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My father doesn’t move a muscle for a long time, just processes what I told him. Cooper told me dad gave him invaluable advice when he first found Hayley. That’s what I’m here for. So, I stay quiet and wait eagerly.
“For fuck’s sake!” he roars.
Instead of being the recipient of some sage words of wisdom, I watch, stunned, as my father’s half-full mug of hot coffee goes sailing through the air. An arc of brown liquid splashes down on the lawn as a loud crack signals the mug's demise at the hands of a tree trunk. That’s not the reaction I was expecting.
“Finally, I thought, finally! One of you is mating with a wolf! That’s all I wanted! A wolf. So, there’d be no shenanigans. Just a simple mating!”
He paces the porch as I observe in shocked silence. My father rarely curses, and even more infrequently loses his temper. It’s what made him such a good alpha. You could feel the power simmering just under the surface in that immense aura of his, and that was enough. Somehow, how calm he always remained under pressure made him even more intimidating.
“She is a wolf, so that part is great,” I offer, trying to make him feel better about the situation. He stops and glares at me like I’m an idiot before continuing his rant.
“First Cooper freaking out about his human mate, then Leila and that stubborn bloody bear, and Rex, with the rejection and finding his second chance. I prayed to the Goddess for no more drama. I just wanted you to be happy. I wanted it to be easy.”
He looks up to the heavens, hands on his hips as he tries to compose himself. It’s as if he expects the Moon Goddess to come down and explain why his demands weren’t met.
“I am happy, Dad. She’s perfect. And what good things come easily?”
With a weary sigh, he drags his gaze back to mine before nodding slowly.
“Okay, okay. You’re right.” He sinks down into a chair and rubs a hand hard across his face. When he looks my way again, he’s back to his old self. “Tell me what’s going on.”
Shaking my head, I pull up a chair beside him and lower myself into it. Nobody else needs to know the exact details of what’s going on. That’s our business.
“I’ve told you already. She says she doesn’t feel the bond. And I need to work out why. I need you to tell me everything you know about her pack.”
Dad drums his fingers on the wooden armrest before nodding. His face is grim, and I have a feeling I won't like what I'm about to hear. Lowering myself into the chair opposite him, I force myself to stay loose and not to let my imagination run away with itself before I hear what he has to say.
“A lot of this is rumour and hearsay, so you can’t pass it on to anyone else or take it as gospel. I’ll tell you what I can, but you need to stay calm. And remember, this was the previous alpha, not Dean. You can’t tar him with the same brush.”
Nodding, I swallow down the apprehension building up inside me. Something tells me this will not be a fairy tale story with a happily ever after. Dad doesn’t speak for a minute, and I don’t push. I get the impression he’s trying to work out where to start.
Now I’m really worried. Eventually, he clears his throat and folds his hands into his lap. A soft, rueful smile tugs at his lips as he leans back and gets comfortable. It looks like we’re going to be here for a while.
“As usual, it all started with your mother.”
CHAPTER 13
NATHAN
“Alpha Reynolds took a shine to Marie when he came to visit, and they went on a few dates. Back then, relations between all the packs were good. His father had been a great alpha, and nobody had a bad word to say about him.”
Tapping his foot, I can see his emotions building and his powerful alpha aura seeps into the surrounding air without him even realising he’s doing it. I squirm in my chair, the oppressive atmosphere getting too much.
“They weren’t fated mates, but, as your mother likes to remind me, he was a good-looking man. He was charming, and he was the Alpha of what was then a well-respected pack, known for their fierce, skilled warriors. Marie’s father was happy for her to meet up with him and see where it went.”
Dad’s jaw is clenched, and he’s grinding his teeth, loudly. There are veins bulging out of his forehead and neck, and I cough to clear my throat of the stifling anger rolling off him in waves. Even after all this time, he clearly struggles with the idea of her entertaining anyone other than him. A few days ago, I would have teased him, but now I get it. I’d be exactly the same. Dad shifts in his chair, but it’s not the seat that’s making him uncomfortable.
“But thenwemet. From the moment we saw each other, the moment I caught her scent… that was it. She was so beautiful.” He sighs dreamily, wearing the same goofy grin he gets whenever he sees her. I can’t help but smile along with him now that I know that feeling. “It was magical, and it wasn’t just the bond. I fell in love with her that first day and we haven’t spent a night apart since. Except one.”
His face darkens as he leans forward, elbows on his knees, staring out into the forest canopy.
“Marie told him it was over, not that it had ever really begun. She’d met her fated mate. That should have been the end of it. He should have respected the bond, especially as an alpha with a pack looking to him as a role model, but he wouldn’t let it go.” Wringing his hands, he sucks in a deep breath and releases it slowly. “He asked Marie to meet him for a chat, and she went, because she’s kind and she didn’t want to end things badly. She thought he’d back off when he saw the mark and noticed the change in her scent.”
Frowning, I stare at him in disbelief as I try to put myself in his shoes. I can’t even imagine being happy with that.
“You let her go to meet her ex… without you?”
Dad scoffs and gives me a withering look from the corner of his eye.
