66. A Fathers Advice

KIARA

A knock on the door made me stir and I sat up, last night rushing back to me as I felt the sharp tugging pain clench around my heart. Raven wasn't here, I frowned and looked around before I saw the note on the bedside table.

‘Gone shopping with the boys, I will find the perfect dress for you! See you soon, XOXO'

I put the paper down and shuffled up against the headboard to take a deep breath.

"Come in!" I called.

The door opened and Dad entered holding a plate of food and a bottle of fruity water.

"Did you sleep well?" He asked, closing the door behind himself.

I nodded, my heart thudding, not knowing what was coming. He placed the plate in my lap and kissed my forehead before he went and pulled the curtains open, letting the bright sunshine through the window. I flinched at the brightness, before becoming accustomed to it. Dad walked over to the bed and sat on the edge, facing me.

"Eat." He ordered.

I looked at the food, consisting of sausages, rashers, toast, beans, eggs and caramelised mushrooms. This was made by one of the Omegas, Dad was a lot of things but he wasn't a chef. I picked up my fork as I began eating slowly, glad I had something to focus on. Dad was strangely quiet and it made me nervous.

"Who is he?" He asked after a moment.

So, he figured out I lost it because of my mate.

"It doesn"t matter." I replied, poking my sausage repeatedly, I didn't really have an appetite.

"He's from this pack, isn"t he?"

"Maybe." I said quietly.

"Did the fucking asshole reject you?" He asked, his voice shook and I realised he was angry, but not at me.

I looked up at him, now noticing just how much he was trying to stay calm.

"Not officially, but I got the picture." I replied with a shrug.

The image of them kissing flashed through my mind. My wolf whimpered and I wished she wasn't so broken, I knew she'd get over it eventually... But this connection was something she wanted and needed.

I remembered his touch from last night, the way it had sent jolts of electricity through me, the way my entire body tingled and my heart had thrummed at his touch. My stomach twisted and I wrapped one arm around myself, my heart aching. Dad clenched his jaw.

"He's a fucking shithead for that. He doesn"t deserve you." He growled.

"Hm." I said.

Taking a bite of the toast, I forced myself to swallow, only for it to feel like it was getting stuck in my throat.

"What do you want to do? My original plan was to allow you to stay here, it being the strongest pack around and the safest for you." Dad said.

He didn't mention Alejandro… My stomach knotted. He hadn"t guessed who it was, right?

"But if you want to come home, I would be more than happy. The boys are leaving at one in the afternoon, if you wanted to return with them."

"No. I think I'll stay." I replied firmly.

Not only to torture him, but I needed to be here for Aunty Indy… I couldn"t turn a blind eye to everything she was going through.

"Are you sure?" He asked as I grabbed the water bottle, taking a few gulps. Trying to get rid of the lump in my throat.

"Yes."

"Angel… What do you plan to do?"

I looked him directly in the eye.

"Nothing, I"m continuing with my life. I"m not running from anyone and nor am I just going to make things easier for them." I said stubbornly.

Dad gave a half-smile before looking at his hand.

"Before the mate bond… Did you feel anything for him?"

"What makes you think it's a guy? It could be a girl, Dad." I said, rolling my eyes.

Dad raised an eyebrow, "Don't try to change the topic."

I pouted. Damn, the man was too smart.

"So, was there?" He persisted.

I looked down, my heart aching at all the moments I had with Alejandro… My lips quivered and my eyes stung as I stared at the bed covers. My eyes blurred as I fought back those tears.

"I felt a connection." I whispered.

‘We felt a connection", that was what I wanted to say, but maybe that was my misconception… I remembered his words in that closet… He said I was perfect, but then if I was, why didn't he want me? ‘I forget that not everyone is a fucking monster like me,' those words…

Dad hadn"t replied and I looked up, seeing him frowning deeply.

"It's not Rayhan because I saw you at the mating ceremony." He said, frowning. I shook my head.

"Does he deserve you?" He asked quietly.

I smiled sadly. "Does it matter?"

"You're not a child anymore, I know that. I also know that all your life I've been overbearing because I love you. However I also know you're old enough to make your own decisions, make mistakes and learn from them. I never valued the mate bond, I loved your mother before I knew she was my mate, and I was ready to reject my mate for her. As a father I want to say; forget the asshole, move on and you'll find someone better. But as an adult to an adult, trying to pretend I"m not giving this advice to my daughter, I"m going to say this: If you think he's worth fighting for, that you feel something for him, then don't let him go so easily. Sometimes the harder choice isn"t always the easiest. If you had felt nothing for him, I would have told you to reject him, but if you think there was a connection… then fight for it."

I looked at Dad. His words shocked me. He looked slightly amused by my surprise but gave me a wry smile that didn't reach his eyes. He continued.

"You might not know, but your mother kept pushing me away. She didn't think I cared enough, or thought I'd betray her. I didn't have the best track record; I was a player and I won"t deny it. I had to fight for her, show her she meant the world to me. She had gone through hell and it had affected her. I won't take credit for her healing because that was all her… but… without knowing who your mate is, I can't really say much, just sometimes there"s a reason behind a person's refusal… I"m not saying he's right but there may be underlying reasons. I'm not saying accept someone after they reject you, or to forgive them, but you know him better than I do. Do what feels right."

Dad's words were deep and they made sense. To learn how he had fought for Mom… I know Mom said Dad did a lot for her, but I often just saw Dad as this temperamental Alpha who was possessive. I knew he would do anything for Mom and from the way he was speaking to me now, going against his possessiveness and impulse to cocoon me in safety, I knew it was hard for him. He was just giving me his advice. Advice that was settling deep within me and giving birth to a fierce determination within me.

Yes, my original plan was to not make this easier for Alejandro... but if there was even a chance… should I fight for him? The thought of Alejandro accepting me… the way he always said he needed no one, that he was a monster… Did he just need someone to heal him as Dad did with Mom? Even if I was able to, I knew it would take me time to heal from the pain he caused me… This was a choice I had to make alone.

Dad sighed and I looked up at him.

"Your Mom is coming tonight. I haven"t told her about what happened. She'll probably want to rip his dick off for refusing you. I will leave it to you to tell her." He said, with a smirk, and I flinched at the very thought. "But speak to her, I"m sure you might be more comfortable sharing what you don't want with me."

He gave me a small smile and I shook my head.

"No Dad, I'd share with you too if I was able to… I just need time. Thank you for your advice. I think I know what I want to do. Tonight's the Alpha Kings engagement, so I'll be there and so will my mate." I said, making sure my face betrayed nothing at the mention of Alejandro.

Dad nodded.

"You've become a woman Kiara… and I know you will do what you want. If ever you need me to step in, I"m there. Don't let the asshole hurt you, I"m leaving you here under Alejandro's care… but I don't know if that is the right choice…"

My heart skipped a beat as Dad's eyes met mine. Did he have an inkling? I felt like he did…

"Don't worry Dad, I can take care of myself."

"Promise me, if shit gets worse, you'll come home." He said, reaching over and stroking my hair.

I nodded.

"I promise."

Dad stood up and nodded, seemingly satisfied.

"Good."

He walked to the door and I looked out the window. I was the writer of my own life story and I was not going to let anyone else dictate my fate for me. I was going to make my decisions for myself, no matter how hard or painful they were… I was done behaving recklessly and impulsively. I was the destined Queen, regardless if that was a position I would claim or not. It still meant Selene saw me as one and I sure as hell was raised as one. I wouldn't let Mom or Selene down. No, this bitch was here to make a damn statement, starting from tonight.