Lilith pov

“Daddy! Daddy! Do you think I could ever become a strong beta like you? I really want to save people the way you do. It’s so cool!”

That was what my eight-year-old self had said, grinning up at the man whose smile froze the moment the words left my mouth.

He turned to my mother, exchanging a quiet, sad look, and just like that, the warmth of dinner dissolved into something awkward and heavy.

Back then, I didn’t understand why. I only kept smiling, waiting eagerly ...