LILA’S P. O. V.
I love my family, don’t get me wrong. But sometimes it is a big pain in the ass having two over protective dads. I can’t go anywhere. I can’t do anything. My bodyguard is always within five feet of me. Did I mention that my bodyguard is a vampire? So yeah, good luck sneaking away from him. He can follow my freakin heart beat.
Tonight I have a plan though. You see I am a werewolf, it is a week before my eighteenth birthday, that day I am supposed to meet my mate. So basically this is my last chance to have freedom. I’ll be trading in my dads for a mate who will want to know where I am all the time.
So back to my plan. My room is on the second floor. Not much of a jump for me though. I had to make sure the alarm is disabled on my window. I also have to make sure that Uncle Jay a. k. a. my bodyguard has gone home. My mom and dad are pretty busy with my little brother. He is two and hardly ever sleeps. My brothers don’t pay any attention to me when I close my bedroom door. So that means as soon as I head to bed it is a waiting game until I hear that the coast is clear. My friends are waiting for me on the edge of the border. They get my need for freedom at least.
I pack the clothes that I am going to change into on the way to the club in a small bag. I will do my makeup before my escape. I have everything ready and waiting in my room. I stuff it under my bed so that my mom doesn’t find it in one of her impromptu visits that she loves to make. Just because I am first born she seems to think that we are connected in some way. Because she was an Alpha first and only born. I get it mom, but I am not you. She has been even worse since my real dad came to live with us. Well, not with us, but close to us. Like he is going to steal me away from her. Like that could happen, my mom went through too much shit to have me. I will never stop loving my mom.
Maybe I should explain a little more. My real dad was my mom’s first mate. He was an idiot and cheated on her. But not before he got her pregnant with me. She exiled him because well she was the Alpha of the pack at the time. Then she met my Daddy. He raised me. He loves her to pieces, I am glad to have him in our lives. But I still wanted my real dad in my life. So I begged and pleaded and on my sixteenth birthday I got my dad to move back into the pack. It hasn’t been easy but better than I expected. My real dad doesn’t waste a chance to hit on my mom. I think he still loves her. Which in turn pisses off my daddy. They deal with it all for me.
I am heading downstairs to go to dinner when my phone dings. I expect it to be my friends but it isn’t. It’s my real dad. DAD 2: Hey little bug. Want to come have dinner with me tonight?
Of all the times for him to ask me that. I have to make sure that Uncle Jay leaves early. ME: Sorry dad. I already told Daddy that I would eat with the family. Tomorrow k.
I hate to bail on dad. He is alone after all. I am really all he has. Well and grandma and grandpa but he doesn’t like to be alone with them. They like to remind him how he screwed up everything.
DAD 2: Ok. Tomorrow. It’s a date, little bug.
ME: TNKS dad. C U Then.
When I enter the dining room it is like world war five. Literally. Have you ever had eight brothers? All of which are huge. They eat a ton. I am lucky if I can eat anything with them around. There is a lot of yelling and hollering. There is even food throwing thanks to my littlest brother. My biggest brother Jace notices me first. “Hey, little sis. Finally showed up for dinner.”
“Is there anything left?” I look around the table and the remnants of the food left behind.
Mom laughs and pulls out an untouched plate, piled high. “Here dear. I knew your brothers weren’t going to leave you anything.”
I am grateful for the plate. Even as I pull it to my spot so I can eat it, my brothers all watch it. I look around the table and notice that Uncle Jay is absent. “Where is Uncle Jay?”
My mom waves it off, “Since we are all in for the night I let him have the night off. So you my dear are not going anywhere for the rest of the night. If you do plan to go somewhere I would have to call Carlos and you know he hates to be given jobs on short notice. He is getting up there.” Yeah he is, he was old when he guarded mom when she was my age. He could still kick some ass though, so that is why he isn’t retired.
“Oh, I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.” I quickly cover. Inwardly I am elated. He isn’t even in the house to catch me sneaking out. Perfect.
Daddy looks me over, he is a little more critical of my behavior. He was more of a trouble maker so he can see the signs. He’s the one that I need to watch out for. “What are your plans for tonight princess?” His long dark hair falls a little towards his face as he eyes me.
I smile at him. “Oh, nothing much. I have had a really busy week. I am ready to hit the pillows tonight.”
