Chapter 35 Kady
THIRTY-FIVE
Kady
It was already hard to stand up straight with my legs like jelly, but now it feels like the entire room is spinning too.
I look down at myself, wearing only Calder’s shirt with messy, wet hair.
I don’t think my father has seen me in pajamas since the Christmas morning before Mom died. He always insists on dressing formally.
“Shit.” I make a haphazard attempt to smooth down my hair, debating whether I have a chance to run up to change, but there’s no time.
Taking big strides, Warren storms up to the door, Dad following close behind him. The thundering knock confirms that this isn’t just a nightmare coming to life.
“We could pretend we’re not in?” Ezra suggests with a weak smile in solidarity, despite the argument we were just having.
“He’ll just get Warren to break the door down.” I grimace. “Stay here. Let me deal with this.”
Ezra’s mouth opens like he wants to say something, but then he dips his head in defeat.
Braced for what is sure to be an unpleasant conversation, I open the door, a gust of cold air rattling my already tense muscles.
Dad’s lip curls in disapproval. “Kadence.” He only uses my full name when he’s angry.
“What are you doing here?” I get right to the point, knowing there’s no use in making small talk. “You should have called.”
“Can you imagine my surprise when I went to Stella House to pay you a surprise visit and found out you weren’t there? It only took a little investigation to find out that you were with a band of…” He scowls. “Criminals.”
Anger swells in my chest, but I quell it, biting back a bitter laugh. “Criminals?”
Dad clicks his teeth. “Wasn’t the Valen Pack in jail just a month ago?”
“Only because Warren put them there.” I glare at Warren, whose expression remains neutral, beefy arms planted on his hips in a power stance. “They didn’t do anything wrong.”
“Details, details.” Dad flicks his wrist nonchalantly.
Of course, those are the types of details he doesn’t mind overlooking.
This is a perfect example of why I never wanted to follow in my father’s footsteps.
He doesn’t care about the truth, only in furthering his own interests.
“I’m tired of the childish games you’re playing.
First, I arrange for you to marry the Oakwood Pack.
Then you inform me you have found a pack of your own, which I supported, only to find out you lied about that.
Do you realize how all of this makes me look?
Your little acts of rebellion don’t only affect you. They impact the Sinclair name.”
“I wouldn’t have had to resort to lies if you’d listened to me in the first place.” I blow out a irritated breath. “I would never have lied about the Blandon Pack if you hadn’t arranged a marriage that I never agreed to.”
“This isn’t open for debate.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I’m here to take you back to New York. I made a mistake sending you to Scent Valley University. We shouldn’t have continued your education. That was a grave error on my part.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” I stand my ground. “Especially with you. I’ve been managing fine without you for weeks. And you can’t just show up and dictate what I do with my life.” I’m shaking with fury, words exploding from my mouth. “This is my life, Dad! Not yours!”
“And you are an omega!” He uses his alpha bark, causing Warren to flinch while pulling a whimper from me, his deep cadence reverberating through my bones. “You are coming home. That’s final.”
“Dad…” My voice comes out feeble. “Don’t do this. Please.”
“I’ve made mistakes with you, Kadence. I’ve been too lenient and given you more opportunities than most omegas dream of, but enough is enough.
Now that your reputation has been tarnished by the Blandon Pack,” he sniffs in disgust, like I’ve become used goods, “I’ve been busy with negotiations, and you should be grateful to hear that the Oakwood Pack is still interested in marrying you. ”
“What?” I feel like the asphalt is being pulled from underneath me. “After everything that’s happened, you still want me to marry Timothy Oakwood and his clan of monsters?”
“Timothy Oakwood is a strong match.”
“I don’t need an alpha!” My voice catches, a sinking feeling of dread washing over me as my stomach drops like a lead balloon. “Haven’t I proven I’m enough on my own? I’m more than my designation!”
“You’re an omega,” he hisses. “You need an alpha!”
“That’s enough.” I jump at the deep growl coming from behind me. “You will not speak to her like that.”
Dad momentarily falters, lips curling, while taking in Ezra. Two alphas caught in a standoff. I’ve never heard of anyone standing up to my father before. Usually, he’s surrounded by people pleasers who are too afraid to disagree.
“And who are you?” Dad’s eyes skirt over him, his expression communicating that he finds him lacking.
Warren coughs. “Ezra Brackenwood, sir.”
“Ah, yes.” Dad’s smile twists into a snarl. “The professor. What would Dean Rivers say if he found out you were caught, again, in a compromising position with a student, hm?”
Dad has the power to end Ezra’s career. Not just cost him the job at SVU but any future teaching job.
