SHADOW
“Why are you exactly here, daughter?”
“I need a dress for Grady’s party.” I came to Italy two hours ago for other reasons, but I couldn’t choose between white and black gowns.
“The new Alpha?”
“Yes.” I grabbed the red gown to check the designs and make sure it wasn’t itchy. It was gorgeous. Of course, it was. It was a haute couture gown.
Sebastien took me to a high-end brand, and I was hoping he would pay for this because I wouldn’t waste my money on expensive clothing that I would only wear once.
“I felt your anger when you came earlier. I guess you and Califf had a misunderstanding.”
“Father, be useful. Which one of these two?” I grabbed the red and black gowns, hoping he would give me some helpful ideas.
I rolled my eyes and put them back on the rack when he shook his head. “You’re useless.”
“My dear,” he called the saleslady who had been showing off her cleavage, batting her lashes at my father, while Sebastien didn’t even give her a second look.
“Have you picked the gown for her?” she asked my father, a little softer for her customers.
Sebastien picked up the white floor-length one I had taken a look at earlier. “This brings out her eye and hair color. And she will wear red lipstick.”
“Yes. You can never go wrong with Old Hollywood glamour.” When she smiled meaningfully, I fought hard not to roll my eyes.
“Should I dye my hair blonde, too?”
“No. Keep your natural color. It’s your mother’s.”
“Fine.”
“Very well. Thank you for your assistance. Fit it, daughter.” He looked at his watch.
“She’s our daughter?” Her eyes widened a little bit.
Sebastien looked young to have a daughter around my age, and sometimes, his aura and the way he wore his suit made him look even younger.
I butt in. “Adopted.”
“Oh.” The woman took the gown to help me.
“Why did you say that?” He sounded offended.
“Going somewhere, father?”
“I have all the time in the world for you, Shadow. Now, fit the gown. We have other places to go.”
“Right.” I took it from the woman. “I can do it myself.”
I went to the fitting room. My phone kept buzzing, and I knew who was constantly calling me.
I checked the caller ID. It was indeed from Califf. I pressed the end button and stripped off my clothes so I could put on the gown.
It fit me perfectly, but it looked like a bridal gown without the laces and veil, just a thigh-high slit and deep plunge V-neck cut.
I walked out and spun before him. “I think it’s a bridal gown and too much for a pack party.”
I thought I saw the admiration and pride in his eyes, and so did the pain. But Sebastien managed to hide it quickly.
“There’s no word too much for a princess, daughter.” His voice was low so that no one could hear us except our super-hearing. “Take it.”
“As long as I won’t wear a tiara, fine.”
“About that. Four months is a long wait, daughter. You should ready yourself for the crowning and investiture ceremony.”
“A what?” My voice came out high-pitched.
“You need to embrace who you are. Whether you like it or not, you’re a royal family member. This is a hereditary peerage. If something happens to me or your grandfather, you have to continue ruling the empire and our monarchy. Do you understand me?”
“Jeez. Way to be so subtle,” I said in irritation.
“You have no choice. And this is for your future. For you and Califf.”
“Whatever. What I need right now is to get this done.”
Sebastien was running out of patience. He let out a deep sigh before he called that woman again.
“Don’t sleep with this woman.”
He scoffed. “I have no plan gallivanting.”
“Well, that’s first. Do you still believe you’re cheating on my mother?”
“No, daughter.” He shook his head with a heavy chest. “I’ve accepted it a long time ago. I’m just happy I have you right now.”
I gave the gown to the saleslady. “I’ll take this.”
“It will be delivered to you in three weeks. Do you need any adjustments?”
“Three weeks?” My eyes bulged out.
“We will take this one. No adjustments needed.”
“It will take three weeks to get a gown done. This one is only for our display. Normally, it takes two months-”
“Name the price. My daughter needs that gown right now, or we leave and give your brand a bad review.”
“Pay the gown, father. I don’t have money.”
My words amused him. He took his card and gave it to the lady. She worked in a well-known brand. I was sure she knew that card had no spending limits.
“Should I talk to your manager?” he challenged her in his Alpha tone.
“No, sir.” Too intimidated to argue, the woman didn’t even blink. I wondered how did he do that.
After we bought the gown, he took me to the jewelry store. He bought me an emerald diamond necklace and paired it with earrings.
“You’re gonna piss off Califf.”
“For spending on my daughter? I don’t think so. I can buy you a castle or a strip club if you like. He doesn’t have a say. He is wealthy, but I am wealthier and more powerful than him. He accepted that the moment he knew who your father was.”
