Page 43 of Welcome Home: When Shifters Unite!
“Why did you do that?” I ask.
Papa looks at me with watery eyes. “I couldn’t continue to be mated to someone who was as hateful as she was. For years I have bowed down to her demands to keep the peace in our bond, but I could not, and would not, do as she asked. I rejected her, and she quickly accepted that rejection. I think the Goddess is punishing me for all the wrongs I have done towards you, and Iwant you to know I truly am sorry, and that I always loved you as if you were my own.”
“When I look back on my childhood and the family dynamics, you were the only one who showed me genuine care. For that, I will always love you in return. I am, however, struggling to come to terms with the fact that you were paid an allowance to look after me. That makes the adoption, if you like, feel wrong.” I look at Papa, and I can see the sorrow and even feel it flowing from him.
‘Radar loves us. He also said Papa loves us and is deeply sorry about all that has happened. If we forgive him, and accept him, the Moon Goddess will forgive him too.’
I listen to Blue and know in my heart she is right. Taking a deep breath, I look at Alpha James and then Papa. “Would you stay here in my pack, Papa? Let us rebuild our love and trust?”
Papa looks me in the eye as tears overflow and trail down his cheeks. “Yes, I would love to do that.”
Alpha James nods at me, showing he agrees with my actions. “I will have your things packed and brought over. But you have little.”
“If you send what you have of Papa’s, we will get whatever else he needs,” I state clearly.
Mavis opens the door carrying a tray of refreshments. She gives Alpha James and Papa a bright smile as she leaves it on the desk. “Do you want me to pour Alpha Adira?”
“Yes, please, Mavis. Would you ask Robbie to prepare the vacant room that Rom used please? Papa is going to be taking it as he is staying with us.”
“Oh, that’s nice. Welcome?” Mavis stops as she is not sure if she should call him Papa or his name, which she doesn’t know at this point.
Turning and for the first time shows less stress on his face, “Earnest. You can call me Earnest.”
“Well, I will make sure your room is ready for you, Earnest.” Mavis hands out drinks and dashes out of the office.
We talk about general day-to-day things, before I ask Alpha James about the condition of the Strongbow Pack lands. He looks a little shocked, but once I fill him in on my heritage, and my claim, he nods, filling me in on what he knows from the past, and that he’s seen rogues on the pack land of late.
“Would you like to cross the Dark Water Pack as it will be faster to reach the Strongbow lands that way? I can accompany you with warriors to maintain safety.” Alpha James patiently waits for my response.
“Yes, I think that would be a good idea. I will have one of my Betas and a warrior with me. It would save time if we cut across your territory, rather than travel around it.”
We make arrangements to do that in three days. Alpha James leaves but tells Papa if he wants to return at anytime he is welcome to do so. I know that it is not being said in a detrimental way, so take no offence. He is giving Papa the option to leave if he feels uncomfortable, and that is a kindness he didn’t have to extend.
“Come, Papa, let me show you to your room. Then I’ll introduce you to Robbie, our helper extraordinaire.”
Chapter 22
*Adira*
Stepping out of the kitchen door, I lean against the wall and watch Robbie teaching Papa how to weed around the vegetables he has grown. They are laughing and talking between themselves. It hasn’t taken long for Robbie to put Papa at ease, and I can see a marked improvement in his body language already.
An arm settles around my neck, and looking up, I smile at Leo. “Those two are having a great time,” I say and turn to watch the garden once more.
“Your Papa is going to be okay now. In just two days he has less rounded shoulders, a smile on his face, and he ate a hearty breakfast.” Leo kisses the top of my head. “You did the right thing, Adira. Watching how your Papa watches you when you are not looking says such a lot about how much he cares about you. He told me he had no regrets about rejecting his mate. He just wishes he’d done it years before and taken you out of the pack with him. But it’s so easy to look back on things and say,if only.”
“That is so true. I feel easy around Papa, I have to admit. But he was always the one that showed me love and care, so I suppose it’s natural to gravitate toward him.”
“I asked him why he hadAin his name, Earnest instead of Ernest, and he laughed and said his mother couldn’t spell, so that was that.”
“I asked him that when I was younger, too. It makes him different from every other Ernest. I think, given time, we can reconnect fully. I hope so anyway.” I lean my head on Leo's upper arm and watch Robbie laughing with Papa, before heading inside where Rom, along with Talon, is waiting for me to discuss the training schedule. “Come on, Leo, let’s talk about training.”
“Everyone is training and doing what they can. I made sure those that were missing sessions were told they step up or they would be on their own if anything happened,” Rom smirks. “You should have seen the reaction to that statement.”
“Oh, I can guess,” Leo chuckles.
“Do we have enough warriors to cover patrolling the border without making them too tired to remain vigilant?” I ask, and turn to look at Talon as he sits forward.
Talon responds before Leo or Rom can speak. “We could always do with more, but we are making sure everyone has days away from patrol, to charge their batteries if you like. I’ve heard we have word out that we are taking new pack members. That was a little information Tyson Proudfoot told me, and I have to say, he’s one heck of an outstanding warrior.”
