Chapter Twenty
Alpha Kadden POV
“Daddy, when in going on?”
Sitting on the opposite side of the table. I couldn’t avoid the interrogation from my danighter. Even though I wouldn’t say I liked the track this conversation had gone. I didn’t attempt to climb to my feet. I tried to assure myself that I couldn’t escape the inevitability forever, eventually, the talk would happen. Especially when it came to this particular chald, who was far too damned much like her mother.
The sole reason I opted to leave the manor to have dinner with her when she’d called me. My attempts ar denial laad gone out the window at the threat of finding a way inside the manor. Even if it meant fighting my warriors. I knew our of all the women in my pack, Layla was the one who stood a chance of fighting them off. When her brother Larken entered into warrior training at the age of eight, she joined right alongside him. I was determined that both of my children would be able to defend themselves and their pack Luckily their mother had readily agreed with my decision, our pack could always use a female carrion.
Which now meant that Layla was more than capable of fighting her way through the guards patrolling my property. Which is precisely what she would’ve done, if I thought of fighting against her decision to come out. I didn’t have any desire for my daughter to fight her way mto the manor for them to talk. Became the moment she came inside there’d be no denying the presence of the woman locked up. Nor the importance she held in my life. The mark on the side of her neck spoke of her being claimed, my scent clinging to her assured who had claimed her,
“Nothing is going on.” I tried to assure her for the dozenth time suce Ed arrived at the restaurant, hoping she’d believe my lies.
Layla wasn’t fooled. “Daddy mom’s right, you are a horrible lar. I know that something is going on with you Just as I know whatever it is has absolutely nothing to do with mama or the other topic you refuse to talk about.”
Sinart and intuitive, just like her mother. Reaching a hand across the table for the delicate one of my daughters, I gave it a gentle squeeze. A brief smile surfaced. “I know you’re worried about me Layla, but you don’t need to be I promise you I’m fine, I’m just dealing with a lot right now and need some space.
“I know,” she sighed wearily. “But why won’t you talk to me? You can tell me anything. I won’t be angry or judge you wrongly.
My heart broke at the defection to be heard in her voice now, pained at the thought she wasn’t enough. I’d noticed the last two years Layla had worked doubly hard, being both my daughter and son Wanting to be the little princess she’d always been, but felt the had to be the fature heir too. Something thu’d become more obvious the farther that Larken had sunk into his pit of despair and misery.
In that moment I wished I could find it in myself to confess to her what was going on in my life. To assure my daughter she didn’t have to worry about me. That it say the Eart my fated mate had surfaced the day Til buried my wife and all that came along with that realization. Although i knew my daughter wouldn’t be angry if I found my irur mate, I ain’t certain how shed react to the truth. At the knowledge, the girl I’d been bound to was young enough to be my fucking dauditer. Or the less–than–pleasant terms I’d placed on nor bond because I hadn’t been open to accepting her
presence
She’d be ashamed of me,
Just as my wife would be.
I offered her another one of those rare smiles. “Layla my dear, please stop worrying about me. As I told you a thousand times, I am fine, I am a big boy and can take care of myself. You should be focusing on yourself”
“What do you meant she grumbled
Hiding a secret smile that I managed in turn the conversation around on her, I leaned back in my sear “Oh, I don’t know. Maybe the fact that you are twenty–two years old, haven’t found your mate and you don’t even seem concerned about finding him. You spend all your time focused on your job. and helping around the pack, you don’t even seem interested”
She rolled her shoulders. “So, what if I’m not!”
“You deserve a mate.” Itold her…
Layla toyed with a loose thread dangling from the woven bracelet she wore, milling to meet my gaze. “Maybe I’m not interested in finding my fated mate like everyone else. What would it hurt if I could choose my own? Like you and mom did”
“No.” I shut her down before she had the chance to bring up the suggestion further than that. “I cared very deeply for your mother, but I would be lying if I said I loved her. At least the way she deserved to be loved. I loved her as my companion and friend, but she was never the love of my life. Just as was the case for your mother. You deserve the love denied to us.”
Denied to Mom you mean,” she challenged with her own words, “Mom’s mate might have died when they were too young to enjoy it, but you never even met yours. I don’t see you racing off to find her. Even though you promised Mama you would.”
My eyes narrowed “How do you know that?”
“Mom told me.” Layla freely explained how she’d come to low their last conversations. The day before she died, she requested one of the servants › to fetch me, sad she wanted to talk. Mama told me you promised her you’d find the mate destined for you, but didn’t think you would. So, she wanted me to know about the promise you’d made to her, so I’d ensure that you granted her last request.”
“Of course she did. 1 growled beneath my breath, and fists clenched tightly at my side. Like I said too sinart for her own good. My wife knew I’d never follow through oner she was gone, so slar’d turned to our daughter for help. “Layla please, I’m far too old to find happily ever after. Besides, a mate would expect a young mun, prepared to spend our lives together and have cubs. I am not young and my days of raising haters are over.
Cupter Twenty
“Moen didn’t think so.” the challenged
For the first time since her personality emerged. I wished that my daughter was more like me. Then maybe slar’d give up on the insane idea of sering her elderly father bound to another woman Trust me, Layla, 1 know what I’m doing. Im happy with the life I have. I had almost darty good year with your mother and you kids are all the cubs I shall everored”
“Daddy,” she began
“Alpha.come quick,” a voice spoke.
Jerked up by th
the voice interrupting our private conversation, I realized it hadn’t come from the mind link. It was from behind me. I flipped around juir intime for Beta Alex to walk in, in the presence of Gamma Thom. “What is it, Alex””
Follow me,” he suggested.
I didn t have a clue as to what had compelled the man to come to fetch me, I didn’t think to argue. Topened my mouth to tell my daughter to stay
put, but the expression on her face said otherwise. Yet again I didn’t think to argue the decision, reminded that the pack might be forced to rely on
