Chapter 12
Nyah
Whew chile. I did not expect the tour of my grandmother’s cabin to end the way it did, but I’m not going to front like I didn’t want it to happen. Ever since that day in his office, I’ve been curious about what Braxton is working with and he did not disappoint.
As for the noise in the woods after, it wasn’t from a damn tree. It was Corey’s peeping tom ass. I caught a glimpse of him as he ran away. I was relieved Braxton didn’t, because there’s no doubt he would’ve killed him for spying in on such an intimate time we spent together.
After we recuperated from our mind-blowing sexual encounter, we helped each other get dressed before locking the cabin down, then returning to my daddy’s house. Braxton and I walked hand in hand as we talked about our future together. We were in high spirits until we reached the front of the house.
Daddy looked pissed as he stood with Bryant, James, Levi, Horace, and Corey. I knew that look and whatever we just walked into wasn’t going to be good.
Daddy inhales deeply, glaring at Braxton. He then said, “I guess there’s no need for me if you’ve been with my daughter before the claiming ceremony.”
I whip my head towards Corey who lowers his. What a fucking asshole. How is a grown ass man going to run back and tell someone’s daddy their personal business? I was going to speak with Corey and tell him to stay away from me and my relationship with Braxton, but now he’s totally crossed the line.
“Alpha Lightfeather, I won’t lie to you, but yes, I have. Nyah is my mate whether we have officially tied our bond in the eyes of you and our Packs. I am hers and she is mine.” Braxton cuts his eyes towards Corey before saying, “I know where you got this information from, but I have to question the mental state of a man to sit there and watch a couple during a special time.” Braxton hunched his shoulders before adding, “A pervert if you ask me.”
“Or someone who wants to take advantage of a woman for financial gains,” Horace counters.
I frown. What the Hell is he talking about?
Bryant steps to our side, stating, “I just met you and your son, but the one thing you are not going to do is try to discredit my son. After they mate, Nyah doesn’t have to work another day of her life if she chooses not to. It seems as if your son wants Nyah because he would be the one with the financial gain.” He points to Braxton and I, then says, “They have acknowledged they are mates. From what I’ve witnessed, it’s your son who cannot accept it.”
Horace and Corey look as if they’re ready to fight as Braxton remains rooted in his stance. Corey makes the biggest mistake of his life and lunges toward him. Oh, shit.
Braxton blocks Corey’s wild punch and hits him hard with a right hook to the face. Corey stumbles back as blood spews from his mouth. Braxton doesn’t give him time to recover. He’s on Corey so fast, the next thing you hear is Corey yelling out in pain. Braxton has him on the ground raining down blows to Corey’s body. Horace makes a move to intervene, but the warning growl Bryant gives him makes him stop in his tracks. James joined in with his eyes shifting to an eerie purple.
“Enough,” daddy roars, emitting his Alpha dominance.
“Get off of him, Braxton,” Bryant booms using his dominance as well.
With his fist ready to connect with Corey again, Braxton growls, getting off of Corey. His crazy wolf eyes glare at Corey as he stands over his bloody body.
“Come to me, Braxton,” I try to coax. He looks like he’s ready to shift and finish Corey off. “Braxton,” I call. He finally starts to walk backwards to me.
My father faces Horace, and says, “Take Corey home.”
“But Alpha,” Horace tried to argue but daddy cut him off.
“Now,” he yells. “We will resolve this at a later time.”
The authority in daddy’s voice has Horace grabbing Corey’s arm and helping him off the ground, then dragging him away from the house.
Rushing to daddy’s side, I implore, “I never thought things would escalate like this. I’m sorry daddy.”
Daddy doesn’t even look at me. “Nyah, tell your company good night.”
“But, daddy,” I implore but he walks towards the back of the house.
“Now, Nyah,” he shouts before turning the corner.
Looking at Braxton, I hold in my tears. “I’m so sorry.”
He reaches out, taking hold of my arm before drawing me to him. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about. What just happened is not because of you or me but that asshole.”
Bryant tapped my shoulder, adding, “My son is right. That young man is unhinged because you accepted my son as your mate. At this point, he will do anything to stop the bonding of you two.”
Braxton firmly hugs me, saying, “Father is right. The only thing that is stopping me from disemboweling him is your father.” He looks to the skies then says, “But that excuse will only last for so long. By Pack right, I should have ended him today.” Braxton holds up his middle finger. “You see this finger, there are so many ways that it can be interpreted, but I’m old school and to me, it means Corey has no more lives and is fucked. Father and Levi let’s return to the hotel.”
Bryant and Levi could go, but I didn’t want Braxton to leave, especially after the exhilarating afternoon we just had. I suggest, “Why don’t we go back to the cabin.”
Braxton raises my hand, then kisses the back of it. “While I would love nothing more, I don’t want to piss your father off anymore. I think Corey has done enough, but don’t look saddened,” he said, pinching my chin. “Everything will work out in our favor.”
“I hope so,” I return. “I don’t like the way my daddy looked.”
