herself will bring down unimaginable pain as punishment.
Aidan freezes, clearly stunned by his sincerity. His eyes widen, and the punch he had been about to throw stops halfway.
If this were a normal situation, no one would question such a solemn vow.
Even my usually sharp brother, Ryan, has nothing to say this time.
But to me, it’s laughable.
From the bottom of my heart, I think it’s ridiculous.
So, I laugh. And all the men here turn their attention to me.
It’s rare—because I’m the youngest of the brothers, apart from Cara, and I’ve always been seen as the most mature and quiet.
Chapter 0132
“…Alaric, you’re a complete jerk.”
With everyone watching, I stand on the steps in front of Cara’s house, looking down at him. “You say you know Cara loves you, but in your words, you don’t even see her as a real, independent person.”
“…What?” My dumb brother Aidan blinks, looking confused. “Hey, what’s going on? The goddess just blessed his vow, so should I punch him or not?”
Ryan stays silent, just watching me without saying a word.
**
When I was very young, I was already set on the path to assist the future alpha king- my brother Eamon–since it was our destiny.
Our family, the Arbun family, the BloodyMoon alpha family, is called “royalty” by others.
From a young age, we were taught by our harsh father never to do anything that would bring shame to the family. We couldn’t do anything beyond the rules.
We weren’t have freedom.
Most of my early memories are of being subjected to my father’s strict, almost abusive training.
“None of you are like Eamon,” my cold–hearted father says. “Landon is obsessed with useless art, Richard is an ordinary fool who listens to everyone else, and as for Aidan and Ryan… tsk.”
His dismissive attitude says it all.
Many times, as a child, I cry in my mother’s arms, complaining.
“Mom, why did you marry a man like him?” I say. “He has no heart! Other kids have their dads to play with, but not me. He only calls me when he needs me to study, and sometimes locks me in a terrifying room…
I cry. “Why did you fall in love with such a terrible man? Why are you always so strong? He’s horrible to me, and horrible to you. He hardly ever comes to see you. You’re always alone…”
My mom just hugs me tighter, patting my shoulder.
་་
…My little Colin, listen carefully to what I’m about to say.”
I ask, “Mom…?”
Her gentle voice surrounds me. I can feel her tears, as I notice the wetness on my shoulder where her cheek rests.
“Love is the most powerful and magical force in this world. I wasn’t strong at first, but love–loving you, loving your father, loving the pack–made me stronger.”
I say, “But mom, dad doesn’t seem to love you… it seems like you’ve been the only one giving in this family.”
I can’t help but add, “He doesn’t understand love! He has no heart! He’s a devil!”
“Shh.”
She pulls me closer, “Don’t say that about your father.”
“He’s just a poor man…”
“…A man who doesn’t know love.”
***
My poor mother loves my father deeply, even until she dies from depression after my sister goes missing. Years after her death, because of the situation with Cara and Lilia, we find out that my devil father had been having an affair with the Nanny for
years.
And it turns out that my parents weren’t even chosen mates–my father wasn’t originally in love with my mother.
Unlike my rebellious brothers, I’ve always been destined to assist Eamon, so I’m‘ always pushed to study. As I grow older, I try dating girls, but I still haven’t met my fated mate.
Family has always been the most important thing to me.
I’ve always been quiet and smiling, even when I have bad ideas, I keep them to myself. I’ve always supported my family.
But I know–better than anyone, I know–what does one who does not understand love be like. Just Like this one.
“…Alaric, you’re a complete jerk, and a pathetic one at that.” I say.
“What?”
3/4
Chapter 0132
Alaric looks surprised.
I step closer, pointing out his mistakes sharply, “You say Cara has become this way, that she’s fragile. You don’t even know the real Cara.”
“You say you owe Cara from the past and want to repay her, but how do you know she wants you to?”
Alaric starts, “I-”
I advance on him, pressing him further, “You say you want to marry Cara as your luna. You say everything that happened is your fault. You say you’ll repay her love tenfold…”
“–What do you even think love is? Money? Fame? Something to be exchanged? Did you consider Cara’s feelings even once?”
Alaric stammers, “I…”
Ryan can’t help but speak up, “Colin, enough. They were once fated mates, don’t they deserve a second chance?”
11
‘…Ryan, Aidan, listen up.” I say. “Even though I’m the youngest, and you two always joke about me being the most ‘mature‘ one…
“If it were me, I wouldn’t have interrupted Cara’s vacation this morning.”
I say each word slowly. “This is Cara’s decision, and she’s my best sister. She’s smart, talented, and her future will surpass all of us. She should be the one to make the final choice.”
“Stop interfering in her life under the guise of protection and care. This goes for both of you twins, and for you too, Alaric, you bastard.”
I turn to Alaric. He widens his eyes, his lips trembling, but in the end, he doesn’t say a word.
“If it must let me going to interfere in my sister’s love life, I’ll give you one piece of advice…” I say firmly.
Get out of BloodyMoon, you fool. You never deserve her!”
Alaric doesn’t respond. He just stands there, wide–eyed, trembling, but silent.
