Chapter 71: The Confession
**Thelma Zane’s Point of View**
The air in the room was thick with tension. Benard stood before me, his expression a mixture of anxiety and determination. His usual composure was replaced by a sense of urgency, as if he were racing against time. Without warning, he pulled me into a tight embrace, his words tumbling out in a flurry of emotion.
“Then let’s not hide it anymore,” he declared, his voice resolute yet tender. “Let’s go public right now. We’ll announce our relationship to everyone. Don’t worry about the consequences -I’ll take full responsibility. Whatever the King or Queen might say, I’ll bear the brunt of it. I won’t abandon you,
Thelma. Never.”
His words
though meant to comfort, only stirred a deeper turmoil within me. I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “No, not like this,” I managed to say, though my voice
trembled with emotion.
Benard gently pulled back, his brow furrowed in concern. He took a tissue and carefully dabbed at the tears on my cheeks. “It’s okay,” he said softly, his gaze unwavering. “Let it out. Cry as much as you need to. When you’re ready, we’ll talk it through.”
And so, I cried. I let all the pent–up emotions flow freely, the weight of my hidden truths and fears too heavy to bear in silence any longer. His arms remained a steady refuge, offering solace in a moment where everything seemed uncertain.
When the storm of my emotions subsided, a wave of embarrassment washed over me. I had come to him to apologize, to explain myself, yet here I was, seeking comfort like a child who couldn’t hold back her tears. How did things turn out this way?
Maxine, my ever–blunt confidante, had been watching silently from the corner. Now, she stepped forward, her tone laced with her usual sardonic humor. “Well, isn’t this something,” she said, her eyes glinting with amusement. “With your personality, Thelma, if it weren’t for someone like Benard willing to put up with you, you’d probably end up alone forever.”
I sniffed, feeling a mix of indignation and amusement at her blunt assessment. “But I *did* meet him, didn’t I?” I shot back, my voice still shaky but filled with a hint of defiance.
Maxine rolled her eyes theatrically. “Ugh, that’s even more cliché than a nursery rhyme. Stop being so dramatic. You need to tell him, Thelma.
Her words struck a chord, but I remained silent.
She pressed on, her disbelief evident. “You’ve come this far. What exactly are you waiting for?
I sighed, brushing a stray lock of hair from my face. “It’s not that simple, Maxine. This isn’t at decision I can make on my own.” I spoke with a mix of frustration and resignation. “I’m a
Chang 21 The Confession
princess, not a free spirit from some romantic tale like *Roman Holiday. Every action I take, every decision I make, impacts the fate of our pack and the werewolf kingdom. My identity isn’t just my own–it’s tied to our people, to politics, and to responsibilities far greater than myself. I can’t reveal who I am without my parents‘ approval.”
Maxine crossed her arms, her youthful impatience showing. “But you hid your identity to protect yourself from bad people, right? Benard isn’t one of them. He loves you, and you love him. What’s the point of all these complications when it’s just the two of you?”
“You don’t understand,” I replied gently, though my voice carried the weight of years of political lessons. “This isn’t about trust or love alone. It’s about the balance of power, alliances, and the safety of our people. My identity isn’t just a personal matter–it’s a political one. I have to be cautious with everyone, whether they mean well or not.”
Maxine threw up her hands in exasperation. “Fine. You always have an answer for everything. But let me ask you this: You’ve already hinted to Benard that you have a secret. If he asks you directly, what will you say?
Her question hung in the air, and for a moment, I had no response. What would* I say if he pressed me for answers?
The truth was, I didn’t have to worry. Benard was a man who respected my boundaries, who never pried where he wasn’t invited. Even if I placed the secret before him like an unopened book, he wouldn’t turn the page unless I gave him permission.
That trust made me feel both proud and guilty. He deserved the truth, yet I continued to find excuses to delay the inevitable. But this time, I resolved, it would be different. This time, I
would confront my fears.
Our first step was to speak with Duke Frank, Benard’s father.
an of
The Duke was seated in the grand living room, a newspaper in one hand and a steaming cup coffee in the other. His calm demeanor suggested he had been expecting us.
“Good morning, Miss Thelma,” he greeted me warmly. “I trust my son hasn’t caused you any
distress.”
I quickly rubbed at my eyes, hoping to hide any traces of my earlier tears, “Good morning, Your Lordship,” I replied with a polite smile.
Benard and I took our seats across from him. The silence stretched between us, each of us waiting for the other to speak first. The Duke set aside his newspaper, his gaze shifting from one to the other as if trying to read our unspoken thoughts.
“You have something to tell me,” he said finally, his tone calm but firm. “Speak freely.
There’s no need to hesitate.”
His sudden shift in demeanor made both Benard and me sit up straighter.
Before I could gather my thoughts, Benard spoke, his voice steady and unwavering. “Father,
Charger 21. The Confession
Thelma and I are in a relationship. We love each other and are committed to being together.”
I nearly choked on my breath. His directness caught me off guard. Couldn’t he have eased into it a little more gracefully?
The Duke’s expression remained unreadable. “Is that so?” he said, his eyes now fixed on me.
I felt the weight of his gaze, knowing there was no reason for him to disapprove of me, yet still feeling the nerves tighten in my chest.
“Yes, Your Lordship,” I replied, my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach. “Your son and I are serious about our relationship. We’re considering marriage.
The words left my mouth before I could fully process them. I glanced at Benard, who looked equally surprised by my sudden mention of marriage.
Inwardly, I cringed. Here I was, criticizing him for being too straightforward, and yet I had just escalated things to a whole new level.
Caught in the ACT