“Trust me, your daddy will be alright,” Bryant exchanges. “He’s just really coming to terms that his youngest daughter will soon be mated.” He leans over and kisses my forehead. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the hotel.”
Bryant, James, and Levi leave us, going to the car.
“Despite what just happened, I enjoyed spending time with you today. I can’t wait for us to do it again, but the next time it will be in my suite so there won’t be any voyeurs around.”
“That sounds good to me,” I say, wrapping my arms around his neck.
Bryant smirks. “As a matter of fact, since tomorrow is Friday, why don’t you pack a bag for the weekend and stay with me.”
“Let me smooth things over with daddy tonight and I’ll let you know in the morning,” I tell him.
Braxton pecks my lips, then says, “Fine, but I’m calling to check on you later.”
“You better,” I let out a fake giggle, knowing I needed to be honest with Braxton about what happened at the cabin. I look off to the side, then tell him, “I knew it was Corey in the woods.”
Braxton seems like he wants to explode, but holds it in. “So, why didn’t you tell me?”
Letting my arms fall to my sides, I reply, “Because I knew how you would react, and we just had an extraordinary experience together. I didn’t want his cowardness to spoil it.”
“You should have told me,” he counters before kissing me one last time, then letting me go. I watch him as he goes and gets in the front passenger seat of the car. He blows me a kiss as Levi pulls off. I sigh, psyching myself up to face daddy.
When I get to the backyard, daddy’s sitting in his favorite lawn chair in front of the fire pit. He casually rubs Crown’s head.
“Sit down,” he says, not even looking at me.
I chose the chair across from him. Crown scurries to my side, and I scratch under his neck. Daddy lifts his eyes, peering at me. I can’t read his face. I don’t know if his expression is disappointment, embarrassment, or what. I gave him my full attention because I wasn’t ashamed that Braxton and I slept together; I’m just embarrassed that daddy knows about it. No daughter wants their daddy to know they’re having sex, grown or not.
“I’m not mad at you, Nyah,” daddy says. “I know what it’s like to have the pull of the bond, but what I won’t have is my daughter disrespecting herself to where others can see her. How do you think that makes me look as the Alpha of the Pack or for you as my daughter?”
Scooting to the edge of my chair, I rest my elbows on my thighs, then lace my fingers together.
“Daddy, we got caught up in the moment. I didn’t expect Corey to be lurking in the woods, watching us.”
“I understand that Nyah, but you have to use discretion before the mating ceremony. The only reason why I didn’t stop the fight between Braxton and Corey sooner is because I’m hoping the blows to Corey’s head knocked some sense into him.” Daddy scratches his head, then continues. “Horace has been pushing for the two of you to be mated for years, thinking that it would be beneficial for the Pack.”
I fall back in the chair, covering my mouth. What the Hell?
“You know I’ve always stood firm on you and Kenia picking your mates. Plus, I could never see you mating with a Beta,” daddy chuckles. “You would run all over his ass. You need an Alpha who matches your energy and Braxton seems to be the one.”
“He is,” I blush.
Daddy laughs louder, then says, “I’m happy for you, Nyah but you have to be careful.”
“I know.”
“Corey has proven today that he will be a problem for the two of you. I’m going to have a sit down with Horace to get his son in line. If he can’t,” daddy let out a deep breath. “Then it’ll leave me with no choice but to exile him from the Pack. I haven’t had to do that for decades, but if it comes down to it, it will be done.”
I hate that daddy has been put in this position. The Pack means everything to him and for him to have to contemplate on putting a member out breaks my heart.
I guess daddy saw the distress on my face, because he says, “I don’t want you worrying about this, Nyah. Shit, happens. Hopefully, Horace can convince Corey to stop with his obsession with you.”
“I hope so too,” I agree. “Excuse my language, daddy, but Corey has been showing his ass and I am over it. If he doesn’t get his shit together, Braxton will kill him the next time. This is the second time he has challenged Braxton.”
“I know,” daddy returns. “Which is why the conversation with Horace is necessary. I can only step in so many times.”
Thinking about what Braxton said earlier, I changed the subject.
“Daddy, Braxton asked me to stay at the hotel this weekend with him. Do you mind keeping an eye on Crown for me?”
Daddy makes a clicking sound with his tongue that has Crown going over to him.
“Of course. I think it will be a good idea for you to get away for a few days while I take care of this shit. Whenever you move into momma’s cabin, Crown will have two homes. I’ve grown used to him being around, so I don’t know if I’m going to let him go.”
Daddy winks at me. “We’ll see about that. Go on inside and get ready for your day tomorrow. Don’t worry about Crown, he’ll be fine.”
“Thank you, Daddy,” I responded, getting out of my chair. I go over to him and kiss his cheek, then rub the top of Crown’s head. “He’ll be with me at the cabin.”
“Keep telling yourself that,” daddy chortles.
I roll my eyes before going inside. Thank the Gods I have an understanding daddy. I had a little more pep in my step as I went to my room to pack my bag. I’m ready to have a relaxing weekend with my mate. I’ll deal with the Pack bullshit when I return Monday evening.