He isn’t buying it. “I catch you trying to sneak out again, you will be in the cells until your birthday.” Ok, so yeah, I have been caught sneaking out a couple of times. This time is different though. I learned from my mistakes.
“Daddy, would I do that?” I even flutter my eyelashes to look innocent.
My brother, no help whatsoever. He starts laughing. Jace even points at me while he does it. “You are the most likely to do it out of all of us. You never listen.” He is like a mini version of Daddy, except his eyes. We all have mom’s eyes. I am the only one lucky enough to look just like her. With her long chestnut hair. The emerald colored eyes just make my whole face pop. I am a bit thinner like my dad.
Daddy looks at Jace. “That’s enough. Leave your sister alone. She has her warning.”
Jace looks at Daddy, like he is crazy. “You know I’m right.”
Daddy doesn’t even answer, he just glares at Jace, who backs down. “Now, let’s finish eating and I want everyone to clear their own plates and clean around their eating area. You guys need to stop leaving such a mess.”
I lift my fingers. “Does that include me, Daddy? I am not a guy, soooo.”
Now his glare is on me. “Don’t give me that PC crap little girl. You know I meant you as well.” My mom can tell he is losing his temper so she puts a hand on his arm. It is sometimes funny to see them interact. She is so tiny compared to him. Right now her hand doesn’t even cover part of his bicep. Yet she can curb his anger with a touch in a second.
“Alright Honey, I think they get the point.” He turns his attention away from us and looks at her. You can see the love that they have. He would do anything for her. His gaze instantly softens. That is the love that I want. No offense to my dad, but I hope my mate is nothing like him. He loves my mom, sure, but not like this. Daddy loves mom like he will die without her.
“I am just trying to instill responsibility into the children.” He purrs to her. Sometimes it gets a little intense. We have to remind them that we are here.
“I know what you are doing, I am just saying they get the point. You don’t need to lose your temper over it.” My mom is always a diplomat. “Besides, you know she is just trying to get under your skin. You do it all the time. She is just like you.”
Everyone starts laughing at that. They know it’s true too. Out of anyone I am most like Daddy. Most people if they didn’t know that I had another dad would think I was his. Before I really understood what everything meant, I thought he was my dad. He never loved me any less than his boys.
Daddy Humphs. “Well, that is no excuse.” He is trying not to laugh too. Mom kisses him on the cheek.
“Honey, I am going to start cleaning up the table.” She stands and starts clearing dishes.
Daddy doesn’t hesitate. He looks around at his boys. “Well, what are you waiting for, help your mother.” They jump to it. If there is one thing that we all learned, you respect mom no matter what. Daddy made sure of it. I am only exempt because I am still eating.
Mom just rolls her eyes. They always debate over what she should do and not do for us. She likes to do things. Daddy thinks we should all do everything. I think mom might feel bored sometimes. Daddy wants to take care of mom, but he might do too good a job sometimes.
When mom is closer to me she puts her hand on my shoulder. “Your dad said that he wanted to have some time with you. Has he made contact with you?”
I nod and smile. I know it is hard for her to even think about him, no matter how happy she is now. “Yeah, we are having dinner tomorrow night.” She just nods in response and pats my shoulder.
I see my Daddy shift a little in his seat. He doesn’t like me spending time with dad. He thinks that dad is going to hurt me like he did mom. Not that I blame him, but I think dad has changed a bit since then. He cares about me a great deal. He wouldn’t hurt me.
Looking at my plate, I think I have eaten enough. I look up and see Jace watching my plate. I smirk and hand it out to him. It takes him a second to rip the plate from my hand. Watching him eat sometimes is like watching the discovery channel. You know where the lion takes down a gazelle and just devours it, while fighting off the hyenas. Yeah that is Jace with my plate. My other brothers protest that they didn’t get any.
Casey protests. “That’s not fair, you always give your plate to Jace.” He is the third born of my brothers. So a little younger than me, but enough that we have that age gap. Jace and I are the closest. I guess we connect better like that.
“Yeah, it’s because his face isn’t as ugly as yours.” I joke. They know I am kidding. Come on, all my brothers look alike and they all look like Daddy. Black wavy hair, big bulky build. They have my mom’s eyes though. We all do. Emerald green eyes. I have her hair though chestnut color. A lot of people comment on it. I love it.
