Chapter 73 
Angela’s POV 
The following morning, as soon as I stood up from bed, I walked into Reina’s room to get her ready for her big day. My mom had promised to throw her a small party at her place with a few of Reina’s friends in attendance. In the past, we used to celebrate Reina’s birthday alone or if it was on a school day, we celebrated with her classmates in school. It was a big shift from where we were coming from and I’m sure she was happy. 
That was enough for me.. 
“Good morning, babes, Happy birth… The word became swollen in my neck as I opened the door and found Darius. in the room. He was sitting on the floor while helping Reina into her shoes and a new ball dress. 
A whole Darius Darkwood was sitting on the bare floor helping his daughter to get ready. It was a sight for decades and it always warms my heart to see Darius being so available as a father. It was something I never imagined but even if I’d imagined it, my imagination would not have been this good. 
“Good morning mama,” 
“Morning babes,” 
“Isn’t it too early to be dressed?” I asked no one in particular. I’d panicked yesterday night and ran away from Darius. It was my first time witnessing his dark side and I didn’t know how to react other than flee like a scared cat. 

“Your mom’s waiting downstairs,” 

“It’s still seven in the morning.” 
“It’s eleven, Darius announced. 
My eyes widened. “What?” 
I walked to Reina’s bed checked the digital clock on the bedstand and saw that it was really eleven in the morning How was that possible? I slept all through the night and till eleven. 
That was when I remembered that I had used some of my sleeping pills last night because I could feel my anxiety pulling in. 
“But I remember setting my alarm to eight in the morning. Is it damaged?” 
“I switched it. off You needed the sleep and I guess I wasn’t wrong.” 
“You shouldn’t have done that. It’s Reina’s big day and I’m..“. 
He interrupted me. “All done, Ree,” 
“Thanks, Daddy,” she k*ssed his ch*ek and I smirked. Why are they always so sweet to each other? 
“You’re welcome, Princess, 
Reina walked past me as if I was invisible with her cute little bag and wand to go meet my mom downstairs. “Now she thinks I’m a terrible mother. I didn’t even wake up early to wish her a happy birthday,” 
“Just because you got a few hours of sleep doesn’t make you a bad mother. She understands perfectly, trust me,” 
My shoulders slumped. “That’s the thing. I don’t want her to understand me. She’s six. She’s not supposed to. I want to 
be here when I’m to be there. 
He looked at me as if he was defeated. “I guess it was wrong of me to have done that. I apologize for my actions as well as last night,” 
He stared at me. I knew he wanted to talk about what happened but I wasn’t ready to 
“Not now, Darius,” I begged even though it sounded as if I wasn’t. 
“You saw the real me and it scared you,” 
The real you? Scared me? Yes, maybe it scared me at first but I just don’t understand why your wolf would come charging at me like that.” 
“It didn’t charge at you, 
“What?” 
“It’s just how he is. 
I was more surprised at his words than I’d been at his wolf yesterday. 
“He’s always like that,” 
“Scary and intimidating. I’m always in charge of my wolf, but sometimes it gets in control too but don’t worry, you’re too special to him,” 
“What happens then? When he’s in control,” 
“You don’t need to know that. That’s a piece of information you should not worry about,” 
I stopped him. “No, I want to know. I want to know what happens when your wolf controls your body.” 
“Like I said, Angela. Don’t try to know. It’ll create a rift between us,” 
I stomped my feet on the floor. “Until you’re ready to tell me, I won’t speak to you,” 
It sounded childish but it was the best I could think of as a threat to make him talk. He k*ssed my hair, brushed past me, and went away. I stood rooted to the floor in Reina’s room. 
When I finally regained my composure, I walked back to my room to get ready. I wore a silky, blue gown that clung to my curves and paired it with a set of elegant black stilettos that made my leg appear longer. 
I got to my mom’s house to see the party had already begun. My mom had set up a bouncy house and slide in the front yard while the inside of the house was used for the main venue. 
I ended up meeting a lot of parents that I’d never met before. 
Darius was around as well but he sat in a corner, not talking to anyone except for Reina who occasionally had one or two tasks or questions for him. Reina was beginning to depend solely on Darius and I was getting a bit jealous. I couldn’t actually pinpoint if I was jealous of Reina or Darius at some point. 
I was so engrossed in my conversation with a parent that I didn’t realize Darius was standing beside me until he grabbed my waist and brought his mouth close to my ear. 
“I have to go. There’s some emergency I must attend to,” 
I turned to him and smiled. “Okay, but I’m still not talking to you,” 
Ħ 
SIND GIFT 
Chapter 23 
“Get home safely. I mean it.” 
He must’ve been in a hurry because he didn’t wait to say goodbye to Reina which was unusual and just rushed out of the door. I turned to Rema to see she was too busy playing with her friends to even notice Darius left. 
A few minutes later. I could finally take a seat. I brought my phone out of my purse and realized I missed a few calls. It was from an unknown ID caller. I swiped up the phone to read the message the caller left for me. 
Someone I knew was dead. A good, old woman who had shown me enough kindness when I needed it. The message was from her son. It’s been about two years since I last saw or talked to her. I found it difficult to believe that she remembered me enough for her son to actually have my phone number and invite me to her funeral. 
Even though I knew it might be impossible to attend the funeral. I still went ahead to send a text that I would. 
I guess I have to find a way to convince Darius that it was safe for me to leave the pack. 
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