Although her conversation with Patrick had made her less fearful about leaving the Blue Halo Pack, now she was uncertain again. She wanted to stay here, by Florrie’s side, she needed them.
Edward sighed, “Emmie, I understand how you feel. Accepting a father you’ve never met is not an easy decision, but your mother and I both think it’s better for you. Maybe you do need a father, and the Silver Moon Pack would be better for you.”
Emma muttered, “You can’t make decisions for me. I don’t think he’s better.”
“But you told me you had a pleasant conversation with the alpha of the Silver Moon Pack. You also agreed to go back with him.”
Patrick’s face was extremely deceptive, a trap waiting to happen if one wasn’t careful. Emma reluctantly turned her eyes away, “That was just now. Now I’ve changed my mind.”
Edward, feeling helpless, noticed Nelson approaching with Jennifer, so he said to Florence, “Do you want to leave first? I think Emmie might not want you to see what’s going to happen.”
Florence realized that what was about to happen next probably had something to do with Emma’s father, so she agreed and left before Nelson and Jennifer approached.
Emma looked coldly at the approaching couple. Patrick didn’t follow, feeling he had no need to get involved in their affairs.
“I hate him. I hate them,” Emma said.
“I understand,” as Amy’s friend, he also equally hated Nelson’s betrayal. But now he couldn’t stop everything from happening; he couldn’t protect Emma by himself. She needed a better environment, but the Blue Halo Pack couldn’t provide that for her.
“Emmie,” Nelson said to her. Emma didn’t answer; she didn’t want to respond to this man’s endearing address.
“Perhaps you could be a bit more polite,” the woman beside him said.
The atmosphere became tense. Emma could feel Edward’s aura changing. Edward didn’t allow anyone to speak ill of his friend’s child, especially not Nelson’s new partner. “When judging others, you should first examine whether you yourself are maintaining courtesy.”
Jennifer’s gaze was contemptuous, “It seems like you’re very fond of this little girl. If that’s the case, why not leave her here?”
Edward looked like he was about to get angry. In his mind, Nelson stopped Jennifer’s provocation. “I’m sorry, forgive her offense,” he looked at Emma, “I miss you, Emmie.”
Emma struggled to hold back the urge to punch him in the face, “I don’t know you.”
Although she knew who he was, she thought of her mother. She had waited for this man for a long time, and he had never thought to come back. He had given up his destined mate and child, he never deserved her forgiveness. She wouldn’t acknowledge him, never!
Nelson felt sad; his child didn’t want to listen to him or acknowledge him.
“I am sorry about Amy’s departure,” he said, “It was Amy who contacted me, hoping I could take you away and give you a better life than you have now.”
Emma clenched her fists tightly, “You have no right to mention my mother. And I don’t need your care.”
Nelson tried to make her understand his predicament, “Emmie…”
His words were rudely interrupted by Emma, “Please call me Emma. Or Miss Bess. You can’t call me that. Only my closest family can call me that.”
Her sharp attitude displeased Jennifer, “Your father is trying to be kind, but you seem very uncivil. Is that how your mother taught you?”
Nelson once again stopped the dispute between them, “It’s okay, she has the right to say these things. She should be angry. I’m sorry, Emma, I shouldn’t have let you roam for so long.”
Emma took a deep breath, then slowly exhaled. She realized that she wasn’t even angry. He wasn’t worth her anger. She was just saddened; she was in pain now, and she just wanted to go home, curl up in her mother’s bed, and take one last smell of her lingering scent. Pretend she was still there, just like she never got the embrace she longed for.
She wanted to cry out loud, to let the pain engulf her. In the past few days, she couldn’t think; every sober second was unbearable for her.
“You’re not yet of age, Emma,” Nelson said, “You’re facing some difficulties now. I want to help you.”
She looked at the woman standing beside him. From the first time she saw her, she could feel that this woman didn’t like her. Instead of taking her back to the Silver Moon Pack, she thought this woman might prefer to see her and her mother burnt alive.
“I don’t need help. If you really want to help me, then who is she?” Emma pointed at Jennifer.
Nelson looked somewhat flustered as he hesitated, “This is my new partner, Jennifer. She is the former Luna of the Silver Moon Pack.”
Emma wanted to scoff, but she couldn’t muster any expression right now.
“I know everything is shocking right now, Emma, but you will have time to adjust to it. When you move into our pack, you can…”
Emma interrupted him again, “I will stay here. I won’t go anywhere.”
Nelson took a deep breath, hesitating. He looked at Edward. Edward didn’t respond to his gaze. He was unhappy with Jennifer’s attitude; this was his silent protest.
“We have to take you home, Emma,” Nelson said. “You can’t stay here any longer. I know I messed up with what happened before, with Amy, and I want to make it up. I will take care of you now.”
Emma didn’t want to hear his voice. She thought, I can take care of myself.
The conversation failed. Jennifer didn’t want to continue engaging with this rude and impolite little girl. She used their mental connection to urge Nelson to leave immediately with Patrick.
Nelson was torn.
“I hope you’ll let me talk to her,” he implored Edward. “I really miss her. I haven’t seen my daughter in sixteen years, and now I finally have the chance to make amends. I don’t want to miss that opportunity. This is the only thing I’m asking of you, alpha.”
It was the first time he had referred to Edward as alpha. Edward sighed, “Trying to talk to her will yield the same result. You can wait here for two more days. Florence and I will try to persuade her.”
Nelson knew that his friend was doing his best. He said, “Thank you for your help, Edward. I appreciate it.”
Edward remained expressionless, “Before that, please talk to your partner properly. I hope Emmie will be treated well when she goes with you, rather than being targeted every day.”
Nelson was somewhat at a loss, “I will.”