My brothers crack up pointing at Casey. Derrick pats him on the back. “She burned you.” Casey just pushes him off.
“Just remember we have the same face.” Casey says to Derrick.
Derrick smiles. “Nice try, mine is better.” Derrick is the second born of the boys. He is almost as tall as Jace now. But the only difference in Derrick’s face and Casey’s is the small birthmark on his jaw. Most of the time when he has stubble, you can’t even see it.
I am done here. It will go around the table for the next fifteen minutes. I grab a couple of plates from the table and take them to the kitchen. Just like daddy taught us, I rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. I know if I didn’t I would get my butt whooped. Daddy doesn’t tolerate laziness. As soon as the last of the dishes is in the dishwasher, mom comes in with her arms loaded.
“Hey, sweetie. Want to give mom a hand?”
I put my hand on my hip. “And why aren’t my brothers helping?”
She laughs. “If I wait for them the table will never be cleared. They are still comparing faces in there.” I laugh too and take some plates from her. I know she didn’t take all the dishes but she took a lot.
She rinses while I load the dishwasher. “So, are things going well with your dad?”
I pause. I know she doesn’t want to ask this. She probably feels like she doesn’t talk to me enough. “Yeah, fine. Dad is great. I know he wasn’t when he was with you, but he is a great dad. Not anything to compare to Daddy, but great nonetheless.”
She nods her head. “I guess they both have their good qualities. Just remember I love you ok sweetie.”
I hug my mom from the side. “I will never forget that mom. I love you too. I know it’s hard for you to have him around. I don’t forget. You are the most important person in my life. I love you mom.”
She hugs me back, trying not to get me wet with her wet hands. Jace decides to bring his dishes in then. “You girls are always hugging. You don’t see men doing that.” He stands by the sink waiting his turn.
I laugh. “Yeah right, who always hugs mom goodnight.” I continue to load the dishwasher.
He scoffs. “That’s different. She’s mom.”
Mom laughs. “Wait till you have a mate. We’ll see how often you hug then.” I laugh too, because I know deep down Jace is a big cuddle bug. He used to hug me a lot too, but then one of his friends picked on him about it and he stopped.
As we are finishing up, my mom gasps. I am worried that she cut herself with a knife or something but she starts ranting. “I almost forgot. Your cousins are coming to visit.” We don’t have any real cousins, but we do have some that we call cousins.
Jace gets excited. “Andrew is coming. I haven’t seen him in ages.”
Mom nods. “Yes, I guess Eli got his mate and they want to show her off before the birthday party. Christian is a little disappointed, he still wanted Eli to be with Lila, I told him it wasn’t likely but he had hope. Zoe is happy though.”
I smile, not that I am happy. I kind of hoped that Eli was my mate too. What do you expect his dad was always pushing us together, not only that but he is hot and sweet. Plus he is my best friend. His mate is going to be one happy girl. “That sounds good. When are they coming?”
“They should be here the day after tomorrow. I can’t wait to see Zoe.” Zoe is my mom’s best friend, except for Jay. Those three are inseparable.
“Cool the three amigos. Back together again. That should be fun mom.” I smile at her. Eli is still my best friend so it won’t be all that awkward, it just means that I have another mate out there. It was sometimes just easier to think of it as someone that I know. Someone that I know won’t hurt me. “Well, Jace here can help with the dishes, I am going to head up to bed.”
My mom stops me before I get all that far, “Hun, please don’t sneak out tonight. Your dad will go ballistic if he catches you again.” Her look is one of concern.
“Don’t worry about it mom.” I don’t state that I am not sneaking out, just tell her not to worry about it. I don’t lie to my mom. That would be so bad. Daddy would definitely not tolerate that, I think he really would lock me in the cells.
Jace, my ever helpful brother, loves to point it out. “Mom, she didn’t say she wasn’t sneaking out.”
My mom sighs and shakes her head. “I am aware, Jace. Contrary to what you kids think, I am not as naive as you think I am. Just remember if your dad catches you, he wasn’t joking about the cells. Lila, if you really think you need to do this then I won’t stand in your way, just be careful and you have to face the consequences if you are caught.”
Jace stares at mom like she is speaking another language. “You are letting her go.”
“Jace, I was her age when I found out that Hunter was my mate. She is pretty much an adult. It is her choice. Just remember where that choice led us, Lila.”
