Daphne excitedly cries out, “Our mate’s coming!”
Crystal asks, “Your mate? Who?”
Daphne exuberantly answers, “Brianna’s father … he’s our mate. And, he’s coming.”
Brianna immediately calls for Crystal to return back, having her inner-wolf leave from my body and re-enter hers; then, draws her forehead away from mine. She inquires…
“My dad is your mate?”
“According to Daphne he is…” I sullenly mumble, “but, according to your father; he isn’t.”
Daphne blurts out in my head, “He can deny it all he wants; but, he’s still our mate!”, as she continues to gleefully stir about within me.
Brianna takes hold of my hands; and, implores me, “Please don’t tell my dad that I let you know about my ability to release Crystal to communicate with other inner-wolves. And also; don’t mention it to anybody else, either … please.
My dad doesn’t want too many others to know about it; and, forbids me to do it unless under his supervision. He’ll be furious with me if he knows. So; promise me that you won’t say a word about it? Please.”
I gently squeeze her soft, dainty hands; and, reassuringly tell her, “I promise I won’t tell another living soul about it. This is our little secret; shared only between just me and you.”
Brianna appreciatively smiles at me; then, leans into the crook of my neck, and lovingly nuzzles her nose in it … while, I take this moment to sniff in her scent again; this time from her flowing, silky, pure snow-white colored, blonde hair.
As the bedroom door starts opening; I whisper into Brianna’s ear, “Oh; and please don’t let your father know that I can’t shape-shift into my wolf-form.”
Brianna nods to let me know that she won’t tell him; but, it doesn’t matter anyway … because, apparently he heard me.
“So; you can’t shape-shift, huh? No wonder you weren’t able to protect yourself against that human scum.” He shoots over a derisive sneer; and, haughtily belittles me…
“You really are a pitiful creature; aren’t you? I can’t even refer to you as a mutt, anymore; seeing how you can’t turn into your wolf-form. … Pathetic. … And, you have the audacity to think that I could possibly be your mate? Forget that.”
Brianna takes it upon herself to step in and defend me; as she boldly reprimands her father … sort of reminding me of like how Bellona shields me when our father berates me…
“Stop it! I won’t allow you to insult Pomona like that. … Dad; how could say such harsh things to her; especially after being attacked and beaten. Just look at her face; see how battered it is … how could you be so cruel?
And, remember; not only are you an Alpha … but, you’re also a CEO in the hospitality industry … so, you should know that you need to speak more professionally and respectfully to others; and, set an example to those around you.
Besides; it’s like they say … ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say; you shouldn’t say anything at all’.”
I find it kind of ironic how just moments ago, Brianna was pleading for me not to let her father know that she showed me her special ability; because, she was worried that he would become furious with her … and yet, here she is now standing in front of him; literally chastising him … as the coloring in his face turns to a dark, beet red shade.
He scowls at Brianna; and growls, “And, a daughter should mind her manners, while showing respect to her father; instead of trying to correct him. … I strongly suggest that you shut your mouth, and stay quiet; unless your intention is to receive a good thrashing from me.”
**Pomona’s POV**
I see he isn’t only a bullying asshole with me. … Daphne, girl; just what is it that you see in this guy?
Okay; maybe Brianna is being a little disrespectful towards him … not that she said anything wrong, per say; but rather, in the way that she said it … still, I can’t believe he actually threatened her with a thrashing. I couldn’t even start to imagine how that massively big brute would be willing to lay a hand on such an adorable, petite, dainty girl; let alone the fact that she’s his own daughter. … What a jerk.
That said … to my surprise; instead of being frightened from that malevolent threat made by such an intimidating father … like most any other young child would be … a seemingly unfazed Brianna flippantly quips…
“Since you said that I’m trying to correct you; then, you must realize that you’re wrong. Right?”
He thunderously belts out a resoundingly booming roar; followed by fiercely growling in the most imposingly, dominant Alpha tone I’ve ever heard in my entire life…
“Enough; you insolent child! Apologize … now!”
That horrific roar of his had me nearly piss myself. And yet, Brianna still appears to be unfazed by her father’s outburst; and, remains unflinchingly standing her ground; as she brazenly replies…
“You should know me by now; Dad. I only apologize when I’m in the wrong … and; not to those who are in the wrong.”
Instantly, his already seething eyes manifest themselves into two deep charcoal-black solid orbs, floating within two fiery-red fields; as his jaw tightly clenches, while he feverishly grinds his teeth together. His chest puffs out, and heaves up and down; most likely caused from his evidently rising ire.
He brusquely shoots his arm up into the air, high above his head; displaying a large, open hand that appears to be intensely taut, and ready to strike Brianna at any moment. … There’s no friggin’ way I’m going to allow that to happen.
Without any hesitation whatsoever … honestly; I don’t know whether it’s me or Daphne that’s in control now … I leap out in front of Brianna, with my arms stretched out ready to block any attempted strike; and, snap out at him…
“Don’t you dare lay a finger on her; you bastard!” I turn to look back at Brianna, and tell her, “Don’t worry, sweetie; I won’t let him hit you. I’ll protect you.”
Even now, with her father menacingly postured with a crazed look about him, and ready to hit her; Brianna still seems to be unfazed, while showing no fear at all. She lovingly gazes up at me, nods, and smiles.