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“He should have come to me, talked to me, sweetheart—”
“No, Dad. He shouldn't have. He didn’t need to. You’d never expect that from any other mated male, so why him?” My father opened his mouth, but no words came out. “Because you see me—maybe always will—as some little girl. But I’m grown. I want to live my own life.” I felt my heart softening before I said the next part. “I know you still hurt because of Mom.” I instantly saw the anguish on his face and hated bringing this up. But it would be the only way to get through to him. “I know you worry I’ll be taken from you too. But I won’t. I’m here and not going anywhere, but I want to see where things go with Tucker.”
“You do?” There was so much hope and happiness in my mate’s voice.
I smiled and nodded, feeling shy all of a sudden. “I do, but I don’t want you two fighting about this, because in the end, this is my decision.”
Tucker nodded, and his grin widened. “I don’t want to challenge the Alpha.” His expression sobered, and he looked at my father. “I don’t want to challenge you, Aidan, but…” He took a steadying breath before continuing. “I will if it means letting you know I won’t give her up. Every male dreams of finding their fated mate, and I found that with Mia. I was gifted in the most incredible way, and I’ll fight to the death to keep her.”
The Alpha was silent for long moments, and when he exhaled roughly, I hoped that meant he understood and receded.
“Mia,” my father said in an anguished voice, and I felt my mouth go dry at the emotion I heard in his tone. He didn’t speak for long seconds, and despite the roomful of shifters watching this play out, everything else faded away as I saw the raw pain reflected on my father’s face. “When a shifter finds their mate, it truly is as if the gods have given them the greatest gift. We are finally whole.” He looked down at the floor and ran a hand over the back of his short, dark hair. “But then having them taken away…” He slowly shook his head and looked back up at me. “It’s not something most shifters survive.”
But my father had, and I knew it was because of me. He had to be strong, had to rule the pack and take care of his child.
“And you were the reason I went on, and I loved every minute of it. I loved that I had purpose. You made me so happy. You make me truly happy, and I know your mother would be so proud of you.” He reached out and cupped my cheek. “I know I am, but I can also admit I’m pushy and arrogant and far too overprotective.”
I felt Tucker move beside me, and I was thankful for his silent strength and support. He didn’t touch me, but he let me know with his very presence that he was here for me.
“I want to experience what you and Mom had.” I looked to the side and up at Tucker. He already watched me, his gaze soft and giving. He was an alpha through and through, publicly challenging the Alpha of Black Wolf for me. No one had ever done that. No one would have survived something so blatant. But he did it for me, because he saw a future for us.
And I wanted that too.
“I know, sweetheart.”
When I looked away from Tucker, I could see the sorrow on my father’s face and knew it was for me, that he finally realized he’d almost gone too far in protecting me. And for a long moment, he said nothing. No one did. My father just stared at me, then exhaled in almost defeat. I sensed that as well enough as if he’d come out and said he was backing down. And just like that, the tension in the room faded.
“My little girl isn’t so little anymore. She’s found her mate.” When he looked at Tucker again, I held my breath, waiting to see if there was any more of that anger in him. But all I saw and felt was his acceptance. “And if I disconnect the fatherly side of me wanting to watch over and protect my baby girl, I can see clearly. I can see that if I would have her mated with anyone, I couldn’t have picked a better male than my very own Beta.”
I swore Tucker’s chest puffed out. “I’ll protect her with my life,” he growled. “No other male will even look at her without facing my wrath.”
I felt my face heat in embarrassment at his proclamation. It was a little over the top and possessive, but then again… I liked it.