“I am not running off with a mate. I just need a break from people telling me what to do, before I meet my mate. Having two dads is exhausting.”
“Grandpa wasn’t much better. I get it, just be aware of what you’re getting into. You have one night.” She puts up one of her fingers to make her point. “I will even distract your dad. Enjoy it, it won’t happen again.”
“That’s why I love you the most, mom.” I hugged her. “I’ll be back before Daddy even knows I’m gone.” I turn to Jace, “You tell daddy and I will make you regret it.”
He smiles. “You will owe me. I am sure I can come up with some sort of payment.” Great, he is probably going to make me clean his room. Oh, well, it is worth it. One night.
I run up to my room and text my girls. They let me know they are waiting at the meeting spot. I just need to get out of this house. I know daddy is going to come tell me goodnight. He never fails to do that. So, I have to wait until he leaves the room before I can get ready to go. I slip on some bed clothes because I know daddy will be suspicious if I don’t.
After about twenty minutes, I hear a knock on the door. “Come in Daddy.”
He comes in with a big smile on his face. “Hey, princess. I wanted to talk to you.”
“Yeah, daddy?” I sit up on the bed. Usually he just kisses my forehead and says goodnight.
He sits on the end of my bed. “Yeah, I know you are getting closer to your eighteenth birthday. That means getting a mate. I know the subject of a mate is a bit of a tender subject for you. So, I just wanted to let you know that I am here for you.”
“Daddy, I know what to look out for. I am going to be careful. Plus I am not as forgiving as mom. He would only get one chance to screw up. I am going to make sure that he loves me as much as you love mom. I have seen the real thing, I won’t be fooled.” I give him a smile.
“I know, it’s just with your dad around. I know you see how much he still loves your mom, I don’t want you to get confused.”
“Don’t worry daddy, I know he loves mom, but not anywhere close to the way that you do.”
He laughs. “I made mistakes too. No one is perfect.”
“I know daddy.”
“Alright Princess, that is enough from me for one night.” He kisses my forehead. “Goodnight.”
I give him a smile. “I love you daddy.”
“I love you too princess.” He gets up and leaves my room. As soon as the door clicks, I jump into action. I grab the bag from under my bed and a few things of makeup, since my friends are waiting already I don’t want to keep them waiting anymore. I slide my window open and I am out before anyone is the wiser. I know there are patrols around the house, but I know how to watch out for them.
While avoiding the patrols I skirt around them and make it to the boundary. I can see Mak’s car running and waiting. I ran up to it. And jump in the back seat, the girls squeal a little. “Damn girl you scared me.” Syd breathes out.
“Let’s get out of here before my daddy finds us.” I pat the seat to make my point.
Hannah holds her chest. “I thought for a second you were the Alpha and we were in deep shit.”
“My mom said she would distract him from me. But let’s get out of here before he gets wise to the plan.”
Mak doesn’t waste time and hits the gas. We are on the road, but I see a brown wolf on the side of the road, and instantly know who it is. “Crap, my dad just saw us.”
I sink back into the seat.
Mak looks panicked. “Which dad?”
“Real dad.”
She breathes a sigh of relief. “Good, at least it is not the Alpha.”
“That doesn’t mean that he isn’t going to follow us, and drag my ass back home.”
She shakes her head. “I don’t think he will. He might watch you, but I don’t think he will drag you back home.”
“Don’t underestimate him, he is just as overprotective as Daddy.”
“Yeah, but he has sixteen years of guilt under his belt, I am sure you can use that to your advantage.” Emma laughs.
“Sometimes I think that makes it worse. Like he has to make up for all the years he wasn’t there to protect me.”
Mak groans. “Let’s just worry about it after we get there. He might not even follow us. He might not have grabbed clothes and was just out for a run. He may not even know you are in the car. So get changed before we get to the club.”
I start stripping down, because Mak is right. He could not have seen me. It is a small chance but it is there. I slip on the little black dress that I packed in my duffle. It’s sleeveless and hugs my body just right. It ends at about mid thigh. I slip on the shoes that I packed too. Three inch heels were not going to work for running through the woods. I apply the little bit of makeup that I packed. Which consists of mascara, eyeliner, eyeshadow, and lipstick. I know not a lot, but most of the time it doesn’t take much.