DAWN’S POV We arrived at the market and began to search around for either of my parents. We walked around the stores one after the other in our search. However, I felt that we were taking too long in this. I believe that since Selena had brought me here, she should know the exact location to check and there was no need to take me around every single store as if taking me on a tour. “Maybe we should have just gone to the packhouse instead. I believe that at least my father would be there” I complained to her the moment I was beginning to get exhausted. This place is overly crowded today and I know just how difficult it will be to try to locate someone in this situation. I have never seen the market like this before and it was almost as if there was going to be an event here today. In our determination, we struggled through the crowd making our way around the market and the heat from the sun was not making the process any easy for either one of us. “Exercise some patience, my lady. If we should look around more we would see either sir Tim or ma Patricia” Selena encouraged. “If we had gone to the packhouse, we would have enquired from someone there on their exact location. At least as regards one of them” I countered. “No, my lady, the packhouse is not what it used to be. Nowhere is the same anymore” she responded and then added in assurance. “I believe we will meet them before we get to that end” “Okay, why don’t you lead me to my brothers, this search looks like it will take forever?” I requested. “Y... you...” she began to speak but stopped. I noticed that she was looking away just to avoid the question but what does it matter, I can see them later after meeting with my parents. We continued to search under the scorching sun. But the truth is, I don’t care much about the heat of the sun as I am determined in my search. However, if after some time the search proves to be futile, then we must go to the packhouse to find them. I was wallowing in my thought when I heard her exclaim. “Look...” she tried pointing in a particular direction. “What is it?” I asked. “That should be sir Tim. Let’s go over there and take a look” she replied. I looked in the direction she was pointing. I could see the back of a man discussing with a lady. From whence I was standing, I could tell that he is of the same height as my father, but he appears to be a little slimmer. Nevertheless, I felt he should be my father. It has been a long time since I saw him and he must have reduced a little due to the war. Just that with the back I am seeing, it does not look like a little reduction, he appears to be greatly emaciated. “He is my... father?” I murmured the moment I was convinced about him. “He should be. He is no more as he used to be” she replied. “Then let’s go to him” I demanded. We walked through the crowd, trying to keep track of my father. If he should leave the place he is now, it might be difficult to find him again amid this great multitude of people. When we finally arrived where he is his back was still turned to us. However, by now I was already very sure that he is my father and my heart leaped for joy as I beheld his sight. I never knew that I missed him this much. “Father” I called and a tear dropped from my eye. The moment he heard my call, he turned towards me but was shocked to find me standing before him. He was shocked, that is as much as I could tell but I can't conveniently say if he was happy seeing me after a long time. This is because he did not move a step or say a word to me. However, in my happiness, I could only smile at him and I forgot how to use my legs as all I wanted was to run into his embrace. Seeing him was like a dream come true to me. I had always hoped for this day, I dreamt about it every other night. That moment when I will finally get to hold my father joyfully. “My daughter, Dawn” I saw my mother coming to me from behind my father. She was filled with joy at seeing me and could not wait to come to me. But as she was about to pass by my father, he held her hand and drew her back, stopping her from reaching me. Witnessing what had just happened I was dismayed, lost, and completely confused. What was happening and why did my father react in such a manner? “Mother...” I called. By now, my voice was hoarse. I could feel the dryness in my throat due to the instant dehydration that I felt as a result of what I had just witnessed. I had so much to say, so many explanations to do, and a lot of questions to ask but right now, I could not find the use of my voice. “Father...” I called him a second time. It was the only word that I could make out. I wanted him to tell me why he is keeping away from me, he needs to explain why he is not happy at seeing me. He still did not respond, instead, he looked away. He whispered to the lady that was with him and she responded to him while taking a glance at me with an evil grin on her face. I already feel nausea just by merely looking at her. Who is she and why is she the one my father is talking to at this time instead of my mother? Why is she looking at me in such a way? I have never met with her before, that I am sure of and I could tell that she is not from this Pack, she is wolfless. Where did she emanate from and what does she have to do with my father welcoming me? Why does it appear like my mother is lost in all of this and could not take an independent action of her own? Or has the alpha banished me, have I been outcasted among my people and made a rogue? But if that is the case, Selena would have informed me and would not have dared to accompany me. As if listening to my thoughts, Selena whispered to me. “That is Mildrid, she is the witch sir Tim brought” I nodded and could not dare to respond to her or ask her any questions as there is so much that I want to ask and I know she will have no answers for them. “Your parents have been worried about you since you left. Sir Tim already planned to send some men to go look for you. The war is why he hadn’t done so yet” she whispered again, eager to appease me. Right now, I don’t know whether to be relieved by the piece of news or not. All she had revealed does not depict the reaction that I am getting from my parents. “Mother...” I heard myself calling again. Before the words fully left my mouth, I heard someone shout from the crowd and made his way toward me in a very arrogant manner. “Traitor, that is what you are...” the voice alleged. What is going on here, who is this man and why would he accuse me of being a traitor in this manner? I don't think I have ever met him before and yet he dared to refer to me as a traitor. But the man didn’t give up, he kept screaming as he made his way to me. “Traitor, I said she is a traitor. And I say she should not be in our midst” he kept repeating his accusation. His loudness and assertiveness drew almost everyone’s attention to me. Everyone was eager to see who the traitor is and what her offense was. Traitor, why would he think of calling me a traitor? I am a beta of this Pack and would protect it with my blood. What does he mean by such an accusation? But come to think of it, I am really a traitor? Thinking of this, I could not give myself a favourable answer.