CHAPTER 53- BONUS CHAPTER
16 years later
LILA’S P. O. V.
I have always known that my Daddy wasn’t my dad. Mom says that he is running around the packlands. Today is my birthday, I decided it is time to meet my dad. Daddy says that he monitors where he is, so I found out exactly where to find him. Daddy insisted that I take Uncle Jay with me, but I don’t mind. Daddy wanted to be there too, but I knew that might not be a good idea.
Uncle Jay follows me to the border. He was last reported on the northern border. I am nervous. I have never seen my dad. My mom said she made sure he saw me when I was a baby, but that was a long time ago and I don’t remember. I think she has even expected him to do something for my birthday each year but never anything. I want to know why. He is my dad after all. My mom said that he was happy to be having me, it was just other things that got in the way. Mom has never said anything bad about my dad, but that doesn’t mean that I don’t know what happened, packs talk far too much.
As soon as I cross the border I see him. A large brown wolf comes towards me. I gave him a pair of shorts. I imagine that he doesn’t have anything like this because my Daddy says he hasn’t been seen in his human form in a very long time. He takes the shorts in his teeth and runs off. He pokes his head out of the bushes and I am shocked to say the least. He looks scruffy and messy. Nothing like how mom described him.
He comes towards me slowly. His voice sounds raspy, “You look just like your mom.” He smiles at me.
“Yeah, everyone says that.” I give him a smile. I want him to know that I don’t hate him. Even if he did hurt my mom.
“You have my frame though.” He looks at my whole body.
Uncle Jay makes sure that my dad knows he is there. He clears his throat. My dad looks at him. “Not surprised to see you. You are exactly the same.”
“That is what happens when you are a vampire. I can still suck your body dry in thirty seconds.” Uncle Jay smiles.
I slap his shoulder. “Uncle Jay, you promised me that you would behave.”
“I am behaving, just reminding your dad that I have the upper hand. I promised your daddy that nothing would happen to you.” He smiles at my dad again. I notice my dad visibly cringing.
“I am not going to kidnap my daughter.” My dad huffs.
“Yeah well you said a lot of things. I am here to make sure.” Uncle Jay folds his hands over his chest.
I put my hands up to make them both stop. “Dad, I am here to invite you to my birthday party.”
He looks at me shocked. “I don’t really think I am welcome.”
I shake my head. “I already talked to mom and daddy about it. They both know that I am inviting you. Daddy wasn’t too happy but he agreed.”
He cringes again. “I see. I don’t have anything to wear. I haven’t had clothes for a long time.”
I smile at him. “I want to spend some time with you. So I am bringing you back with me. We will get you all cleaned up and get you some clothes. Don’t worry we got it all covered.”
He hesitates and wants to pull away, I see it. Uncle Jay comes to the rescue. “Hunter, don’t disappoint your daughter. Come with her now.”
“Fine, I just don’t want to cause any problems.”
“It’s not a problem.” Uncle Jay sighs. “Jas, never expected you to stay away from your daughter. She just needed space.”
“I get that. I screwed up. I don’t want to do it again. It seems like you are a good girl. I am the type of person that no one should be around.” He looks ready to cry.
I pull him into a hug and I feel him stiffen and then relax hugging me back. “Dad, I want you to come. Please come.”
Finally he agrees. We made it back to our house. Not the pack house. That will be later. Mom and Daddy are waiting in the sitting room. When I come in with dad to say it was tense is an understatement. I hug Daddy to calm him down. Mom seems the stiffest though.
“I am glad you came for Lila’s birthday this year.” She sounds like a robot.
“I am glad I am allowed.” Dad responds.
Daddy scoffs. “You were always allowed to see your daughter. Jasmine isn’t a cold hearted person, like some other people.”
Dad narrows his eyes at Daddy. “I have known her my whole life. I am well aware that she has a kind heart. I was the one that hurt it. There isn’t a day that goes by that l don’t regret it. I am just glad that she found someone that makes her feel the way she should have felt her whole life.”
