CHAPTER 164: CHAPTER 164: FAMILY?

Serena’s POV

His words...then you are still my daughter, still a Lycan. They stayed in my chest for a long time, like a small fire that warmed me from the inside.

At first, I had not been sure about him at all. I was only going with him because of my mother. After all, how could someone suddenly accept a father who appeared in their life after being gone for almost all of it?

I thought it would be impossible. I thought I would never feel anything for him.

But now... after hearing those words, something inside me softened. My heart fluttered, even if only a little, and I no longer felt so resistant to going to the werewolves’ territory. Instead, I began to look forward to it.

Most importantly, I did not feel like I would be completely alone anymore. Maybe... maybe he really would be like a protective figure, like what a father is supposed to be. Maybe he would protect me too.

After that, the journey was not so awkward. Even when we were silent, it no longer felt heavy. It passed smoothly, as if we had already taken a small step closer to each other.

We traveled for a whole day, and finally, the car stopped.

When I looked out of the window, my eyes widened in shock. A huge palace stood in front of us. It was so grand and shining that for a moment I forgot how to breathe. I had never imagined something like this could exist in this world.

My knowledge about Lycans was very limited. All I knew was that there was a king above every wolf. I had never cared about these things before. But now... seeing this palace, hearing the word "royalty," I could not stop myself from wondering what Lycans truly were and how much stronger they were compared to normal Alphas.

The guards at the gate immediately lowered their heads and let us pass. The car drove inside, and the doors of the palace opened wide as if they had been waiting just for him.

When we stopped, someone quickly came forward and opened the car door for my father. Another man rushed to the other side to open mine. But before he could, my father himself walked around to open it for me.

I felt awkward. My hands trembled a little as I stepped out, nervous because it was my first time here.

As soon as I came out, my eyes fell on a young man who had been waiting at the entrance. His whole body carried power. His presence was heavy, like he was born to command. Even before he spoke, I could feel he was an Alpha.

The man’s eyes brightened when he saw my father. He greeted him warmly. "Uncle, you are finally back."

But his voice faded the moment his gaze landed on me.

I froze, suddenly nervous under his stare. My heart thumped against my ribs, and I lowered my eyes for a second before daring to look back at him. He looked every bit like royalty, sharp and strong, but not unkind.

Even though I was nervous, I didn’t feel anything bad from him. Strangely, I had a good feeling.

When the young man called my father "uncle," I immediately understood who he was. He must be the eldest son of my father’s younger brother.

My father had already told me how this nephew used to follow him everywhere like a little shadow. So it made sense that he would be this happy to see his uncle return.

And I was right.

My father gave him a small nod and then turned toward me. "Meet her," he said calmly. "My daughter, Serena."

The young man’s eyes went wide. So wide they almost popped out of his face. His mouth opened and closed, and his whole expression looked so funny that I felt embarrassed just watching him.

How could someone be so casual with such big news? After all, my father had lived his whole life alone, without a mate, without children. And now suddenly he was introducing me, his daughter? No wonder his nephew looked like this.

I lowered my eyes, feeling heat in my cheeks.

But when I glanced at my father, I realized something. His face had not changed at all. Not even a little. He looked the same as always—stoic, calm, unreadable.

And then I realized that it wasn’t that he was cold toward me or my mother. He was just like this with everyone. Even with this nephew he had almost raised from childhood, his expression did not move.

Finally, the young man found his voice. "Uncle... your daughter? Did you... adopt someone?" His tone was full of disbelief.

My father’s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice low but firm. "Vaelen, she is my daughter. Your younger sister. You have to take care of her."

The words fell heavy between us.

I blinked, startled, my heart thumping again. Younger sister? Did that mean this man... this strong Alpha... was going to be my elder brother?

So after finding my father, I was also going to have an elder brother.

Wasn’t this what I had always imagined deep in my heart? A family where there was a mother, a father, and siblings. Even though my mother had given me all her love, there had always been an empty space inside me.

No matter how much she tried to cheer me, every morning when I woke up, I felt lost. Like I had no one in this world, like something was missing.

There had always been a quiet ache in my heart. It refused to go away, no matter what I did, no matter how much my mother cared for me.

And I knew why.

In one corner of my heart, I had always yearned for family, for friends, and most of all, for love. The kind of love that makes you feel complete. But that love had been absent in my life.

Now, after losing my memories, I could only remember my mother. Aside from her, everyone else was gone from my mind. That thought broke me inside. It was like I had been ripped apart. I still longed for people, for connections, for love.

I didn’t want to blame my mother. She had done everything she could for me. But I couldn’t stop my heart from wanting more. Wanting the things I never had.

Maybe... just maybe... this was the beginning of what I had always dreamed of.