Ella’s POV
“How well can you fight?”
I looked at my dad, wondering what had suddenly prompt the strange question and how we had moved from there.
I racked my brain for the answer as I stared at him, wondering what he was expecting from me. I didn’t want to say the wrong answer and disappoint him.
I huffed, blowing out a gust of exasperated breath. I had met my father not up to five hours and I was already worried about disappointing him and trying to impress him.
What was wrong with me?
How did we get here so fast? We had talked about the rogues, how mum had died, how I left the land of the blood moon pack because I couldn’t deal with her death and didn’t want to stay where memories of her would bury me alive in grief and I told him of how the last five years with the blue river pack had been.
I kept the embarrassing details to myself. There was really no need to tell him everything especially the ones that weren’t necessary.
I didn’t tell him of how Kevin had rejected me as his mate in public five years ago because he was scared and didn’t think I was good enough to be his mate. I had a bad feeling that my dad might snap ofc Kevin’s neck if he finds out that he had treated me that way.
I was still worried about dad finding out of how I had been rejected if he follows us to the land of the blood moon pack. I shook my head at that thought. Thinking clearly of it, I didn’t think that my father and Caleb needed to go to the blood moon pack with us.
They had been going there to find me and now here I was. They could go back home to the blue river pack without going with us. That was a good plan.
I didn’t tell him as well of the utopia town and what I had suffered there as I didn’t want to hurt him. He was still grieving hard over mum’s death and didn’t have to know that his daughter had seen hell in her short time on earth as well.
“Ella,” he called out, staring at me. “You still haven’t answered my question.”
Caleb chuckled. “That is Ella for you. She has an habit of zonking out during conversations.”
“I don’t.” I argued.
“You do.” He insisted. “You get lost in thoughts too much.”
“I’m not as bad as you make me.” I growled at him.
“You are as bad as I make you.” Caleb insisted. His eyes twinkled as he talked and my expression softened as I realized that he was teasing me.
Bad guy. I shook my head at him.
Dad frowned as he watched and listened to me and Caleb bicker with each other. I didn’t think that he knew Caleb was teasing me.
“That is bad if you zone out into your mind during conversations. I think you need more trainings than I thought.” Dad said, stroking his cheek as he peered at me, studying my features.
I sighed. He definitely didn’t know that Caleb had been teasing me. I glanced at Caleb and scowled, barring my teeth at him and making sure he knew that I hated him for what he just did.
He smiled at me and flashed his teeth at me, telling me that he didn’t care. I bared my teeth at him and he burst out laughing. I glanced away from the annoying brat, blushing as my eyes met my father’s and remembered that I hadn’t answered his question.
How well could I fight? He seemed to be waiting patiently for the answer and I wondered what my answer would be.
“I can fight.” I said finally.
I wasn’t sure what I should say to that. I was sure that I could fight well in battles but I didn’t know the standards my father expected of me so I didn’t know how to rate myself. It would be embarrassing if I rated myself a seven and we both meant it as different things. I didn’t think I could stand it if my seven meant a three to him.
He raised his eyebrows at me and I blushed as I added. “I can defend myself in a war. I’ve fought and escaped many battles. You can ask Kevin to confirm.” I didn’t know why I felt I needed to involve Kevin in the matter.
“Kevin.” My dad called out to him.
Kevin moved to join us and sat beside me. “You called for me.” He said to my dad as he held me by the hand, stroking my fingers.
I blushed and avoided looking at him. I knew my dad knew that we were mates but I didn’t think I was comfortable with having public display of affection in his presence and rubbing it in his face.
I hoped dad didn’t mind Kevin’s attitude but I didn’t glance at either of them to know what was going on in their minds.
I didn’t think dad a chance of getting intimate with mum in public or showing his affection when they were courting. They probably had to keep their relationship a secret because of their origin. It must have been hard for them to date each other knowing that their packs wouldn’t accept their union.
I had grown with the blood moon pack and yet I was scared that they would despise me if they find out of my origin and worried about what they would think of me. It would have been worse for both of them and I was filled with pity for my parents who couldn’t proclaim their love to the worlds that they lived in.
It was a long time already and it was unlikely that dad would be petty that his daughter was showing off her love when he couldn’t and so despite how uncomfortable I was, I didn’t slip my hand off from Kevin’s own. Moreover, I loved the feel of his hand on mine.
Dad glanced at our entwined hands and smiled. “How good is Ella in a fight?” He asked Kevin.
“She is good.” Kevin replied.
“See?” I smiled at my dad.
He wasn’t convinced and continued staring at Kevin. “I might not have been available as a father to her and I know I can’t make up suddenly for lost years but I want to keep her safe and alive as much as I can. I hate that you have a long-standing enmity with the rogues and she will constantly have to worry about her safety till they are all gotten rid of. I can’t stay by her side forever. She is your mate and there is a limit to how long I can stay in your pack without seeing mine and I don’t want to worry my head to death as well thinking of how safe she is everytime.”
I frowned but didn’t say anything, wondering why my dad was spinning a long tale about my safety.
He continued. “I would like to train her and let her know the skills I have. I want to ask you this question again as the alpha of the pack and ultimate commander of a battle and not as her mate so you shouldn’t be sentimental. How good is she in a fight?”
I smiled, wondering why my dad wanted to disturb himself. Kevin’s answer would be the same. I didn’t know why he didn’t believe that I could protect myself in fights and didn’t have to worry about me.
Kevin swallowed. “Good but she isn’t above more trainings. I would appreciate it if you can train her.”
“Kevin!” I said and yanked my hand away from his, feeling betrayed.
Kevin and dad looked at each other and chuckled at my expense. Both of them seemed filled with male amusement and I found myself thinking of how I was going to get back at them.
I didn’t believe that Kevin had sold me out like that. It wasn’t like I was opposed to getting more trainings from my dad but I didn’t want to start the trainings because my dad felt that I was not good enough.
I didn’t want him to grill me like a beginner when we didn’t have too much time. We were going to get home in a few days and I couldn’t afford getting trained for long.
I smiled as I realized the excuse that I was going to use to avoid more trainings.
“I knew that you would be logical.” My dad grinned at Kevin.
“Thank you.” Kevin said, looking proud as if my dad had given him one hell of a compliment.
“I can’t train, dad.” I said, looking at dad. “We are going to the blood moon pack and will soon get there. You have found me and don’t have to come with us. You should go back home to the blue river pack.”
Dad chuckled. “You think I will leave you as soon as I found you? You have to be kidding, girl.” He inched forward and patted me on the head, ruffling my hair. “Snap out of that delusion, my daughter.”
I scowled, hating that my plan didn’t work. I let out a sigh, accepting my fate that I was going to train hard till I get back home.
“Be ready for training in the next thirty minutes.” Dad said and stood up from the ground, dusting his ass off with his hands.
My eyes bulged in their sockets. Thirty minutes? I thought that I was going to be able to rest and didn’t have to train till tomorrow.
I let out another sigh as I got up from the ground and prepared for my training. With the way my dad was enthusiastic about the trainings, I was worried that it was going to be gruesome.
I hoped I had enough strength in my legs to continue the walk home after each day training.
“I will surely get you back for this.” I said to Kevin as I walked away.
He chuckled and swatted me lightly on the ass. “I love you too, mate.”