“But it happens enough that you feel the pain.” Ronnie grumbled out.
“Mom doesn’t know.” I wrapped my arms around my father. “She wouldn’t ever touch him if she knew.”
“I know, princess, but you can’t tell her. I’m sure I passed the fate, since I made it past my death…but now, now it would break her to find out the truth.” My dad squeezed me.
“So she felt you take another female?” I hugged him back, but he just shook his head.
“I used my power to fake the pain. She was crying inside of our room, and I was in the next room, breaking my own heart.”
“Daddy?”
“It was losing her and you, or losing everything. And I knew I would still get to see my little girl.” My dad pulled back. “But, I didn’t tell you so you would feel bad for me, but to know that you have power too. Power to hide your scent. At the very least, I’ll teach you how to wield it this summer.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Don’t thank me yet. This summer will probably be the worst you’ll ever have, but it will save you in the long run.”
“Once everything is done, I need you to promise me something, Daddy.”
“What is it, pumpkin?” My dad always called me new nicknames when he was worried.
“After I have done what I need to do, we are going to tell mom the truth.”
“Baby, we can’t.”
“She is stronger than you think. And she never moved on. She only got with Morgan because she thought I needed a male’s protection in the new pack. And she didn’t like the attention shewas getting from the Alpha.” I was skirting the real truth, but I knew him knowing what actually happened would break his heart.
My dad growled and hit his desk again and then nodded. “Fine. We will tell her.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” I kissed his cheek.
“Now go get settled. We will start tomorrow morning, but I know a certain someone who is pounding down the pack house doors to try to see you.”
I smiled and shook my head. Cassie was my best friend and soul sister. Meeting when we were babes was the first step in our soul bond. “Cassie?”
“Has been chomping at the bit since she heard you were coming, so go see her.”
“I love you two.”
“And we love you, sugar.” Ronnie kissed my head. “I’d kill your Alpha mate if I could.”
“You would start a war.” I shook my head and left with a last hug from my dad.
Chapter Six
I
walked to my room and screamed when I was tackled to the ground. Laughter erupted from my core as Cassie got off me. “Why the heck didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She punched my shoulder as I stood.
“I didn’t know until this morning.” I hugged her to my side. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She pulled back and tossed me a small box. “Happy birthday.”
I laughed again. “With everything that has happened, I had pretty much forgotten that it’s my birthday today.”
“The big eighteen. Have you shifted yet?” Cassie jumped up and down with excitement.
I just shook my head. “I don’t shift. You know that.” My face fell. I heard chuffing inside of my head.
