How I had somehow managed to sneak back to my bed was forever a mystery, but there was an obvious reason why I could not sleep that night. So many things went through my head, so many scenarios in which none I liked because deep down, I refused to believe that my dad was actually keeping me safe for a reason, that I was something he was going to bargain with the person Eros had been referring to. And what did he want to exchange me for? His position as Beta at the pack? Would they give him his old position that easily, even after what he had done?
Then I started to have questions about myself. Why would an eighteen years old normal teenager be of any value? Why would I be of any value? I was just a normal human. I had no superpower and was no Einstein genius. I could not turn into a giant wolf at will, either. Why would that dangerous person everyone seem to be scared of wanting me?
Also, I still found it hard to believe that my father, the person I had spent my whole life with, had killed my mother, the person who had brought me into this world. How could he do such a thing? How did he look me in the eye and tell me lies about how my mom had died? He always told me that my mom had died from sudden death and it was too late to rush her to the hospital. Well, I supposed, it would be pretty sudden to be killed by your own husband! Yet, looking at my dad, I could not even begin to imagine that he would do something like that. With the exception of what had happened yesterday, he has been a kind, caring dad.
I heard noises from the hallway and closed my eyes, pretending that I did not notice someone opening my door and stepping inside my bedroom. The side of the mattress dipped as the person took a seat on the side of my bed. At first, I thought that it was my dad but turned out it was Eros.
"Gosh, Xy, you have no idea how much I hate doing this to you, keeping things from you," said Eros as I tried not to make any move so he would not realize that I was actually awake.
Eros let out an exasperated sigh. "Rob was right. I should have stayed back. I should have come with you to that wedding. Hell, if I knew that it was Ryker's wedding, I would have tried to find reasons for you not to go there." He heaved another sigh. "You probably would not believe me if I tell you how dangerous he is. If I tell you what he is capable of. I have never wanted you to get involved in any wolf's business, especially his."
Then there was a pause before Eros spoke again. This time, his voice showed resignation.
"But I supposed you would be safer with him," he said, confusing me with his sudden change of opinion about Ryker Cromwell. "He could protect you well, better than I could. The Ethereal is one of the strongest packs I know and if what Ryker said is indeed true and you truly are his soulmate, then The Ethereal will do their best to protect their Luna. It has been a long while since they have one."
I had so many questions that I wanted to ask him. I wanted to know for once and for all whether my hearing had been mistaken or my dad had truly killed my mom a decade ago. And if he had, I wanted to know why and whether it was truly my dad or, call me crazy, my dad's wolf. I also wanted to learn everything about werewolves and who Eros had been referring to. I wanted to know who my dad was willing to hand me over to. I needed to know because frankly, I did not know who was my ally and who was my enemy. Whether I should trust the guy who had claimed that I was his soulmate and the love of his life but then had ordered people to bully me just so I would come with him, or my best friend who I would trust with my life but turned out to be hiding a lot of secrets from me and plotting with my dad behind my back.
"You know what sucks the most?" He took a small pause. "Even when I am sure Ryker was telling the truth about you being his mate, I still try to find ways so I get to keep you myself, even though I know that I am not strong enough to protect you while he is. He is strong and, moreover, he is not just an alpha, he is The Alpha. Whatever he says, goes. No one would question him. If he vows to keep you safe, he will, and not even The Erebus will dare lay a hand on you."
The door cracked open, and I heard my dad calling Eros in a low voice.
"Just give me a minute," replied Eros.
I was not aware of what he was doing, but there were some noises before he finally rose to his feet and left. I counted to ten before opening my eyes and staring at the dark ceiling. Listening to Eros's monologue, at least now I knew who was after me.
"The Erebus," I whispered in the dark before closing my eyes and finally giving in to sleep.
The morning had come way too fast than I would have wanted. I woke up an hour before my alarm rang. Stretching my body, I could finally feel the tiredness I had gotten from yesterday. Every part of my body was sore and there was nothing I wanted more than to stay in bed. Of course, I could not possibly get what I wanted, considering it was still Tuesday. I pushed myself up and sat on the bed. I turned to grab my phone from the nightstand when I realized that something was sticking out from underneath my bedlamp. I lifted the bedlamp and saw a folded piece of paper that had not been there yesterday evening when I had gone to bed. I picked it up and then placed the bedlamp back before unfolding the paper and reading the note inside. Even without his name on it, I could tell that it was from Eros. I would recognize his handwriting anywhere. He was the only few people I knew who would always use full capital letters. Although this time, his penmanship was beyond bad. I could hardly read the letters. He must have been in a hurry when he had written this down.