It made me chuckle at how formal he was- his sitting etiquette and the way he picked up and sipped his coffee made me shake my head.
“What?”
“You look regal just drinking coffee in the street. You made that cup a thousand bucks.”
“Now, let’s talk about what’s wrong with you and your mate.”
I let go of a shaky sigh. “I think I know who murdered those men found in the woods.”
When he didn’t look surprised, I groaned. “You knew, and you didn’t tell me.”
“No, daughter. I don’t, but they were Obsidian members.”
“Jesse Miller, too?”
“Yes.”
“So, this rogue is a vigilante killing Obsidian? Should I send him a fruit basket?”
Sebastien laughed softly. I just realized he could be a cool father, and it was hard to admit that we had the same laugh and smile.
I blinked it off. I may be beginning to forgive him and care for him that I was seeing things I shouldn’t.
“What is it?”
“Nothing.”
“You should go home and talk to your mate. He’s been texting me non-stop.”
“He can go to hell.”
“You haven’t told me why you two fight?”
“I suspected his half-brother is the rogue.”
“Huh.” He sipped his coffee again. “Well, that’s something. And you shouldn’t do that often. They’ve maybe shared only a father, but they’re still protective of their family. And you just accused the brother of an Alpha of a double-murder, Shadow. Unless you have proof, don’t do it again.”
“He took the hair I found near the crime scene. The human footprint has webbed-toes, and Waylon has webbed-toes, and it’s hereditary, but Califf doesn’t have it. And the hair is black. It’s a black wolf, father.”
“Be careful. It might not be being a rogue that makes him hunt for humans. He could be infected with something.”
“Like what?” I stared at him in horror.
“Our bites in the full moon would not only give werewolves a long-term illness. It could make them rabid if left untreated. It will kill their wolves slowly. It starts with hair fall, skin infections, eroding flesh, their eyes turning red, and they will smell like dead animals until they become feral. The next full moon, they will die.”
“What about in human form?”
“Once their wolf is dead, their human body will soon die. And they can’t remember what they’re doing. It’s like a dream or a nightmare, but they eventually get sick. Symptoms are loss of appetite, some weight loss, and they die with an unknown illness.”
“Why is it our kind is deadly?”
“We’re Lycans, and in our case, we’re hybrid. Our blood can be lethal, too.”
“How?”
“Werewolves and our blood don’t mix, but if you’re worried about your children, don’t be.”
“What should I do, father? I don’t want to kill him if he’s Calder, but I can’t let him go hunting and drop another dead body. One dead man by an animal attack is easy to cover up, but two? Now it was on the local TV. He wouldn’t be so lucky on his third victim, and I am afraid we could be exposed.”
“Do what you think is right if you could catch him before the full moon. Zarah and I can help you treat him.”
“Yeah. Now you mention Zarah.” I grinned. “Are you and Margaret sleeping together?”
He didn’t look surprised by my question.
“I take that as a yes.”
“It’s not like that.” He tried defending himself, but it was obvious that no commitment was involved.
“It’s okay to get laid and have hookups, father. You are powerful, wealthy, and have-” I shrugged. “You know. Needs.”
“Daughter, the last thing I want to discuss with you is sex. It’s so inappropriate. You’re giving me advice when I have more experience than you. No offense. Have you forgotten that I’m your father?”
“How old are you anyway?” I couldn’t help but grin when he became uncomfortable. He was also blushing, really blushing. I couldn’t believe I just made the Lycan King blush of all people.
“I’m old.”
“Wow. Are you embarrassed to talk about hookups with Margaret? Or you’re using her to get to Zarah.”
He paused and glanced at me. “What the hell are you talking about, child?”
“You know. Zarah really likes you, father.”
“Really?” He sounded surprised. A sudden glint of hope appeared in his eyes. If I read it correctly, he liked her very much, too.
“Gotcha. But yes. I also know why you’re not making a bold move because she’s my mother’s best friend, but fortunate for both of you. Mom is dead. You’re not cheating on her best friend. You deserve to be happy, and I don’t mind you sleeping with Zarah as long as you won’t hurt her.”
“Stop this nonsense, Shadow.” He just straightened in his seat.
“I care about her, and she’s like my second mother. She’s also my mentor. If you hurt her, you also hurt me.”
“Now you know the answer to why I never make a move.”
“But how will you know if you won’t even give it a try.” I batted my lashes. “And you and her will make a cute couple.”