AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Marshall leaned against the counter and said, “Invite them here? Rayden and I can disappear until summoned.”
Ruby sighed. “Fine, but when you see my dad, don’t freak out.”
Rayden raised his brows. “Why?”
Emmy looked at her phone and typed the answer. “You’ll see.”
Ruby reached for the sandwiches, and then she located the potato chips behind Marshall with minimal difficulty. She kissed him on the cheek and headed back to the table, where she and Emmy attacked the snacks.
Ruby fidgeted as the car slowed and pulled into the drive. She wiped her hands on her thighs, and the guys were trying to send her calm, but she mentally slapped them aside.
Emmy greeted them at the door and led them into the living room, where Ruby was trying to decide on sitting or standing.
She looked at the small beta who had treated her skinned knees, made her soup when she was sick, and taught her to dance. The large pale figure behind her gasped. “Ruby?”
She looked at her dad with his piercing grey eyes. “Dad? You look smaller.”
He rushed to her and hugged her. He wasn’t nearly as tall as he used to be. She felt herself crying. “You got smaller.”
He laughed and was shoved aside as her mother hugged her. Mom was a fierce woman who had risked her life to see her daughter safe.
Her mother looked up at her and grinned. “You got so big, baby.”
“They fed me every day. I would shrink down, but I am kind of stuck right now.”
“Ah, residue from the solstice? That made it hard for Emmy to stay in place. She kept shooting up and then shrinking, so I contacted friends in the city, and until they could keep her safe, they stashed her with someone else. Fortunately, her power came in early.”
Emmy smiled. “I took care of myself with a lot of static.”
Ruby grinned. “I managed to defend myself once the block was removed.”
Her dad asked, “When was that, baby?”
“Uh, just three weeks ago, give or take? One of my mates identified the problem, and the other unlocked me. After that, things got easier, and I was able to stand up for myself.” She fidgeted. “Did you want to meet my mates?”
Her parents nodded, so she got them settled on a couch, and then she stroked her braid and called Marshall and Rayden. They walked in a few moments later and froze when they saw her dad.
“Uh, Marshall, Rayden, this is my dad. Yeah, he is what you think he is.” She bit her lip. The Elite alpha that had given her shoulder rides far earlier than her mother would have liked stood up and shook their hands.
“Elders. Anything I say here would be odd, so I will simply say thank you for caring for my daughter.”
They shook hands, and Ruby and Emmy exhaled slowly. This was the worst moment. Introducing the new and the dark Elite.
“Dad, how is it that you live away from the Stronghold?” Ruby burst the question out.
“Oh, my parents did for me what I did for you two. They taught me to hide. Dyed my hair and got me contact lenses.”
She blinked. “Grammy and Grampy did that?”
He nodded. “They did. They have moved to town with us as well. The protective barrier has expanded, so I am building a repair shop on the edge of town.”
Ruby smiled. “Do you need someone to wire electrical systems or security systems? I am pretty good at it.”
“We will talk about it. We hear from Leon that he is trying to get Grey to gift you the chocolate shop.”
Ruby blinked. “What?”
“It is part apology and part thank you. Did you really find an omega who can trigger a heat?”