Daddy looks over at me. “Princess, make sure your dad gets cleaned up. The party is in two hours. It is going to be shocking enough having him there. They don’t need to see him in this state.” Then Daddy just walks off.
Mom looks at dad. “It really is good to see you Hunter.” She seems a little softer now. “I hope you make sure to talk to your parents while you are here. They have missed you.”
My dad doesn’t miss a beat and I want to smack him for what he says next. “I missed you.”
My mom looks on the verge of tears. “Thank you. I have some things to attend to.” Then she follows daddy out of the room.
“You had to upset her.” I growl at him. “Just don’t do it again. She is happy with Daddy.” I sigh, “Look dad. She missed you a little too. Just she’s happy, so leave it be.”
“I won’t, sorry. I don’t want to cause problems.”
Just then my brothers ran into the room. I have seven brothers. My oldest brother who is still younger than me is a foot taller than me. He grabs me up in a bear hug. “Happy birthday sis. Are you excited? Did you get your birthday wish?” He sets me down.
I smile at them. No matter whatever happens these big goofs are my brothers. They know I have a different dad and it was always my wish to meet him. I pull my dad forward. “Dad, these are my brothers. Guys this is my dad, Hunter.” I point to each brother in turn. “Dad, this is Jace, Derrick, Casey, Adam, Mike, James, and Austin.” All my brothers are huge. They take after my Daddy. I am the smallest.
They look over my dad like he is a frog that they want to dissect. “You hurt our little sister and you will pay a lot worse than when you hurt our mom.” Jace growls at him.
“Jace, be nice.” I growl back. “He is here for me.”
“Finally.” He scoffs.
“It’s ok Lila. I deserve it.” My dad looks down ashamed.
“Let’s get ready for the party, dad.” I pull my dad up the stairs so he can get cleaned up.
After he is all cleaned up I get ready for the party. He waits in my room, not wanting to really see anyone else. I have a beautiful green dress that I am wearing tonight. I know this party isn’t as important as my birthday in two years, but it is important to me. Having my dad here means a lot to me.
We all drove to the pack house together. I am in the car alone with my dad. “Dad, don’t be so nervous. There are plenty of people who missed you.”
“That’s not it, little bug. I messed up so bad. I missed so much. I don’t blame them for hating me. I really hurt your mom. I deserve any punishment I receive.”
I sigh. “I was going to wait until later, but I think I should tell you now. It wasn’t just my birthday wish to have you at my birthday. I asked mom and Daddy to let you back in the pack. They agreed. There is a house set up for you. I want you to stay. Please say that you will stay.”
He cries. Actually cries. “I don’t deserve a daughter like you either. I will stay if that is what you wish. As soon as you want me to leave I will. I know that means I have to pledge to Gabe, I will do it for you.”
I laugh. “Just don’t hit on my mom. Daddy would be really pissed if you did that.”
“I know there is no chance there. I can’t believe she had that many kids. She said she wanted a lot.”
“I’ll tell you a secret. The rest of the pack doesn’t know yet. She is pregnant again. They are hoping for another girl. Said I was getting too big to be a little princess anymore.”
“I think odds are not in their favor.” He laughs a little. He cleaned up nicely. I can see why mom loved him for so long. Too bad he wasn’t smart enough to treat mom right. “At least I don’t have to worry about your protection. Those boys aren’t going to let anything happen to their sister. I can see the love that they have for you. Even Gabe seems to really love you. I am glad that you have that. I want you to know that I always loved you little bug.”
“Why are you calling me that?”
He smiles, then looks lost in memory. “That was the nickname I came up with for you as soon as I found out about you. That is always how I thought of you. My little bug.”
I lean on my dad’s shoulder. I have missed him in my life. Now I feel complete. No matter what happens next, I have my whole family.