'I KNEW YOU ARE AWAKE. LET'S TALK TOMORROW NIGHT, XY. AND DON'T FORGET TO DESTROY THIS NOTE.'
I crumpled the piece of paper in my hand and shoved it inside my bra when I heard my dad at my door. He opened the door and stuck his head in. "Morning, Sweetie. How are you feeling?"
"I am fine, Dad," I answered, rolling my eyes. "I have told you, nothing serious happened. Yes, my bike was trashed, but I am fine."
He opened the door wider and walked inside. He took a seat on the bed and cupped the side of my face with his hand. "I was so worried. I can not let anything happen to you, sweetie. I won't have it."
And for a second there, I was tempted to ask if he really cared about my well-being or if he was merely worried that he would lose his bargaining power. "I am fine, Dad," I lied. When in truth, I was far from being fine. Now I constantly over-thought anything and everything. After what I had overheard last night, I would forever doubt his motive.
My dad let out a deep sigh and dropped his hand. "I should have never taught you how to ride a motorbike."
"Are you kidding? That was one of the best things you have ever taught me!" I protested, grinning and trying to act like my normal self. "You can't take that back."
The corner of his eyes crinkled when he smiled. His eyes were kind and showed nothing but affection, and yet my heart ached as my mind wondered how a man who looked at his daughter like this could murder his daughter's mom.
"Alright then." He patted my leg and then rose to his feet. "Do you need me to drop you at school for the, uh, rehearsal thing?"
"I am not a kid, Dad," I groaned while he laughed. "I can get there on my own. Don't worry about it."
"Alright, alright, Big Girl," he teased me, walking to the door with a smile. "Get downstairs once you are ready. I am making brioche for breakfast." Before he closed the door, he stuck his head inside again and gave an incentive, "and I was being generous with the filling."
I laughed, rolling my eyes. My dad knew what a foodie I was and how I could never resist that sweet dough Italian pastry.
* * *
Breakfast was the same as always. My dad always had his accompanied by two shots of espresso while I wanted to stay away from coffee this early and had a jasmine tea instead. He read newspapers while I surfed the internet, trying to search for anything about werewolves that I could find online. Once we were finished with breakfast, I walked out of the house, carrying my small purse, while my dad was trying to find a clean pair of socks in the laundry room.
Walking down the two steps at the front porch, my heart sagged in relief and I was grateful for how normal this morning was. I could almost forget about what I had learned yesterday and what I had overheard last night. For a moment there, I could pretend that yesterday had never happened. But the moment my feet hit the landing, and I started walking on the broken cobblestone all the way to the front of my house, I knew something was going to happen, that this peaceful happiness was short-lived and nothing more than a calm before the storm.
"Good morning, Xyrra Lancaster," a deep voice greeted me.
I looked up and met his silver eyes. His lips stretched into a smile that could break some girl's heart, but I sensed trouble from it. "What are you doing here?"
"Picking you up, of course," he answered casually, although there was nothing casual about him being here in my neighborhood. "You are still going for the prom rehearsal thing for your graduation today, right?"
How the hell did he even know my home?
"How did you know where I live?" I asked again, refusing to feel intimidated by his tall height and muscled figure.
"I have my ways." He chuckled as if he found the whole thing funny, as if it was funny that I had even asked. "Plus, your scent is very easy to follow."
"What the—"
I stopped mid-sentence when I heard my dad's voice from the door. "Sweetie, I only found one, so I paired it up with one of the stinky ones I wore yesterday. That is okay, right? I mean—"
Ryker tilted his head to one side, then commented, "Your dad should really keep his hygiene up."
I looked back and saw my dad come to a halt. He dropped his briefcase on the porch. His eyes were locked on Ryker. "Ryker Cromwell from The Ethereal," he growled. His whole body started shaking and his hair grew longer. Claws were coming out of his fingers and his face elongated. I realized that he was shifting as I waited in anticipation. Then, right before my very eyes, my dad turned into a wolf.
With my jaw still dropped on the floor, I turned to Ryker and watched his face grow tight. "Run," he told me, right before my dad jumped off the porch and lunged at him.