“Ezra, please.” I hope my expression conveys that I need him to listen to me. “Go back inside. I can handle this.” If it means protecting Ezra and the Valen Pack from facing my father’s wrath, I’ll back down. “I’ll go with him.”
Standing by my side, Ezra’s spine straightens. “You’re not going anywhere.” He turns to my father. “Your daughter has told you that she is not marrying the Oakwood Pack. You should listen to her.”
Dad’s chest puffs out like an arrogant peacock. “And who are you to tell me what to do with my daughter?”
“I’m someone who cares about her.”
“But you’re not willing to bond with her?” Dad scoffs. “From my research, you have quite a reputation, isn’t that right, Warren?”
Warren whips out his phone and starts scrolling. “That’s correct, sir.”
“A womanizer.” Dad points at Ezra with a flourish. “You’re throwing your life away for someone who will discard you, Kadence. For someone who doesn’t even care.” He beckons for me to follow him. “Come on. Get in the car. If we don’t hurry, we’ll miss our flight.”
“She already told you that she’s not going with you.” Ezra’s nostrils flare. “She’s staying with us.”
Ezra’s strong arm wraps protectively around my waist, taking me by surprise by pulling me closer to him. Being this close to him again makes me feel so safe. And wanted.
“You don’t know who you’re dealing with, Brackenwood.” Dad shoots him a death glare that would make most grown men shit their pants. “I can destroy you and your entire pack. All I have to do is make one call, and you’ll be jailed for the next ten years.”
It’s not an empty threat. I’ve seen Dad destroy livelihoods before. He can do it in the click of his fingers without losing a night’s sleep.
“I should just go.” My voice shakes.
I think about Nick and Winnie, how they’d struggle to cope without Hale’s support. How Riven wouldn’t be able to see the stars. How much trouble Calder would get into with his inability to back down from an argument. They can’t have their lives ruined by going to jail over me.
“Finally, you’re seeing sense.” Dad grins triumphantly. “You’ve made the right call.”
I step out of Ezra’s grasp, but he grabs my arm.
“No.” He holds my wrist, his gaze meeting mine, eyes widening with fear. “You can’t go.”
“Maybe it’s for the best.” I look down at my feet. “I was only going to break their hearts anyway, right?”
“You can’t marry them,” Ezra insists.
“She will marry who I tell her to!” Dad roars. “My daughter needs a pack to protect her!”
“She’s already got one,” Ezra growls.
“W-w-what?” Dad splutters, staggering back like he’s been shoved.
“You heard me.” Ezra’s jaw tenses. “She’s part of the Valen Pack now.”
Dad laughs. “Do you expect me to fall for another fake performance?” His eyes narrow at me. “Get in the car, Kadence.”
I look up at Ezra. “You don’t want an omega, Ezra.”
“I didn’t want an omega, but things have changed.” The rage in his eyes directed at my father shifts when he looks at me, warming my skin like the sun has finally decided to shine after a storm. “I will not let you marry another pack.” He inhales deeply. “You’re our scent match.”
“Scent match?” Dad balks then begins ranting, but I can’t even hear what he’s saying as everything other than Ezra seems to fall away into nothingness.
Our scent match? Did I hear Ezra right?
I swallow hard. My gaze searches his face, looking to see whether he’s lying, just saying this to help me. “But I thought you didn’t believe in scent matches.”
“I didn’t.” Ezra’s teeth graze along his bottom lip. “Until I met you.”
Dad and Warren may as well be on another planet.
A lump is caught in my throat. “I know this isn’t what you wanted.”
“Maybe not, but you were right about what you said earlier.” He entwines his fingers with mine, squeezing. “I’ve been sabotaging the pack’s happiness. Watching you almost walk away has made me realize that. If I let you go, I wouldn’t just break their hearts but mine too.”
“While this is all very romantic, need I remind you of your profession?” Dad’s raving yanks me back to the present. “A professor cavorting with a student is against SVU rules.”
“Actually, it’s not,” Ezra replies coolly. “Article 12A of the SVU handbook states that faculty and student relations are permitted in the event of a bonding or scent match.”
Shock grips my lungs, making it difficult to breathe. “How did you…?”
He shrugs. “I might have done some research before our trip.”
Over Dad’s shoulder, I spot Janice chugging up the driveway.
“This keeps getting better and better.” Dad flings his arms up and gasps in horror at the sight of Hale’s car. “They drive a death trap too. It’s a wonder you’re still alive.”
As soon as they’ve parked, Hale and the others fly out of the car, taking in the unfolding scene.