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returned to Chetiera and Miahelia. Chetiera, Ulnik is Miahelia s
Uncle, the cheetah shifter murmured as her gaze swept over the
features of Ulnik and Miahelia. She squinted. Her mate, Ulnik, was her
sister s uncle.
Your father and I have made grave mistakes, Ulhulria spoke drily. He
killed Nicklios. She hung her head in a mixture of sadness and shame. I
was unfaithful. Nicklios was my lover.
Mother! How could you? Chetiera belted out, thinking back to the day
when she saw how angry Zyrus had become on the plains. She wanted so
much to yell and reprimand the woman who d faked her death and, in the
process, destroyed her happy family. Even more, she wished she could bring
her father back to life to make him see the pain he d inflicted. She blinked
back tears several times. She could yell and scream until the Earth exploded.
Where would that get her?
You and Ulnik s brother were lovers? Chetiera fought to remember the
dreadful event that would forever change her life. And . . . that night, when
you and Father argued? She squinted in an effort to remember the evening.
It was raining. You left. Father ran after you. He said you died, fell into the
river and the current swept you away. Did he really try to A moment of
dread drilled through her soul.
Kill me? Ulhulria nodded. Yes, he did. We battled. It was raining, and
I lost my footing and slipped into the river. Your father thought me dead. He
panicked. I could feel his anguish turn to relief. He sought to cover up his
deceit to the clan, but I saw his intentions. He would stop at nothing to harm
the unborn child inside me.
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Of Cheetah s Blood Charisma Knight
Father must have been under a spell, Chetiera growled. This cannot
be the leader of the Dulhari who taught me the ways of the warrior.
Her mother continued. Later, he d proved me right. He learned I was
alive and placed a bounty on my head. He felt so much pain and regret, but
another side of him, the dark side, told him it was okay that I die, since I
committed an unspeakable act of infidelity. If that wasn t enough, he d made
arrangements long ago to murder the Dulhari who sided with Dhampirs.
This is what brought upon the extinction of our clan.
What of the vampires? Chetiera asked.
Zyrus sided with the Cainen Coven. Your father betrayed our clan,
Chetiera. He was once an honorable man, long ago. Ulhulria stifled a sob.
This punishes me too. I turned him into a fiend.
Content to be silent no more, Silhura insisted, You did no such thing!
Are you saying Mother was right in being unfaithful? Chetiera asked
bitterly.
I am not here to judge your mother for her mistakes. That is her burden
alone to carry. I m saying your father could have handled things differently.
He lost control, allowed the anger to consume him.
Chetiera s bottom lip quivered. So, how could you abandon me so
easily? Anger prickled her insides. You left me to fight a battle of lies?
Ulhulria gasped. At that point, I knew your father would never have
harmed you. I asked that Silhura watch over and raise you. I was no longer
safe within our clan. Back then, I saw images of your father ripping the
unborn fetus out of me with his own hands. Ulhulria reached for Chetiera,
but the young cheetah pulled away. I am so sorry. I knew of no other way.
You could have come to me, Chetiera lashed out angrily.
So I could place you and Miahelia in danger? Ulhulria sighed. Your
father never let you out of his sights. He watched you, even when you didn t
know it. Her mother s voice quivered with emotion. I could only watch
you grow, from a child into a young woman, from afar. Had I summoned
you, Zyrus would have destroyed you too.
All lies! I will not accept this! The cheetah shifter gritted her teeth and
panted with anger. Father would have never hurt me!
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Of Cheetah s Blood Charisma Knight
Had you tried assisting me in any way, yes, he would have. His hatred
for the Dhampirs would have blinded him, taking him to another level, even
if it meant destroying the most precious thing in his life.
Ulhulria continued despite Chetiera s painful protests. That night, I was
only one month pregnant with your sister. She shrugged her shoulders. I
had to tell him. There was no way I could continue living a lie, constantly
hiding the truth. The woman searched Chetiera s face. Please, I beg your
forgiveness.
Chetiera s eyes searched the depths of her mother s misty gaze. I m not
making any promises. For years, I thought you dead. She turned to Silhura.
Why?
I promised your mother. As an Elder, I was sworn to secrecy. She did it
to protect both you and your sister.
Chetiera growled her disbelief, lowering her gaze to the ground.
Ulnik stepped forward. Once Zyrus discovered Nicklios to be the father,
he placed a bounty upon his head. My brother learned of Zyrus s deceit and
tried defending Ulhulria. With one magickal blow to the heart, my brother
was stripped of his life. Zyrus never fought him with honor. Ulnik s gaze
pierced her soul. I was supposed to have accompanied my brother, but I
was detained in another realm. Your father used magick to kill.
No! Chetiera bellowed. How can you possibly know that?
Pain twisted on Ulnik s face. The gaping hole where his heart once
existed told the tale of your father s treachery!
You lie!
If that wasn t enough, your father ordered the destruction of the Dulhari
clan because many sided with the Dhampirs after witnessing the truth!
Chetiera withdrew Belladio. Speak ill of my father again, and I ll kill you!
No, you won t, Ulnik said sympathetically. You can never become
what your father became. I refuse to fight you, Chetiera. This must stop.
Shut up! Enraged, Chetiera lunged forward, aiming for the Dhampir s
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